- 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
$210
Average price
$210
Fastest journey
1 d 2 h 50 m
Average duration
1 d 2 h 50 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
419 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Tarragona to Bilbao is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Tarragona to Bilbao will cost around $210 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $210.
It's difficult to get from Tarragona to Bilbao without transferring at least once.
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Tarragona to Bilbao among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $39. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 10m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $39, and a bus costs an average of $65.
Distance: 260 miles (419 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$175 Average price | $69 Average price Cheapest | $142 Average price | $109 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
10h 38m Average total duration 10h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 41m Average total duration 6h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 10m Average total duration Fastest 2h 10m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 15m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.4 - 1.0kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.3 - 2.5kg 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 Tarragona to Bilbao:
A train is $73 (€58) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Tarragona to Bilbao costing on average $142 (€114).
A train is $106 (€85) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Tarragona to Bilbao costing on average $175 (€141).
Other travel options to Bilbao take longer:
Train takes on average 6h 11m.
Bus takes on average 10h 8m.
You'll arrive about -5h -53m sooner (10h 8m by bus vs 5h 15m by car) and save roughly $-66.15 (€-53.26) compared to fuel and tolls ($175 (€141) vs $109 (€88)). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by BlaBlaCar, Alsa, Hife.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:05AM | Arrival Time 03:55AM | Duration 26h50 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $118 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:00AM | Arrival Time 09:00AM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $56 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:40AM | Arrival Time 02:20PM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator Hife | Departure Time 10:45AM | Arrival Time 06:00PM | Duration 7h15 | Departure days Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $66 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 04:20PM | Duration 5h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 07:00PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $52 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 11:10PM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $64 |
The table below shows live departures for Tarragona to Bilbao buses for today, Monday, June 1. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:40 AM Tarragona | 5h40 | 2:20 PM Bilbao | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:00 AM Tarragona | 5h20 | 4:20 PM Bilbao | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Tuesday, June 2 | |||||
FlixBus · FlixBus | 1:05 AM Tarragona, Estación de Autobuses | 26h50 | 3:55 AM Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, 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 Tarragona to Bilbao run on average 2 times per day, taking around 10h 8m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $65 (€52) but you can travel from only $20 (€16) by flight.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:55, the last at 22:15. The fastest bus covers the 260 miles (419 km) distance in 7h 15m.
Distance 260 miles (419 km) |
Average bus duration 10h 8m |
Cheapest ticket price $65 (€52) |
Buses per day 2 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 7h 15m |
First bus 12:55 AM |
Last bus 10:15 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 42 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
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Tarragona 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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