The cheapest and fastest trains from Madrid to Bilbao
Cheapest price
$59
Average price
$89
Fastest journey
4 h 40 m
Average duration
6 h 9 m
Trains per day
35
Distance
323 km
The best way to find a cheap train 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 $89 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $59.
Of the 35 trains that leave Madrid for Bilbao on Sat, Nov 22, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Nov 22 the direct trains cover the 323 km distance in an average of 6 h 9 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 40 m .
On Sat, Nov 22 the slowest trains will take 6 h 52 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.
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00280Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Madrid to Bilbao
Omio 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 bus with prices starting from €29. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 33m. 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 €42.
Distance: 200 miles (323 km)
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€69 Average price | €51 Average price Cheapest | €192 Average price |
5h 48m Average total duration 5h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 50m Average total duration 6h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 33m Average total duration Fastest 1h 33m 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
Madrid to Bilbao train times
The table below shows live departures for Madrid to Bilbao trains for today, Friday, November 21. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Normal+ 04687+ 00438 | On time 5:15 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 9h29 | 2:44 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
Normal+ 04687 · 00280 | On time 5:15 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 12h00 | 5:15 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
Normal+ 18061+ 00280 | On time 5:15 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 12h00 | 5:15 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
08069+ 04687+ 00438 | On time 5:36 AM Madrid Chamartín | 9h08 | 2:44 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
08069+ 18061+ 00280 | On time 5:36 AM Madrid Chamartín | 11h39 | 5:15 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
08069+ 04687 · 00280 | On time 5:36 AM Madrid Chamartín | 11h39 | 5:15 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
04261+ 04687+ 00438 | On time 6:04 AM Madrid Chamartín | 8h40 | 2:44 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
04261+ 18061+ 00280 | On time 6:04 AM Madrid Chamartín | 11h11 | 5:15 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
04261+ 04687 · 00280 | On time 6:04 AM Madrid Chamartín | 11h11 | 5:15 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
04087 · 00438 | On time 6:20 AM Madrid Chamartín | 8h24 | 2:44 PM Bilbao-Abando | 1 transfer | |
04187 | On time 6:20 AM Madrid Chamartín | 4h40 | 11:00 AM Bilbao-Abando | 0 transfersDirect | |
04187 · 00438 | On time 6:20 AM Madrid Chamartín | 8h24 | 2:44 PM Bilbao-Abando | 1 transfer | |
04187+ 00280 | On time 6:20 AM Madrid Chamartín | 10h55 | 5:15 PM Bilbao-Abando | 1 transfer | |
04073+ 04687+ 00438 | On time 6:45 AM Madrid Chamartín | 7h59 | 2:44 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
Normal+ 18061+ 00280 | On time 6:45 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 10h30 | 5:15 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
08079+ 04687+ 00438 | On time 6:51 AM Madrid Chamartín | 7h53 | 2:44 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
Normal+ 00631+ 00280 | On time 7:00 AM Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa) | 10h15 | 5:15 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
Normal+ 18009+ 04267 | On time 7:00 AM Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa) | 14h21 | 9:21 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
Normal+ 18061+ 00280 | On time 7:00 AM Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa) | 10h15 | 5:15 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
04687 · 00280 | On time 7:40 AM Madrid Chamartín | 9h35 | 5:15 PM Bilbao-Abando | 1 transfer | |
04687+ 00438 | On time 7:40 AM Madrid Chamartín | 7h04 | 2:44 PM Bilbao-Abando | 1 transfer | |
04687+ 18061+ 00280 | On time 7:40 AM Madrid Chamartín | 9h35 | 5:15 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
Normal+ 18009+ 04267 | On time 8:15 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 13h06 | 9:21 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
Normal+ 00631+ 00280 | On time 8:15 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 9h00 | 5:15 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
05763+ 18061+ 00280 | On time 8:25 AM Madrid Chamartín | 8h50 | 5:15 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
05071+ 18061+ 00280 | On time 8:56 AM Madrid Chamartín | 8h19 | 5:15 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
05071+ 18009+ 04267 | On time 8:56 AM Madrid Chamartín | 12h25 | 9:21 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
05071+ 00631+ 00280 | On time 8:56 AM Madrid Chamartín | 8h19 | 5:15 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
Normal+ 00631+ 00280 | On time 9:00 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 8h15 | 5:15 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
Normal+ 18009+ 04267 | On time 9:00 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 12h21 | 9:21 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
Normal+ 18063+ 04267 | On time 9:00 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 12h21 | 9:21 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
Normal+ 00631+ 00280 | On time 9:15 AM Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa) | 8h00 | 5:15 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
Normal+ 18009+ 04267 | On time 9:15 AM Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa) | 12h06 | 9:21 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
08109+ 18061+ 00280 | On time 9:15 AM Madrid Chamartín | 8h00 | 5:15 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
Supra Economy+ 18009+ 04267 | On time 10:15 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 11h06 | 9:21 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
04121+ 00631+ 00280 | On time 10:23 AM Madrid Chamartín | 6h52 | 5:15 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
04121+ 18009+ 04267 | On time 10:23 AM Madrid Chamartín | 10h58 | 9:21 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
Supra Economy+ 18009+ 04267 | On time 11:00 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 10h21 | 9:21 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
Normal+ 18009+ 04267 | On time 12:00 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 9h21 | 9:21 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
05101+ 18009+ 04267 | On time 12:03 PM Madrid Chamartín | 9h18 | 9:21 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
05101+ 18063+ 04267 | On time 12:03 PM Madrid Chamartín | 9h18 | 9:21 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
Normal+ 18009+ 04267 | On time 12:15 PM Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa) | 9h06 | 9:21 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
Normal+ 18009+ 04267 | On time 12:30 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 8h51 | 9:21 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
04143+ 18063+ 04267 | On time 12:40 PM Madrid Chamartín | 8h41 | 9:21 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
04143+ 18009+ 04267 | On time 12:40 PM Madrid Chamartín | 8h41 | 9:21 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
Normal+ 18009+ 04267 | On time 1:15 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 8h06 | 9:21 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
05817+ 18009+ 04267 | On time 1:23 PM Madrid Chamartín | 7h58 | 9:21 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
04257+ 18009+ 04267 | On time 1:46 PM Madrid Chamartín | 7h35 | 9:21 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
05721+ 18009+ 04267 | On time 1:59 PM Madrid Chamartín | 7h22 | 9:21 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
08159+ 18009+ 04267 | On time 2:10 PM Madrid Chamartín | 7h11 | 9:21 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
04153+ 18009+ 04267 | On time 2:20 PM Madrid Chamartín | 7h01 | 9:21 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
08359+ 18009+ 04267 | On time 2:40 PM Madrid Chamartín | 6h41 | 9:21 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
08169+ 18009+ 04267 | On time 3:15 PM Madrid Chamartín | 6h06 | 9:21 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
04161+ 18009+ 04267 | On time 3:37 PM Madrid Chamartín | 5h44 | 9:21 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
04267 | On time 4:37 PM Madrid Chamartín | 4h44 | 9:21 PM Bilbao-Abando | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal+ 04187 · 00438 | On time 11:30 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 15h14 | 2:44 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
Normal+ 04687 · 00280 | On time 11:30 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 17h45 | 5:15 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
Normal+ 04687+ 00438 | On time 11:30 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 15h14 | 2:44 PM Bilbao-Abando | 2 transfers | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Madrid to Bilbao 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.
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Journey information
Overview: Train from Madrid to Bilbao
Trains from Madrid to Bilbao run on average 2 times per day, taking around 5h 18m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $36 (€29) but you can travel from only $36 (€29) by bus.
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 40m.
Distance 200 miles (323 km) |
Average train duration 5h 18m |
Cheapest ticket price $36 (€29) |
Trains per day 2 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 4h 40m |
First train 00:30 |
Last train 17:37 |
Train companies: Renfe ALVIA, Renfe (13), Renfe, Renfe Intercity, Renfe Viajeros from Madrid to Bilbao trainsRenfe ALVIA, Renfe (13), Renfe, Renfe Intercity, Renfe Viajeros trains will get you between Madrid and Bilbao from $36 (€29). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Renfe ALVIA
Renfe (13)
Renfe
Renfe Intercity
Renfe Viajeros
Train tickets from Madrid to Bilbao: when to book to save $
The rule of buying in advance to save money is not only valid when booking a flight but also for train travel. Train tickets are generally on sale 6 months before the departure date. Some train booking tips from us:
- Buying your train ticket from Madrid - Bilbao 3 weeks in advance means you can save on average up to 20% compared to the price available on the day of departure.
- If you book a ticket Madrid - Bilbao with 2 months in advance you save up to about 20% compared to the initial price.
- By booking 3 months in advance, you could save up to 33%.
- On Omio you can find all offers, train times and prices for train travel in Europe, the U.S., and Canada.
FAQs: Trains from Madrid to Bilbao
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Madrid 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.

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Popular train stations from Madrid to Bilbao
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