The cheapest and fastest trains from Bilbao to Madrid
Cheapest price
€45
Average price
€69
Fastest journey
4 h 42 m
Average duration
5 h 51 m
Trains per day
15
Distance
323 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Bilbao to Madrid is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bilbao to Madrid will cost around €69 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €45.
Of the 15 trains that leave Bilbao for Madrid on Sun, Jun 14, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Jun 14 the direct trains cover the 323 km distance in an average of 5 h 51 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 42 m .
On Sun, Jun 14 the slowest trains will take 7 h 18 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
041866:53 AM4h42Bilbao-Abando11:35 AMMadrid Chamartín€451One-way0 transfers
04186+
041666:53 AM12h48Bilbao-Abando7:41 PMMadrid Chamartín€481One-way1 transfer
00283 · 0416611:58 AM7h43Bilbao-Abando7:41 PMMadrid Chamartín€491One-way1 transfer
04186 · 040866:53 AM7h05Bilbao-Abando1:58 PMMadrid Chamartín€631One-way1 transfer
00283+
0417611:58 AM10h22Bilbao-Abando10:20 PMMadrid Chamartín€641One-way1 transfer
041866:53 AM4h42Bilbao-Abando11:35 AMMadrid Chamartín€451One-way0 transfers
043665:28 PM4h52Bilbao-Abando10:20 PMMadrid Chamartín€651One-way0 transfers
00437+
047863:02 PM5h20Bilbao-Abando8:22 PMMadrid Chamartín€641One-way1 transfer
04186 · 040866:53 AM7h05Bilbao-Abando1:58 PMMadrid Chamartín€631One-way1 transfer
00437 · 041763:02 PM7h18Bilbao-Abando10:20 PMMadrid Chamartín€641One-way1 transfer
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Bilbao to Madrid
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Bilbao to Madrid among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from €18. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 44m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €18, and a flight costs an average of €29.
Distance: 323 km
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€38 Average price Cheapest | €45 Average price | €138 Average price |
4h 14m Average total duration Fastest 3h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 48m Average total duration 5h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 16m Average total duration 4h 16m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions | 1.0 - 1.9kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Bilbao to Madrid train times
The table below shows live departures for Bilbao to Madrid trains for today, Saturday, June 13. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
04186 | On time 6:53 AM Bilbao-Abando | 4h42 | 11:35 AM Madrid Chamartín | 0 transfersDirect | |
04186 · 04086 | Delayed 6:53 AM Bilbao-Abando | 7h05 | 11:58 AM 11:58 AMMadrid Chamartín | 1 transfer | |
00283+ 04176 | Delayed 11:58 AM Bilbao-Abando | 10h22 | 8:20 PM 8:20 PMMadrid Chamartín | 1 transfer | |
00437 · 04176 | Delayed 3:02 PM Bilbao-Abando | 7h18 | 8:20 PM 8:20 PMMadrid Chamartín | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Bilbao to Madrid by train, bus, or flight
Compare train, bus, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Jun 13
Jun 14
Jun 15
Jun 16
Jun 17
Jun 18
Jun 19
Jun 20
Jun 21
Jun 22
Jun 23
Jun 24
Jun 25
Jun 26
Jun 27
Jun 28
Jun 29
Jun 30
Jul 01
Jul 02
Jul 03
Why should you book Bilbao to Madrid trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Renfe ALVIA?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Renfe ALVIA, but also compare tickets for the likes of Renfe INTERCITY, Renfe MD or Renfe Viajeros to find the best option for your trip from Bilbao to Madrid.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Renfe ALVIA with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Bilbao to Madrid.
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Bilbao to Madrid?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Bilbao to Madrid
Trains from Bilbao to Madrid run on average 2 times per day, taking around 3h 44m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €18 if you book in advance.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:30, the last at 17:37. The fastest train covers the 323 km distance in 4h 35m.
Distance 323 km |
Average train duration 3h 44m |
Cheapest ticket price €18 |
Trains per day 2 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 4h 35m |
First train 12:30 AM |
Last train 5:37 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 91 days |
Train companies: Renfe ALVIA, Renfe INTERCITY, Renfe MD, Renfe Viajeros from Bilbao to Madrid trainsRenfe ALVIA, Renfe INTERCITY, Renfe MD, Renfe Viajeros trains will get you between Bilbao and Madrid from €18. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Renfe ALVIA
Renfe INTERCITY
Renfe MD
Renfe Viajeros
FAQs: Trains from Bilbao to Madrid
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bilbao to Madrid by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Madrid, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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Popular train stations from Bilbao to Madrid
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