Easiest way to get back to Barcelona from Madrid for 4 people

How much time is there between the end of the tour and your flight? Where does the flight go?

Second class would be less than first class train ticket

How much does the airline want to modify the fight, so you could depart from MAD?

Our flight leaves out of Barcelona the next day so we have plenty of time. Just not sure about the train . Looks like $450 for 4 to ger from Madrid to Barcelona. Our flight out of Barcelona will take us home to the states.

Havent looked into changing the flight because its a little complicated with 2 different flights for our group

When are you going? Did you look at train tix for your actual date? And on what source—Renfe, Rail Europe, etc? We got a very good price on AVE tickets between Madrid and Barcelona buy buying well in advance.

Ill check that out. I found tix on Rail Europe. But im shooting in the dark since I know nothing about ntrains. Our trip is June 11

Hi Jen. Don't use Rail Europe; doesn't show all trains and prices. Renfe is official site; but most people find trainline easier to use; very reputable site. Many options that day from $179 to $367 for 4 adults depending on time. Have a great trip!

Is a "train solution" a must?
Checking KAYAK just now, there are numerous non-stop flights Madrid to Barcelona on June 11th for under $50/person.
In fairness, the train ride is fun and points out the quality of Spanish rail.

Starting with the Man in Seat 61 for Spain:
https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-routes/barcelona-to-madrid-by-train.htm

And using the Buy Tickets red button to get to Trainline to do a test, I searched for one-way tickets from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants on June 10th (10.06.23) and got the results below for one adult passenger. If anyone is older than 59, if you'll be departing and/or arriving at different stations or if on a different day, you'll need to adjust the search. Please note that Ouigo and Avlo have some charges for luggage but AVE and Iryo do not. It's pretty obvious that buying your tickets this way and printing them at home can be much cheaper than using Rail Europe.

When I did the 1st experiment, the Renfe website was not functioning so neither AVE nor Avlo trains appeared in the options. This time they were there. When you do your own search, they may or may not be. Check the Man in Seat 61 link above for more information on these train operators and their trains. Be sure to scroll down the page to see the route and hints of what you'll see enroute.

https://www.thetrainline.com/book/results?origin=f8ba39eb1f8cb95a9ec1b0070d9c0a4d&destination=7ff00395d029119fba60492989067b39&outwardDate=2023-06-10T06%3A00%3A00&outwardDateType=departAfter&journeySearchType=single&passengers%5B%5D=1996-05-13%7C69ca54f5-16d8-4a6e-ae41-bb0827e69852&directSearch=false&lang=en-us&selectedOutward=gXB3nLeeCt8%3D%3AgPhRZ%2BoonCI%3D%3AStandard

I hope this helps and that y'all have a great time in Spain.

Looking at the price to change the flight seems like step one. It is, hands down, the easiest option. The economics of other options can only be compared against that. (And remember that changing is worth a reasonable premium, given the time, hassles, and indirect costs it would save.

But remember to add the cost and hassle of getting to the Madrid airport from the city Nd then from the Barcelona airport into the city (assuming you overnight there). Flying in on a separate ticket the same day as the flight back to the US is risky.)

The train is actually much faster, and simpler.

Renfe's website has some room for improvement, so I'd suggest also looking at Iryo, https://iryo.eu/en/home

Ok lots to look at! Thank you all for some ideas!