The cheapest and fastest trains from Bilbao to Madrid
Cheapest price
$34
Average price
$59
Fastest journey
4 h 35 m
Average duration
5 h 44 m
Trains per day
9
Distance
323 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Bilbao to Madrid is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bilbao to Madrid will cost around $59 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $34.
Of the 9 trains that leave Bilbao for Madrid on Mon, Jan 12, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Jan 12 the direct trains cover the 323 km distance in an average of 5 h 44 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 35 m .
On Mon, Jan 12 the slowest trains will take 7 h 11 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.
04366
04186
00283 · 04786
00437+
04786
00283+
04176
04186
04366
00437+
04786
04186 · 04086
00437 · 04176Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Bilbao to Madrid
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Bilbao to Madrid among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €29. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 26m. 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 €29, and a flight costs an average of €56.
Distance: 200 miles (323 km)
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€61 Average price | €42 Average price Cheapest | €154 Average price |
5h 0m Average total duration 4h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 37m Average total duration 7h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 26m Average total duration Fastest 1h 26m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions | 1.0 - 1.9kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Bilbao to Madrid train times
The table below shows live departures for Bilbao to Madrid trains for today, Sunday, January 11. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
00283+ 04176 | On time 10:58 AM Bilbao-Abando | 10h15 | 9:13 PM Madrid Chamartín | 1 transfer | |
00283 · 04786 | On time 10:58 AM Bilbao-Abando | 8h17 | 7:15 PM Madrid Chamartín | 1 transfer | |
00283 · 04166 | On time 10:58 AM Bilbao-Abando | 7h36 | 6:34 PM Madrid Chamartín | 1 transfer | |
04366 | On time 4:28 PM Bilbao-Abando | 4h45 | 9:13 PM Madrid Chamartín | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Bilbao to Madrid 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.
Jan 11
Jan 12
Jan 13
Jan 14
Jan 15
Jan 16
Jan 17
Jan 18
Jan 19
Jan 20
Jan 21
Jan 22
Jan 23
Jan 24
Jan 25
Jan 26
Jan 27
Jan 28
Jan 29
Jan 30
Jan 31
Why should you book Bilbao to Madrid trains with Omio?
Renfe ALVIA as well as Renfe Intercity and Renfe Viajeros offer trains services from Bilbao to Madrid. Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Bilbao to Madrid.
Why book with Omio vs Renfe ALVIA?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Renfe ALVIA, but also compare tickets for the likes of Renfe Intercity and Renfe Viajeros to find the best option for your trip from Bilbao to Madrid.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Renfe ALVIA with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Bilbao to Madrid.
Why book with Omio over Trainline and Rail Europe?
- Multiple travel company options: While Renfe ALVIA tickets can be bought on Renfe ALVIA's website or third party sellers, Omio allows you to compare with the likes of Renfe Intercity and Renfe Viajeros to help you choose the right option for your journey from Bilbao to Madrid.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Bilbao to Madrid.
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Bilbao to Madrid?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Bilbao to Madrid
Trains from Bilbao to Madrid run on average 2 times per day, taking around 4h 30m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $31 (€25) if you book in advance.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:30, the last at 17:37. The fastest train covers the 200 miles (323 km) distance in 4h 28m.
Distance 200 miles (323 km) |
Average train duration 4h 30m |
Cheapest ticket price $31 (€25) |
Trains per day 2 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 4h 28m |
First train 00:30 |
Last train 17:37 |
Train companies: Renfe ALVIA, Renfe Intercity, Renfe Viajeros from Bilbao to Madrid trainsRenfe ALVIA, Renfe Intercity, Renfe Viajeros trains will get you between Bilbao and Madrid from $31 (€25). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Renfe ALVIA
Renfe Intercity
Renfe Viajeros
FAQs: Trains from Bilbao to Madrid
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bilbao to Madrid 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 Madrid, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Bilbao to Madrid
Most popular train connections from Bilbao
More options for your journey from Bilbao to Madrid
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need


