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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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Renfe trains from Madrid to Bilbao
Working out your travel plans from Madrid to Bilbao? Consider taking the train and you’ll be taken from the heart of one city to the center of the other. Direct trains take five hours on the Alvia service by Renfe, reaching speeds of up to 250 km/h. Book Preferente (First Class) and you’ll get to sink into wider seats with complimentary food and drinks served to your seat.
Bilbao train station is just a short distance from the historic center of the city. Amble over to the Museo Guggenheim Bilbao in just 15 minutes or climb up to the nearby summit of Parque Etxebarria for spectacular city views. There are also plenty of traditional restaurants within a 10-minute walk of the station at La Plaza Nueva and Domera o Unamuno.
And if you're already planning the next part of your trip, why not consider hopping on a bus from Bilbao to San Sebastián? It only takes about an hour.
Keen to find out more? Scroll down to find the right train times for you and take a peek at handy journey FAQs.
Madrid to Bilbao by train
It takes an average of 5h 29m to travel from Madrid to Bilbao by train, over a distance of around 201 miles (323 km). There are normally 4 trains per day traveling from Madrid to Bilbao and tickets for this journey start from $17.10 when you book in advance.
Renfe and Alvia trains from Madrid to Bilbao
Renfe
Alvia
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
Renfe's Alvia services combine high-speed tracks with lower speed sections, reaching speeds of up to 155 mph (250 km/h) on international lines and 125 mph (200 km/h) on conventional lines. These trains connect the cities of Madrid, Barcelona and Alicante with the other main Spanish cities. Alvia offers two types of classes – Turista (Second Class) and Preferente (First Class). The latter has wider seats, carriages with fewer seats, offers complimentary food and drinks, free newspapers, and access to parking and Club meeting rooms.
More information
Alvia classes from Madrid to Bilbao
Compare the different travel classes offered by Alvia when traveling from Madrid to Bilbao.
Estándar
Travel in Alvia's Estándar Class (Standard Class) and you'll enjoy many amenities, including air-conditioning, power outlets at every seat and footrests.
- Baggage storage
- Fold-down table
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- More legroom
Confort
Upgrade to Alvia's Confort Class (First Class) and enjoy more comfortable seats, more legroom, an in-seat meal service and access to Renfe's Club lounges.
- Baggage storage
- Fold-down table
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- More legroom
Onboard services on Alvia
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Madrid to Bilbao.
On Alvia trains you can take up to three pieces of baggage on board, provided that they are less than 290cm long and weigh less than 25kg in total. Strollers and instruments smaller than 30 x 120 x 38 cm are also classed as hand baggage.
Most Alvia trains have an onboard café-bar, as well as an at-seat service with a wide selection of food and drinks.
On board Alvia services, you can connect to PlayRenfe, a platform offering free WiFi and hours of entertainment.
Children under 4 travel free on Alvia services with a free child's ticket. Plus, passengers under 14 get a 40% discount on their chosen tariff.
With Alvia, folded bicycles that are less than 180cm long and are stored in a case count as hand baggage. If your bike is larger than this, it will count as special baggage and must be no larger than 120 x 90 x 40 cm - you must also detach the pedals and rotate the handlebars 90 degrees.
You can take your pet with you if they weigh less than 10kg, travel in a carrier no larger than 60 x 35 x 35 cm, and have a pet ticket. In Elige Confort a pet ticket is free, while in Básico a pet ticket costs 25% of the price of a ticket.
Alvia has an assistance service for passengers with reduced mobility or a disability. To arrange assistance, you can call (+34) 900 400 555 (international calling charges may apply).
Cheap train tickets from Madrid 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 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.
FAQs about the train journey from Madrid to Bilbao
Want to know more about your journey from Madrid to Bilbao? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
Are there any direct trains from Madrid to Bilbao?
How far is the train ride from Madrid to Bilbao?
Who operates the trains from Madrid to Bilbao?
Can I take a flight-free trip from Madrid to Bilbao?
What is the best way to travel to Bilbao from Madrid?
What time does the first train run from Madrid to Bilbao?
How late does the train from Madrid to Bilbao run?
How many trains go from Madrid to Bilbao per day?
When do tickets from Madrid to Bilbao go on sale?
Planning a round trip from Madrid to Bilbao?
* Based on European average monthly visitors to Trainline’s app and website from 1.1.2023 to 10.31.2023 vs other independent retailers.