Trains from Bilbao to Madrid
Bilbao to Madrid train times
Renfe and Alvia trains from Bilbao to Madrid
Renfe
Alvia
Renfe is the national train operator in Spain. It has the widest network of high-speed trains in Europe, linking major cities with AVE, AV-City, Avant, Alvia, and Euromed trains. Long-distance routes are served by Altaria and Talgo trains, while regional routes are operated by Media Distancia, Regional and Express Regional trains. Renfe also operates on international routes to France and Portugal. Renfe trains offer four different travel classes, depending on the train you’re travelling on – Turista (Standard), Turista Plus (Premium Economy), Preferente (Business Class) and Club (First Class).
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Renfe's Alvia services combine high-speed tracks with lower speed sections, reaching speeds of up to 250 km/h on international lines and 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.
Bilbao to Madrid train prices
Train tickets from Bilbao to Madrid start at €15.05 if purchased from 3 to 6 months in advance. Prices for train journeys from Bilbao to Madrid start at €23.18 when you book at least 28 days in advance.** Tickets usually go on sale 3 months in advance, yet in some rare cases this can be up to 6 months. For more precise information on when you can book your tickets or whether there are any promotional sales, click here.
How long does it take to travel from Bilbao to Madrid by train?
The average journey time between Bilbao and Madrid is 5 hours and 41 minutes and the fastest journey time is 5 hours and 6 minutes. On an average weekday, there are 5 trains per day travelling from Bilbao to Madrid. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays; use our journey planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
What time is the first and last train of the day from Bilbao to Madrid?
The first train from Bilbao to Madrid departs at 06:30. The last train from Bilbao to Madrid departs at 17:00. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services. Alternatively, some popular routes may run throughout the night at a reduced frequency. There may also be less services on weekends and holidays; use our journey planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
Are there direct train services between Bilbao and Madrid?
Yes, it is possible to travel from Bilbao to Madrid without having to change trains. There are 2 direct trains from Bilbao to Madrid. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.