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Travelling from Bologna to Bilbao by train
Looking to travel from Bologna to Bilbao by train? You've come to the right place!
On average, it takes around 33 hours 40 minutes to travel from Bologna to Bilbao by train, the fastest services can get you there in as little as 31 hours 45 minutes though. You'll usually find 3 trains per day running along the 715 miles (1151 km) route between these two destinations. You’ll need to make 4 changes during the journey to Bilbao, as there currently aren't any direct services on this route. You'll be travelling with AVE, Frecciarossa or Renfe on your way to Bilbao, as these are the main rail operators on this route.
Plan your trip ahead and book your train tickets in advance if you want to snap up the cheapest fares. Just start a search in our Journey Planner to view the latest prices for trains from Bologna to Bilbao.
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.
Trains to Bilbao from Bologna
| First train | 14:26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 22:38 | |
| Departure station | Bologna | |
| Arrival station | Bilbao | |
| Journey time | From 31h 45m | |
| Distance | 715 miles (1151 km) | |
| Frequency | 3 trains per day | |
| Changes | 4 changes | |
| Train and bus operators | BlaBlaCar Bus, Flixbus, Itabus, Renfe, SNCF Voyageurs, Trenitalia |
What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Bologna to Bilbao?
Want to know more about your journey from Bologna 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 Bologna to Bilbao?
How far is Bilbao from Bologna by train?
Which trains run from Bologna to Bilbao?
Can I get from Bologna to Bilbao without flying?
What is the best way to get from Bologna to Bilbao?
When is the first train from Bologna to Bilbao?
When is the last train from Bologna to Bilbao?
How often do trains run from Bologna to Bilbao?
How far in advance can I book tickets from Bologna to Bilbao?
Looking for a return trip from Bologna to Bilbao?
Frecciarossa, Trenitalia, Renfe and Alvia trains from Bologna to Bilbao
Frecciarossa
Trenitalia
Renfe
Alvia
Frecciarossa trains are Trenitalia's flagship high-speed trains, capable of reaching speeds of up to 186 mph (300 km/h). The "red arrow" trains are distinguished by their comfort, their ultra-modern design and their reduced impact on the environment. All Frecciarossa trains are equipped with a food carriage, free WiFi connection and 4 levels of service – Standard, Premium (with drinks and snacks served on arrival), Business (with drinks and snacks plus larger seats) and Executive (with Fast Track, access to FrecciaClub lounges in selected stations, and gourmet meals served to your seat). You can now also travel with Frecciarossa between Milan and Paris via Turin, Modane and Chambéry. The new Frecciarossa trains have 4 levels of service – Standard, Business, Executive and Meeting Room – and two types of carriage: Silence Area, for those who want to travel in total tranquillity, and Allegro Area, for those who want to chat with their fellow passengers.
Trenitalia is the national railway company of Italy, with a fleet including high-speed trains (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento and Frecciabianca), Intercity and Intercity night trains and regional trains. Trenitalia offers discounts and special promotions on selected routes, two types of discounted tickets for young people under 30 and people over 60.
More information
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.
More information
What Frecciarossa, AVE and Alvia classes are there from Bologna to Bilbao?
Compare the different travel classes offered by Frecciarossa, AVE and Alvia when travelling from Bologna to Bilbao.
Frecciarossa
AVE
Alvia
Standard
With Frecciarossa Standard, you’ll enjoy high-quality services including eco-leather reclining seats, folding tables and free WiFi at a reasonable price. You can order food and drink from the FRECCIABistrò car or using the Easy Bistrò at-seat meal service.
- Entertainment portal
- Leather seats
- Free WiFi
- USB sockets
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Catering at your seat
- Welcome drink with sweet or salty snack
- More legroom
- Foodbox + drink
- Quiet area
- Meeting room
- Open Bar
- Lounge access
Premium
Providing all the perks of First Class for the price of Second Class, Frecciarossa Premium offers more legroom and luggage space, as well as a total of 4 food / beverage products including: sweet or savory snack, welcome drink, small water bottle, 1 wet wipe.
- Entertainment portal
- Leather seats
- Free WiFi
- USB sockets
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Catering at your seat
- Welcome drink with sweet or salty snack
- More legroom
- Foodbox + drink
- Quiet area
- Meeting room
- Open Bar
- Lounge access
Business
If you’re travelling for work, Frecciarossa Business is the ideal option for you – it offers more legroom, glass dividers for more privacy, and a private 4-seat compartment called Salottino. A free food box containing 7 fresh food & beverage products differentiated according to the time of day + Illy expresso coffee is also included.
- Entertainment portal
- Leather seats
- Free WiFi
- USB sockets
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Catering at your seat
- Welcome drink with sweet or salty snack
- More legroom
- Foodbox + drink
- Quiet area
- Meeting room
- Open Bar
- Lounge access
Executive
Frecciarossa Executive can accommodate up to 10 single armchairs and offers plenty of legroom, wider reclining leather seats, free entry to FRECCIALounge at the main train stations, unlimited drinks, and monthly menus (some of which were ideated by Michelin star chef Carlo Cracco).
- Entertainment portal
- Leather seats
- Free WiFi
- USB sockets
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Catering at your seat
- Welcome drink with sweet or salty snack
- More legroom
- Foodbox + drink
- Quiet area
- Meeting room
- Open Bar
- Lounge access
Estándar (Standard Class)
In AVE's Estándar Class, you'll enjoy comfortable fuss-free travel. With luggage storage and air-conditioning throughout, there's access to their bar/restaurant carriage serving drinks and snacks and seats are usually in a row of 2 or 4 around a table. On board, you'll enjoy:
- Free WiFi
- Seat reservation
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Entertainment portal
- Fold-down table
- Reading light
- Power sockets at each seat
- Catering at your seat
- Lounge access
- Larger tables
Confort (First Class)
Onboard AVE's Confort Class, you’ll enjoy all the amenities of Estándar Class as well as extra perks, such as complimentary food and drinks, free newspapers and more. Don't forget to enjoy access to Renfe's Club Rooms before your trip to kick it off in style. On board, you'll enjoy:
- Free WiFi
- Seat reservation
- Bar/restaurant carriage
- Entertainment portal
- Fold-down table
- Reading light
- Power sockets at each seat
- Catering at your seat
- Lounge access
- Larger tables
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
What are the onboard services on Frecciarossa, AVE and Alvia?
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Bologna to Bilbao.
Frecciarossa
AVE
Alvia
What luggage limits are there? |
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What food and drink is available? |
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What onboard entertainment is available? |
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What facilities are there for travel with children? |
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Can I bring a bike on board? |
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Can I bring pets on board? |
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What special assistance is available? | If you need to request special assistance, you can call: the toll-free number 800 90 60 60, which can be reached from a landline in Italy, or the national number +3902323232 which can be reached from a landline or mobile, even from abroad (international calling charges may apply). |
What else do I need to know? | Air-conditioning is available on board. You can also charge your devices thanks to the power sockets you can find at your seat. |
What luggage limits are there? | With AVE, you can travel with up to 3 pieces of luggage that do not exceed 290 cm and 25 kg. In total, the maximum measurements of each piece of luggage are 85 x 55 x 35 cm. Musical instruments also count as hand luggage as long as they do not exceed the dimensions 30 x 120 x 38 cm and are stored in a case. |
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What food and drink is available? | If you’d like to stretch your legs and grab a coffee during your journey, AVE trains have an onboard bar carriage serving drinks and snacks. If you’d prefer to stay in your seat, AVE staff sell food and drinks from a trolley that will pass through the train during the journey. |
What onboard entertainment is available? | On AVE trains, you can take advantage of PlayRenfe – their free WiFi and entertainment service. Giving you access to exclusive content and fast connection speeds, PlayRenfe can be downloaded from the app store on your phone. Once you’re connected, you can access the PlayRenfe portal, where you’ll find exclusive live sport, news, films and TV series. |
What facilities are there for travel with children? | Children under 3 years old travel for free with AVE, as long as they do not occupy a seat and have their free child ticket. Children from 3 to 14 years old can take advantage of a 40% discount on ticket prices. |
Can I bring a bike on board? | On all AVE trains, each passenger can take one bicycle or scooter on board, as long as it’s folded and carried inside a case. Also, the pedals must be removed and handlebars turned 90 degrees. Lastly, if the sum of the dimensions of the case is less than 180cm, it is considered as hand luggage. However, if it’s bigger, it will be considered as special luggage (max dimensions 120 x 90 x 40 cm). |
Can I bring pets on board? | With AVE, you can travel with a pet as long as it weighs no more than 10 kg and travels inside a cage or carrier (60 x 35 x 35 cm). Your pet must have their own pet ticket, unless you’re travelling with a Premium ticket, in which case the pet ticket is free. Guide and assistance dogs travel for free. |
What special assistance is available? | AVE offer a free assistance and care service for people with reduced mobility. To request the service, passengers should contact AVE directly. |
What luggage limits are there? | 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. |
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What food and drink is available? | Most Alvia trains have an onboard café-bar, as well as an at-seat trolley 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 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. |
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 Bologna to Bilbao?
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 discounts
6. Take a night train
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.