How to get from Madrid to Bilbao
Compare the train, bus and flight options. Then check them for your own date.
Start with the whole journey.
We compared the ways to travel from Madrid to Bilbao. The most useful option is a flight; the flight itself takes 1h 05m, not counting the trip to and from the airports. The two cities are about 322 km apart in a straight line. The price and operators below come from a real route search.
The lowest we recorded in the last 14 days was €21, on Wed, Sep 9.
This fare comes from a search on September 9, 2026 and has not been refreshed since. Run a live search for today's price.
322 km
Which way suits you?
| Transport | Observed fare | Duration and scope | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | €29Checked Sep 8 | 1h 05mFlight only | See Flight details |
| Train | €39Omio catalogue, Sep 9 | 4h 38mdirect | See Train details |
| Bus | €20Omio catalogue, Sep 9 | 4h 51m1 transfer | See Bus details |
- Flight€29Checked Sep 81h 05m · Flight onlySee Flight details
- Train€39Omio catalogue, Sep 94h 38m · directSee Train details
- Bus€20Omio catalogue, Sep 94h 51m · 1 transferSee Bus details
These figures were observed on different days. This table is not a live price ranking for your date.
Madrid to Bilbao: cheapest or fastest?
All from the same recent search. Pick a tab: the legs, the timing and the difference from the others all change with it.
- 1Madrid–Barajas → Bilbao Airportflight
Iberia·1h 05m
The best balance of price and time we found on this route.
The observed fares belong to earlier dates.
Search my dateWhich date should you go?
The amounts on each day are fares seen earlier, not live offers. A day with no figure is one we have not priced, not one without a service.
All transport observations
Flight calendar
Flight prices by day, Madrid to Bilbao
The lowest fare we saw for each day over the next three months. Tap a day to search it live.
September 2026
€43October 2026
€43Departures from Madrid to Bilbao
FlixBus runs 11 scheduled departures a day, the first at 14:50 and the last at 23:59.
| Operator | Departures a day | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBusbus | 11 | 14:50 | 23:59 |
| Renfetrain | 2 | 06:55 | 17:48 |
Departure times come from operator timetables and are local time at the origin. Where a row shows no times, the frequency is the operator's own and the timetable is not published to us. Times can change on holidays and at short notice; confirm with the operator before you travel.
Departure and arrival
Ticket prices on this route
What each way of travelling costs, as the operator publishes it. These describe the route rather than a date you pick, and they refresh once a day. Booking opens at our partner Omio.
Omio last refreshed these on Wed, Sep 9
Operators seen on these journeys
IberiaMadrid–Barajas-Bilbao AirportSee live options and dates →
FlixBusMadrid Barajas-BilbaoBook →
Air EuropaMadrid–Barajas-Bilbao AirportSee live options and dates →
RenfeMadrid-BilbaoBook →City transitMadrid-Madrid BarajasBook →On this route you travel with Iberia, FlixBus, Air Europa, Renfe, City transit; Routavio does not add a booking fee.
How the trip from Madrid to Bilbao works
Start with a Iberia flight from Madrid to Bilbao, about 1h 5m. In total it's roughly €31 over 1h 5m, direct, no transfers.
Madrid to Bilbao: common questions
How long does it take to get from Madrid to Bilbao?
The most useful option is a flight; the flight itself takes about 1h 05m. Getting to and from the airports is on top of that.
How far is Bilbao from Madrid?
About 322 km in a straight line. The real route on the ground or in the air is longer.
How much does Madrid to Bilbao cost?
On the upcoming dates we checked, the cheapest fare ranged from €21 to €28. Run a live search for your own date to see today's price.
Are there direct flights from Madrid to Bilbao?
Yes. The best option we found flies without a transfer and takes about 1h 05m.
How long is the flight from Madrid to Bilbao?
About 1h 05m, and that is the flight itself. Getting to and from the airports is on top of it.
What are the airport codes for Madrid and Bilbao?
Madrid is MAD and Bilbao is BIO, so this route is usually written MAD to BIO.
Which operators run Madrid to Bilbao?
On this route you travel with Iberia, FlixBus, Air Europa, Renfe, City transit.
Can you get from Madrid to Bilbao without flying?
Yes. A ground route by bus takes about 3h 50m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Madrid to Bilbao?
Usually a flexible date, or leaving from a nearby airport. A live search puts every option for your dates side by side.
Can I book directly?
Yes. Routavio sends you straight to the operator or an independent third-party provider. We never add a booking fee. The final fare and availability are confirmed by that provider.
Where to next
Related links
Flying instead? Madrid to Bilbao flight prices€43Other ways people search Madrid to Bilbao
- how to get from Madrid to Bilbao
- Madrid to Bilbao travel time
- Madrid to Bilbao distance
- cheapest way from Madrid to Bilbao
- Madrid to Bilbao flight time
- flights from Madrid to Bilbao
- Madrid Bilbao direct flights
- MAD to BIO
- Madrid to Bilbao by bus