Route guide

Rome → Bilbao

1271 km · Italy to Spain · Fastest: 4h by flight · Cheapest: €41+ by bus

How to travel from Rome to Bilbao

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

🚄Train

€91–269

Duration: 10h 35m

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

~18 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€41–109

Duration: 18h 9m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~36 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

€86–272

Duration: 4h 12m

via Ryanair, easyJet, ITA Airways, Iberia, Vueling

~198 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚗Car

€152–280

Duration: 14h 7m

~216 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

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

Travel tips for this route

At 1271 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 Italy 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.

Rome to Bilbao — every option in detail

Rome to Bilbao by train

Trains link Rome (Italy) and Bilbao (Spain) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 10h 35m including one or two connections at major hubs.

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

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €91 to €269. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

Climate footprint: about 18 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 198 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~180 kg on this distance.

Rome to Bilbao by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Rome and Bilbao with a typical journey of 18h 9m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €41 when booked in advance, rising to €109 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.

Rome to Bilbao by flight

Flights between Rome and Bilbao take around 2h in the air, but plan on roughly 4h 12m door-to-door once you add airport transfers, check-in and security.

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

Typical fare range is €86–272. Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest base fares but charge separately for bags and seat selection.

Climate footprint: approximately 198 kg CO₂ per passenger for this flight.

Rome to Bilbao by car

The driving distance from Rome to Bilbao is approximately 1461 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 14h 7m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €152–280 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the Italy–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 216 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Rome and Bilbao is approximately 1271 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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