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Trains from Bilbao to Madrid
Settle in for a peaceful ride on the five-hour train from Bilbao to Madrid. With so much going on in the city, day and night, you’ll be glad you preserved your energy.
From sport to shops, cafes to culture – Madrid has it all, and within easy reach of the train station, too. If you’re one of the many visitors making the pilgrimage for the football, the stadium is just 20 minutes away by public transport.
The reliable Renfe service offers a choice of four trains a day, operating from 06:30 to 17:00. Upgrade your ticket to Clase Confort and you’ll enjoy all the perks of a premium carriage, including at-seat table service on board. There’s also a generous luggage allowance of up to three items, without any extra charge.
Once you’re ready to book or to find out more, consult our helpful information below including FAQs.
Bilbao to Madrid by train
It takes an average of 5h 10m to travel from Bilbao to Madrid by train, over a distance of around 201 miles (323 km). There are normally 4 trains per day travelling from Bilbao to Madrid and tickets for this journey start from £14.23 when you book in advance.
FAQs about the train journey from Bilbao to Madrid
Want to know more about your journey from Bilbao to Madrid? 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 Bilbao to Madrid?
How far is the train ride from Bilbao to Madrid?
Who operates the trains from Bilbao to Madrid?
Can I take a flight-free trip from Bilbao to Madrid?
What is the best way to travel to Madrid from Bilbao?
What time does the first train run from Bilbao to Madrid?
How late does the train from Bilbao to Madrid run?
How many trains go from Bilbao to Madrid per day?
When do tickets from Bilbao to Madrid go on sale?
Planning a round trip from Bilbao to Madrid?
Renfe and Alvia trains from Bilbao to Madrid
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.
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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.
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Alvia classes from Bilbao to Madrid
Compare the different travel classes offered by Alvia when travelling from Bilbao to Madrid.
Estándar
Travel in Alvia's Estándar Class (Standard Class) and you'll enjoy many amenities, including air-conditioning, at-seat power sockets and footrests.
- Luggage storage
- Fold-down table
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- More legroom
Confort
Upgrade to Alvia's Confort Class (First Class) and enjoy comfier seats, more legroom, an at-seat catering service and access to Renfe's Club lounges.
- Luggage storage
- Fold-down table
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- More legroom
Onboard services on Alvia
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Bilbao to Madrid.
On Alvia trains you can take up to three pieces of luggage on board, provided that they are less than 290cm long and weigh less than 25kg in total. Pushchairs and instruments smaller than 30 x 120 x 38 cm are also classed as hand luggage.
Most Alvia trains have an onboard café-bar, as well as an at-seat trolley 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 luggage. If your bike is larger than this, it will count as special luggage 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 Bilbao to Madrid
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 Bilbao to Madrid 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.