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Madrid to Bilbao train

Q: How far is it from Madrid to Bilbao by train?

The Madrid to Bilbao train distance is approximately 200 miles (322 km) .

Q: How long does it take from Madrid to Bilbao by train?

On average the Madrid to Bilbao train time is 5 h 4 min covering the 200 miles (322 km) long trip, but the journey time can vary depending on specific dates or travelling on weekends and bank holidays.

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Cheap train tickets from Madrid to Bilbao

Showing times and prices for 2 Dec

Cheapest

£41

Average

£41

The best way to find a cheap fare is to book your ticket as far in advance as you can and to avoid traveling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Madrid to Bilbao will cost around £ 41 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only £ 41.

Cheapest

16:05Madrid Chamartín5h11 21:16Bilbao-Abando

0 changes

£411One-way

Cheapest

08:00Madrid Chamartín5h04 13:04Bilbao-Abando

0 changes

£411One-way

Train schedule Madrid Bilbao

Showing trains for tomorrow, Thu, 2 Dec

08:00Madrid Chamartín5h04 13:04Bilbao-Abando

0 changes

16:05Madrid Chamartín5h11 21:16Bilbao-Abando

0 changes

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets by train, coach or flight

Wed
1 Dec

£41

£29

£159

Thu
2 Dec

£41

£29

£70

Fri
3 Dec

£41

£29

£97

Sat
4 Dec

£66

£29

£70

Sun
5 Dec

£41

£29

£48

Mon
6 Dec

£41

£29

£48

Tue
7 Dec

£36

£29

£48

Wed
8 Dec

£41

£29

£70

Thu
9 Dec

£41

£29

£55

Fri
10 Dec

£41

Find prices

£57

Sat
11 Dec

Find prices

£29

£48

Sun
12 Dec

£41

£29

£48

Mon
13 Dec

£36

£29

£48

Tue
14 Dec

£32

£29

£70

Wed
15 Dec

£32

Find prices

£57

Thu
16 Dec

£36

£29

£48

Fri
17 Dec

£36

£29

£55

Sat
18 Dec

£36

£29

£55

Sun
19 Dec

£41

£29

£48

Mon
20 Dec

£36

£29

£55

Tue
21 Dec

£24

£29

£55

Fastest train times from Madrid to Bilbao

Showing times and prices for 2 Dec

Fastest Journey

5 h 4 m

Average

5 h 7 m

Trains per day

Distance

323 km

Of the 2 trains that leave Madrid for Bilbao every day 2 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 5 h 7 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 4 m .

The slowest trains will take 5 h 11 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.

Fastest

08:00Madrid Chamartín5h04 13:04Bilbao-Abando

0 changes

£411One-way

2nd Fastest

16:05Madrid Chamartín5h11 21:16Bilbao-Abando

0 changes

£411One-way

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Train Information between Madrid and Bilbao

	Distance	200 miles (322 km)
	Average train duration	5 h 4 min
	Average train ticket price	£44 (€49)
	Train frequency	1 a day
	Direct train	Yes, there is 1 direct train a day
	Train companies	Renfe

Trains from Madrid to Bilbao cover the 200 miles (322 km) long route taking on average 5 h 4 min with our travel partners like Renfe. Normally, there is 1 train operating per day, including direct services available. You can get the cheapest train tickets for this trip for as low as £36, but the average price of train tickets is £44. Travellers depart most frequently from Madrid-Puerta de Atocha and arrive in Bilbao-Abando.

Train companies

Renfe from Madrid to Bilbao

Renfe trains will get you from Madrid to Bilbao from £36. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Renfe

Travel 200 miles (322 km) between Madrid and Bilbao in comfort with Renfe, Spain’s national railway operator. As an official travel partner of Renfe, Omio quickly and easily shows you the best deals on affordable Renfe train tickets from Madrid to Bilbao so you can spend more time enjoying your trip. Simply check the Renfe train timetables and ticket types available, including Promo, Promo+ and Flexible, and book your cheap Madrid to Bilbao Renfe tickets online. Renfe also offers discount cards like the Renfe Gold Card and +Renfe Youth Card 50 if you plan to travel extensively with Renfe. You can use these discount cards on Omio when purchasing Renfe tickets.

With Renfe routes covering around 9, 300 miles of domestic and international railway, you can expect to find a wide range of train types. These include the high-speed AVE for long-distance routes, Alvia for domestic routes in Spain, Altaria for domestic routes into the south of Spain, Euromed for routes along the Spanish Mediterranean coast, Avant regional commuter trains and Trenhotel night trains.

Operator ticket policies for COVID

Cashless payments recommended
Online booking and check-in recommended
Exceptions to waive change or cancellation fees policy
Renfe has applied temporary travel conditions for ticket holders that can no longer justify their travel or don’t wish to travel with AVE, Large Distancia, Avant or Media services for trips between 29th of October and 8th of May 2021
Travellers may choose to get a full refund, free of charge, or be provided with a new ticket for another date free of charge.
Passengers traveling international routes (Renfe–SNCF) can cancel their ticket free of charge until August 29th, 2021 if it’s requested three days before the departure date.

Learn more about Renfe

Renfe trains from Madrid to Bilbao

Renfe is Spain's national train operator and connects the country's main points of interest. In addition, Renfe has the largest high-speed network in Europe with AVE and Alvia trains. Other Renfe train types are Altaria, Euromed and Talgo. All Renfe trains are equipped with an on-board bistro, toilets, air conditioning and many of them with Wi-Fi.

At Omio you can easily check the Renfe timetable for your trip and book cheap Renfe tickets from Madrid to Bilbao. When booking, you can choose different classes (Tourist, Tourist Plus, Preferred and Club), the seat and the type of ticket you want (Promo, Promo+, Flexible or Round Trip). If you have a Renfe discount card, you can specify it when you buy your ticket at Omio and take advantage of many offers. For information on ticket cancellation, please visit our Help centre.

Renfe

More information

More information:	Trains in Spain
More information:	Renfe
More information:	Book your trains in Europe
More information:	Cheap train tickets
More information:	High speed trains in Europe

Travel Tips

Trains from Madrid to Bilbao

Travel by train 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.

How much does a cheap train from Madrid to Bilbao cost?

Looking to save money on your route? Omio customers have found the cheapest train from Madrid to Bilbao for the next 7 days starting from £36 one way.

What is the average cost of a train from Madrid to Bilbao?

If you’re looking to purchase your train tickets in the next week, you can expect the Madrid to Bilbao train price to come in at an average of £44 one way.

How far is it from Madrid to Bilbao by train?

The Madrid to Bilbao train distance is approximately 200 miles (322 km).

How long does it take from Madrid to Bilbao by train?

On average the Madrid to Bilbao train time is 5 h 4 min covering the 200 miles (322 km) long trip, but the journey time can vary depending on specific dates or travelling on weekends and bank holidays.

What station does the Madrid to Bilbao train leave from? Which Bilbao train station do I come into from Madrid?

There are a few train stations in Madrid to start your route from including Madrid-Puerta de Atocha, Madrid Chamartín and Madrid Méndez Alvaro. In Bilbao you have a few train station options to choose from for your arrival including Bilbao-Abando and Bilbao-Concordia.

Omio customers travelling this route depart most frequently from Madrid-Puerta de Atocha and arrive in Bilbao-Abando.

Where is the train station in Madrid to go to Bilbao? Where is the train station in Bilbao located?

The most popular departure train station with passengers for this route, called Madrid-Puerta de Atocha, is located 1 mile (1.6 km) from the city centre of Madrid.

The most popular arrival train station, Bilbao-Abando, is located 0.2 miles (339 m) away from the city centre of Bilbao.

What train companies offer a service between Madrid and Bilbao?

For the best Madrid to Bilbao train to buy, you can travel safely and comfortably with Renfe. However, it's always good to check all possible train companies with services between Madrid and Bilbao to compare what amenities they may offer.

Are there any Madrid to Bilbao direct trains?

Yes, there is 1 direct train per day from Madrid to Bilbao. You can look to travel with Renfe Alvia without needing to change in between. Taking a direct train tends to save you time getting you to your destination, so it's worth paying attention to this when booking a ticket for this trip.

How many train services per day are there to Bilbao from Madrid?

The average number of trains departing Madrid for Bilbao is 1 a day. The train schedules and services may vary between weekdays and weekends.

What time is the earliest train from Madrid to Bilbao? What time is the last train from Madrid to Bilbao?

If you prefer early morning trains from Madrid to Bilbao, the first train leaves at 07: 00. If you prefer late night trains from Madrid to Bilbao, the last train of the day leaves at 15: 10. Omio shows you the latest train from Madrid to Bilbao times to help you book the best departure time for this route.

When should I buy Madrid Bilbao train tickets to score the best deals?

If you buy Madrid to Bilbao train tickets within the next 7 days, you can find one way tickets to cost on average £44. However, booking in advance gives you access to the best prices for trains to Bilbao from Madrid. Look out for train tickets for this trip to go on sale a few months before your planned departure date to find the best deals.

Important Stations and Airports for this Journey

Madrid

Bilbao

Madrid-Puerta de Atocha is the most popular Madrid railway station for Omio travellers, but it's not the only one. Read all the information you need to know about the main train stations in Madrid for your journey to Bilbao.