(Last updated on 24/10/2024)
Situated pretty much halfway between Madrid and Lisbon, Cáceres is one of Extremadura’s main tourist destinations. It’s a great place for a weekend city break or as an overnight stay on a Spanish-Portuguese road trip.
This article, aimed at travellers looking to get to Cáceres from Madrid, covers everything you need to know about the journey – from the transport options available to the advantages of each means of transport, a detailed car journey description and practical information.
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Cáceres is 314 kilometres away from Madrid Barajas Airport. A typical car journey takes 2h 50min, making it the fastest way (road traffic permitting) to get to Cáceres from Madrid.
Reasons for driving to Cáceres from Madrid:
You can hire a car at the airport. If you’re flying into Madrid, hiring a car at the airport is a no-brainer. You avoid having to cross the city in the metro or getting a taxi to the bus or the train station.
You can leave when you want. You don’t need to kill time while waiting for a bus or train. As soon as you land, you can go get your car and leave straight away.
It can be the cheapest option. Unless you travel on your own, hiring a car is normally cheaper than public transport when you travel with others.
It’s the fastest option. Both coaches and trains to Cáceres from Madrid take longer than driving.
It gives you the most flexibility. Driving allows you to stop whenever and wherever you want. You might need regular quick rest stops, or you may want to take it slowly and visit a town on the way; for example, Trujillo is a must-see destination conveniently located just off the A-5 road.
It may be your only option. If you want or need to leave Madrid late in the evening, hiring a car may be your only option to get to Cáceres, since the last coaches and trains usually depart before 6pm.
The car journey to Cáceres from Madrid
The Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport is located to the northeast of Madrid. The journey involves driving along the orbital M-40 road clockwise to reach southwestern Madrid before joining the A-5/E-90 motorway Badajoz-bound. Motorists on the M-40 display an aggressive rather than defensive driving style and traffic is fast-paced. Have someone else on the passenger seat help with directions and making sure you don’t miss your exit.
You have two options to exit the M-40: getting off at exit 31 (A-5/E-90 Badajoz-bound), or getting off a bit earlier at exit 27 (R-5 Badajoz-bound). The R-5 is a radial toll-road which saves you a bit of time, road traffic and stress, particularly if you’re driving in morning or evening rush hour or in key holiday dates.
If you want to factor in traffic congestion when deciding when to depart Madrid by car, take note of the usual busiest times on the road (excluding holidays): Monday-Friday from 7.30am to 9.30am and from 6pm to 8pm. Monday tends to be the busiest day on the road. Busiest times during weekends are usually Saturdays from 10am to 12pm and Sundays from 6pm to 9pm.
Once you join the A-5/E-90 motorway Badajoz-bound, the journey is an easy and comfortable ride to Cáceres. The motorway is in good condition. Traffic varies between low to moderate, with a fair number of trucks and lorries, many heading to Portugal. Service stations are well signposted and they normally comprise a service station itself with a little shop and an independent bar/restaurant serving cheap and reasonable-quality food.
Drive on the A-5/E-90 motorway and just before Trujillo, get off at exit 248 to join the A-58 road that will take you to Cáceres.
Parking in Cáceres
Finding a good place to leave your car in a new city is not always easy. Whether you’re driving to Cáceres for a day trip or you’re staying overnight, knowing where you’ll park in advance can remove some of the road trip-related stress.
My go-to car park in Cáceres is Párking Obispo Galarza and here’s why:
Location. The car park is centrally located in Plaza de Obispo Galarza, right by the historic centre of Cáceres and only four minutes away on foot from the main square.
Opening hours. It’s open 24/7.
Reasonably priced. Parking a car here costs €0.0138/min up to a maximum of €12.45 per 24 hours or parking.
Getting to Cáceres from Madrid by train
Trains from Madrid to Cáceres depart from Atocha Station – not from the main station but from the Atocha – Cercanías Station. Once inside, look for ‘Media Distancia’ services to locate the check-in area leading down to the waiting area on the lower level. Please note that trains to Cáceres appear on the panels as Badajoz-bound.
The train journey duration varies between 3h 34min (Alvia and Media Distancia services) and 4h 9min (Regional Exprés service).
Cáceres Train Station is located in Avenida Juan Pablo II, about thirty minutes away on foot from the main square (Plaza Mayor). Local bus stops are six minutes away on foot (Avenida de Alemania 45 stop for buses 1 and 4) or eight minutes away on foot (Avenida I. de Moctezuma stop for buses 2 or 3). Bear in mind that buses do not go as far as the historic city centre and you’ll still have to walk another 10 minutes or so.
Travelling to Cáceres from Madrid by train may suit you in these cases:
You travel alone. A train ticket will be cheaper than hiring a car on your own.
You don’t drive. If you need to travel by public transport, train journeys are generally more comfortable than coach journeys.
You like trains. Some people simply love travelling by train. You can relax and read or just enjoy the landscapes from the window.
Getting to Cáceres from Madrid by coach
Avanza serves the Madrid to Cáceres route from Estación Sur de Autobuses. Coaches to Cáceres depart from Estación Sur de Autobuses. Tickets can be purchased in advance online. The journey duration varies between 3h 55min and 4h 55min.
Cáceres Bus Station is located in Calle Túnez, very close to the train station and also about thirty minutes away on foot from the main square.
Travelling to Cáceres from Madrid by coach may suit you in these cases:
You travel alone. A coach ticket will be cheaper than hiring a car on your own.
You live or are staying in the south of Madrid. If you have an easy commute to the Estación Sur de Autobuses, you might want to travel by coach, although trains may be equally suitable, so do check and compare.
There are no train services available.
Read the Cáceres travel guide to know what to see and do in the city.
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Irene Corchado Resmella
Hi! I’m Irene (/ee-REH-neh/). Long since settled in the UK, I explore my Spanish home region of Extremadura with an inquisitive mind, a sharp eye, and the duality that comes with being both a local and a visitor. Then I write about it here to help you discover this beautiful yet overlooked part of Spain. If you have any questions after reading this article, submit a comment below! Read more about me.
