Route guide

Stuttgart → Bilbao

1117 km · Germany to Spain · Fastest: 4h by flight · Cheapest: €37+ by bus

How to travel from Stuttgart to Bilbao

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

🚄Train

€82–241

Duration: 9h 18m

via Deutsche Bahn (ICE), Renfe (AVE)

~16 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€37–98

Duration: 15h 57m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~31 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

€80–254

Duration: 3h 59m

via Ryanair, easyJet, Lufthansa, Eurowings, Iberia

~174 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚗Car

€134–246

Duration: 12h 24m

~190 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

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

Travel tips for this route

At 1117 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.

Stuttgart to Bilbao — every option in detail

Stuttgart to Bilbao by train

Trains link Stuttgart (Germany) and Bilbao (Spain) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 9h 18m 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 €82 to €241. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

Climate footprint: about 16 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 174 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~158 kg on this distance.

Stuttgart to Bilbao by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Stuttgart and Bilbao with a typical journey of 15h 57m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €37 when booked in advance, rising to €98 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.

Stuttgart to Bilbao by flight

Flights between Stuttgart and Bilbao take around 1h in the air, but plan on roughly 3h 59m 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 €80–254. Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest base fares but charge separately for bags and seat selection.

Climate footprint: approximately 174 kg CO₂ per passenger for this flight.

Stuttgart to Bilbao by car

The driving distance from Stuttgart to Bilbao is approximately 1284 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 12h 24m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €134–246 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 190 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Stuttgart and Bilbao is approximately 1117 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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