Cheap Flights from Madrid to Bilbao (2026)

Cheap flights Madrid to Bilbao: direct airlines, flight time, airports, cheapest months and real tips to pay less. Search and book at the best price.

🌐 Lee este artĂ­culo en español

Cheap flights Madrid to Bilbao: the Guggenheim and the NerviĂłn river on arrival
View of Bilbao, Spain – CC BY-SA via Wikimedia Commons

Cheap Flights from Madrid to Bilbao: The Complete Savings Guide

Want the best fare on the air bridge to the Basque Country? Search and book your Madrid–Bilbao flight with TopTravelCentre and compare every airline in seconds. If you are after cheap flights from Madrid to Bilbao, you are on one of Spain’s busiest domestic shuttles: Iberia and Air Europa fly it non-stop all year, with the first plane out of Barajas at 06:30 and an evening service back, so a same-day business meeting or a pintxos weekend is genuinely possible.

💡 Ready to fly? Compare Madrid–Bilbao fares here and book the best price in seconds.

Madrid–Bilbao route at a glance

Fact Detail
Direct flight duration ~1 h 05–1 h 10
Distance ~325 km (about 200 miles)
Origin airport Madrid-Barajas (MAD)
Destination airport Bilbao-Loiu (BIO)
Direct airlines Iberia (incl. Iberia Regional), Air Europa
Frequency Multiple daily flights year-round
Competition Renfe train (slower, ~5 h+)
Cheapest time to fly January–March, November

How long is the flight from Madrid to Bilbao?

A direct flight from Madrid to Bilbao takes about 1 hour and 5 minutes. Iberia (often operating through its regional partner) and Air Europa both run a genuine shuttle, with departures spread from the early morning Air Europa service through to Iberia’s last flight of the evening. That density matters: it keeps fares honest and gives you flexibility if a meeting runs long.

Layovers are not worth considering here. There is no need to connect when two airlines fly non-stop dozens of times a week, and any indirect routing would simply cost more and take longer. Where Bilbao differs from routes such as Madrid to Seville is the rail rival: Renfe’s Madrid–Bilbao train takes roughly five to six hours, so on this corridor the plane almost always wins on time, while the AVE makes the train competitive on other Spanish routes.

Which airlines fly the route (and which suits you)

Two carriers cover the route non-stop, and the rivalry keeps prices in check:

  • Iberia — the leading operator, with frequent departures, often from Barajas T4. Best if you want a cabin bag included, seat selection, or Oneworld connections. It also operates the last flight of the day.
  • Air Europa — competes head-on, usually from T1/T2, and frequently matches or undercuts Iberia when you book ahead. It runs the first departure at 06:30.

On a domestic hop like this, both are full-service, which is a real advantage over low-cost-only routes: a typical fare tends to include hand luggage, and check-in is straightforward. The rule still holds — before you commit, compare every Madrid–Bilbao flight at once on TopTravelCentre to see instantly which airline is cheapest for your exact dates.

Airports: Barajas and Bilbao-Loiu

Madrid-Barajas (MAD)

The single departure point. Iberia mainly uses T4 and its satellite; Air Europa generally operates from T1/T2. Confirm your terminal before you travel, since a T4-to-T1 mix-up eats real time. If you are coming from the center, our guide to Madrid-Barajas airport to the city center covers the fastest and cheapest transfers. Pair the trip with a Madrid to Barcelona flight if you are building a multi-city Spanish itinerary.

Bilbao-Loiu (BIO)

A modern, well-run airport about 12 km north of the city. The Bizkaibus A3247 runs to central Bilbao (Termibus and key stops) every 20–30 minutes for a few euros and takes roughly 20–30 minutes depending on traffic — the best-value transfer by far. Taxis use a meter and are reasonable for groups. Walking distances inside BIO are short, so arrival is quick.

When is the cheapest time to fly to Bilbao?

Bilbao’s climate is mild and damp, and demand follows a domestic-business rhythm rather than a beach peak. The cheapest months are usually January, February and March, plus November, when business travel thins after the holidays and the weather is at its greyest. October and April are good value-for-money windows if you want milder, drier days.

Fares rise around major trade fairs, the Aste Nagusia (Bilbao’s big week in late August), and key holiday weekends. Summer is busier but not dramatically pricier than spring, since Bilbao is not a sun-and-sand destination — the Madrid to Paris corridor, by contrast, sees far sharper summer spikes.

6 real tactics to get the cheapest flight

  1. Fly mid-week. Tuesday and Wednesday are usually the cheapest days; Friday evening and Sunday cost more.
  2. Book 3–6 weeks ahead. The sweet spot on Spanish domestic routes.
  3. Pick the 06:30 Air Europa or the late Iberia flight. Less popular slots are often cheaper.
  4. Round trip, almost always. A return ticket is usually cheaper than two one-ways on this corridor.
  5. Stay flexible by a day. Shifting one day can save 20–30 %.
  6. Compare both airlines at once. The fastest way to never miss the lower fare. Our complete guide to finding cheap flights goes deeper on these tactics.

How much does a Madrid–Bilbao flight cost? (price ranges)

Checked on 09/08/2026. In low season (January–March, November), booked 3–6 weeks ahead with Air Europa or Iberia, a round trip Madrid–Bilbao typically falls in the roughly €50–€110 range, based on the main public flight comparison tools. Closer to departure or on peak weeks it can rise to €130–€200. These are ranges, not guaranteed prices — always check the live fare for your dates.

👉 Check the live price for your dates on TopTravelCentre — round trip, MAD → BIO.

Getting from the airport to central Bilbao

To keep the cheap ticket cheap all the way to your hotel:

  • Bizkaibus A3247 — about 20–30 min to the center for a few euros, every 20–30 min. The best-value option.
  • Taxi — metered; reasonable if several people share it, especially late at night.
  • Ride-hailing apps — competitive and handy if the bus schedule has thinned out.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Madrid–Bilbao flight?

About 1 hour and 5 minutes, non-stop. Add airport time on both ends for your true door-to-door estimate.

Which airlines fly direct?

Iberia (including its regional operation) and Air Europa, both with multiple daily flights from Barajas. Air Europa flies the first departure at 06:30 and Iberia the last of the day.

What is the cheapest ticket?

In low season, booked ahead, a round trip can fall between €50 and €110. Fly mid-week and 3–6 weeks in advance for the best chance at the lower end.

Is the train a better option than flying?

Usually not for time. The Renfe train takes around five to six hours between Madrid and Bilbao, so the 1-hour flight almost always wins on speed. The plane is the natural choice on this corridor.

What baggage does the fare include?

Iberia and Air Europa fares typically include hand luggage; checked bags depend on the fare class. Factor any bag fee into your total before you buy.

How do I get from Bilbao airport to the center?

The Bizkaibus A3247 reaches central Bilbao in about 20–30 minutes for a few euros, with departures every 20–30 minutes. There are also metered taxis and ride-hailing apps.

Summary: your plan for the cheapest Madrid–Bilbao flight

  1. Aim for January–March or November, mid-week.
  2. Book 3–6 weeks ahead, round trip.
  3. Compare Iberia and Air Europa at once, and weigh any bag fees.
  4. Fly — the plane beats the ~5-hour train on time here.

Once you have decided, the fastest move is to compare in one place:

👉 Search and book your Madrid–Bilbao flight on TopTravelCentre — round trip, best price in seconds.

Prices are indicative and vary by date and airline.