- Must visit
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
Bilbao’s iconic contemporary art museum, famous for Frank Gehry’s titanium architecture and major international exhibitions. A clear city highlight and one of Spain’s best-known cultural attractions.
Cheapest price
$40
Average price
$45
Fastest journey
5 h 15 m
Average duration
6 h 8 m
Buses per day
4
Distance
340 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Salamanca to Bilbao is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Salamanca to Bilbao will cost around $45 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $40.
Of the 4 buses that leave Salamanca for Bilbao on Tue, May 26, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, May 26 the direct buses cover the 340 km distance in an average of 6 h 8 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 15 m .
On Tue, May 26 the slowest buses will take 7 h 40 m 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.
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Normal · NormalOmio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Salamanca to Bilbao among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $39. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 4h 42m. 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 bus costs an average of $39, and a train costs an average of $73.
Distance: 211 miles (340 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$42 Average price Cheapest | $80 Average price | $97 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 50m Average total duration 5h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 12m Average total duration Fastest 4h 42m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 3m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
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 Salamanca to Bilbao:
A bus is $38 (€31) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Salamanca to Bilbao costing on average $80 (€65).
Other travel options to Bilbao take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 20m.
Tickets start at around $42 (€34) compared to roughly $97 (€78) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $55 (€45). The journey takes 5h 20m versus 4h 3m 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 Alsa, Alsa Supra, 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 09:00AM | Arrival Time 04:40PM | Duration 7h40 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:20AM | Arrival Time 01:20PM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Mon, Fri | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 02:45PM | Duration 5h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $46 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 01:10PM | Duration 3h40 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 02:30PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 02:20PM | Duration 3h50 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $46 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 07:15PM | Duration 5h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $46 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:40PM | Arrival Time 06:00PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 06:30PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 09:20PM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $46 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:50PM | Arrival Time 08:20PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 07:50PM | Duration 3h50 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $46 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 08:50PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 09:40PM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 09:30PM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:10PM | Arrival Time 11:00PM | Duration 3h50 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:40PM | Arrival Time 12:00AM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $32 |
The table below shows live departures for Salamanca to Bilbao buses for tomorrow, Tuesday, May 26. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Normal · Normal | 9:00 AM Salamanca, Estación de Autobuses | 7h40 | 4:40 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal | 9:30 AM Salamanca, Estación de Autobuses | 5h15 | 2:45 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 1:30 PM Salamanca, Estación de Autobuses | 5h45 | 7:15 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 3:30 PM Salamanca, Estación de Autobuses | 5h50 | 9:20 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus 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 Salamanca to Bilbao run on average 6 times per day, taking around 5h 20m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $39 (€31) if you book in advance.
There are 4 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 06:30, the last at 19:30. The fastest bus covers the 211 miles (340 km) distance in 5h 15m.
Distance 211 miles (340 km) |
Average bus duration 5h 20m |
Cheapest ticket price $39 (€31) |
Buses per day 6 |
Direct buses 4 |
Fastest bus 5h 15m |
First bus 6:30 AM |
Last bus 7:30 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Bilbao — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bilbao trip today.
Bilbao’s iconic contemporary art museum, famous for Frank Gehry’s titanium architecture and major international exhibitions. A clear city highlight and one of Spain’s best-known cultural attractions.
A leading art museum with strong collections of Basque, Spanish, and European painting from old masters to modern works. Widely valued by locals and a rewarding stop beyond the Guggenheim.
Bilbao’s maritime museum, focused on the port, shipbuilding, estuary life, and the city’s industrial history. A strong choice for understanding how Bilbao developed around the river.
Bilbao’s old town, known for medieval streets, lively squares, shops, and historic atmosphere. It is one of the essential areas for walking, people-watching, and discovering the city’s roots.
Well-known hilltop viewpoint with broad views over Bilbao, especially popular for sunset photos. It is one of the city’s best scenic spots and easy to pair with the funicular.
Redeveloped waterfront district around the Guggenheim, showcasing Bilbao’s modern transformation. Excellent for architecture walks, river views, and contemporary city photography.
Salt cod gently cooked with olive oil, garlic, and chili until the sauce emulsifies. It is a classic Basque specialty strongly associated with Bilbao and the wider region.
Salt cod served with a rich red pepper and onion sauce from Bizkaia. It is one of the most traditional dishes of Bilbao province.
A hearty Basque tuna and potato stew once cooked by fishermen on boats. It is a beloved regional comfort dish, especially along the Biscay coast.
Prestigious fine dining restaurant inside the Guggenheim, known for minimalist high-end Basque cuisine and an elegant contemporary atmosphere.
Well-known riverside fine dining restaurant offering a creative tasting-menu experience rooted in seasonal Basque ingredients and polished service.
Popular and established pintxos bar celebrated for excellent bar snacks, including award-winning creations, in a casual central setting.
Moderate for Spain: pintxos and transit are reasonable, while central hotels and fine dining cost more.
Service is usually included. Locals often round up or leave EUR 1-2 at casual spots, and about 5-10% only for notably good table service.
Official public transport app
Bilbao Intermodal, Estación de Autobuses, Bilbao -> Moyua Plaza, Bilbao
The Salamanca Bilbao buses generally take more than 5 hours to cover the distance between the two cities, which is almost 400 kilometres. Departures can be programmed every 2, 3 or 6 hours. It is possible to travel combining a bus journey with a train journey to get to Abando station.
The operating companies of the Salamanca Bilbao buses are ALSA and Ouibus. Sometimes they combine their services to cover the distance between the two cities. ALSA coaches offer their travellers free wifi, entertainment through the Ociobus channel, touch screens, air conditioning, toilets and, in trips with Supra service, hostess on board and catering service are included. The buses of Ouibus have air conditioning, free wifi and toilet.
The fastest bus service in Salamanca Bilbao is that of ALSA Supra. This trip takes 4 hours and 45 minutes, and the bus only stops in Valladolid and Burgos. Trips combining bus and train can take more than 10 hours, and the change of means of transport is established in Miranda de Ebro.
Between Mondays and Fridays there are 8 to 10 daily departures of buses Salamanca Bilbao. On Saturdays there are 7 departures, and on Sundays there are 3 buses. These totals include combined bus and train journeys, and Ouibus departures to Paris Bercy or Milan that stop in Bilbao.
Salamanca bus station: located a little more than 1 kilometre from the centre, this station has several shops, bakery, bar, banks, beauty and physiotherapy centre, automatic slogans and toilets. To get there in 10 minutes from Plaza Puerta de Zamora it is possible to take the urban buses of lines 13 or 26.
.Bilbao Termibus Station: located next to the San Mamés Stadium, in Basurto, it has direct metro and train access, ticket sales, ticket offices, shops, toilets, cafeteria, free wifi, automatic teller machines and telephone booths. At the San Mamés interchange you can take the suburban trains C1 and C2 to get to the centre and Abando in less than 10 minutes.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Salamanca 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.

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