How to travel from Bilbao to Madrid

Fri, May 15
+ Add return
Travel by train, bus, flight with
Alsa
Renfe ALVIA
Iberia
Alsa Supra
Air Europa
1,000+ more
Alsa
Renfe ALVIA
Iberia
Alsa Supra
Air Europa
1,000+ more
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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 bus with

Most popular
Bus
Train
Flight

€45

Average price

€38

Average price

Cheapest

€138

Average price

5h 48m

Average total duration

5h 18m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 14m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 44m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

7h 16m

Average total duration

4h 16m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

0.3 - 0.8kg

CO2 emissions

0.1 - 0.3kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

1.0 - 1.9kg

CO2 emissions

Alsa

Most popular bus company

Renfe ALVIA

Most popular train company

Iberia

Most popular airline

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Travel options
from Bilbao to Madrid

How to get from Bilbao to Madrid by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

train

The best way to travel from Bilbao to Madrid is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • Renfe ALVIA04366
    5:28 PM4h52
    Bilbao-Abando
    10:20 PMMadrid Chamartín
    321One-way
    0 transfers

Cheapest

  • Renfe ALVIA04366
    5:28 PM4h52
    Bilbao-Abando
    10:20 PMMadrid Chamartín
    321One-way
    0 transfers

Fastest

  • Air EuropaUX7160
    9:05 PM1h05
    Bilbao Airport
    10:10 PMMadrid Barajas Airport
    681One-way
    0 transfers

Other options

  • Renfe INTERCITY00283 · 04786
    11:58 AM8h24
    Bilbao-Abando
    8:22 PMMadrid Chamartín
    381One-way
    1 transfer
  • Renfe INTERCITY00283+Renfe ALVIA04366
    11:58 AM10h22
    Bilbao-Abando
    10:20 PMMadrid Chamartín
    381One-way
    1 transfer
  • Renfe ALVIA00437+Renfe INTERCITY04786
    3:02 PM5h20
    Bilbao-Abando
    8:22 PMMadrid Chamartín
    401One-way
    1 transfer
  • AlsaNormal
    4:00 PM4h30
    Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses
    8:30 PMMadrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid)
    391One-way
    0 transfers
  • AlsaNormal
    8:00 AM4h30
    Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses
    12:30 PMMadrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid)
    391One-way
    0 transfers
  • AlsaNormal
    7:00 AM4h30
    Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses
    11:30 AMMadrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid)
    391One-way
    0 transfers
  • IberiaIB442
    6:45 AM1h10
    Bilbao Airport
    7:55 AMMadrid Barajas Airport
    641One-way
    0 transfers
  • IberiaIB440
    9:50 PM1h10
    Bilbao Airport
    11:00 PMMadrid Barajas Airport
    641One-way
    0 transfers
  • Air EuropaUX7156
    8:20 AM1h10
    Bilbao Airport
    9:30 AMMadrid Barajas Airport
    681One-way
    0 transfers

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights

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.

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FAQs: Travel from Bilbao to Madrid

Travel to Madrid easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Bilbao to Madrid.

FAQs
There are 3 options to travel between Bilbao and Madrid including taking a train, bus, and flight.
The cheapest way to travel from Bilbao to Madrid is a train with an average price of €38.

This is compared to other travel options from Bilbao to Madrid:

A train is €7 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Bilbao to Madrid costing on average €45.

A train is €100 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Bilbao to Madrid costing on average €138.

The fastest way to travel from Bilbao to Madrid is by train with an average journey time of 3h 44m.

Other travel options to Madrid take longer:

Flight takes on average 4h 16m.

Bus takes on average 5h 18m.

The Bilbao to Madrid distance is approximately 323 km.
The average frequency per day from Bilbao to Madrid is:
  • Around 28 buses per day.
  • Around 10 flights per day.
  • Around 2 trains per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Bilbao and Madrid as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Bilbao to Madrid:
  • Flights mostly depart from Bilbao Airport and arrive in Madrid Barajas Airport.
  • Trains mostly depart from Bilbao-Abando and arrive in Madrid Chamartín.
  • Buses mostly depart from Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses and arrive in Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Bilbao to Madrid, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with Alsa, Alsa Supra, BlaBlaCar, FlixBus, Infobus to go to Madrid by bus.
  • Travel with Renfe ALVIA, Renfe INTERCITY, Renfe MD, Renfe Viajeros to go to Madrid by train.
  • Travel with Iberia, Air Europa, Air Nostrum, Vueling, Iberia Express to go to Madrid by flight.
Yes, there are direct services available from Bilbao to Madrid with the following travel companies:
  • 24 direct buses per day with Alsa, Alsa Supra, BlaBlaCar.
  • 2 direct trains per day with Renfe ALVIA, Renfe Viajeros.
  • 7 direct flights per day with Iberia, Air Europa, Air Nostrum, Iberia Express.
Omio customers who travel from Bilbao to Madrid often also extend their vacation to go to Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Málaga, Paris. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Madrid and these popular destinations at a great price.
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