The cheapest and fastest trains from Bilbao to Barcelona
Cheapest price
$95
Average price
$97
Fastest journey
7 h 11 m
Average duration
7 h 28 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
467 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Bilbao to Barcelona is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bilbao to Barcelona will cost around $97 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $95.
Of the 2 trains that leave Bilbao for Barcelona on Sun, May 24, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, May 24 the direct trains cover the 467 km distance in an average of 7 h 28 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 7 h 11 m .
On Sun, May 24 the slowest trains will take 7 h 44 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.
00437+
060133:02 PM7h44Bilbao-Abando10:46 PMBarcelona Sants$951One-way1 transfer
004373:02 PM7h11Bilbao-Abando10:13 PMBarcelona Sants$991One-way0 transfers
004373:02 PM7h11Bilbao-Abando10:13 PMBarcelona Sants$991One-way0 transfers
00437+
060133:02 PM7h44Bilbao-Abando10:46 PMBarcelona Sants$951One-way1 transfer
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Bilbao to Barcelona
Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Bilbao to Barcelona among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $45. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 4h 34m. 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 $45, and a flight costs an average of $61.
Distance: 290 miles (467 km)
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$78 Average price Cheapest | $170 Average price | $79 Average price | $119 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 4m Average total duration Fastest 4h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 43m Average total duration 5h 43m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 7h 51m Average total duration 7h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 11m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.4 - 2.8kg CO2 emissions | 0.5 - 1.2kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus 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 Bilbao to Barcelona:
A train is $0.85 (€0.69) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Bilbao to Barcelona costing on average $79 (€64).
A train is $92 (€74) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Bilbao to Barcelona costing on average $170 (€138).
Other travel options to Barcelona take longer:
Flight takes on average 5h 43m.
Bus takes on average 7h 21m.
The journey is about 1h 37m faster (4h 34m by train vs 6h 11m by car) and roughly $40 (€33) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($78 (€63) vs $119 (€96)). 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.
Live departures
Bilbao to Barcelona train times
The table below shows live departures for Bilbao to Barcelona trains for today, Saturday, May 23. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
00437 | 3:02 PM Bilbao-Abando | 7h11 | 10:13 PM Barcelona Sants | 0 transfersDirect | |
00437+ 06013 | On time 3:02 PM Bilbao-Abando | 7h44 | 10:46 PM Barcelona Sants | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Bilbao to Barcelona by train, bus, or flight
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.
May 23
May 24
May 25
May 26
May 27
May 28
May 29
May 30
May 31
Jun 01
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Journey information
Overview: Train from Bilbao to Barcelona
Trains from Bilbao to Barcelona run on average 1 times per day, taking around 4h 34m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $45 (€36) 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 11m.
Distance 290 miles (467 km) |
Average train duration 4h 34m |
Cheapest ticket price $45 (€36) |
Trains per day 1 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 7h 11m |
First train 5:45 AM |
Last train 9:07 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 91 days |
Train companies: Renfe ALVIA, Renfe Viajeros from Bilbao to Barcelona trainsRenfe ALVIA, Renfe Viajeros trains will get you between Bilbao and Barcelona from $45 (€36). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Renfe ALVIA
Renfe Viajeros
FAQs: Trains from Bilbao to Barcelona
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bilbao to Barcelona 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 Barcelona, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Bilbao to Barcelona
- Mon - Sun: 06:00 - 22:00
- Hotspots in and near restaurants.
- Staffed and automatic. Open daily from 05:30 to 21:00.
- 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
- All areas of the station have full disability access facilities.
- Apartments Eixample
- Apartment Guell
- Sweet Inn Callao
- Mon - Sun: 06:00 - 22:00
- Located in various locations inside the station.
- Metro lines: L3, L5
- Bus lines: A1, A2
- Train lines: AVE, Alvia, Euromed, Talgo, Trenhotel, TGV, Avant, Intercity, R1, R2, R2 Nord, R2 Sud, R3, R4, RG1, R11, R12, R13, R14, R15, R16, R17
Most popular train connections from Bilbao
More options for your journey from Bilbao to Barcelona
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