Cologne to Bilbao bus with BlaBlaCar Bus

Thu 17 Sept
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BlaBlaCar Bus
FlixBus
National Express
Alsa
Avanza
2,000+ travel companies
BlaBlaCar Bus
FlixBus
National Express
Alsa
Avanza
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Cologne to Bilbao

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 17 Sept

Cheapest price on 17 Sept

£46

Average ticket price on 17 Sept

£60

Fastest journey on 17 Sept

22 h 20 m

Average journey duration on 17 Sept

1 d 10 m

Buses on 17 Sept

6

Distance

1132 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Cologne to Bilbao is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Cologne to Bilbao will cost around £60 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £46.

Fast coaches

To travel from Cologne to Bilbao you need to make at least 2 changes.

  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus
    0:0027h55
    Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    3:55Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea
    £461One-way
    1 change
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus
    9:1522h45
    Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    8:00Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea
    £541One-way
    2 changes
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus
    7:5022h35
    Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    6:25Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea
    £551One-way
    2 changes
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus
    23:5526h15
    Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    2:10Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea
    £581One-way
    2 changes
  • FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus
    20:5022h20
    Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
    19:10Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea
    £731One-way
    2 changes

Travel Information

Compare coach and flight for Cologne to Bilbao

Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Cologne to Bilbao among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £76 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 5h 34m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £76, while a flight costs an average of £238.

Distance: 1132 km

Compare bus with

Most popular
Coach
Flight
Driving

£76

Average Price

Cheapest

£238

Average Price

£308

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

21h 42m

Average total duration

21h 12m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

5h 34m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 34m

Onboard

+

2h 0m

Additional time*

15h 10m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

FlixBus

Most popular bus company

Lufthansa

Most popular airline

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Cologne to Bilbao is a coach with an average price of £108.

This is compared to other travel options from Cologne to Bilbao:

A coach is £310 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne to Bilbao costing on average £418.

The fastest way to travel from Cologne to Bilbao is by flight with an average journey time of 4h 8m.

Other travel options to Bilbao take longer:

Coach takes on average 20h 23m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Cologne and Bilbao including taking a coach and flight.
Take the bus. It's the cheapest way to make this trip, and the price gap is usually bigger than people expect.

Tickets start at around £108 compared to roughly £308 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £200. The journey takes 20h 23m versus 15h 10m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.

Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.

Live departures

Cologne to Bilbao bus times

The table below shows live departures for Cologne to Bilbao coaches for tomorrow, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus7:50 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
22h35
6:25 Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea2 changes
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus9:15 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
22h45
8:00 Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea2 changes
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus+FlixTrainFlixTrain16:14 Cologne Hbf
26h56
19:10 Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea2 changes
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus20:50 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
22h20
19:10 Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea2 changes
FlixBusFlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus23:55 Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)
26h15
2:10 Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea2 changes

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Cologne to Bilbao by coach or flight

Compare coach 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.

Thu
17 Sept
Fri
18 Sept
Sat
19 Sept
Sun
20 Sept
Mon
21 Sept
Tue
22 Sept
Wed
23 Sept

Why should you book Cologne to Bilbao coaches with Omio?

FlixBus as well as BlaBlaCar Bus offer coaches services from Cologne to Bilbao.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Cologne to Bilbao.

Why book with Omio vs FlixBus?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for FlixBus, but also compare tickets for the likes of BlaBlaCar Bus to find the best option for your trip from Cologne to Bilbao.
  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare FlixBus with all available travel options, which are bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cologne to Bilbao.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu, Trainline or Checkmybus?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of BlaBlaCar Bus to find the best option for your trip from Cologne to Bilbao.
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Cologne to Bilbao.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Cologne to Bilbao

GermanyGermany
SpainSpain
Icon of bus

Buses from Cologne to Bilbao run on average 7 times per day, taking around 21h 12m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £53 if you book in advance.

The earliest coach runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 1132 km distance in 21h 35m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
1132 km
Average bus duration
21h 12m
Cheapest ticket price
£53
Buses per day
7
Fastest bus
21h 35m
First bus
0:05
Last bus
23:55
Cheapest Month
Feb
Cheapest Day
Mon
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Fri
Least Busy Day
Tue
Best time to book
14 days
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Bus providers: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus from Cologne to BilbaoYou can travel by bus between Cologne to Bilbao with FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus for as low as £27. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

FlixBus

About
FlixBus is one of Europe’s leading low-cost bus companies, founded in Germany and now offering long-distance services across Europe and the United States. In addition to its extensive daytime network, FlixBus also operates overnight buses on select European routes. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, power outlets to charge devices, extra legroom, luggage space, and onboard toilets, with snacks and drinks available for purchase. FlixBus offers a single Standard ticket type for all routes, which includes one carry-on bag and one checked bag per passenger. Additional fees apply for extra luggage and for reserving specific seats, such as Extra Seats, Table Seats, or Panorama Seats. This combination of affordability, comfort, and wide coverage makes FlixBus a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average FlixBus Duration
21h 35m
Cheapest FlixBus Price
£53
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority boarding; Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed for a fee; must be booked.
Pets
Small pets in carriers allowed; guide dogs travel for free.

BlaBlaCar Bus

About
BlaBlaCar Bus (formerly known as Ouibus or iDBUS) is a long-distance coach company operating in 10 European countries and connecting over 300 destinations. A subsidiary of the French carpooling company BlaBlaCar, it offers comfortable travel with standard amenities such as air conditioning, toilets, USB and power outlets for charging devices, extra legroom, and adjustable seats. Free Wi-Fi is available on select routes. BlaBlaCar Bus offers only a Standard ticket type, which allows passengers to bring one carry-on bag and up to two checked bags per person.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average BlaBlaCar Bus Duration
22h 20m
Cheapest BlaBlaCar Bus Price
£55
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 7kg and one checked bag up to 20kg.
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 30 minutes before departure for a refund in the form of a voucher.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority boarding; Accessible seating options.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed; additional fees may apply.

Complete guide to Bilbao

Things to do in Bilbao

Discover the best of Bilbao — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bilbao trip today.

  • Must visit

Museo Guggenheim Bilbao

Globally known museum for contemporary art in a landmark riverside building. Go for the architecture, sculpture terraces and strong temporary shows.

  • Must visit

Bilboko Arte Ederren Museoa

Fine arts museum with collections from medieval works to modern painting and sculpture. A strong choice for a broader art visit beyond the Guggenheim.

  • Recommended

Euskal Museoa

Museum on Basque archaeology, ethnography and maritime life in the old quarter. A clear introduction to regional history and identity.

Euro (€)

Moderate for Spain: pintxos and transit are reasonable, but central hotels and dining cost more than in many inland Spanish cities.

Average meal costs

Budget
€8-15 for fast food or simple lunch.
Mid-range
€20-35 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
€60+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
€1.50-3 for coffee or cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Tipping is modest. Round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service; round up in taxis; small change in cafés is enough.

FAQs: Cologne to Bilbao coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne to Bilbao by coach. 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 coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Bilbao, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Cologne to Bilbao can start from as little as £36 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Cologne to Bilbao is £108; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by coach from Cologne to Bilbao is 17h 20m to travel the 1132 km long route. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest coach from Cologne to Bilbao leaves at 0:05. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Cologne to Bilbao leaves at 23:55.
There are 6 coaches a day from Cologne to Bilbao which require at least one change with BlaBlaCar Bus, FlixBus. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Cologne to Bilbao, you can count on BlaBlaCar Bus, FlixBus for the best way to get you to Bilbao. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Cologne and Bilbao and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
When departing from Cologne , you have various coach station options to start your route from including Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen), Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2), Leverkusen, Bf Mitte, Bergisch Gladbach, Busbahnhof (Bensberg U) . When arriving in Bilbao , you can end your route in coach stations like Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea, Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses, Bilbao, Bo. Gaztañaga (Bilboko Aireportua).Passengers board the coach most frequently from Köln, Kennedystraße (Köln Bonn Flughafen), which is located around 13 km away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea, located 1 away from the city centre.
A trip to Bilbao from Cologne is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 17h 20m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Cologne to Bilbao is February.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Cologne and Bilbao including taking a coach and flight.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Cologne to Bilbao:
  • BlaBlaCar Bus
    • Assistance
    • Priority boarding
    • Accessible seating options.
  • FlixBus
    • Assistance
    • Priority boarding
    • Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Cologne to Bilbao for coach company BlaBlaCar Bus, FlixBus.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Cologne to Bilbao depends on the coach companies:
  • BlaBlaCar Bus
    • You can cancel your ticket up to 30 minutes before departure for a refund in the form of a voucher.
  • FlixBus
    • You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company BlaBlaCar Bus, FlixBus.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
No, there is no food available to purchase on board the coach from Cologne to Bilbao.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Cologne to Bilbao:
  • BlaBlaCar Bus
    • One carry-on bag up to 7kg and one checked bag up to 20kg.
  • FlixBus
    • One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Cologne to Bilbao:
  • BlaBlaCar Bus
    • Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
  • FlixBus
    • Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Yes, you can bring your pet on the coach from Cologne to Bilbao. The following conditions apply:
  • FlixBus
    • Small pets in carriers allowed
    • guide dogs travel for free.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Cologne to Bilbao with the following coach company: BlaBlaCar Bus, FlixBus
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Cologne to Bilbao with the following coach company: BlaBlaCar Bus, FlixBus.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Cologne to Bilbao with the following coach company: BlaBlaCar Bus, FlixBus.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Cologne and Bilbao

Most Cologne to Bilbao buses use the Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) to Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea station pair, with some services arriving at Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses. Use this guide to compare Cologne and Bilbao bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Cologne
Arrival bus stations in Bilbao

Which Cologne station do buses to Bilbao leave from?

Buses from Cologne to Bilbao leave from Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen). The station is 13 km from Cologne city centre at Kennedystrasse, Koln, Germany.
Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen)Kennedystrasse, Koln, GermanyWifiParkingATMAccessibilityWC
City-centre transport

Getting to Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) from Cologne city centre

Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) is 13 km from Cologne city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainRe · 8m · £4 · every ~2 min
Rb26 · 12m · £4

Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) bus station facilities and services

Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Accessibility and WC.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen): Parking, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Köln, Kennedystraße (Bonn Flughafen): Elevators, ramps.

Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2)Kennedystrasse, 51147 Koln, GermanyWifiParkingATMTaxisAccessibilityWCTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) from Cologne city centre

Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) is 13 km from Cologne city centre. Public transport options include:

TrainRe · 16m · £4 · every ~2 min
Rb26 · 20m · £4
Re · 21m · every ~2 min
BusS19, S12 · 27m · £4

Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) bus station facilities and services

Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance and baggage claim area.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2).

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2): Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Köln, Köln Bonn Flughafen (Terminal 2): Elevators, ramps.

More options for your journey from Cologne to Bilbao

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