Travel options
from Madrid to Bilbao

You can get from Madrid to Bilbao by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

To get from Madrid to Bilbao on Jan 22 we recommend taking a flight because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

06:40AMMadrid Barajas Airport1h05 07:45AMBilbao
0 changes
$481One-way
Cheapest
11:15AMMadrid, Aeropuerto Barajas T44h30 03:45PMBilbao
0 changes
$391One-way
Other options
10:00AMMadrid4h40 02:40PMBilbao
0 changes
$391One-way
03:30PMMadrid, Aeropuerto Barajas T44h45 08:15PMBilbao
0 changes
$391One-way
02:00PMMadrid4h45 06:45PMBilbao
0 changes
$391One-way

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, and flight, .

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Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights

Sat
Jan 22
$57Renfe Alvia
$39Alsa
$48Air Europa
Sun
Jan 23
$57Renfe Alvia
$39Alsa
$48Air Europa
Mon
Jan 24
Find prices
$39Alsa
Find prices
Tue
Jan 25
$51Renfe Alvia
$39Alsa
$48Air Europa
Wed
Jan 26
$44Renfe Alvia
$39Alsa
$95Air Europa
Thu
Jan 27
$51Renfe Alvia
$39Alsa
$95Air Europa
Fri
Jan 28
$57Renfe Alvia
$39Alsa
$95Air Europa
Sat
Jan 29
$51Renfe Alvia
$39Alsa
$48Air Europa
Sun
Jan 30
$57Renfe Alvia
$39Alsa
$36Air Europa
Mon
Jan 31
$44Renfe Alvia
$39Alsa
$48Air Europa
Tue
Feb 1
$25Renfe Alvia
$39Alsa
$48Air Europa
Wed
Feb 2
$25Renfe Alvia
$39Alsa
$36Air Europa
Thu
Feb 3
$38Renfe Alvia
$39Alsa
$36Air Europa
Fri
Feb 4
$44Renfe Alvia
$39Alsa
$41Iberia
Sat
Feb 5
$32Renfe Alvia
$39Alsa
$36Air Europa
Sun
Feb 6
$57Renfe Alvia
$39Alsa
$36Air Europa
Mon
Feb 7
$32Renfe Alvia
$39Alsa
$36Air Europa
Tue
Feb 8
$22Renfe Alvia
$39Alsa
$36Air Europa
Wed
Feb 9
$22Renfe Alvia
$39Alsa
$36Iberia
Thu
Feb 10
$25Renfe Alvia
$39Alsa
$36Air Europa

Travel Information to Bilbao from Madrid

distanceDistance200 miles (322 km)
modeAvailable travel modesBus, flight or train
priceTicket price range$18 - $53
cheapestCheapest modeTrain • $18 (€15) • 5 h 4 min
fastestFastest modeFlight • $53 (€44) • 1 h 5 min
carriersPopular travel companiesAlsa, Air Europa or Renfe Alvia

Travel 200 miles (322 km) by bus, flight or train between Madrid and Bilbao. If speed is a priority, then a flight is the best option with an average duration of 1 h 5 min; whereas, if saving money is more important, then a train is the best option with prices starting as low as $18 (€15). The most popular travel companies which serve this trip are Alsa, Air Europa or Renfe Alvia among others. Travelers can even take a direct bus, flight or train from Madrid to Bilbao.

How to get from Madrid to Bilbao

The Best Way According to our Users

If you want to travel from Madrid to Bilbao there are several options available to you. For this route, however, 73,71% of our customers choose the bus as their preferred method of transportation. Nowadays, traveling by bus is a relaxing and entertaining experience. Most bus companies offer different on-board services; ranging from "welcome drinks" to free wi-fi or personal entertainment. For this reason, the bus is often chosen as the best way to get from Madrid to Bilbao. Bus companies normally offer comfortable journeys for reasonable prices, and if you choose to travel on a night bus you can even save the money of one night in a hotel. For that reason, the bus is most likely the cheapest way to get to your destination.

Search on Omio to find cheap tickets from Madrid to Bilbao. It’s easy to find the most attractive prices and choose your preferred route for your journey. Book on web or app, and travel with your mobile ticket —without the stress of printing your ticket.


Travel Tips: Travel from Madrid to Bilbao

Travel 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 do I get from Madrid to Bilbao?

There are 3 ways to get from Madrid to Bilbao: bus, flight or train.

What is the cheapest way from Madrid to Bilbao?

The cheapest way to go to Bilbao from Madrid is by taking a train, which costs on average $18 (€15).

This is compared to other ways of getting to Bilbao:

A train is $21 (€17) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Madrid to Bilbao costing on average $39 (€32).

A train is $34 (€28) less than a flight for this journey with tickets for a flight from Madrid to Bilbao costing on average $53 (€44).

What is the fastest way to travel to Bilbao from Madrid?

The fastest way to get to Bilbao from Madrid is by flight with an average travel time of 1 h 5 min.

Other travel options to Bilbao can usually take longer:

In comparison, getting to Bilbao by bus can take on average 4 h 30 min.

In comparison, getting to Bilbao by train can take on average 5 h 4 min.

How many miles from Madrid to Bilbao would I travel?

You should expect to travel around 200 miles (322 km) between Madrid and Bilbao.

How many scheduled departures are there a day from Madrid to Bilbao?

The average frequency per day from Madrid to Bilbao is:

  • Around 1 train per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your trip to Bilbao from Madrid as scheduled services by bus, flight or train can vary by season or day of the week.

When traveling to Bilbao from Madrid, where do I depart from Madrid and where do I arrive in Bilbao?

These are the most popular departure and arrival points when traveling from Madrid to Bilbao:

  • Most travelers board their bus from Madrid, Estación Sur/Gare routière Méndez Alvaro - 83 and arrive in Bilbao, Zorroza.
  • Most travelers who book a plane ticket from Madrid to Bilbao depart from Madrid Barajas Airport to Bilbao.
  • Most travelers catch their train from Madrid-Puerta de Atocha and arrive in Bilbao-Abando.

Which travel operators can get me to Bilbao from Madrid?

If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Madrid to Bilbao, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:

  • Alsa can get you to Bilbao by bus. You can find a good deal for bus tickets with Alsa from Madrid to Bilbao for $39 (€32) on Omio.
  • Travel with Air Europa for flights to Bilbao. If you’re looking for a good deal on tickets, check for Air Europa Madrid to Bilbao tickets on Omio for $53 (€44).
  • Renfe Alvia can take you to Bilbao by train. If searching for a good deal on trains, you can find tickets for Renfe Alvia from Madrid to Bilbao for $18 (€15).

Can I find a direct route between Madrid and Bilbao?

Yes, there are direct services available from Madrid to Bilbao with the following travel companies:

  • You'll find 1 direct train per day with Renfe Alvia.

Direct services tend to save you time and add more convenience in getting you to Bilbao as you won't need to transfer at another stop in between, so it's worth paying attention to before booking your tickets between Madrid and Bilbao.

What other popular destinations should I add to my itinerary for my trip from Madrid to Bilbao?

Many of our customers who book a trip from Madrid to Bilbao often extend their vacation and travel to other popular destinations like Barcelona, Donostia-San Sebastian or Pamplona. If you’re thinking of adding another destination to your Madrid and Bilbao itinerary, let Omio find you the best connections between Bilbao and any of these top destinations today!

When should I book a ticket from Madrid to Bilbao online to score the best deals?

Before traveling from Madrid to Bilbao, it’s good to know what ticket you can book and how much it will cost in the next 7 days:

  • A bus ticket for this route costs on average $39 (€32) one way.
  • A plane ticket for this journey costs on average $53 (€44) one way.
  • A train ticket for this trip costs on average $18 (€15) one way.

But we recommend booking Madrid to Bilbao tickets online a few months before your planned travel date to score the best deals and save money on your trip.