Route guide

Bilbao → Bologna

1151 km · Spain to Italy · Fastest: 4h by flight · Cheapest: €38+ by bus

How to travel from Bilbao to Bologna

There are 4 ways to travel between Bilbao and Bologna — compare duration, price and operators below.

🚄Train

€84–247

Duration: 9h 36m

via Renfe (AVE), Trenitalia (Frecciarossa), Italo

~16 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€38–101

Duration: 16h 27m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~32 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

€81–258

Duration: 4h 2m

via Ryanair, easyJet, Iberia, Vueling, ITA Airways

~180 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚗Car

€138–253

Duration: 12h 47m

~196 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

Bilbao and Bologna highlighted among the 50 European cities we cover. Map is schematic, not to scale.

Travel tips for this route

At 1151 km it's a longer journey — overnight stay strongly recommended.
Both train and flight options exist. Trains often beat flights door-to-door under 600 km once you count airport overhead.
This route crosses from Spain into Italy. Check passport/ID requirements with your operator before booking.
Long-distance coaches (FlixBus and similar) are typically 30–50% cheaper than train, but 2–3× slower.

Bilbao to Bologna — every option in detail

Bilbao to Bologna by train

Trains link Bilbao (Spain) and Bologna (Italy) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 9h 36m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include Renfe (AVE), Trenitalia (Frecciarossa), Italo.

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €84 to €247. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

Climate footprint: about 16 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 180 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~164 kg on this distance.

Bilbao to Bologna by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Bilbao and Bologna with a typical journey of 16h 27m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €38 when booked in advance, rising to €101 for last-minute travel.

Most modern coaches offer Wi-Fi, USB charging and reclining seats. Overnight services exist on longer corridors and can save a hotel night.

Bilbao to Bologna by flight

Flights between Bilbao and Bologna take around 2h in the air, but plan on roughly 4h 2m door-to-door once you add airport transfers, check-in and security.

Airlines on this route include Ryanair, easyJet, Iberia, Vueling, ITA Airways.

Typical fare range is €81–258. Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest base fares but charge separately for bags and seat selection.

Climate footprint: approximately 180 kg CO₂ per passenger for this flight.

Bilbao to Bologna by car

The driving distance from Bilbao to Bologna is approximately 1324 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 12h 47m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €138–253 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the Spain–Italy border by car is straightforward within the Schengen Area; check current rules with the operator or border authority if either country is outside it.

Climate footprint: approximately 196 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Bilbao and Bologna is approximately 1151 kilometres. Direct or connecting trains link the two cities through the European rail network. Both cities have international airports with regular flight service. Long-distance coaches offer a budget-friendly alternative on this route. Estimates below reflect typical operator schedules and fare ranges; book in advance for the best prices.

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