The cheapest and fastest trains from Madrid to Bilbao
Cheapest price
£34
Average price
£55
Fastest journey
4 h 47 m
Average duration
6 h 16 m
Trains per day
37
Distance
323 km
The best way to find a cheap train 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 £55 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £34.
Of the 37 trains that leave Madrid for Bilbao every day 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 323 km distance in an average of 6 h 16 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 47 m .
The slowest trains will take 6 h 59 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.
Normal+
04687+
00438
Normal+
04687 · 00280
04187
04687+
00438
Normal+
37631+
00280
04187
08129+
37631+
00280
08129+
00631+
00280
04121+
37631+
00280
04121+
00631+
00280Travel Information
Compare train, coach and flight for Madrid to Bilbao
Omio 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 coach with prices starting from £26. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 33m. 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 coach costs an average of £26, and a flight costs an average of £39.
Distance: 323 km
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Coach | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£63 Average Price | £47 Average Price Cheapest | £176 Average Price |
5h 48m Average total duration 5h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 50m Average total duration 6h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 33m Average total duration Fastest 1h 33m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions | 1.0 - 1.9kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Madrid to Bilbao train times
The table below shows live departures for Madrid to Bilbao trains for today, Friday 2 January. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
04261 · 04187 · 00438 | On time 06:04 Madrid Chamartín | 8h49 | 14:53 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
04261+ 18061+ 00280 | On time 06:04 Madrid Chamartín | 11h18 | 17:22 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
04261+ 04687+ 00438 | On time 06:04 Madrid Chamartín | 8h49 | 14:53 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
04187 · 00438 | On time 06:20 Madrid Chamartín | 8h33 | 14:53 Bilbao-Abando | 1 change | |
04087+ 00280 | On time 06:20 Madrid Chamartín | 11h02 | 17:22 Bilbao-Abando | 1 change | |
04187 | On time 06:20 Madrid Chamartín | 4h47 | 11:07 Bilbao-Abando | 0 changesdirect | |
04087 · 00438 | On time 06:20 Madrid Chamartín | 8h33 | 14:53 Bilbao-Abando | 1 change | |
04073+ 04687+ 00438 | On time 06:45 Madrid Chamartín | 8h08 | 14:53 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Normal+ 18061+ 00280 | On time 06:45 Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 10h37 | 17:22 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
08079+ 04687+ 00438 | On time 06:51 Madrid Chamartín | 8h02 | 14:53 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Normal+ 18061+ 00280 | On time 07:00 Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa) | 10h22 | 17:22 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Normal+ 00631+ 00280 | On time 07:00 Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa) | 10h22 | 17:22 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Normal+ 37631+ 00280 | On time 07:00 Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa) | 10h22 | 17:22 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
04687+ 00438 | On time 07:40 Madrid Chamartín | 7h13 | 14:53 Bilbao-Abando | 1 change | |
04687+ 18061+ 00280 | On time 07:40 Madrid Chamartín | 9h42 | 17:22 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
04687 · 00280 | On time 07:40 Madrid Chamartín | 9h42 | 17:22 Bilbao-Abando | 1 change | |
Normal+ 37631+ 04267 | On time 08:15 Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 13h13 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Normal+ 00631+ 00280 | On time 08:15 Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 9h07 | 17:22 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Normal+ 37631+ 00280 | On time 08:15 Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 9h07 | 17:22 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
05071+ 18061+ 00280 | On time 08:56 Madrid Chamartín | 8h26 | 17:22 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
05071+ 00631+ 00280 | On time 08:56 Madrid Chamartín | 8h26 | 17:22 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
05071+ 37631+ 00280 | On time 08:56 Madrid Chamartín | 8h26 | 17:22 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Normal+ 37631+ 04267 | On time 09:00 Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 12h28 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Normal+ 00631+ 00280 | On time 09:00 Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 8h22 | 17:22 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Normal+ 37631+ 00280 | On time 09:00 Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 8h22 | 17:22 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
08109+ 18061+ 00280 | On time 09:15 Madrid Chamartín | 8h07 | 17:22 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Normal+ 37631+ 00280 | On time 09:15 Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa) | 8h07 | 17:22 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Normal+ 00631+ 00280 | On time 09:15 Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa) | 8h07 | 17:22 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Supra Economy+ 04257+ 04267 | On time 10:15 Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 11h13 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Supra Economy+ 04267 · 04267 | On time 10:15 Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 11h13 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Supra Economy+ 04167 · 04267 | On time 10:15 Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 11h13 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Supra Economy+ 04257+ 04267 | On time 11:00 Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 10h28 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Supra Economy+ 04167 · 04267 | On time 11:00 Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 10h28 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Supra Economy+ 04267 · 04267 | On time 11:00 Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 10h28 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Normal+ 04267 · 04267 | On time 12:00 Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 9h28 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Normal+ 04167 · 04267 | On time 12:00 Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 9h28 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
34101+ 18063+ 04267 | On time 12:03 Madrid Chamartín | 9h25 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Normal+ 04167 · 04267 | On time 12:15 Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa) | 9h13 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Normal+ 04267 · 04267 | On time 12:15 Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa) | 9h13 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Normal+ 04167 · 04267 | On time 12:30 Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 8h58 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Normal+ 04267 · 04267 | On time 12:30 Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 8h58 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
04143+ 18063+ 04267 | On time 12:40 Madrid Chamartín | 8h48 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Normal+ 04167 · 04267 | On time 13:15 Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 8h13 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Normal+ 04267 · 04267 | On time 13:15 Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 8h13 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
05817+ 04267 · 04267 | On time 13:23 Madrid Chamartín | 8h05 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
04257+ 04267 | On time 13:46 Madrid Chamartín | 7h42 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 1 change | |
04257+ 04167 · 04267 | On time 13:46 Madrid Chamartín | 7h42 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
04257+ 04267 · 04267 | On time 13:46 Madrid Chamartín | 7h42 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
04153+ 04267 · 04267 | On time 14:20 Madrid Chamartín | 7h08 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
04153+ 04167 · 04267 | On time 14:20 Madrid Chamartín | 7h08 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
08359+ 04267 · 04267 | On time 14:40 Madrid Chamartín | 6h48 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
08359+ 04167 · 04267 | On time 14:40 Madrid Chamartín | 6h48 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
08169+ 04167 · 04267 | On time 15:15 Madrid Chamartín | 6h13 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
08169+ 04267 · 04267 | On time 15:15 Madrid Chamartín | 6h13 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
04161+ 04167 · 04267 | On time 15:37 Madrid Chamartín | 5h51 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
04161+ 04267 · 04267 | On time 15:37 Madrid Chamartín | 5h51 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
08179+ 04167 · 04267 | On time 16:00 Madrid Chamartín | 5h28 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
08179+ 04267 · 04267 | On time 16:00 Madrid Chamartín | 5h28 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
04267 | On time 16:37 Madrid Chamartín | 4h51 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 0 changesdirect | |
04267 · 04267 | On time 16:37 Madrid Chamartín | 4h51 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 1 change | |
04167 · 04267 | On time 16:37 Madrid Chamartín | 4h51 | 21:28 Bilbao-Abando | 1 change | |
Normal+ 04687 · 00280 | On time 23:30 Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 17h52 | 17:22 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Normal+ 04687+ 00438 | On time 23:30 Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 15h23 | 14:53 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Normal+ 04187 · 00438 | On time 23:30 Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 15h23 | 14:53 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
| Saturday 3 January | |||||
Normal+ 04687+ 00438 | On time 05:15 Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 9h38 | 14:53 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Normal+ 18061+ 00280 | On time 05:15 Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 12h07 | 17:22 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
Normal+ 04687 · 00280 | On time 05:15 Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 12h07 | 17:22 Bilbao-Abando | 2 changes | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Madrid to Bilbao by train, coach or flight
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.
02 Jan
03 Jan
04 Jan
05 Jan
06 Jan
07 Jan
08 Jan
09 Jan
10 Jan
11 Jan
12 Jan
13 Jan
14 Jan
15 Jan
16 Jan
17 Jan
18 Jan
19 Jan
20 Jan
21 Jan
22 Jan
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Madrid to Bilbao?
ReviewsReviews for the rail journey from Madrid to Bilbao

Journey information
Overview: Train from Madrid to Bilbao
Trains from Madrid to Bilbao run on average 2 times per day, taking around 5h 18m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £27 but you can travel from only £26 by coach.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:30, the last at 17:37. The fastest train covers the 323 km distance in 4h 40m.
Distance 323 km |
Average train duration 5h 18m |
Cheapest ticket price £27 |
Trains per day 2 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 4h 40m |
First train 00:30 |
Last train 17:37 |
Train companies: Renfe ALVIA, Renfe (13), Renfe, Renfe Intercity, Renfe Viajeros from Madrid to Bilbao trainsRenfe ALVIA, Renfe (13), Renfe, Renfe Intercity, Renfe Viajeros trains will get you between Madrid and Bilbao from £26. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Renfe ALVIA
Renfe (13)
Renfe
Renfe Intercity
Renfe Viajeros
FAQs: Madrid to Bilbao train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Madrid to Bilbao by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Bilbao, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Madrid and Bilbao
More options for your journey from Madrid to Bilbao
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need


+
