There are 8 ways to get from Bilbao to Madrid by train (Renfe), bus, rideshare, plane, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train (Renfe)
best- Take the train from Bilbao-Abando to Madrid Chamartíntrain Alv
4h 35m€60–90Rideshare
cheapest- Take the rideshare from Bilbao to Madrid395.1 km
4h 47m€20–22Bus
- Take the bus from Bilbao Intermodal to Madrid, Avenida de Américabus ALSA - Bil-Mad / ...
4h 45m€30–55Fly from Bilbao Airport
- Fly from Bilbao Airport (BIO) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD)plane BIO - MAD
3h 13m€33–154Bus via Logroño
- Take the bus from Bilbao Intermodal to Logroño Bus Stationbus L17
- Take the bus from Logroño Estación de Autobuses to Madrid - Avenida de Américabus Pamplona / ...
5h 45m€35–62Drive 394.6 km
- Drive from Bilbao to Madridcar 394.6 km
3h 56m€62–89Bus to Santander Airport, fly
- Take the bus from Bilbao Intermodal to Parada de autobús del aeropuerto de Santanderbus
- Fly from Santander Airport (SDR) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD)plane SDR - MAD
3h 40m€79–280Bus to Pamplona Airport, fly
- Take the bus from Bilbao Intermodal to Pamplona / Iruñabus
- Fly from Pamplona Airport (PNA) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD)plane PNA - MAD
4h 58m€72–396
Bilbao to Madrid by train (Renfe)
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Bilbao to Madrid is to rideshare which costs €20 - €22 and takes 4h 47m.
The fastest way to get from Bilbao to Madrid is to fly which takes 3h 13m and costs €30 - €160.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Bilbao Intermodal and arriving at Madrid, Avenida de América. Services depart hourly, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 4h 45m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Bilbao-Abando and arriving at Madrid Chamartín. Services depart twice daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 4h 35m.
The distance between Bilbao and Madrid is 490 km. The road distance is 394.6 km.
The best way to get from Bilbao to Madrid without a car is to train which takes 4h 35m and costs €60 - €90.
The train from Bilbao-Abando to Madrid Chamartín takes 4h 35m including transfers and departs twice daily.
Bilbao to Madrid bus services, operated by ALSA, depart from Bilbao Intermodal station.
Bilbao to Madrid train services, operated by Renfe Viajeros, depart from Bilbao-Abando station.
The best way to get from Bilbao to Madrid is to train which takes 4h 35m and costs €60 - €90. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs €30 - €55 and takes 4h 45m, you could also fly, which costs €30 - €160 and takes 3h 13m.
What companies run services between Bilbao, Spain and Madrid, Spain?
Renfe Viajeros operates a train from Bilbao-Abando to Madrid Chamartín twice daily. Tickets cost €60–90 and the journey takes 4h 35m. Alternatively, ALSA operates a bus from Bilbao Intermodal to Madrid, Avenida de América hourly. Tickets cost €30–55 and the journey takes 4h 45m.
- Website
- iberia.com
Flights from Bilbao Airport to Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €30–120
Flights from Santander Airport to Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €30–210
Flights from Pamplona Airport to Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €60–370
- Website
- aireuropa.com
Flights from Bilbao Airport to Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 6m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €30–140
- Website
- volotea.com
Flights from Santander Airport to Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- When
- Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- €25–240
- Phone
- +34 91 232 03 20
- Website
- Renfe Viajeros
Train from Bilbao-Abando to Madrid Chamartín
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 35m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- €60–90
- Website
- Renfe Viajeros
- Phone
- +34 910 207 007
- Website
- ALSA
Bus from Bilbao Intermodal to Madrid, Avenida de América
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 45m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €30–55
- Website
- ALSA
Bus from Bilbao Intermodal to Parada de autobús del aeropuerto de Santander
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- €39
- Website
- ALSA
- Aeropuerto de Santander
- €39
- Phone
- +34 945 18 20 60
- [email protected]
- Website
- alavabus.eus
Bus from Bilbao Intermodal to Logroño Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- €8–13
- Schedules at
- alavabus.eus
Bus from Bilbao Intermodal to Pamplona / Iruña
- Ave. Duration
- 2h
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- €8–12
- Schedules at
- alavabus.eus
- Phone
- +34 900 202 777
- [email protected]
- Website
- jimenezmovilidad.es
Bus from Logroño Estación de Autobuses to Madrid - Avenida de América
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- €27–50
- Schedules at
- jimenezmovilidad.es
Rome2Rio's guide to BlaBlaCar.es
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Website
- BlaBlaCar.es
Rideshare from Bilbao to Madrid
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 47m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €20–22
- Schedules at
- BlaBlaCar.es
Want to know more about travelling around Spain
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
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Booking & Getting There
Bilbao to Madrid bus services, operated by ALSA, arrive at Madrid, Avenida de América station.
Bilbao to Madrid train services, operated by Renfe Viajeros, arrive at Madrid Chamartín station.
Yes, the driving distance between Bilbao to Madrid is 395 km. It takes approximately 3h 56m to drive from Bilbao to Madrid.
Book your Bilbao to Madrid train tickets online with Omio.
Book your Bilbao to Madrid bus tickets online with Omio.
There are 7033+ hotels available in Madrid.
Check out Blablacar's carpooling service for rideshare options between Bilbao and Madrid. A great option if you don't have a driver's licence or want to avoid public transport.


















