Route guide

Nuremberg → Bilbao

1274 km · Germany to Spain · Fastest: 4h by flight · Cheapest: €41+ by bus

How to travel from Nuremberg to Bilbao

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

🚄Train

€91–269

Duration: 10h 37m

via Deutsche Bahn (ICE), Renfe (AVE)

~18 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€41–109

Duration: 18h 12m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~36 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

€86–273

Duration: 4h 12m

via Ryanair, easyJet, Lufthansa, Eurowings, Iberia

~199 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚗Car

€153–280

Duration: 14h 9m

~217 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

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

Travel tips for this route

At 1274 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.

Nuremberg to Bilbao — every option in detail

Nuremberg to Bilbao by train

Trains link Nuremberg (Germany) and Bilbao (Spain) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 10h 37m 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 €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 199 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~181 kg on this distance.

Nuremberg to Bilbao by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Nuremberg and Bilbao with a typical journey of 18h 12m. 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.

Nuremberg to Bilbao by flight

Flights between Nuremberg 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, Lufthansa, Eurowings, Iberia.

Typical fare range is €86–273. Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest base fares but charge separately for bags and seat selection.

Climate footprint: approximately 199 kg CO₂ per passenger for this flight.

Nuremberg to Bilbao by car

The driving distance from Nuremberg to Bilbao is approximately 1465 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 14h 9m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €153–280 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 217 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Nuremberg and Bilbao is approximately 1274 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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