The cheapest trains from Madrid to Bilbao

Showing times and prices for Sep 28

Cheapest

$57

Average

$57

The best way to find a cheap fare is to book your ticket as far in advance as you can and to avoid traveling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Madrid to Bilbao will cost around $ 57 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $ 57.

Cheapest
08:00AMMadrid Chamartín5h04 01:04PMBilbao-Abando
0 changes
$571One-way
Cheapest
04:05PMMadrid Chamartín5h11 09:16PMBilbao-Abando
0 changes
$571One-way

Timetable Madrid to Bilbao

Showing trains for tomorrow, Tue, Sep 28
08:00AMMadrid Chamartín5h04 01:04PMBilbao-Abando
0 changes
04:05PMMadrid Chamartín5h11 09:16PMBilbao-Abando
0 changes

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

COMPARE Prices across different modes

Mon
Sep 27
$63Renfe
Find prices
$172Air Europa
Tue
Sep 28
$57Renfe
$40Alsa
$98Air Europa
Wed
Sep 29
$50Renfe
$40Alsa
$98Air Europa
Thu
Sep 30
$57Renfe
$40Alsa
$79Air Europa
Fri
Oct 1
$57Renfe
$40Alsa
$116Air Europa
Sat
Oct 2
$57Renfe
$40Alsa
$79Air Europa
Sun
Oct 3
$57Renfe
$40Alsa
$67Air Europa
Mon
Oct 4
$44Renfe
Find prices
$98Air Europa
Tue
Oct 5
$38Renfe
$40Alsa
$67Air Europa
Wed
Oct 6
$38Renfe
$40Alsa
$67Air Europa
Thu
Oct 7
$50Renfe
Find prices
$67Air Europa
Fri
Oct 8
$57Renfe
$40Alsa
$98Air Europa
Sat
Oct 9
$57Renfe
$40Alsa
$98Air Europa
Sun
Oct 10
$57Renfe
$40Alsa
$67Air Europa
Mon
Oct 11
$50Renfe
$40Alsa
$67Iberia
Tue
Oct 12
$57Renfe
$40Alsa
$67Iberia
Wed
Oct 13
$31Renfe
$40Alsa
$67Iberia
Thu
Oct 14
$38Renfe
$40Alsa
$67Air Europa
Fri
Oct 15
$38Renfe
$40Alsa
$42Iberia
Sat
Oct 16
$25Renfe
$40Alsa
$42Iberia
Sun
Oct 17
$50Renfe
$40Alsa
$42Air Europa

The fastest trains from Madrid to Bilbao

Showing times and prices for Sep 28

Fastest Journey

5 h 4 m

Average

5 h 7 m

Trains per day

2

Distance

323 km

Of the 2 trains that leave Madrid for Bilbao every day 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

These direct trains cover the 323 km distance in an average of 5 h 7 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 4 m .

The slowest trains will take 5 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.

Fastest
08:00AMMadrid Chamartín5h04 01:04PMBilbao-Abando
0 changes
$571One-way
2nd Fastest
04:05PMMadrid Chamartín5h11 09:16PMBilbao-Abando
0 changes
$571One-way

These companies trust us. We sell their tickets all in one place.

Deutsche Bahn
Renfe
Italo
Frecciarossa
Accommodation

Need a place to stay?

view on map
Top pick hotels
Entire homes & apartments

Find the best accommodation for you, with our partner Booking.com

View all

Train Information from Madrid to Bilbao

distanceDistance200 miles (322 km)
durationAverage train duration5 h 4 min
priceAverage train ticket price$57 (€46)
frequencyTrain frequency1 a day
changesDirect trainYes, there is 1 direct train a day
carriersTrain companiesRenfe

Trains from Madrid to Bilbao cover the 200 miles (322 km) long journey taking on average 5 h 4 min with our travel partners like Renfe. Normally, there is 1 train operating per day, including direct services available. You can get the cheapest train tickets for this journey for as low as $50 (€41), but the average price of train tickets is $57 (€46). Travelers depart most frequently from Madrid-Puerta de Atocha and arrive in Bilbao-Abando.

Train companies

Travel with Renfe from Madrid to Bilbao

Renfe trains will get you between Madrid and Bilbao from $50 (€41). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Renfe

Renfe is Spain’s national train company offering a multitude of domestic routes and international routes to France and Portugal. Renfe is known for its range of ticket types to fit anyone’s budget, such as the Basic, Elige and Premium tickets. Renfe also has discount cards for qualified travelers like the Renfe Gold Card and +Renfe Youth Card 50, which you can use on Omio. When you ride with Renfe, you can expect to find an impressive fleet of trains offering different levels of comfort, amenities and time needed to travel to your destination. These train types include Renfe AVE for high-speed long-distance routes, Alvia and Altaria for domestic routes in parts of Spain, Euromed for routes along the stunning Mediterranean coast, Avant commuter trains and Trenhotel night trains.

    Read on for COVID-19 recommendations and policies for your Renfe train ticket between Madrid and Bilbao:

    • Cashless payments recommended
    • Online booking and check-in recommended
    • Exceptions to waive change or cancellation fees policy
    • Renfe has applied temporary travel conditions for ticket holders that can no longer justify their travel or don’t wish to travel with AVE, Large Distancia, Avant or Media services for trips between 29th of October and 8th of May 2021
    • Travellers may choose to get a full refund, free of charge, or be provided with a new ticket for another date free of charge.
    • Passengers traveling international routes (Renfe–SNCF) can cancel their ticket free of charge until August 29th, 2021 if it’s requested three days before the departure date.
    Learn more about Renfe

    How to get from Madrid to Bilbao by train?

    Two trains leave Madrid Bilbao daily at different times of the day. These train routes complete the journey between the two cities in an average of approximately 5 hours.

    What train goes from Madrid to Bilbao?

    Renfe is the company in charge of making the journey by train Madrid Bilbao: the trains Alvia are the type of train covering the route.

    How long does the train from Madrid to Bilbao?

    The direct train from Renfe Madrid Bilbao has an average duration of 5 hours and 5 minutes and leaves from Monday to Saturday at 8:00 the first and the second at 16:05. On Sundays this routine is modified and there is only one train available that leaves at 16:05.

    How much does the train ticket from Madrid to Bilbao cost?

    The prices for train tickets Madrid Bilbao cost an average of 41.14€.

    .

    Where does the Madrid Bilbao train leave from?

    From Puerta de Atocha and Chamartín stations most trains leave Madrid Bilbao. The first one is the main one and the most important, as AVE, national and international Long Distance, Medium Distance and Madrid Suburban lines pass through it. Chamartín is located in the neighbourhood of the same name and covers Long and Medium Distance lines.

    The Bilbao-Abando train station is in the centre of the city and is where the Madrid Bilbao trains arrive. Here you can take long-distance and medium-distance lines, as well as being the head of the Bilbao Suburban Railway and having tram, Bilbobus and Bizkabus stops at its facilities. The station has services such as parking, cafeteria, restaurant, car rental office and shops. In addition, it is accessible to passengers with reduced mobility.

    Train tickets from Madrid to Bilbao: when to book to save $

    Time Price Savings
    1 week earlier 36 €
    2 weeks earlier 30 €20%
    3 weeks earlier 30 €20%
    1 month before 29 €24%
    2 months earlier 30 €20%
    3 months earlier 27 €33%


    Train companies often offer promotional prices and offers—by buying in advance—you can get access the best prices for trains in the U.S., Canada, and the major European railroad operators. Search on Omio to check prices and cheap train tickets from Madrid - Bilbao. Easily find the most attractive rates and choose the your preferred route for your journey. Book and choose your mobile ticket: avoid the queues at the station and the added stress of printing your ticket.

    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.

    Travel Tips

    Trains from Madrid to Bilbao
    Travel by train to Bilbao easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Madrid to Bilbao.
    FAQs
    How much do cheap trains from Madrid to Bilbao cost?
    Train tickets between Madrid and Bilbao for some dates and times can be found for as cheap as $50 (€41)  one way in the next 7 days.
    How much is the train from Madrid to Bilbao on average?
    The Madrid to Bilbao train ticket price is on average $57 (€46)  if you are looking to purchase your tickets for this journey in the next week.
    How many miles is it from Madrid to Bilbao by train?
    The Madrid to Bilbao train distance is approximately 200 miles (322 km).
    How long is the train from Madrid to Bilbao?
    While the time it takes to travel 200 miles (322 km) between Madrid and Bilbao can vary based on specific dates, weekends, and holidays, the Madrid to Bilbao train journey time is on average 5 h 4 min.
    Which train station from Madrid to Bilbao do I depart from? Which Bilbao train station from Madrid do I arrive in?

    Some of the Madrid train stations to Bilbao you can start your journey from include Madrid-Puerta de Atocha, Madrid Chamartín and Madrid Méndez Alvaro. Similarly, some of the arrival train stations in Bilbao include Bilbao-Abando and Bilbao-Concordia.

    When traveling this route, Omio customers are departing most frequently from Madrid-Puerta de Atocha   and arriving in Bilbao-Abando.

    Where is the train station in Madrid? Where is the train station in Bilbao?

    The most popular departure train station with passengers for this trip, called Madrid-Puerta de Atocha, is located 1 mile (s) / 1 km from the city center of Madrid.

    The most popular arrival train station, Bilbao-Abando, is located 0 mile (s) / 0 km away from the city center of Bilbao.

    Which train providers can take me to Bilbao from Madrid?
    For the best Madrid to Bilbao train to book, you can travel safely and comfortably with Renfe. However, it's always good to check all possible train companies with services from Madrid to Bilbao to compare what amenities they may offer.
    Are there any nonstop train services from Madrid to Bilbao?
    Yes, there is 1 direct train per day from Madrid to Bilbao. You can look to travel with Renfe  without needing to transfer at another stop in between. Taking a direct train tends to save you time getting you to your destination, so it's worth paying attention to this when booking a ticket for this route.
    How many train services are there between Madrid and Bilbao a day?
    The average number of trains departing Madrid for Bilbao is 1 a day. The train schedules and services may vary between weekdays and weekends.
    When does the first train depart from Madrid to Bilbao? When does the last train depart from Madrid to Bilbao?
    You can take the earliest train from Madrid to Bilbao at 6: 00 AM   or take the last train from Madrid to Bilbao leaving at 2: 05 PM. Look for the latest Madrid to Bilbao train schedules on Omio and book the best time to take the train for this trip.
    How far in advance should I buy train tickets between Madrid and Bilbao for the best deals?
    The price of a one way train ticket from Madrid to Bilbao is on average $57 (€46) if you book within the next 7 days. But we recommend booking tickets before your planned travel date to find the best prices for trains from all possible train companies offering this route. In general, you can find train tickets between Madrid and Bilbao available a few months in advance.
    Stations

    Important Stations and Airports for this Journey

    Madrid
    Bilbao
    Madrid Chamartín
    Amenities
    Refreshments
    Madrid Puerta De Atocha
    Amenities
    Refreshments
    WC

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where is the train station and what is the best way to get there?
    This station is not located in the city centre but it can be reached by public transport.<br>Metro lines 1<br>Bus lines 47, 55, 19, 85, 10, 24, 57, 102, C