Busbud recommends carpooling from Madrid to Bilbao
Among the sustainable travel choices, the carpool stands out as the good way to reach Bilbao. The journey takes about 4 hours 10 minutes and with fares starting at just $17, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
Users have reported a positive experience with the bus service, highlighting its efficiency and punctuality. The buses were described as clean and comfortable, consistently arriving on time without any issues during their journeys. This reliable performance has been appreciated by travelers who value timely and smooth travel experiences.
ALSA Madrid Bilbao recent customer reviews
Very efficient service, everything ran to time, with no issues at all throughout the return trip.
5 out of 5 stars
Manish P.
Bus driver did not know the way! at intermediate stop in Burgos and final at Bilbao he passed the station, had passengers yelling instructions to him! Would also be nice to let passengers know in advance, like during booking if busses have bathrooms. This one did not. Difficult for old bladders...
2 out of 5 stars
James M.
Very organized. On time. Safe driving. The break in the middle was fantastic to get something eat and drink. Although this wouldn't have been necessary if there had been drinking water in the bus, and we were allowed to eat snacks. The conductor was a little grumpy, and refused to let us eat on the bus or even put our handbags on the floor. Otherwise good trip. We all arrived safe and sound.
Flixbus is a European bus operator that offers intercity and bus travel in over 38 countries. Known for their easy-to-spot lime green buses and for offering affordable transportation between cities in Europe and the Americas, Flixbus is a good option for those looking for an affordable, reliable bus company. In their buses, you'll find free WiFi, bathrooms, and power outlets. You can also pay extra to choose your seat and get extra legroom, or even buy a snack or drink onboard directly from the driver. You can reschedule your ticket for a small fee, which varies from $1 to $5, depending on how close you are to the departure date.
ALSA Madrid Bilbao recent customer reviews
Very efficient service, everything ran to time, with no issues at all throughout the return trip.
5 out of 5 stars
Manish P.
Bus driver did not know the way! at intermediate stop in Burgos and final at Bilbao he passed the station, had passengers yelling instructions to him! Would also be nice to let passengers know in advance, like during booking if busses have bathrooms. This one did not. Difficult for old bladders...
2 out of 5 stars
James M.
Very organized. On time. Safe driving. The break in the middle was fantastic to get something eat and drink. Although this wouldn't have been necessary if there had been drinking water in the bus, and we were allowed to eat snacks. The conductor was a little grumpy, and refused to let us eat on the bus or even put our handbags on the floor. Otherwise good trip. We all arrived safe and sound.
Based on 877 reviews, the company was rated 4.1 stars on Busbud. Travelers were especially satisfied with the staff and the seats but often complained with the wifi. Renfe ticket prices on this trip start at $66
ALSA Madrid Bilbao recent customer reviews
Very efficient service, everything ran to time, with no issues at all throughout the return trip.
5 out of 5 stars
Manish P.
Bus driver did not know the way! at intermediate stop in Burgos and final at Bilbao he passed the station, had passengers yelling instructions to him! Would also be nice to let passengers know in advance, like during booking if busses have bathrooms. This one did not. Difficult for old bladders...
2 out of 5 stars
James M.
Very organized. On time. Safe driving. The break in the middle was fantastic to get something eat and drink. Although this wouldn't have been necessary if there had been drinking water in the bus, and we were allowed to eat snacks. The conductor was a little grumpy, and refused to let us eat on the bus or even put our handbags on the floor. Otherwise good trip. We all arrived safe and sound.
Busbud shows you the best bus ticket fares and bus schedules so you can easily plan and book a trip by bus from Madrid to Bilbao.
We make sure you can find a bus service from Madrid to Bilbao from the most reliable bus companies operating this trip.
Discover how much the bus trip from Madrid to Bilbao will cost you. Use our filters and sorting features to find the cheapest bus tickets or luxury buses.
Frequently asked questions for your trip Madrid - Bilbao
What is the travel distance from Madrid to Bilbao?
The distance between the two cities is 201 miles (324 km).
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Madrid to Bilbao?
The majority of buses traveling from Madrid to Bilbao start their journey at Avenida de América Metro and wind up at Estación Autobuses. These are the primary departure and arrival locations on this route, but you could find others that could be a better fit for your travel plans.
What are the best sights and things to do in Bilbao?
Once in Bilbao, you can start exploring the city and discover its surroundings. The top sights and things to do are Climbing Pagasarri and Ganekogorta, The Bizkaia Bridge, Bilbao Maritime Museum, The Guggenheim Museum and Plaza Nueva - Plaza Barria.
Find cheapest prices for buses
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
Best price found
08/20
$54
08/21
$54
Today
$45
08/23
$45
08/24
$45
08/25
$45
08/26
$41
08/27
$45
The cheapest trip from Madrid to Bilbao was searched and found on Aug 26, 2025 with a price of $41
To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Madrid to Bilbao, as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from $41 to $214 for a bus ticket from Madrid to Bilbao based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $41 which is on 2025-08-26.
Usually FlixBus will charge you higher prices for tickets closer to the departure date. To find the best prices, you should be flexible on your date of travel.
About Bus Travel
Bus Travel Tips
If you're abroad, study some local language. Not only could it get you out of a pickle during your bus trip from Madrid to Bilbao but it'll also be endearing to native speakers who will surely appreciate your effort.
Start sightseeing the minute your bus leaves the station. If you're on the night bus from Madrid to Bilbao, get comfy and count the stars.
Buses have one of the smallest carbon footprints of motorized transport modes. A bus going from Madrid to Bilbao will emit less CO2 than a car or an airplane.
Create your own real life musical score by curating a personalized bus travel playlist - the perfect accompaniment to your bus ride from Madrid to Bilbao.
Did you know?
The word 'bus' is an abbreviation of 'omnibus" which means 'for all' in Latin as buses were meant to be transportation for everybody.
It takes 27 hours to go by bus from Lima to Cusco, one of the craziest bus trips on the world. This route is used daily by locals and backpackers.
The bus driver with the longest career in the world drove more than 2,000,000 miles and is a happy World Record holder.
Busbud helps you easily search, compare and book intercity bus tickets on a worldwide scale with our comprehensive list of bus routes and schedules. Use Busbud to book your trip online, in your own language and currency, wherever you are. Busbud prides itself on its worldwide partnerships. We make it possible for you to buy tickets with its large network of trustworthy bus partners like Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others.
Busbud recommends carpooling from Madrid to Bilbao
The cheapest trip from Madrid to Bilbao was searched and found on Aug 26, 2025 with a price of $41
