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Say hello to Your Account
All your tickets and travel info, all in one place. Easy as that.
Got a question? Our support team are on hand 24/7.
Search. Book. Travel.
No more fumbling in your pockets
Digital tickets live neatly in our app, so you can just tap, scan and go.
All your tickets, all in the palm of your hand.
Search. Book. Travel.
Looking for a cheap price?
Look no further. Compare tickets easily with our price calendar.
We’ll find you the cheapest day to travel.
Search. Book. Travel.
Say hello to Your Account
All your tickets and travel info, all in one place. Easy as that.
Got a question? Our support team are on hand 24/7.
Search. Book. Travel.
No more fumbling in your pockets
Digital tickets live neatly in our app, so you can just tap, scan and go.
All your tickets, all in the palm of your hand.
Search. Book. Travel.
Looking for a cheap price?
Look no further. Compare tickets easily with our price calendar.
We’ll find you the cheapest day to travel.
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Take the train from Madrid Atocha to Bilbao in 4 hours 40 minutes
If you want to travel from Madrid Atocha to Bilbao by train, you've come to the right place.
You can expect the journey from Madrid Atocha to Bilbao by train to take around 5 hours 40 minutes. If you want to get there as quickly as possible, it can take as little as 4 hours 40 minutes on the fastest services. You'll usually find around 4 trains per day running on this route, which spans 324 km. There's no need for any changes along the way, as there are direct trains available to Bilbao. Renfe is the main rail company operating on this route. Having the widest network of high-speed trains in Europe, Renfe will make your train travel experience in Spain an enjoyable one.
Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to search for cheap ticket prices and we'll show you how much you can save. Tickets from Madrid Atocha to Bilbao start from $34.45 when you book in advance.
If you want to know more about the journey, keep reading for train schedules, tips on finding cheap tickets and FAQs, including first and last train times. Want to go straight to booking? Start a search with us today!
Madrid Atocha to Bilbao by train
It takes an average of 5h 40m to travel from Madrid Atocha to Bilbao by train, over a distance of around 201 miles (324 km). There are normally 4 trains per day traveling from Madrid Atocha to Bilbao and tickets for this journey start from $34.45 when you book in advance.
FAQs about the train journey from Madrid Atocha to Bilbao
Want to know more about your journey from Madrid Atocha to Bilbao? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
Is there a direct train from Madrid Atocha to Bilbao?
How far is Bilbao from Madrid Atocha by train?
Which trains run from Madrid Atocha to Bilbao?
Can I get from Madrid Atocha to Bilbao without flying?
What is the best way to get from Madrid Atocha to Bilbao?
When is the first train from Madrid Atocha to Bilbao?
When is the last train from Madrid Atocha to Bilbao?
How often do trains run from Madrid Atocha to Bilbao?
How far in advance can I book tickets from Madrid Atocha to Bilbao?
Renfe trains from Madrid Atocha to Bilbao
Renfe is the national train operator in Spain. It operates trains on the longest high-speed railway network in Europe, and the second-longest in the world. The country's major cities are linked up by the high-speed AVE and Avlo trains, while other long-distance routes are served by Altaria, Talgo, Alvia and Euromed trains. Renfe also operates cross-border services into neighbouring Portugal and France. Depending on which service you are travelling on, you'll usually find two classes on Renfe trains - Estándard (Standard Class) and Confort (First Class). Fare types range from the cheapest (but least flexible) Básico fare, to the more flexible Elige fares, to the Premium fare for seats in Confort carriages.
More information
Cheap train tickets from Madrid Atocha to Bilbao
Book in advance
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Madrid Atocha to Bilbao by booking early.§
Be flexible with your travel times
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
Choose a slower or connecting train
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Look out for special deals
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.
* Based on European average monthly visitors to Trainline’s app and website from 1.1.2023 to 10.31.2023 vs other independent retailers.