- 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
$57
Average price
$69
Fastest journey
7 h 3 m
Average duration
7 h 3 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
467 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Barcelona to Bilbao is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Barcelona to Bilbao will cost around $69 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $57.
Of the 2 trains that leave Barcelona for Bilbao on Sat, Aug 22, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Aug 22 the direct trains cover the 467 km distance in an average of 7 h 3 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 7 h 3 m .
On Sat, Aug 22 the slowest trains will take 7 h 3 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.




Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Barcelona to Bilbao among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $56. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 7m. 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 bus costs an average of $56, and a flight costs an average of $75.
Distance: 290 miles (467 km)
| Train | Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$103 Average price | $86 Average price Cheapest | $147 Average price | $121 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 1m Average total duration 4h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 6m Average total duration 7h 36m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 7m Average total duration Fastest 4h 7m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 6h 7m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.5 - 1.2kg CO2 emissions | 1.4 - 2.8kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus 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 Barcelona to Bilbao:
A bus is $17 (€13) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Barcelona to Bilbao costing on average $103 (€83).
A bus is $61 (€49) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Barcelona to Bilbao costing on average $147 (€118).
Other travel options to Bilbao take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 31m.
Bus takes on average 7h 36m.
The journey is about 1h 36m faster (4h 31m by train vs 6h 7m by car) and roughly $18 (€15) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($103 (€83) vs $121 (€97)). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with Renfe ALVIA, Renfe Viajeros.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Barcelona to Bilbao trains for tomorrow, Saturday, August 22. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 6:50 AM Barcelona | 7h03 | 1:53 PM Bilbao | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:50 AM Barcelona | 7h03 | 2:53 PM Bilbao | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train 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.

Trains from Barcelona to Bilbao run on average 1 times per day, taking around 4h 31m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $32 (€26) if you book in advance.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:45, the last at 21:07. The fastest train covers the 290 miles (467 km) distance in 7h 3m.
Distance 290 miles (467 km) |
Average train duration 4h 31m |
Cheapest ticket price $32 (€26) |
Trains per day 1 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 7h 3m |
First train 5:45 AM |
Last train 9:07 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 91 days |
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-Abando -> Plaza Moyúa
Search for your Renfe Barcelona Bilbao train journey in Omio to see all options, timetables and prices. Filter based on your preferences and select the train that best suits your needs, be it the cheapest, fastest or most convenient. You can book and pay directly on the Omio website or in the free app on your smartphone and receive your tickets immediately. If you need help, don't hesitate to contact our customer service.
One of the quickest and cheapest ways to travel from Barcelona to Bilbao is by train. This route is mainly carried out by trains Alvia from Renfe. These trains are modern models, so they guarantee passenger comfort. It is possible to choose different options: tourist or tourist+ tickets and also between the different seats of the train. There is no AVE Barcelona Bilbao option.
In Barcelona Bilbao trains there are two types of routes: direct and stop. The direct route takes approximately 6.5 hours, while the stop trip takes about 7 hours and 10 minutes. The route of the latter passes through different cities in the Spanish geography (Lleida, Zaragoza, Logroño, etc.). Despite this, the duration between the two is quite similar, with only 40 minutes difference.
To make the journey in Barcelona Bilbao train is generally possible to have three trains a day. The first one leaves at 7:30 and the last one at 15:30. Both trains have a similar duration of their journey, 6 hours and a half. Thus, the arrival would be at 14:00 and 22:00, respectively.
The average price of the Barcelona Bilbao train ticket is about 46.25 €. However, this price may vary depending on when the ticket is taken out, whether there are promotions at that time and also if you choose Tourist or Tourist+ class. Generally the price is similar regardless of the schedule of the day's trains.
The stations from which trains depart and arrive are Barcelona-Sants and Bilbao-Abando. To get to both stations it is possible to use the public transport of each city, mainly the public bus lines and the metro. Specifically, this route does not have access at night, due to its schedules. Finally, these trains offer toilets and access facilities for people with some degree of disability. Also, depending on the season, it is possible to enjoy the Club Room.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Barcelona to Bilbao by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Bilbao, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Barcelona to Bilbao trains use the Barcelona Sants to Bilbao-Abando station pair. Use this guide to compare Barcelona and Bilbao train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Barcelona Sants is 1 km from Barcelona city centre. Public transport options include:
Barcelona Sants has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: McDonald’s, Caffe di Fiore, Ars Café, Café de l'Estació, Café de l’Estació Deli, Lavazza, Como, Peter's, Tutti Frutti, Enrique Tomás, & many more
Hotspots in and near restaurants. ATMs are in the central part of the station.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sun: 06:00 - 22:00. Information desks are located in various locations inside the station.
Luggage storage is staffed and automatic. Open daily from 05:30 to 21:00. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Barcelona Sants: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Barcelona Sants: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Barcelona Sants: All areas of the station have full disability access facilities.
Nearby hotels include Apartments Eixample, Apartment Guell, Sweet Inn Callao.
Bilbao-Abando has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Bilbao-Abando.
ATMs are available at Bilbao-Abando.
Ticket office support is available at Bilbao-Abando. Information desks are available at Bilbao-Abando.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Bilbao-Abando: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Bilbao-Abando: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bilbao-Abando.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need