Looking for the cheapest date to travel?
Within 7 days
Outbound fromWithin 1 month
Outbound fromWithin 3 months
Outbound fromPopular in Bilbao
Let's do this trip right
What customers say about Trainline
Read real reviews from real users
Travelling from Madrid Atocha to Bilbao by train
Looking to travel from Madrid Atocha to Bilbao by train? You've come to the right place!
On average, it takes around 5 hours 40 minutes to travel from Madrid Atocha to Bilbao by train, the fastest services can get you there in as little as 4 hours 40 minutes though. You'll usually find 4 trains per day running along the 201 miles (324 km) route between these two destinations. Once you're onboard, you can sit back and relax, as you won’t need to make any changes on your way to Bilbao. This route is operated by Renfe, the Spanish national rail operator, who run long and medium distance trains across the country. During you journey you're likely to travel on one of their high-speed services – AVE, AV-City, Avant, Alvia or Avlo – or a regional Media Distancia, Regional or Express Regional train.
Plan your trip ahead of time and book early if you want to snap up the cheapest fares. Tickets from Madrid Atocha to Bilbao start from £32.38 when you book in advance, so use our Journey Planner to view the latest prices.
If you’re feeling ready to book, start looking for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information on the journey to Bilbao by train, including our timetable where you can view first and last train times.
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 travelling from Madrid Atocha to Bilbao and tickets for this journey start from £32.38 when you book in advance.
| First train | 07:20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 17:37 | |
| Departure station | Madrid Atocha | |
| Arrival station | Bilbao | |
| Journey time | From 4h 40m | |
| Distance | 201 miles (324 km) | |
| Frequency | 4 trains per day | |
| Changes | Direct trains available | |
| Price | From £32.38 | |
| Train and bus operators |
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?
Looking for a return trip 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.