How to Travel From Barcelona to Zaragoza by Train, Bus, and Car

If you're making your way from Barcelona to the Basque Country, Zaragoza will be your first stop. This historic municipality is the gateway to northern Spain's coastal cities (Bilbao and San Sebastián), but it's worthy of a stopover itself. Home to a stunning Roman Catholic Basilica and Moorish castle, Zaragoza is 195 miles (314 kilometers) from Barcelona, which takes around three hours to drive. You can also reach it by a slightly longer bus ride or by—the fastest and most popular mode of transportation—high-speed train.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Get From Barcelona to Zaragoza? 

The cheapest way to travel from Barcelona to Zaragoza is by bus. Alsa, FlixBus, Eurolines, all travel this route at least once daily, and single-trip tickets can be found for as little as $7, although more commonly they cost around $18. Alsa offers the most direct route—three hours, 30 minutes, compared with five hours or longer—and it makes the trip several times per day. Alsa buses depart from Estació Nord bus station in Barcelona and arrive via the Estación Central de Autobuses de Saragossa.

What Is the Fastest Way to Get From Barcelona to Zaragoza? 

The fastest way to get from Barcelona to Zaragoza is by train. Thanks to France's high-speed AVE train, which can reach speeds of up to 193 miles (310 kilometers) per hour, you can travel between the two in just an hour and a half. According to Trainline, there are 18 trains that travel this route per day, with tickets starting at $18. They depart from Barcelona Sants and arrive at Zaragoza–Delicias station, just west of the town center.

How Long Does It Take to Drive? 

Zaragoza is 195 miles (314 kilometers) by road from Barcelona. The most direct route—via AP-2—takes about three hours. Keep in mind that AP roads typically have tolls, and ViaMichelin estimates this route to cost about $30.

When Is the Best Time to Travel to Zaragoza? 

This sunshiny region of Spain can get up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) in July and August whereas April to June and September through October are more bearable, climate-wise. They're less crowded with tourists, too, seeing as the Basque Country attracts swarms during the summer. You can count on reduced transportation and lodging prices if you travel during the shoulder season.

What Is There to Do in Zaragoza? 

The city of Zaragoza is a great stopover if you're traveling from Barcelona to the coast. The Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar is a masterpiece of waterfront architecture and the Aljafería Moorish castle is the most important ​artifact of Islamic rule in Spain outside of Andalusia. However, besides a few attractions, Zaragoza is most known for its proximity to other major destinations in the Basque Country. Nearby Logroño, for instance, is known for its excellent tapas culture. Pamplona, San Sebastián, and Bilbao are popular with tourists, too.