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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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Taking the train from Bilbao to Barcelona
As soon as you step off your train from Bilbao to Barcelona into the large and bustling Barcelona-Sants Station, you'll get a taste of the vibrancy that is Barcelona. With the city's excellent local transport network of both local and metro trains as well as buses, you'll soon be sampling its tourist delights. Put a stroll down the Ramblas and a tour of Gaudi's spectacular La Sagrada Familia Cathedral right at the top of your itinerary.
With both morning and afternoon departures and direct servicea, taking the train from Bilbao to Barcelona is far less stressful than long motorway drives. There's very little security to worry about so check-in times are brief and once in your comfortable Alvia train, you can watch the ever-changing Spanish countryside whisk by.
Seats slide to face the direction of travel and you'll have your own power socket, light, footrest and table. You'll be amazed by the reasonable ticket prices! Keep reading for an extensive list of useful route information, including journey FAQs, or bypass the questions and book your ticket straight away to enjoy the cosmopolitan delights of Barcelona.
Bilbao to Barcelona by train
It takes an average of 9h 55m to travel from Bilbao to Barcelona by train, over a distance of around 292 miles (469 km). There are normally 4 trains per day traveling from Bilbao to Barcelona and tickets for this journey start from $26.17 when you book in advance.
What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Bilbao to Barcelona?
Want to know more about your journey from Bilbao to Barcelona? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
Can you take a train directly from Bilbao to Barcelona?
How close is Bilbao to Barcelona by train?
Which train companies operate from Bilbao to Barcelona?
Is it possible to get from Bilbao to Barcelona without flying?
What is the best way to travel from Bilbao to Barcelona?
What time does the first train from Bilbao to Barcelona leave?
What time does the last train from Bilbao to Barcelona leave?
How often are trains from Bilbao and Barcelona?
Do you need to book the train from Bilbao to Barcelona in advance?
Can you buy return train tickets from Bilbao to Barcelona?
Renfe and Alvia trains from Bilbao to Barcelona
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
What Alvia classes are there from Bilbao to Barcelona?
Compare the different travel classes offered by Alvia when traveling from Bilbao to Barcelona.
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
What are the onboard services on Alvia?
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Bilbao to Barcelona.
What baggage limits are there? | 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. |
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What food and drink is available? | Most Alvia trains have an onboard café-bar, as well as an at-seat service with a wide selection of food and drinks. |
What onboard entertainment is available? | On board Alvia services, you can connect to PlayRenfe, a platform offering free WiFi and hours of entertainment. |
What facilities are there for travel with children? | 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. |
Can I bring a bike on board? | 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. |
Can I bring pets on board? | 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. |
What special assistance is available? | 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). |
How do I find cheap train tickets from Bilbao to Barcelona?
If you’re planning a trip to Europe soon, our Trainline team of experts have put together some tips to help you find cheap tickets. Booking on the day in Europe is usually more expensive and costs can vary depending on the time of day, route or travel class.
1. Book in advance
2. Be flexible with your travel times
3. Buy a rail pass
4. Choose a slower or connecting train
5. Look out for train ticket sales and deals
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.