Compare Medium Haul

Train vs Flight: Madrid Atocha to Ulm Hbf

Q: Is train or flight faster from Madrid Atocha to Ulm Hbf?

Flight is faster from Madrid Atocha to Ulm Hbf, taking 4h 9m door-to-door versus 7h 10m for the train. However, the train produces 84% less CO2.

Q: What is the door-to-door travel time for train vs flight Madrid Atocha to Ulm Hbf?

Door-to-door travel time from Madrid Atocha to Ulm Hbf: Train takes 7h 10m total (6h 40m journey + 30 min station check-in). Flight takes 4h 9m total (1h 39m flight + 2.5 hours airport overhead for check-in, security, boarding, and taxi).

🇪🇸 Madrid Atocha → 🇩🇪 Ulm Hbf · 1,400 km

Verdict

Flight is faster by 3h 1m door-to-door, but train produces 84% less CO2 — worth considering.

On this medium-haul route from Madrid Atocha to Ulm Hbf, the flight is faster door-to-door, but the train is a greener alternative — saving 300 kg of CO2 per passenger. If your schedule allows extra travel time, the train offers a comfortable, eco-friendly journey.

Comparison

	Train	Flight ✓
Journey time	6h 40m	1h 39m
Door-to-door incl. check-in / airport	7h 10m +30 min at station	4h 9m +2h 30min at airport
CO2 emissions avg. estimate per passenger	57.4 kg	357.0 kg
Est. ticket price rough estimate only	~€112	~€168
City centre arrival	Central station	Airport (outside city)

* Price and CO2 figures are rough average estimates. Actual values vary by booking class, date, operator, and energy mix. Journey times are based on existing route data or standard speed assumptions.

CO2 Savings

Save 299.6 kg CO2 — 84% less than flying

Train: 57.4 kg CO2 · Flight: 357.0 kg CO2 (41g/km train vs 255g/km flight, European averages incl. radiative forcing)

Train

57.4 kg

Flight

357.0 kg

Door-to-Door Breakdown

Train

Check-in at station 30 min

Journey time 6h 40m

Total door-to-door 7h 10m

Flight

Faster door-to-door

Airport overhead 2h 30 min

Flight time 1h 39m

Total door-to-door 4h 9m

Train tickets for this route

Madrid Atocha → Ulm Hbf · full route details

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is train or flight faster from Madrid Atocha to Ulm Hbf?

Flight is faster from Madrid Atocha to Ulm Hbf, taking 4h 9m door-to-door versus 7h 10m for the train. However, the train produces 84% less CO2.

How much CO2 does the Madrid Atocha–Ulm Hbf train vs flight produce?

For the Madrid Atocha to Ulm Hbf route (1400 km straight-line), the train produces approximately 57.4 kg of CO2 per passenger, while the flight produces approximately 357.0 kg. Taking the train saves 299.6 kg of CO2 — a 84% reduction. These are average estimates based on European averages (train: 41g CO2/km, flight: 255g CO2/km including radiative forcing).

What is the door-to-door travel time for train vs flight Madrid Atocha to Ulm Hbf?

Door-to-door travel time from Madrid Atocha to Ulm Hbf:

Train: 7h 10m total (6h 40m journey + 30 min station check-in)
Flight: 4h 9m total (1h 39m flight + 2h 30min airport overhead for check-in, security, boarding, and taxi)

Is the Madrid Atocha to Ulm Hbf train worth it vs flying?

How far is Madrid Atocha from Ulm Hbf?

The straight-line distance from Madrid Atocha to Ulm Hbf is 1,400 km. The actual rail distance will be longer (typically ~1.3× the straight-line distance) due to track routing.