Route guide

Milan → Bilbao

993 km · Italy to Spain · Fastest: 4h by flight · Cheapest: €34+ by bus

How to travel from Milan to Bilbao

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

🚄Train

€75–219

Duration: 8h 17m

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

~14 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€34–90

Duration: 14h 11m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~28 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

€75–239

Duration: 3h 49m

via Ryanair, easyJet, ITA Airways, Iberia, Vueling

~155 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚗Car

€119–219

Duration: 11h 2m

~169 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

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

Travel tips for this route

At 993 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.

Milan to Bilbao — every option in detail

Milan to Bilbao by train

Trains link Milan (Italy) and Bilbao (Spain) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 8h 17m 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 €75 to €219. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

Climate footprint: about 14 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 155 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~141 kg on this distance.

Milan to Bilbao by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Milan and Bilbao with a typical journey of 14h 11m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €34 when booked in advance, rising to €90 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.

Milan to Bilbao by flight

Flights between Milan and Bilbao take around 1h in the air, but plan on roughly 3h 49m 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 €75–239. Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest base fares but charge separately for bags and seat selection.

Climate footprint: approximately 155 kg CO₂ per passenger for this flight.

Milan to Bilbao by car

The driving distance from Milan to Bilbao is approximately 1142 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 11h 2m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €119–219 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 169 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Milan and Bilbao is approximately 993 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.

↔ Reverse: Bilbao to Milan All routes from Milan All routes to Bilbao