- 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.
Flights from Madrid to Bilbao depart on average 13 times per day, taking around 2h 7m. Cheap flight tickets for this journey start at €30 but you can travel from only €5 by train.
There are 8 flights per day. The earliest flight runs at 06:30, the last at 22:45. The fastest flight covers the 200 miles (323 km) distance in 1h 0m. December is the cheapest month to fly.
Distance 200 miles (323 km) |
Average flight duration 2h 7m |
Cheapest ticket price €30 |
Flights per day 13 |
Direct flights 8 |
Fastest flight 1h 0m |
First flight 6:30 AM |
Last flight 10:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 91 days |
Cheapest price on Sep 17
€106
Average ticket price on Sep 17
€308
Fastest journey on Sep 17
1 h
Average journey duration on Sep 17
2 h 10 m
Flights on Sep 17
6
Distance
323 km
The best way to find a cheap flight ticket from Madrid to Bilbao is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Madrid to Bilbao will cost around €308 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €106.
On Thu, Sep 17, we found 6 flights from Madrid to Bilbao, including 4 direct services.
On Thu, Sep 17 the direct flights cover the 323 km distance in an average of 2 h 10 m but if you time it right, some flights will get you there in just 1 h .
On Thu, Sep 17 the longest flights will take 6 h 45 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.
UX7161
UX7157
UX9118 · UX7007
UX7159
UX7153
UX7157
UX7159
UX7153
UX7161
UX9118 · UX7007Omio 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 an average ticket price of €10 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 7m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €10, while a flight costs an average of €188.
Distance: 200 miles (323 km)
| Flight | Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€188 Average price | €46 Average price | €10 Average price Cheapest | €67 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 7m Average total duration Fastest 2h 7m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 5h 43m Average total duration 5h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 28m Average total duration 4h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 5m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
1.0 - 1.9kg CO2 emissions | 0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | 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 Madrid to Bilbao:
A train is €36 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Madrid to Bilbao costing on average €46.
A train is €178 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid to Bilbao costing on average €188.
Other travel options to Bilbao take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 58m.
Bus takes on average 5h 13m.
The table below shows live departures for Madrid to Bilbao flights for today, Wednesday, September 16. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated flight journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IB441 | 10:10 PM Madrid Barajas Airport | 1h05 | 11:15 PM Bilbao Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Thursday, September 17 | |||||
UX7161 | 6:30 AM Madrid Barajas Airport | 1h05 | 7:35 AM Bilbao Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
UX9059 · UX7007 | 7:00 AM Madrid Barajas Airport | 11h30 | 6:30 PM Bilbao Airport | 1 transfer | |
UX7157 | 10:55 AM Madrid Barajas Airport | 1h00 | 11:55 AM Bilbao Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
UX9118 · UX7007 | 11:45 AM Madrid Barajas Airport | 6h45 | 6:30 PM Bilbao Airport | 1 transfer | |
UX7153 | 2:55 PM Madrid Barajas Airport | 1h00 | 3:55 PM Bilbao Airport | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last flight of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, 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.

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 Airport -> Moyua Plaza, Bilbao
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Madrid to Bilbao by flight. 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 flight, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Bilbao, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Madrid to Bilbao flights use the Madrid Barajas Airport to Bilbao Airport airport pair. Use this guide to compare Madrid and Bilbao airports on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like airport facilities and services.
Madrid Barajas Airport is 12 km from Madrid city centre. Public transport options include:
Madrid Barajas Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, Lounge, and Lost and Found Office.
Free Wi-Fi available throughout the airport. ATMs are located in all terminals.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Madrid Barajas Airport: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madrid Barajas Airport: Ramps, assistance.
Bilbao Airport is 1 km from Bilbao city centre. Public transport options include:
Bilbao Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, and Lost and Found Office.
Free Wi-Fi available throughout the airport. ATMs are located in the arrivals and departures areas.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Bilbao Airport: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bilbao Airport: Elevators, ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need