How can I travel from Madrid to Bilbao without a car?

You can travel between these two cities by bus or train. The two options are easy and eco-friendly ways to reach Bilbao. Another option is using carpool services and riding with fellow travelers.

How long does it take to get to Bilbao from Madrid by bus?

The average travel time from Madrid to Bilbao is about 4h 45m, but the fastest bus can get you there in about 3h 55m. This is the time it takes to travel the 201 miles (324 km) that separate the two cities.

What is the travel distance from Madrid to Bilbao?

The distance between the two cities is 201 miles (324 km).

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Madrid to Bilbao?

The majority of buses traveling from Madrid to Bilbao start their journey at Estación Sur and wind up at Estación Autobuses. These are the primary departure and arrival locations on this route, but you could find others that could be a better fit for your travel plans.

How much are the bus tickets from Madrid to Bilbao?

The average bus ticket price from Madrid to Bilbao is $50. In the past 30 days, prices have fluctuated between $49 and $219, so it's best to compare them to make sure you get the best deal.

What are the best sights and things to do in Bilbao?

Once in Bilbao, you can start exploring the city and discover its surroundings. The top sights and things to do are Climbing Pagasarri and Ganekogorta, The Bizkaia Bridge, Bilbao Maritime Museum, The Guggenheim Museum and Plaza Nueva - Plaza Barria.

Madrid to Bilbao Bus Tickets

TodayMay 17

from $44

TomorrowMay 18

from $44

MonMay 19

from $44

TueMay 20

from $37

WedMay 21

from $44

ThuMay 22

from $44

FriMay 23

from $37

SatMay 24

Cheap buses leaving tomorrow

One passenger / one way

This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest
Departure time: May 18 at 7:00am
Departure city: Madrid
Departure location: Avenida de América Metro
Arrival time: May 18 at 11:50am
Destination city: Bilbao
Destination location: Estación Autobuses
Operated by: ALSA
Vehicle: BusDuration: 4h 50m
This trip is recommended because it is: Fastest
Departure time: May 18 at 2:15am
Departure city: Madrid
Departure location: Aeropuerto Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas, MAD T4
Arrival time: May 18 at 6:10am
Destination city: Bilbao
Destination location: Estación Autobuses
Operated by: ALSA Supra
Vehicle: BusDuration: 3h 55m
Departure time: May 18 at 2:00am
Departure city: Madrid
Departure location: Avenida de América Metro
Arrival time: May 18 at 6:10am
Destination city: Bilbao
Destination location: Estación Autobuses
Operated by: ALSA Supra
Vehicle: BusDuration: 4h 10m
Departure time: May 18 at 8:00am
Departure city: Madrid
Departure location: Avenida de América Metro
Arrival time: May 18 at 12:45pm
Destination city: Bilbao
Destination location: Estación Autobuses
Operated by: ALSA
Vehicle: BusDuration: 4h 45m
Departure time: May 18 at 8:50pm
Departure city: Madrid
Departure location: Aeropuerto Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas, MAD T4
Arrival time: May 19 at 11:15am
Destination city: Bilbao
Destination location: Estación Autobuses
Operated by: Flixbus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 14h 25m

Accepted payments

Compare 3 ways to go from Madrid to Bilbao.

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average Price$49 - $219	Average Duration4h 45m	CO₂ emissions 8kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars	Most eco-friendly
Train	Average Price$24 - $105	Average Duration4h 44m	CO₂ emissions 8kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars
Carpool	Average Price$15 - $62	Average Duration4h 10m	CO₂ emissions 14kg CO₂e4 out of 5 stars	CheapestFastest

Busbud recommends carpooling from Madrid to Bilbao

Among the sustainable travel choices, the carpool stands out as the good way to reach Bilbao. The journey takes about 4 hours 10 minutes and with fares starting at just $15, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

34carpool per day

4h 10mAverage Duration

$15Cheapest ticket

14kgCO₂ emissions

Bus Madrid to Bilbao: Trip Overview

Average ticket price$50

Average bus trip duration4h 45m

Number of daily buses21

Earliest bus departure1:05am

Distance199 miles (320 km)

Latest bus departure11:45pm

Compare bus companies

ALSA

4.5/559,233 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness4.4

Cleanliness4.7

Wifi3.5

According to customer reviews, the bus service is efficient, comfortable, and always on time. However, there have been complaints about some drivers not knowing the way and missing stops in Burgos and Bilbao. It would also be helpful if passengers were informed in advance whether or not buses have bathrooms.

ALSA Madrid Bilbao recent customer reviews

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...

James M.

July 17, 2022

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.

Kerry C.

February 6, 2020

Great way to travel inter- city. Comfy bus, reclining seats & entertainment screen. Didn’t notice the time pass.

Carolyn E.

October 23, 2019

FlixBus

3.5/58,641 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness4

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi2.6

Flixbus is a European bus operator that offers intercity and bus travel in over 38 countries. Known for their easy-to-spot lime green buses and for offering affordable transportation between cities in Europe and the Americas, Flixbus is a good option for those looking for an affordable, reliable bus company. In their buses, you'll find free WiFi, bathrooms, and power outlets. You can also pay extra to choose your seat and get extra legroom, or even buy a snack or drink onboard directly from the driver. You can reschedule your ticket for a small fee, which varies from $1 to $5, depending on how close you are to the departure date.

Renfe

4/5829 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness4.2

Cleanliness4.5

Wifi3.2

ES bus companies: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, ALSA, Rede Expressos, Sindbad, Grupo Samar, Infobus

Madrid to Bilbao Bus

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.

Where are the popular stops in Madrid and Bilbao?

Stops in Madrid

A - Avenida de América Metro

B - Madrid-Barajas Airport

C - Estación Sur

D - Moncloa

E - Príncipe Pío

F - Madrid Interc. Plaza Castilla

Stops in Bilbao

A - Estación Autobuses

B - Abaro Estrata

C - Basurtu Kastrexana Errepidea

D - Buenos Aires Kalea, 2

E - Hotel Carlton

F - Bilbao-Abando Geltokia

Frequently asked questions for your trip Madrid - Bilbao

How can I travel from Madrid to Bilbao without a car?
How long does it take to get to Bilbao from Madrid by bus?
What is the travel distance from Madrid to Bilbao?
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Madrid to Bilbao?
How much are the bus tickets from Madrid to Bilbao?
What are the best sights and things to do in Bilbao?

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found

05/15

$61

05/16

$44

Today

$44

05/18

$44

05/19

$44

05/20

$37

05/21

$44

05/22

$44

The cheapest trip from Madrid to Bilbao was searched and found on May 20, 2025 with a price of $37

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.

You can expect to pay from $37 to $150 for a bus ticket from Madrid to Bilbao based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $37 which is on 2025-05-20.

Usually Flixbus (ES), 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 one of the smallest carbon footprints of motorized transport modes. A bus going from Madrid to Bilbao will emit less CO2 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.

Will you be returning to Madrid by bus?

Bus from Madrid to Bilbao

You can also go to Bilbao by train

Train from Madrid to Bilbao

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

Busbud helps you easily search, compare and book intercity bus tickets on a worldwide scale with our comprehensive list of bus routes and schedules. Use Busbud to book your trip online, in your own language and currency, wherever you are. Busbud prides itself on its worldwide partnerships. We make it possible for you to buy tickets with its large network of trustworthy bus partners like Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others.

Bus Tickets from Madrid to Bilbao

One passenger / one way

Cheap buses leaving tomorrow

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

Compare 3 ways to go from Madrid to Bilbao.

Bus Madrid to Bilbao: Trip Overview

Compare bus companies

ALSA Madrid Bilbao recent customer reviews

Madrid to Bilbao Bus

Where are the popular stops in Madrid and Bilbao?

Frequently asked questions for your trip Madrid - Bilbao

How can I travel from Madrid to Bilbao without a car?

How long does it take to get to Bilbao from Madrid by bus?

What is the travel distance from Madrid to Bilbao?

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Madrid to Bilbao?

How much are the bus tickets from Madrid to Bilbao?

What are the best sights and things to do in Bilbao?

Find cheapest prices for buses

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Did you know?

Will you be returning to Madrid by bus?

You can also go to Bilbao by train

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

People from around the world trust Busbud

Popular Buses Connecting Madrid

Buses Leaving from Madrid

Buses Going to Madrid

Popular Buses Connecting Bilbao

Buses Leaving from Bilbao

Buses Going to Bilbao

Popular routes in this country

Popular airport transfers