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4.6
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Madrid to Bilbao
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Madrid to Bilbao among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €47 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 34m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €47, while a flight costs an average of €124.
Distance: 323 km
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€47 Average price Cheapest | €50 Average price | €124 Average price | €67 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 25m Average total duration 4h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 58m Average total duration 4h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 34m Average total duration Fastest 2h 34m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 4h 5m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.0 - 1.9kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular bus company |  Most popular train company |  Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Madrid to Bilbao:
A bus is €3 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Madrid to Bilbao costing on average €50.
A bus is €77 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid to Bilbao costing on average €124.
Other travel options to Bilbao take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 58m.
Bus takes on average 5h 25m.
Travel optionsfrom Madrid to Bilbao
How to get from Madrid to Bilbao by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Madrid to Bilbao is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- Normal3:30 PM4h15Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid)7:45 PMBilbao, Estación de Autobuses€391One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- Normal3:30 PM4h15Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid)7:45 PMBilbao, Estación de Autobuses€391One-way0 transfers
Fastest
UX715710:55 AM1h00Madrid Barajas Airport11:55 AMBilbao Airport€3111One-way0 transfers
Other options
- Normal7:15 PM4h30Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid)11:45 PMBilbao, Estación de Autobuses€391One-way0 transfers
- Normal10:00 AM4h40Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América2:40 PMBilbao, Estación de Autobuses€391One-way0 transfers
- Normal2:00 PM4h45Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América6:45 PMBilbao, Estación de Autobuses€391One-way0 transfers
- UX71616:30 AM1h05Madrid Barajas Airport7:35 AMBilbao Airport€1061One-way0 transfers
- IB4297:25 AM1h05Madrid Barajas Airport8:30 AMBilbao Airport€3381One-way0 transfers
- IB109911:40 AM1h05Madrid Barajas Airport12:45 PMBilbao Airport€3481One-way0 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
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FAQs: Travel from Madrid to Bilbao
Travel to Bilbao 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 Madrid to Bilbao.
This is compared to other travel options from Madrid to Bilbao:
A bus is €3 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Madrid to Bilbao costing on average €50.
A bus is €77 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid to Bilbao costing on average €124.
Other travel options to Bilbao take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 58m.
Bus takes on average 5h 25m.
- Around 26 buses per day.
- Around 11 flights per day.
- Around 2 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Madrid and Bilbao as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Madrid Barajas Airport and arrive in Bilbao Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Madrid Chamartín and arrive in Bilbao-Abando.
- Buses mostly depart from Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América and arrive in Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses.
- Travel with Renfe ALVIA, Renfe MD, Renfe INTERCITY, Renfe, Renfe Viajeros to go to Bilbao by train.
- Travel with Iberia, Air Europa, Air Nostrum, Vueling, GetJet Airlines to go to Bilbao by flight.
- Travel with Alsa, Alsa Supra, BlaBlaCar, FlixBus to go to Bilbao by bus.
- 2 direct trains per day with Renfe ALVIA, Renfe Viajeros.
- 7 direct flights per day with Iberia, Air Europa, Air Nostrum.
- 24 direct buses per day with Alsa, Alsa Supra, BlaBlaCar.
Travelling from Madrid to Bilbao: related information
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