- 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.
Cheapest price
£35
Average price
£77
Fastest journey
3 h 55 m
Average duration
4 h 8 m
Buses per day
12
Distance
323 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Madrid to Bilbao is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Madrid to Bilbao will cost around £77 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £35.
Of the 12 buses that leave Madrid for Bilbao every day 9 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct buses cover the 323 km distance in an average of 4 h 8 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h 55 m .
The slowest buses will take 4 h 15 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.
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Supra Economy
Supra Economy
Supra Economy
Supra Economy
Supra Economy
NormalOmio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Madrid to Bilbao among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from £24. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 34m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £24, and a flight costs an average of £35.
Distance: 323 km
Most popular Coach | Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£46 Average Price | £45 Average Price Cheapest | £130 Average Price |
5h 25m Average total duration 4h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 58m Average total duration 4h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 34m Average total duration Fastest 2h 34m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.0 - 1.9kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
The table below shows live departures for Madrid to Bilbao coaches for tomorrow, Tuesday 25 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Supra Economy | 9:00 Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 4h25 | 13:25 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Supra Economy | 9:15 Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 4h10 | 13:25 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 12:20 Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 20h30 | 8:50 Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea | 1 change | |
Supra Economy | 15:00 Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 4h10 | 19:10 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 15:00 Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 4h45 | 19:45 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 15:30 Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 4h15 | 19:45 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 19:00 Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 4h45 | 23:45 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 19:15 Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 4h30 | 23:45 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Supra Economy | 20:30 Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 4h10 | 0:40 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Supra Economy | 20:45 Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 3h55 | 0:40 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 20:50 Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 18h15 | 15:05 Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 22:55 Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 20h15 | 19:10 Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea | 1 change | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, 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.
Buses from Madrid to Bilbao run on average 26 times per day, taking around 4h 55m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £31 but you can travel from only £24 by train.
There are 24 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 323 km distance in 4h 10m.
Distance 323 km |
Average bus duration 4h 55m |
Cheapest ticket price £31 |
Buses per day 26 |
Direct buses 24 |
Fastest bus 4h 10m |
First bus 0:05 |
Last bus 23:55 |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 91 days |
Discover the best of Bilbao — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bilbao trip today.
Globally known museum for contemporary art in a landmark riverside building. Go for the architecture, sculpture terraces and strong temporary shows.
Fine arts museum with collections from medieval works to modern painting and sculpture. A strong choice for a broader art visit beyond the Guggenheim.
Museum on Basque archaeology, ethnography and maritime life in the old quarter. A clear introduction to regional history and identity.
Bilbao’s old town of narrow lanes, churches, shops and lively squares. Ideal for walking, local atmosphere and understanding the city’s historic core.
Hilltop viewpoint above the city reached by the Artxanda funicular. Worth it for broad views over Bilbao and the surrounding green hills.
Elegant central square with arcades, cafés around the edges and frequent city events. A convenient stop between the old and newer parts of Bilbao.
Salt cod cooked slowly with olive oil, garlic and chilli until it forms a silky sauce. A Basque classic closely linked with Bilbao’s taverns and home cooking.
Salt cod baked or simmered in a red pepper and tomato sauce, often with onion. A traditional Biscayan dish emblematic of local Basque cooking.
Baby eels sautéed with olive oil, garlic and chilli, usually served very hot in a clay dish. A classic celebratory pintxo in Bilbao.
Bustling pintxos bar in Casco Viejo with a wide counter selection and a lively, informal atmosphere popular with locals and visitors.
Well-known tavern for inventive and traditional pintxos near Plaza Nueva, with a busy bar scene and strong local following.
Historic Old Town restaurant known for classic Basque dishes and seafood in a traditional, polished setting.
Moderate for Spain: pintxos and transit are reasonable, but central hotels and dining cost more than in many inland Spanish cities.
Tipping is modest. Round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service; round up in taxis; small change in cafés is enough.
Official public transport app
Bilbao Intermodal -> Plaza Moyúa, Bilbao
Buses from Madrid to Bilbao are operated by Spanish provider, ALSA with up to 14 departures a day. The first bus leaves in the early hours of the morning, with the last departure at around 8:30 p.m., with a journey time of about 4 hours.
Buses from Madrid to Bilbao leave from the Intercambiador de Transporte Bus Station, located on Avenida de America, which has good local transport links by bus and Metro to the rest of the city and the suburbs. Madrid's efficient and extensive transport network is supplemented by regular night bus routes. Taxis are available at the bus station.
Bilbao is a bustling port and the capital of Vizcaya in the Basque Region of Northern Spain, and is situated on the tidal Nervión River. Bilbao enjoys a mild climate, more temperate than much of Spain and has become increasingly popular, with visitors enjoying the art and architecture of the modernist Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Gehry. Other attractions are the Basque Museum and La Ria Maritime Museum. The Old Town, or Casco Viejo, of Bilbao has seven streets full of interesting shops and cafes. Buses from Madrid to Bilbao arrive at the TermiBus Station, which is linked by tram to central Bilbao. Bilbao has plenty of public transport options, including a Metro line, frequent Bilbobus City buses, one EuskoTran tram line, and the BizkaiBus service which covers surrounding regions and coastal towns. Bilbao has a weekend night bus service and taxis are available at the station.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Madrid 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.

Most Madrid to Bilbao buses use the Madrid, Avenida de América to Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses station pair, with some services arriving at Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea. Use this guide to compare Madrid and Bilbao bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Madrid, Avenida de América is 3 km from Madrid city centre. Public transport options include:
Madrid, Avenida de América has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafetería de la estación (in the station), Restaurante El Rincón (0.5 km), La Vaca Argentina (0.7 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and on the second floor.
Ticket office support is available at Madrid, Avenida de América.
Available at Madrid, Avenida de América: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madrid, Avenida de América: Elevators, ramps.
Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) is 12 km from Madrid city centre. Public transport options include:
Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) has practical services for this route, including Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Rodilla, Mahoudrid
ATMs are aTMs located throughout T4, major cards accepted .
Ticket office support is available at Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid).
Available at Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid): WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid): Step-free access, elevators, accessible toilets.
Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses is 3 km from Madrid city centre. Public transport options include:
Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafetería de la estación (in the station), Restaurante El Brillante (0.5 km), La Taberna de Domínguez (0.7 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and in the waiting area.
Ticket office support is available at Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses.
Available at Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses: Elevators, ramps.
Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses is 1 km from Bilbao city centre. Public transport options include:
Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Café de la Estación (in the station), Fast Food Express (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses.
Available at Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses: Elevators, ramps.
Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea is 1 km from Bilbao city centre. Public transport options include:
Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Several nearby cafes and restaurants.
Wi-Fi is available at Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea. ATMs are available at nearby locations.
Ticket office support is available at Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea.
Available at Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea: Ramps and designated areas for accessibility.
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