Route guide

Ljubljana → Bilbao

1411 km · Slovenia to Spain · Fastest: 4h by flight · Cheapest: €44+ by bus

How to travel from Ljubljana to Bilbao

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

🚄Train

€100–294

Duration: 11h 45m

via Slovenske železnice, Renfe (AVE)

~20 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€44–119

Duration: 20h 9m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~40 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

€91–289

Duration: 4h 23m

via Ryanair, easyJet, Air Slovenia, Wizz Air, Iberia

~220 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚗Car

€169–310

Duration: 15h 41m

~240 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

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

Travel tips for this route

At 1411 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 Slovenia into Spain. 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.

Ljubljana to Bilbao — every option in detail

Ljubljana to Bilbao by train

Trains link Ljubljana (Slovenia) and Bilbao (Spain) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 11h 45m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include Slovenske železnice, Renfe (AVE).

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €100 to €294. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

Climate footprint: about 20 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 220 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~200 kg on this distance.

Ljubljana to Bilbao by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Ljubljana and Bilbao with a typical journey of 20h 9m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €44 when booked in advance, rising to €119 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.

Ljubljana to Bilbao by flight

Flights between Ljubljana and Bilbao take around 2h in the air, but plan on roughly 4h 23m door-to-door once you add airport transfers, check-in and security.

Airlines on this route include Ryanair, easyJet, Air Slovenia, Wizz Air, Iberia.

Typical fare range is €91–289. Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest base fares but charge separately for bags and seat selection.

Climate footprint: approximately 220 kg CO₂ per passenger for this flight.

Ljubljana to Bilbao by car

The driving distance from Ljubljana to Bilbao is approximately 1623 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 15h 41m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €169–310 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the Slovenia–Spain 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 240 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Ljubljana and Bilbao is approximately 1411 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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