Madrid To Barcelona In Less Than An Hour On Hyperloop

Hyperloop technology might sound like something from one of the more ambitious science fiction movies or books, but it is actually the real deal. Plans are to connect two of Spain’s most popular cities by technology, which will take passengers from A to B in less than an hour. Meanwhile, the high-speed train will travel at 1,200 km/h (746 m/h).

Hyperloop Transportation Technologies: Madrid to Barcelona high-speed train

Currently, a non-stop flight from Madrid to Barcelona takes one hour and fifteen minutes. If you take into account that flying between the two cities involves check-in time, occasional delays when leaving, baggage claims and other delays, flying truly isn’t the best option.

Imagine a capsule that can carry people. Placed inside a depressurized tube, not traveling on rails, but actually levitating above them. Capable of reaching airplane speeds and beyond, on the ground. This is a hyperloop and it is no longer imagination.#hyperloop #hyperlooptt pic.twitter.com/0rgorXdVo9

— HyperloopTT (@hyperlooptt) December 13, 2022

Meanwhile, the regular high-speed train takes two hours and forty minutes. Neither journey is too uncomfortably long time-wise, but imagine hopping on to the Hyperloop and covering the same distance in less than one hour.

Energy efficiency combined with speed

Thanks to a very ambitious Spanish project, Madrid and Barcelona could very well be connected by a new mode of high-speed train travel. Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (Hyperloop TT) is seeking to connect the two cities in a journey of less than one hour. Meanwhile, the company also seeks to combine energy efficiency with the new model of high-speed train travel.

Currently, the AVE high-speed train between the two cities takes around two hours and forty minutes. Compared to older train services, this is already an impressively fast travel time considering the cities are 500 km (311 mi) apart.

As mentioned above, a flight between Madrid and Barcelona would take one hour and fifteen minutes, not counting check-in time and disembarking the plane.

Hyperloop TT CEO Andres de Leon explained the process on Cadena SER, saying: “To understand the train’s model you have to think of a small plane inside a tube.” He added that this innovative project attempts to replicate a vacuum environment, similar to that of a fighter jet. In fact, this would be able to levitate and reach speeds of around 1,200 km/h (746 m/h).

What makes the project even more beneficial is that this is done with a view to efficiency and sustainability, as it would have a very low electricity bill. In fact, unlike the bullet train, the Hyperloop TT train won’t run on electrified rails, which makes for huge savings. De Leon explained that each capsule would have a capacity for between 28 to 58 passengers.

What about the ticket price?

Meanwhile, when asked about the cost of the journey for travelers, the CEO said:

It is difficult to know how much a Madrid-Barcelona trip will cost. Our study estimates prices at 75 percent of the cost of a plane ticket.

Latest plane ticket prices on Google range from €45 and €61 ($48 and $65). 75 percent of that isn’t an excessive price for such speed and convenience.

According to 20minutos.es, de Leon said that at the next Mobile World Congress, held from Feb 27, 2023 – March 2, 2023, it will be possible to see a second prototype of the high-speed Hyperloop train capsule. He added that the capsule would be made of 82 percent carbon fiber.

Hyperloop makes it easy to imagine a world where countries are connected by ultra-high-speed trains. Will this mean no more jet lag?