Tren en la ruta Madrid Bilbao
Train Route

Madrid-Bilbao trains: schedules, prices and offers

Train Madrid-Bilbao in 5h 00min from €35. 6 daily indicative services, prices and packages. Check schedules and book your trip.

From 35€ 6 trains/day Alvia 5h 0'

Check prices for your dates

2026-04-14
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🔒 No hidden fees · Best price guaranteed

35€Minimum price
5h 0'Direct journey
6Daily trains
35%Early booking savings
Route summary

Quick summary of route Madrid-Bilbao

The Madrid-Bilbao train connects Madrid and Bilbao in 5h 00min as a minimum reference. The daily offer is around 6 indicative departures, with prices between €35 and €87 depending on class and advance notice. The data is indicative and may vary depending on date, advance notice and commercial offer. Always check the search engine for your specific schedule.
Interior of a train Alvia
train interior
Distance395 km
Minimum duration5h 00min
Maximum duration5h 54min
Daily frequency6 trains
Minimum price€35
Maximum price€87
Average price€61
Cheapest strip2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Tue.-Thu.
Optimal advance notice21 days (average savings 35%)
Origin stationMadrid Chamartín
Destination stationBilbao-Abando Indalecio Prieto
Schedules

Train schedules Madrid-Bilbao

The Madrid-Bilbao train schedules are spread throughout the day. The approximate duration ranges between 5h 00min and 5h 54min depending on service and stops. The data is indicative and may vary depending on date, advance notice and commercial offer. Always check the search engine for your specific schedule.

Indicative schedules Madrid-Bilbao (example)
ExitArrivalDurationGuyStops
06:30 11:30 5h 00min
Alvia
Straight
08:30 13:30 5h 00min
Alvia
Straight
11:00 16:00 5h 00min
Alvia
Straight
14:00 19:00 5h 00min
Alvia
Straight
17:00 22:00 5h 00min
Alvia
Straight
20:00 01:00 5h 00min
Alvia
Straight

Indicative schedules. Check actual availability for your date.

Prices

Train prices Madrid-Bilbao

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Madrid-Bilbao train fares are usually between €35 and €87, with an approximate average of €61. The final price depends on advance notice, class and occupancy on the chosen date. The data is indicative and may vary depending on date, advance notice and commercial offer. Always check the search engine for your specific schedule.
Indicative prices for the Madrid-Bilbao train by type and class
Type/ClassFromAverage priceUntil
Alvia €35 €61 €87
Journey time

How long does the train Madrid-Bilbao take?

The shortest travel time on Madrid-Bilbao is 5h 00min. Services with more stops can be closer to 5h 54min. To choose the fastest option, consult the real-time departure finder. The data is indicative and may vary depending on date, advance notice and commercial offer. Always check the search engine for your specific schedule.

🚄
Alvia (reference)
5h 00min
€61 · Several/day
⭐ Más rápido
🚄
Car
5h 04min approx.
🚄
Bus
6h 49min approx.
20-45€ · Several/day
Stations

Stations on the route Madrid-Bilbao

The Madrid-Bilbao route operates between Madrid Chamartín and Bilbao-Abando Indalecio Prieto. Both stations usually have connections with urban or regional transport and services for travelers. The data is indicative and may vary depending on date, advance notice and commercial offer. Always check the search engine for your specific schedule.
Madrid Chamartín Station
🟢 Origen
Madrid Chamartín
Madrid
Connection with public transportation and passenger services at Madrid.
Regular departure of services towards Bilbao.
Station Bilbao-Abando Indalecio Prieto
🏁 Destino
Bilbao-Abando Indalecio Prieto
Bilbao
Arrival at Bilbao; links with urban or regional bus depending on destination.
Reference main station at Bilbao for this relationship.
On board

Service on board the train Madrid-Bilbao

Depending on the type of train (Alvia), the trip may include Wi-Fi, plugs and a cafeteria as part of the services. Exact availability changes by model and class, so check before confirming your reservation. The data is indicative and may vary depending on date, advance notice and commercial offer. Always check the search engine for your specific schedule.

Service on board train Alvia
Interior Alvia
Service Alvia
Wi-Fi According to service
Plugs
Luggage space Standard
Cafeteria/vending According to composition
Change/cancellation According to rate
Learn about all the Renfe services on board
Savings

Tips to get the best price on the train Madrid-Bilbao

To improve the price of the Madrid-Bilbao train, book in advance, compare time slots and prioritize days of lower demand. The history of the route places the average close to €61, with variations by season. The data is indicative and may vary depending on date, advance notice and commercial offer. Always check the search engine for your specific schedule.
Reserve 21+ days in advance
Average savings of 35% compared to purchases in the last 48 hours
Alvia: about €9 with 30 days vs. about €18 with 2 days (approximate)
Choose the time slot 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
It is usually cheaper than first thing in the morning
Notable differences between Tues-Thurs and Friday afternoon
Travel Tuesday to Thursday
Lower demand than weekends
Best price ratio on weekdays
Compare departures of the day
On short journeys the variation between trains can be small but constant
Check several hours in the search engine
November and February are usually cheaper
Lower demand pressure than on long weekends and vacations
Aligned with the monthly average of the route
FAQ

Train FAQ Madrid-Bilbao

How much does the Madrid-Bilbao train cost?

Rates usually range between €35 and €87 depending on advance notice and occupancy, with an approximate average of around €61. By booking 21 days in advance you usually save an average of approximately 35% compared to last minute purchases.

How long does the train Madrid-Bilbao take?

The fastest indicative route lasts about 5h 00min between Madrid Chamartín and Bilbao-Abando Indalecio Prieto. Always consult the search engine for your specific output.

What station does the train between Madrid and Bilbao depart from?

In this relationship, the usual services link Madrid Chamartín with Bilbao-Abando Indalecio Prieto. Check the details of your train in the search engine.

How many trains are there per day on the Madrid-Bilbao route?

The indicative offer is around 6 daily services, spread throughout the day; The exact number may vary depending on the commercial calendar.

What is the best time to travel cheap in Madrid-Bilbao?

The period between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. between Tuesday and Thursday is usually convenient; Early mornings and weekends tend to be more expensive.

Can the Madrid-Bilbao train be combined with a hotel?

Yes. Ofertren publishes train+hotel packages for Madrid-Bilbao that combine place and accommodation; Check availability and prices for your date.

Does the Madrid-Bilbao train have intermediate stops?

The Alvia link the plateau with the Cantabrian Sea; some itineraries may include technical stops. Check the details of your train in the search engine in case there are specific exceptions.

Last updated: 14/04/2026