- Recommended
Museo Etnográfico de Las Merindades
Regional ethnographic museum presenting traditional life, crafts, and customs of Las Merindades. A strong introduction to local culture and identity.
Cheapest price on Sep 05
$56
Average ticket price on Sep 05
$56
Fastest journey on Sep 05
4 h 40 m
Average journey duration on Sep 05
4 h 49 m
Buses on Sep 05
4
Distance
281 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Madrid to Villarcayo is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Madrid to Villarcayo will cost around $56 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $56.
It's difficult to get from Madrid to Villarcayo without transferring at least once.








Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Madrid to Villarcayo among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $56 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 0m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $56, while a flight costs an average of $89.
Distance: 174 miles (281 km)
Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$56 Average price Cheapest | $89 Average price | $66 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 48m Average total duration 4h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 0m Average total duration Fastest 1h 0m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 3h 49m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Madrid to Villarcayo:
A bus is $33 (€27) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid to Villarcayo costing on average $89 (€72).
Other travel options to Villarcayo take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 18m.
Tickets start at around $56 (€45) compared to roughly $66 (€53) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $10 (€8). The journey takes 4h 18m versus 3h 49m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by BlaBlaCar.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator ALSA | Departure Time 12:30AM | Arrival Time 08:12AM | Duration 7h42 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $56 |
Operator ALSA | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 12:10PM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $56 |
Operator ALSA | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 12:40PM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $56 |
Operator ALSA | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 03:12PM | Duration 4h42 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $56 |
Operator ALSA | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 03:40PM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $56 |
Operator ALSA | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 07:40PM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $56 |
Operator ALSA | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 08:42PM | Duration 4h42 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $56 |
The table below shows live departures for Madrid to Villarcayo buses for today, Friday, September 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:00 AM Madrid | 5h10 | 12:10 PM Villarcayo | 1 transfer | |
![]() | 11:00 AM Madrid | 4h40 | 3:40 PM Villarcayo | 1 transfer | |
![]() | 3:00 PM Madrid | 4h40 | 7:40 PM Villarcayo | 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 Madrid to Villarcayo run on average 2 times per day, taking around 4h 18m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $56 (€45) but you can travel from only $44 (€35) by flight.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:30, the last at 20:25. The fastest bus covers the 174 miles (281 km) distance in 4h 40m.
Distance 174 miles (281 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 18m |
Cheapest ticket price $56 (€45) |
Buses per day 2 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 4h 40m |
First bus 12:30 AM |
Last bus 8:25 PM |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Villarcayo — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Villarcayo trip today.
Regional ethnographic museum presenting traditional life, crafts, and customs of Las Merindades. A strong introduction to local culture and identity.
Exhibition venue in Medina de Pomar showing local history and art in a historic setting. A practical museum stop on a Villarcayo-area itinerary.
Interpretive museum linked to Ojo Guareña, explaining geology, archaeology, and cave heritage. Excellent context before or after visiting the monument.
Popular regional natural walking area within reach of Villarcayo, known for dramatic karst scenery and rewarding short routes.
Central square that anchors daily life in Villarcayo, with historic surroundings and an easy atmosphere for walking, meeting, and orienting yourself.
Traditional old-town streets around the center, valued for their local character, stone buildings, and relaxed pace. Ideal for a short heritage stroll.
Morcilla de Burgos is the province’s famous blood sausage with rice and onion, served grilled or fried. It is a defining flavor of Burgos taverns and family meals.
Lechazo asado is roast milk-fed lamb, a Castilian classic prized in Burgos for tender meat and simple wood-oven cooking that highlights local pastoral traditions.
Queso de Burgos is a fresh, mild cow’s milk cheese eaten as a dessert or light course. It is one of the province’s best-known traditional dairy products.
Traditional restaurant in Villarcayo known for Castilian dishes, grilled meats and a relaxed local atmosphere suited to lunch or dinner.
Casual dining spot and café in Villarcayo with tapas, daily menus and a central setting popular with residents for informal meals.
Established hotel restaurant in Villarcayo serving regional cuisine and set menus in a more formal dining room with dependable service.
Villarcayo is cheaper than major Spanish tourist cities. Lodging, meals, and daily transport are usually moderate to low, with few high-end tourist markups.
Tipping is modest. Round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service. Small change is fine in cafes. Taxis are usually rounded up, not formally tipped.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Madrid to Villarcayo 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 Villarcayo, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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