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Madrid to Bilbao by train
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First train08:00
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Last train16:05
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Avg changes0
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Fastest journey5hr 4m
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Distance323 kilometres
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Trains per day1
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Avg. journey time5hr 13m
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Train operators
Travelling from Madrid to Bilbao by train
Fast trains from Madrid to Bilbao take around 5 hours and 4 minutes, covering a distance of approximately 323 kilometres. There are frequent services on the rail route between Madrid and Bilbao.
1. Are there direct trains from Madrid to Bilbao?
Direct trains from Madrid to Bilbao have been found.
We usually find around 2 direct trains on the route from Madrid to Bilbao every weekday.
There are typically fewer departures at weekends, when we found at least one departure.
2. How long is the train journey from Madrid to Bilbao?
The Madrid to Bilbao train travel time is normally about 5 hours and 4 minutes, whatever time you make the journey.
3. What are the Madrid to Bilbao train times and schedule?
On weekdays the earliest direct train to Bilbao is usually scheduled to depart Madrid around 08:00 and the last train is around 16:05. This is the same at the weekend.

What's the Madrid to Bilbao train price?
The earlier you book the better, and the cheapest tickets we've found for trains from Madrid to Bilbao are $18.21.
Trains departing 30 days in advance will cost around $28 while booking 7 days in advance the price is around $42. Booking on the day of travel is likely to be more expensive, so it is worth booking in advance if you can to save money.
When to book Madrid to Bilbao train tickets?
Trains in Spain usually open for booking around 4 months in advance. If booking is not yet open for your dates then you can set a booking alert to receive an email on the day that the cheapest tickets are released for your journey from Madrid to Bilbao by train.
Which train companies operate between Madrid and Bilbao?
Alvia is the train company that operates on the route from Madrid to Bilbao.
You can check which train you’ll be travelling on by looking for the train name in search results.
Other journeys to Bilbao-Abando View all journeys to Bilbao-Abando
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From Barcelona From $23.81
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From Miranda de Ebro From $7.70
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From Palencia From $19.61
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From Zaragoza From $12.61
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From San Sebastián/Donostia From $14.71
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From Irun From $14.71
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From Valladolid From $11.91
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From Logroño From $13.31
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From Burgos Rosa de Lima From $8.40
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From Paris From $168.08
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From Santander From $63.03
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From León From $22.41
Alvia
Direct Alvia trains from Madrid to Bilbao run north from Madrid using a new high-speed line that tunnels under the Sierra de Guadarrama. Trains stay on the high-speed line to Valladolid, capital of Spain's Castilla y León region. Beyond Valladolid, the pace becomes much slower as the train winds around hills and through valleys on the way to the coastal city of Bilbao (known as Bilbo in the Basque language).
If the timings of the direct trains from Madrid to Bilbao do not suit your plans, there are additional options requiring one change of train at either Zaragoza or Miranda de Ebro.
Madrid to Bilbao-Abando

High-speed Alvia trains from Madrid to Bilbao leave from Chamartin station, which is in the northern suburbs of the Spanish capital. Chamartin is well served by Madrid's efficient cercanías (ie. local train) network. In Bilbao, you'll arrive at Abando station - which is a hub for local metro and suburban rail services. The Alvia trains make five stops on the journey from Madrid to Bilbao. If you want a little extra comfort on the train, opt when you book for preferente rather than turista class.
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