How to travel from Madrid to Bilbao

Fri, Jun 19
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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 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 train with prices starting from €22. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 35m. 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 €22, and a flight costs an average of €36.

Distance: 323 km

Compare bus with

Most popular
Bus
Train
Flight

€52

Average price

€44

Average price

Cheapest

€182

Average price

5h 20m

Average total duration

4h 50m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

4h 57m

Average total duration

4h 27m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

5h 35m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 35m

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 Madrid to Bilbao

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

Our recommendation

bus

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

  • AlsaNormal
    10:15 PM4h00
    Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid)
    2:15 AMBilbao, Estación de Autobuses
    391One-way
    0 transfers

Cheapest

  • AlsaNormal
    10:15 PM4h00
    Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid)
    2:15 AMBilbao, Estación de Autobuses
    391One-way
    0 transfers

Fastest

  • Air EuropaUX7153
    2:55 PM1h00
    Madrid Barajas Airport
    3:55 PMBilbao Airport
    3901One-way
    0 transfers

Other options

  • AlsaNormal+Renfe18009+Renfe ALVIA04267
    8:00 AM14h28
    Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa)
    10:28 PMBilbao-Abando
    421One-way
    2 transfers
  • AlsaNormal+Renfe18009+Renfe ALVIA04267
    7:45 AM14h43
    Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses
    10:28 PMBilbao-Abando
    421One-way
    2 transfers
  • Renfe ALVIA04073+Renfe71853
    6:48 AM10h02
    Madrid Chamartín
    4:50 PMBasurto-Hospital
    431One-way
    1 transfer
  • AlsaNormal
    10:00 PM4h15
    Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América
    2:15 AMBilbao, Estación de Autobuses
    391One-way
    0 transfers
  • AlsaNormal
    7:15 PM4h30
    Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid)
    11:45 PMBilbao, Estación de Autobuses
    391One-way
    0 transfers
  • AlsaNormal
    4:00 PM4h45
    Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América
    8:45 PMBilbao, Estación de Autobuses
    391One-way
    0 transfers
  • Air EuropaUX9057 · UX7007
    7:15 PM23h15
    Madrid Barajas Airport
    6:30 PMBilbao Airport
    1791One-way
    1 transfer
  • Air EuropaUX9048 · UX7007
    3:00 PM27h30
    Madrid Barajas Airport
    6:30 PMBilbao Airport
    1791One-way
    1 transfer
  • IberiaIB429
    7:25 AM1h05
    Madrid Barajas Airport
    8:30 AMBilbao Airport
    3481One-way
    0 transfers

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

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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.

FAQs
There are 3 options to travel between Madrid and Bilbao including taking a train, bus, and flight.
The cheapest way to travel from Madrid to Bilbao is a train with an average price of €44.

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

A train is €7 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Madrid to Bilbao costing on average €52.

A train is €137 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid to Bilbao costing on average €182.

The fastest way to travel from Madrid to Bilbao is by flight with an average journey time of 2h 35m.

Other travel options to Bilbao take longer:

Train takes on average 4h 27m.

Bus takes on average 4h 50m.

The Madrid to Bilbao distance is approximately 323 km.
The average frequency per day from Madrid to Bilbao is:
  • Around 25 buses per day.
  • Around 10 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.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Madrid to Bilbao:
  • 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.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Madrid to Bilbao, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with Iberia, Air Europa, Air Nostrum, Vueling, GetJet Airlines to go to Bilbao by flight.
  • Travel with Alsa, Alsa Supra, BlaBlaCar, FlixBus, Infobus to go to Bilbao by bus.
  • Travel with Renfe ALVIA, Renfe MD, Renfe INTERCITY, Renfe, Renfe Viajeros to go to Bilbao by train.
Yes, there are direct services available from Madrid to Bilbao with the following travel companies:
  • 7 direct flights per day with Iberia, Air Europa, Air Nostrum.
  • 23 direct buses per day with Alsa, Alsa Supra, BlaBlaCar.
  • 2 direct trains per day with Renfe ALVIA, Renfe Viajeros.
Omio customers who travel from Madrid to Bilbao often also extend their vacation to go to Donostia-San Sebastian, Barcelona, Paris, Pamplona, Vitoria-Gasteiz. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Bilbao and these popular destinations at a great price.
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