Is there a way to reach Madrid from Zurich without flying?

The bus is the best choice to get to Madrid without flying. The bus trip is an affordable, safe and convenient way to travel between the two cities. Taking a ride with other travelers through carpool services is an additional option to consider.

How long does it take to get to Madrid from Zurich by bus?

The travel time from Zurich to Madrid is about 1d 8h, although the fastest bus will take 1d 1h, on average. This is the time it takes to travel the 774 miles (1249 km) that separate the two cities.

What is the distance between Zurich and Madrid?

About 774 miles (1249 km) separate Zurich and Madrid.

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Zurich to Madrid?

If you're headed to Madrid from Zurich, chances are that your bus will leave from Sihlquai - Limmatstraße and arrive at Madrid-Barajas Airport. These are the main departure and arrival locations on this route, there are other pick-up and drop-off locations that could make it easier for you to reach your destination.

What is the most cost-effective way to get from Zurich to Madrid?

You can save a lot of money on your trip from Zurich to Madrid by choosing to travel by bus. With prices starting at $101, you won't find a more affordable way to get there.

What is the ticket price for the bus trip from Zurich to Madrid?

The average price of a one-way ticket from Zurich to Madrid is $172. In the last 30 days, the prices ranged from $101 to $353, so it's good to do your research before booking.

What are the best sights and things to do in Madrid?

Once in Madrid, you can start exploring the city and discover its surroundings. The top sights and things to do are Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Palacio Real, Puerta del Sol, Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabéu and Reina Sofia Museum.

Is it possible to travel by overnight bus from Zurich to Madrid?

Yes, you can take a night bus to go from Zurich to Madrid. Make sure to pack a blanket and a snack to make your trip more comfortable.

Zurich to Madrid Bus Tickets

TodayApr 30

from $150

TomorrowMay 1

FriMay 2

SatMay 3

SunMay 4

MonMay 5

TueMay 6

WedMay 7

Cheap buses leaving today

One passenger / one way

This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest + Fastest
Departure time: April 30 at 6:30am
Departure city: Zurich
Departure location: Sihlquai - Limmatstraße
Arrival time: May 1 at 10:25am
Destination city: Madrid
Destination location: Madrid (South)
Operated by: Flixbus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 1d 3h
Departure time: April 30 at 11:30pm
Departure city: Zurich
Departure location: Sihlquai - Limmatstraße
Arrival time: May 2 at 8:20am
Destination city: Madrid
Destination location: Aeropuerto Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas, MAD T4
Operated by: Flixbus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 1d 8h
Departure time: April 30 at 11:35am
Departure city: Zurich
Departure location: Airport (ZLC)
Arrival time: May 2 at 8:20am
Destination city: Madrid
Destination location: Aeropuerto Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas, MAD T4
Operated by: Flixbus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 1d 20h
Departure time: April 30 at 11:35am
Departure city: Zurich
Departure location: Airport (ZLC)
Arrival time: May 2 at 8:00am
Destination city: Madrid
Destination location: Madrid (South)
Operated by: Flixbus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 1d 20h

Accepted payments

Compare 2 ways to go from Zurich to Madrid.

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average Price$101 - $353	Average Duration1d 8h	CO₂ emissions 31kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars	Most eco-friendly
Carpool	Average Price$75 - $75	Average Duration18h 30m	CO₂ emissions 52kg CO₂e4 out of 5 stars	CheapestFastest

Busbud recommends carpooling from Zurich to Madrid

Among the sustainable travel choices, the carpool stands out as the good way to reach Madrid. The journey takes about 18 hours 30 minutes and with fares starting at just $75, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

1carpool per day

18h 30mAverage Duration

$75Cheapest ticket

52kgCO₂ emissions

Bus Zurich to Madrid: Trip Overview

Average ticket price$172

Average bus trip duration1d 8h

Number of daily buses6

Earliest bus departure12:00am

Distance774 miles (1247 km)

Latest bus departure11:30pm

Compare bus companies

FlixBus

3.5/58,442 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness4

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi2.6

Flixbus is a European bus operator that offers intercity and bus travel in over 38 countries. Known for their easy-to-spot lime green buses and for offering affordable transportation between cities in Europe and the Americas, Flixbus is a good option for those looking for an affordable, reliable bus company. In their buses, you'll find free WiFi, bathrooms, and power outlets. You can also pay extra to choose your seat and get extra legroom, or even buy a snack or drink onboard directly from the driver. You can reschedule your ticket for a small fee, which varies from $1 to $5, depending on how close you are to the departure date.

BlaBlaCar Bus

3.5/510,140 reviews

Staff4.4

Timeliness3.7

Cleanliness4.3

Wifi2.5

ALSA

4.5/559,083 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness4.4

Cleanliness4.7

Wifi3.5

Based on 59083 reviews, the company was rated 4.3 stars on Busbud. Travelers were especially satisfied with the ticket access and the staff but often complained with the wifi. ALSA ticket prices on this trip start at $132.00

ALSA Zurich Madrid recent customer reviews

The departure time change and I wasn’t informed. More than one hour waiting outside with negative temperatures was not funny at all. Very disappointed. I will not use your service again

Joao M.

December 29, 2017

Inters Portugal - Rede Nacional De Expressos, Lda.

4/540 reviews

Staff4.4

Timeliness3.5

Cleanliness4.6

Wifi3.4

ES bus companies: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, ALSA, Rede Expressos, Trenitalia, Sindbad, MarinoBus

Zurich to Madrid Bus

Busbud shows you the best bus ticket fares and bus schedules so you can easily plan and book a trip by bus from Zurich to Madrid.

We make sure you can find a bus service from Zurich to Madrid from the most reliable bus companies operating this trip.

From cheap bus tickets to more luxurious buses traveling from Zurich to Madrid, we offer a wide range of bus services to best suit your needs depending on how much your budget is.

Where are the popular stops in Zurich and Madrid?

Stops in Zurich

A - Sihlquai - Limmatstraße

B - Zürich Airport

C - Schanzengasse, 12

D - Postsrasse

E - Schindellegistrasse, 1

Stops in Madrid

A - Madrid-Barajas Airport

B - Estación Sur

C - Avenida de América Metro

D - Moncloa

E - Príncipe Pío

F - Madrid Interc. Plaza Castilla

Frequently asked questions for your trip Zurich - Madrid

Is there a way to reach Madrid from Zurich without flying?
How long does it take to get to Madrid from Zurich by bus?
What is the distance between Zurich and Madrid?
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Zurich to Madrid?
What is the most cost-effective way to get from Zurich to Madrid?
What is the ticket price for the bus trip from Zurich to Madrid?
What are the best sights and things to do in Madrid?
Is it possible to travel by overnight bus from Zurich to Madrid?

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found

04/28

$123

04/29

$111

Today

$135

05/01

$123

05/02

$117

05/03

$117

05/04

No data

05/05

$91

The cheapest trip from Zurich to Madrid was searched and found on May 5, 2025 with a price of $91

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Zurich to Madrid, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $91 to $249 for a bus ticket from Zurich to Madrid based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $91 which is on 2025-05-05.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

If you're abroad, study some local language. Not only could it get you out of a pickle during your bus trip from Zurich to Madrid but it'll also be endearing to native speakers who will surely appreciate your effort.

Start sightseeing the minute your bus leaves the station. If you're on the night bus from Zurich to Madrid, get comfy and count the stars.

Taking the bus creates the smallest carbon footprint compared to other modes of transport. Not to mention that buses will allow you to discover scenic gems from Zurich to Madrid that are otherwise impossible to come by with a plane.

Create your own real life musical score by curating a personalized bus travel playlist - the perfect accompaniment to your bus ride from Zurich to Madrid.

Did you know?

The average number of passengers on a coach bus is 32 meaning that a bus could replace a minimum of at least 30 cars!

It takes 27 hours to go by bus from Lima to Cusco, one of the craziest bus trips on the world. This route is used daily by locals and backpackers.

The Superbus, created by a Dutch engineer is the world's fastest bus with 250 km/h. Too bad it's only a prototype for now.

Will you be returning to Zurich by bus?

Bus from Zurich to Madrid

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

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Bus Tickets from Zurich to Madrid