See what travellers are saying about the trip from Madrid to Bilbao
4.5 out of 5 stars
User reviews from travellers who booked a bus ticket from Madrid to Bilbao
Ratings and Reviews (248)
Bus driver did not know the way! at intermediate stop in Burgos and final at Bilbao he passed the station, had passengers yelling instructions to him! Would also be nice to let passengers know in advance, like during booking if busses have bathrooms. This one did not. Difficult for old bladders...
Very organized. On time. Safe driving. The break in the middle was fantastic to get something eat and drink. Although this wouldn't have been necessary if there had been drinking water in the bus, and we were allowed to eat snacks. The conductor was a little grumpy, and refused to let us eat on the bus or even put our handbags on the floor. Otherwise good trip. We all arrived safe and sound.
ALSA offers reliable, affordable transportation between cities in Spain. To provide convenient travel times to its customers, they have an average of 22 departures per day, with options for direct or connecting trips. With comfortable buses and prices ranging from £34 to £75, ALSA is a convenient and affordable way to travel. Their frequently updated schedules make it easy to plan your next road trip or weekend getaway. So sit back, relax and let ALSA take care of the driving.
Busbud shows you the best bus ticket fares and bus schedules so you can easily plan and book a trip by bus from Madrid to Bilbao.
We make sure you can find a bus service from Madrid to Bilbao from the most reliable bus companies operating this trip.
Discover how much the bus trip from Madrid to Bilbao will cost you. Use our filters and sorting features to find the cheapest bus tickets or luxury buses.
Information on this bus route
Daily Buses
22
Earliest and Latest Bus Departures
02:00 - 22:15
Minimum Price
£33
Average Ticket Price
£37
Minimum Trip Duration
3h55m
Average Bus Trip Duration
4h45m
Bus companies on this route
ALSA
Where are the popular bus stations and stops in Madrid and Bilbao?
Frequently asked questions on the trip Madrid - Bilbao
How do I get from Madrid to Bilbao without a car?
You can travel between these two cities by bus and train. Both are convenient and sustainable ways to travel to Bilbao. You can also use carpool services and share a car ride with other travellers.
How long is the bus ride from Madrid to Bilbao?
The average travel time between Madrid and Bilbao is around 4h 45m, although the fastest bus will take about 3h 55m. This is the time it takes to travel the 201 miles that separates the two cities.
How far is Madrid from Bilbao?
The distance between the two cities is 201 miles
How many buses travel between Madrid and Bilbao daily?
On average, there are 22 buses per day on this route, offered by ALSA. The number of buses from Madrid to Bilbao can change depending on the day of the week. Simplify your bus trip from Madrid to Bilbao by comparing and selecting the bus that fits your travel style and budget on Busbud.
At what time does the first and last bus depart from Madrid to Bilbao?
The first bus leaves at 02:00 and the last one at 22:15. For a hassle-free trip, try to be at the station early to check in and get the best seat.
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Madrid to Bilbao?
Most of the buses travelling from Madrid to Bilbao leave from Estación Sur and arrive at Estación Autobuses. While these are the primary stations or stops on this route, you can find other departure and arrival points that better suit your travel needs.
What is the cheapest way to go from Madrid to Bilbao?
The cheapest way to travel from Madrid to Bilbao is by taking a train. The lowest price for the train on this route is £18.
How much does a bus ticket from Madrid to Bilbao cost?
The average bus ticket price from Madrid to Bilbao is £37. In the last 30 days, the prices ranged from £33 to £75, so it's advisable to do your research before booking.
Best time to book your trip
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past departures.
Days before departure
-90
£30
-60
£33
-30
£33
-15
£33
-7
£32
-1
£32
Today
£32
Buddy tip: the best time to book this trip is usually 90 days before departure.
The average bus ticket from Madrid to Bilbao costs around £32 for departures 90 days prior.
To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Madrid to Bilbao, as early as possible. The best time to find and book cheap bus tickets is to book at least 90 days in advance.
By doing so, you can expect to save around 8% on your bus ticket compared to booking at the last minute.
Usually ALSA Supra will charge you higher prices for tickets closer to the departure date. To find the best prices, you should be flexible on your date of travel.
About Bus Travel
Bus Travel Tips
If you're abroad, study some local language. Not only could it get you out of a pickle during your bus trip from Madrid to Bilbao but it'll also be endearing to native speakers who will surely appreciate your effort.
Start sightseeing the minute your bus leaves the station. If you're on the night bus from Madrid to Bilbao, get comfy and count the stars.
Buses have the smallest carbon footprint of all motorized transport modes. A bus going from Madrid to Bilbao will emit half the CO2 emitted by a train, and radically less than a car or an airplane.
Create your own real life musical score by curating a personalized bus travel playlist - the perfect accompaniment to your bus ride from Madrid to Bilbao.
Did you know?
The word 'bus' is an abbreviation of 'omnibus" which means 'for all' in Latin as buses were meant to be transportation for everybody.
It takes 27 hours to go by bus from Lima to Cusco, one of the craziest bus trips on the world. This route is used daily by locals and backpackers.
The bus driver with the longest career in the world drove more than 2,000,000 miles and is a happy World Record holder.
What's the cheapest way to go from Madrid to Bilbao?
The bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination
Vehicle type
Travel time
Avg price
Daily departures
Vehicle typeTrain
Travel time4h 43m
Avg price£49
Daily departures1
Vehicle typeBus
Travel time4h 45m
Avg price£37
Daily departures22
The best way to travel between Madrid and Bilbao is by bus. By choosing the bus, you'll get to save some money as you travel to your destination, as ticket prices cost £37 on average. If you're on a budget, you'll find cheap tickets from £34. If you're looking for the fastest way to get to Bilbao, choose the bus, as it will take you from Madrid to Bilbao in about 4h 43m – that's the fastest way to get there!
Busbud.com makes it easy for you to find, compare and book city-to-city bus tickets, all over the world. We save you the extra trip to the bus station. With several language and currency options available, Busbud seeks to cater to international bus travellers no matter where they are in the world. Busbud partners with safe and reliable bus companies throughout the world such as Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others so you can buy tickets without a worry.