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4.6
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Bilbao to Madrid
Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Bilbao to Madrid among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $18 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 55m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $18, while a flight costs an average of $240.
Distance: 200 miles (323 km)
Compare flight with
Most popular Flight | Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$240 Average price | $18 Average price Cheapest | $55 Average price | $80 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 55m Average total duration Fastest 1h 55m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 5h 37m Average total duration 5h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 7m Average total duration 5h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 17m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
1.0 - 1.9kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular airline |  Most popular train company |  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 Madrid:
A train is $37 (€31) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Bilbao to Madrid costing on average $55 (€46).
A train is $222 (€185) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Bilbao to Madrid costing on average $240 (€200).
Other travel options to Madrid take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 37m.
Bus takes on average 6h 7m.
You'll arrive about 2h 22m sooner (1h 55m by flight vs 4h 17m by car). Tickets start at around $240 (€200) compared to roughly $80 (€67) in fuel and tolls — a bit more, but you get time back and avoid a long drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group, want flexibility on timing, or plan to stop en route.
Travel optionsfrom Bilbao to Madrid
How to get from Bilbao to Madrid by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Bilbao to Madrid is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- 043665:12 PM5h08Bilbao-Abando10:20 PMMadrid Chamartín$391One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- 043665:12 PM5h08Bilbao-Abando10:20 PMMadrid Chamartín$391One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- UX71609:05 PM1h00Bilbao Airport10:05 PMMadrid Barajas Airport$3961One-way0 transfers
Other options
- 00437+
047863:02 PM5h21Bilbao-Abando8:23 PMMadrid Chamartín$481One-way1 transfer - 00437 · 043663:02 PM7h18Bilbao-Abando10:20 PMMadrid Chamartín$481One-way1 transfer
- 00283 · 0478611:58 AM8h25Bilbao-Abando8:23 PMMadrid Chamartín$501One-way1 transfer
- Normal6:00 PM4h15Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses10:15 PMMadrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América$471One-way0 transfers
- Normal1:00 AM4h30Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses5:30 AMMadrid$471One-way0 transfers
- Normal7:00 AM4h30Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses11:30 AMMadrid$471One-way0 transfers
IB4409:35 PM1h10Bilbao Airport10:45 PMMadrid Barajas Airport$1981One-way0 transfers- UX715812:45 PM1h05Bilbao Airport1:50 PMMadrid Barajas Airport$2031One-way0 transfers
- IB4309:15 AM1h10Bilbao Airport10:25 AMMadrid Barajas Airport$2561One-way0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
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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How to get from Bilbao to Madrid
The Best Way According to our Users
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FAQs: Travel from Bilbao to Madrid
Travel to Madrid 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 Bilbao to Madrid.
This is compared to other travel options from Bilbao to Madrid:
A train is $37 (€31) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Bilbao to Madrid costing on average $55 (€46).
A train is $222 (€185) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Bilbao to Madrid costing on average $240 (€200).
Other travel options to Madrid take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 37m.
Bus takes on average 6h 7m.
- Around 27 buses per day.
- Around 12 flights per day.
- Around 8 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Bilbao and Madrid as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Bilbao Airport and arrive in Madrid Barajas Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Bilbao-Abando and arrive in Madrid Chamartín.
- Buses mostly depart from Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses and arrive in Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América.
- Travel with Renfe INTERCITY, Renfe ALVIA to go to Madrid by train.
- Travel with Vueling, CitizenPlane, Royal Air Maroc, Air Europa, Iberia Express, Iberia to go to Madrid by flight.
- Travel with Alsa, Alsa Supra, FlixBus to go to Madrid by bus.
- 2 direct trains per day with Renfe ALVIA.
- 8 direct flights per day with CitizenPlane, Air Europa, Iberia.
- 23 direct buses per day with Alsa, Alsa Supra.
Travelling from Bilbao to Madrid: related information
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