Route guide

Bilbao → Lisbon

725 km · Spain to Portugal · Fastest: 3h by flight · Cheapest: €27+ by bus

How to travel from Bilbao to Lisbon

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

🚄Train

€58–170

Duration: 6h 2m

via Renfe (AVE), CP Comboios de Portugal

~10 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€27–71

Duration: 10h 21m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~20 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

€64–207

Duration: 3h 28m

via Ryanair, easyJet, Iberia, Vueling, TAP Air Portugal

~113 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚗Car

€87–159

Duration: 8h 3m

~123 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

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

Travel tips for this route

At 725 km this is a comfortable weekend trip — train or flight both work.
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 Portugal. 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 Lisbon — every option in detail

Bilbao to Lisbon by train

Trains link Bilbao (Spain) and Lisbon (Portugal) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 6h 2m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include Renfe (AVE), CP Comboios de Portugal.

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €58 to €170. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

Climate footprint: about 10 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 113 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~103 kg on this distance.

Bilbao to Lisbon by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Bilbao and Lisbon with a typical journey of 10h 21m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €27 when booked in advance, rising to €71 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 Lisbon by flight

Flights between Bilbao and Lisbon take around 1h in the air, but plan on roughly 3h 28m door-to-door once you add airport transfers, check-in and security.

Airlines on this route include Ryanair, easyJet, Iberia, Vueling, TAP Air Portugal.

Typical fare range is €64–207. Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest base fares but charge separately for bags and seat selection.

Climate footprint: approximately 113 kg CO₂ per passenger for this flight.

Bilbao to Lisbon by car

The driving distance from Bilbao to Lisbon is approximately 834 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 8h 3m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €87–159 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the Spain–Portugal 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 123 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Bilbao and Lisbon is approximately 725 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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