Alvia
Switches between high-speed and conventional track to reach cities without a full AVE line.
Route guide
Bilbao → Madrid
Alvia via Burgos and Valladolid. Slower than the bus on paper is a myth here — the train wins comfortably, and it lands you at Chamartín with metro connections underneath.
Journey time4 h 50 min – 5 h 20 min
Tickets from€25.00
Frequency3–5 per day
Distance400 km
Who runs this route
Check live times & fares
Compare every operator on this route in one search. Advance fares climb as seats sell.
Timetable at a glance
Services run 3–5 per day, with the first departure around 06:50 and the last around 18:30. Times shift with the seasonal timetable, so treat these as planning anchors and confirm the day before you travel.
Buying tickets: when and where
Fares on this route are largely fixed, so there is little advantage in booking months ahead. Buy the day before or on the day in the operator's app, or at a station machine. Reserved seats still apply on long-distance services, so a sold-out train is sold out.
Tickets are digital: show the QR code in the operator app or a printout. High-speed and long-distance tickets are tied to a specific train and seat; regional tickets are more flexible but do not guarantee you a place.
The stations
Departure
Bilbao Abando
Ten minutes on foot from the Casco Viejo; the Guggenheim is a further 15.
Arrival
Madrid Puerta de Atocha
Madrid has two long-distance stations. Atocha serves the south, east and Barcelona; Chamartín serves the north and northwest. They are 25 minutes apart on Cercanías line C-1 — check your ticket twice.
Alternatives, honestly compared
Coach: ALSA and FlixBus link Bilbao and Madrid for less money and roughly double the time — the budget backstop rather than a real rival. Driving: about 400 km of autopista, plus fuel, tolls and the problem of parking in a historic centre. Flying wins on raw hours here, but only if the airport transfers at both ends fall kindly. Compare door-to-door, not gate-to-gate.
Common questions
How long is the train from Bilbao to Madrid?
Typically 4 h 50 min – 5 h 20 min, with services running 3–5 per day.
How much does the Bilbao to Madrid train cost?
Tickets start at €25.00 and prices on this route barely move, so there is no need to book far ahead.
Which stations do Bilbao–Madrid trains use?
Departures leave from Bilbao Abando and arrive at Madrid Puerta de Atocha.
Do I need to book in advance?
Fares on this route are largely fixed, so there is little advantage in booking months ahead. Buy the day before or on the day in the operator's app, or at a station machine. Reserved seats still apply on long-distance services, so a sold-out train is sold out.
What are the first and last departures?
Roughly 06:50 and 18:30, varying by day of the week and season — confirm before you travel.