Route guide

Munich → Bilbao

1248 km · Germany to Spain · Fastest: 4h by flight · Cheapest: €40+ by bus

How to travel from Munich to Bilbao

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

🚄Train

€90–265

Duration: 10h 24m

via Deutsche Bahn (ICE), Renfe (AVE)

~17 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€40–107

Duration: 17h 50m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~35 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

€85–270

Duration: 4h 10m

via Ryanair, easyJet, Lufthansa, Eurowings, Iberia

~195 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚗Car

€150–275

Duration: 13h 52m

~212 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

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

Travel tips for this route

At 1248 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 Germany 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.

Munich to Bilbao — every option in detail

Munich to Bilbao by train

Trains link Munich (Germany) and Bilbao (Spain) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 10h 24m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include Deutsche Bahn (ICE), Renfe (AVE).

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €90 to €265. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

Climate footprint: about 17 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 195 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~178 kg on this distance.

Munich to Bilbao by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Munich and Bilbao with a typical journey of 17h 50m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €40 when booked in advance, rising to €107 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.

Munich to Bilbao by flight

Flights between Munich and Bilbao take around 2h in the air, but plan on roughly 4h 10m door-to-door once you add airport transfers, check-in and security.

Airlines on this route include Ryanair, easyJet, Lufthansa, Eurowings, Iberia.

Typical fare range is €85–270. Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest base fares but charge separately for bags and seat selection.

Climate footprint: approximately 195 kg CO₂ per passenger for this flight.

Munich to Bilbao by car

The driving distance from Munich to Bilbao is approximately 1435 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 13h 52m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €150–275 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the Germany–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 212 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Munich and Bilbao is approximately 1248 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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