How to travel from Santiago de Compostela to Bilbao, Spain

The distance between Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao is around 480km (298 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 2h 10m.

6 routes found

We've found 6 different ways to get from Santiago de Compostela to Bilbao by plane, train, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out BilbaoSantiago de Compostela if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
plane
+

Fly

Fly from Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) to Bilbao (BIO).

  • Duration2h 10m
  • Flight time1hr
  • Typical cost
    €250($250)
Operated byVueling Airlines+ 1 others
2
train
+
train
+

Train

Take the train to Segovia Guiomar and then to Bilbao-Abando.

  • Duration8h 45m
  • Departs5 times a week
  • Typical cost
    €75($75)

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

3
bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Bilbao.

  • Duration9h 45m
  • Departsevery 20 mins
  • Typical cost
    €75($75)
Operated byALSA+ 1 others

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Bilbao.

  • Duration5h 45m
  • Distance585km (363 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao

There are several options for getting from Santiago de Compostela to Bilbao by plane, train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the train which costs around €58 ($58) and will take around 12h 25m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 2h 10m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately €250 ($250).

The distance between Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao is around 480km (298 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 458km (284 miles)

It takes around 2h 10m to get from Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao by plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 5h 45m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Santiago de Compostela to Bilbao is to fly which takes around 2h 10m and will set you back approx €250 ($250).

The cheapest way to travel between Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao, if you exclude driving, is to take the train which will typically cost around €58 ($58) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao. It typically takes around 8h 45m and departs 5 times a week.

There are no direct train services that runs from Santiago de Compostela to Bilbao. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Segovia Guiomar. These services run 5 times a week and will take a minimum of 8h 45m.

Renfe and Renfe Feve run train services between Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao. Trains depart 5 times a week and will take around 8h 45m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao. It typically takes around 9h 45m and departs every 20 mins.

Yes there is a direct bus service that runs between Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao with no changeovers required. The bus runs every 20 mins and takes 9h 45m.

ALSA, FlixBus and MonBus run regular bus services between Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao. Buses run every 20 mins and take around 9h 45m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

Yes you can fly from Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao. Flights depart from Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) and arrive at Bilbao (BIO). The flight takes around 1hr.

Yes there is a direct flight between Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao with no stop-overs required. Flights typically take around 1hr.

Vueling Airlines and Iberia fly between Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao. Flights depart from Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) and and arrive into Bilbao (BIO). These flights usually take around 1hr.

The flight from Santiago de Compostela to Bilbao typically takes around 1hr. Flights depart from Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) and and arrive into Bilbao (BIO).

The closest major airport to Bilbao is Bilbao Airport (BIO) (BIO) which is approximately 5km (3 miles) from Bilbao. Vitoria Airport (VIT) (VIT) and Santander Airport (SDR) (SDR) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao. The distance is around 585km (363 miles) by road and it will take around 5h 45m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Santiago de Compostela to Bilbao is to fly which takes, on average, 2h 10m and will usually cost around €250 ($250).

How do I get from Santiago de Compostela to Bilbao

Compare travel optionsbetween Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao

Transport options from Santiago de Compostela to Bilbao
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Fly
2h 10m
€250($250)
every 20 mins480km (298 miles)
Train + 1 similar
8h 45m
€75($75)
5 times a week922km (573 miles)
Train via Leon12h 25m
€58($58)
once daily692km (430 miles)
Bus + 1 similar
9h 45m
€75($75)
every 20 mins722km (449 miles)
Bus via Ourense (Bus Station)11hrs
€65($65)
once a week721km (448 miles)
Drive
5h 45m
€69($69)
on demand585km (363 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao

Train operators

Airports near Bilbao

The following major airports near Bilbao offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Spain and internationally.

BIO
Bilbao Airport (BIO)
International Airport
Distance
5km (3 miles) from Bilbao
VIT
Vitoria Airport (VIT)
Domestic Airport
Distance
46km (28 miles) from Bilbao
SDR
Santander Airport (SDR)
Domestic Airport
Distance
74km (46 miles) from Bilbao