Route guide

Nice → Bilbao

824 km · France to Spain · Fastest: 4h by flight · Cheapest: €30+ by bus

How to travel from Nice to Bilbao

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

🚄Train

€64–188

Duration: 6h 52m

via SNCF (TGV), Intercités, Renfe (AVE)

~12 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€30–78

Duration: 11h 46m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~23 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

€68–219

Duration: 3h 36m

via Ryanair, easyJet, Air France, Iberia, Vueling

~128 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚗Car

€99–181

Duration: 9h 9m

~140 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

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

Travel tips for this route

At 824 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 France 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.

Nice to Bilbao — every option in detail

Nice to Bilbao by train

Trains link Nice (France) and Bilbao (Spain) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 6h 52m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include SNCF (TGV), Intercités, Renfe (AVE).

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €64 to €188. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

Climate footprint: about 12 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 128 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~116 kg on this distance.

Nice to Bilbao by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Nice and Bilbao with a typical journey of 11h 46m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €30 when booked in advance, rising to €78 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.

Nice to Bilbao by flight

Flights between Nice and Bilbao take around 1h in the air, but plan on roughly 3h 36m door-to-door once you add airport transfers, check-in and security.

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

Typical fare range is €68–219. Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest base fares but charge separately for bags and seat selection.

Climate footprint: approximately 128 kg CO₂ per passenger for this flight.

Nice to Bilbao by car

The driving distance from Nice to Bilbao is approximately 947 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 9h 9m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €99–181 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the France–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 140 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Nice and Bilbao is approximately 824 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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