- Must visit
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
Frank Gehry’s titanium-clad museum is Bilbao’s global icon, celebrated for major contemporary art shows and bold architecture.
Cheapest price on Sep 20
$78
Average ticket price on Sep 20
$110
Fastest journey on Sep 20
11 h 30 m
Average journey duration on Sep 20
11 h 42 m
Buses on Sep 20
10
Distance
650 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Cartagena to Bilbao is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cartagena to Bilbao will cost around $110 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $78.
On Sun, Sep 20, we found 10 buses from Cartagena to Bilbao, including 1 direct services.
On Sun, Sep 20 the direct buses cover the 650 km distance in an average of 11 h 42 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 11 h 30 m .
On Sun, Sep 20 the slowest buses will take 12 h 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.
BILMAN
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Supra Economy · Normal
Supra Economy · NormalOmio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Cartagena to Bilbao among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $48 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 50m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the bus is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.7 - 1.6kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $48, while a flight costs an average of $338.
Distance: 403 miles (650 km)
Most popular Bus | Flight |
|---|---|
$48 Average price Cheapest | $338 Average price |
11h 16m Average total duration 10h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 50m Average total duration Fastest 2h 50m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* |
0.7 - 1.6kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.9 - 3.9kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
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 Cartagena to Bilbao:
A train is $39 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Cartagena to Bilbao costing on average $48.
A train is $330 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cartagena to Bilbao costing on average $338.
Other travel options to Bilbao take longer:
Train takes on average 9h 25m.
Bus takes on average 10h 46m.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Bilman Bus | Departure Time 06:30AM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 13h00 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $78 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 06:45AM | Arrival Time 06:45PM | Duration 12h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $123 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:45AM | Arrival Time 11:45PM | Duration 14h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $87 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 03:15PM | Arrival Time 05:30AM | Duration 14h15 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $92 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 05:30AM | Duration 12h30 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $92 |
The table below shows live departures for Cartagena to Bilbao buses for today, Saturday, September 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Normal · Normal | 9:45 AM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 14h00 | 11:45 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 9:45 AM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 12h30 | 10:15 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 9:45 AM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 14h00 | 11:45 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
| Sunday, September 20 | |||||
BILMAN | 6:30 AM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 13h00 | 7:30 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Supra Economy · Normal | 6:45 AM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 12h00 | 6:45 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Supra Economy · Normal | 6:45 AM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 12h00 | 6:45 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Supra Economy · Normal | 6:45 AM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 13h00 | 7:45 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare 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.
Buses from Cartagena to Bilbao run on average 8 times per day, taking around 10h 46m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $35 but you can travel from only $7 by train.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 01:00, the last at 18:30. The fastest bus covers the 403 miles (650 km) distance in 9h 20m.
Distance 403 miles (650 km) |
Average bus duration 10h 46m |
Cheapest ticket price $35 |
Buses per day 8 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 9h 20m |
First bus 1:00 AM |
Last bus 6:30 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Bilbao — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bilbao trip today.
Frank Gehry’s titanium-clad museum is Bilbao’s global icon, celebrated for major contemporary art shows and bold architecture.
Fine arts museum with outstanding Basque, Spanish, and European works spanning from the Middle Ages to today.
Museum devoted to Basque archaeology, ethnography, and local history inside a restored Jesuit college in the Old Town.
Bilbao’s medieval old quarter, packed with historic streets, shops, churches, and lively plazas ideal for walking.
Riverside promenade around the Guggenheim, excellent for architecture views, public art, and easy city-center walks.
Panoramic hilltop viewpoint reached by funicular, popular for sweeping views over Bilbao and access to green walking areas.
Salt cod cooked slowly in olive oil, garlic and chilli until the sauce emulsifies. A Basque classic closely linked to Bilbao's traditional seafood cooking.
Salt cod baked with a sauce of peppers, tomato, onion and garlic. A hallmark Biscayan dish that reflects Bilbao's historic cod trade.
Veal shanks braised in red wine and vegetables until tender. This rich stew is a beloved specialty from the Basque Country and northern Spain.
Celebrated fine dining restaurant by Martín Berasategui with creative tasting menus and refined service inside the Guggenheim Museum.
Elegant Michelin-starred venue serving modern Basque cuisine with strong seasonal products. Ideal for a high-end local dining experience.
Traditional restaurant known for Basque seafood and meat dishes in a polished setting near the river. Well regarded for classic local cooking.
Moderate for Spain: hotels and dining cost more than smaller cities, but pintxos, public transit, and coffee remain fairly affordable for tourists.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, round up or leave 5-10% for great service. In cafes and taxis, small change or rounding up is enough.
Official public transport app
Bilbao Intermodal -> Moyua Plaza, Bilbao
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cartagena to Bilbao by bus. 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 bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Bilbao, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Cartagena to Bilbao buses use the Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses to Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses station pair. Use this guide to compare Cartagena and Bilbao bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafetería de la estación (in the station), Restaurante El Galeón (0.5 km), La Catedral (0.7 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses.
Available at Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses: Elevators, ramps.
Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses is 1 km from Bilbao city centre. Public transport options include:
Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Café de la Estación (in the station), Fast Food Express (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses.
Available at Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses: Elevators, ramps.
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