Are direct flights from Madrid to Bilbao always the best option?

Direct flights usually offer convenience and save travel time, which can be ideal for many travelers. However, flights with layovers can sometimes be more economical. Weighing the cost savings against the extra travel time is often a good approach.

Can flexible travel dates help on Madrid to Bilbao flights?

Yes, being flexible with your travel dates can significantly impact the price of your flight. Prices often vary depending on the day of the week or specific times of the year. Adjusting your departure or return by a few days may result in notable savings.

What extra costs should I check before booking Madrid to Bilbao flights?

Before booking, always check for potential extra costs such as baggage fees, seat selection charges, and in-flight services. Some airlines may also charge for printing boarding passes at the airport. Being aware of these additional fees can help you budget accurately.

Flights From Madrid

To Bilbao

Cheap Flights from Madrid to Bilbao

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Deals from

Madrid

RatePunk searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Bilbao

Prices updated today

476 airlines compared

80%+ AI score for best value

Fares are subject to change and may not be available for all dates. (Data last updated Oct 12, 2026.)

Today’s best flight deals from Madrid to Bilbao

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Madrid to Bilbao

2027-03-22 – 2027-03-25
MAD - Bilbao
43% AI deal score
51 €
65 €
Round trip
2027-01-16 – 2027-01-17
MAD - Bilbao
71% AI deal score
102 €
66 €
Round trip
2027-01-16 – 2027-01-19
MAD - Bilbao
70% AI deal score
102 €
66 €
Round trip
2027-01-16 – 2027-01-18
MAD - Bilbao
70% AI deal score
102 €
66 €
Round trip
2026-10-18 – 2026-10-28
MAD - Bilbao
44% AI deal score
63 €
68 €
Round trip
2026-11-08 – 2026-11-11
MAD - Bilbao
43% AI deal score
56 €
68 €
Round trip
2026-11-07 – 2026-11-11
MAD - Bilbao
43% AI deal score
55 €
68 €
Round trip
2026-11-08 – 2026-11-16
MAD - Bilbao
43% AI deal score
50 €
68 €
Round trip
2026-11-13 – 2026-11-16
MAD - Bilbao
43% AI deal score
55 €
68 €
Round trip
2026-11-27 – 2026-11-28
MAD - Bilbao
43% AI deal score
55 €
68 €
Round trip

Madrid to Bilbao: Overview

Insights for flights from Madrid to Bilbao

For flights from Madrid to Bilbao, a meaningful share of itineraries are non-stop, while the rest connect once. Specifically, 58.5% of recent fares were for direct flights from Madrid to Bilbao over a 90-day period. When itineraries do include connections, the typical number of stopovers is 1.

When considering cheap flights from Madrid to Bilbao, prices typically range from $99–$323, with a median of $178. Right now, fares are below the typical level. Only 2% of recent fares were classified as a good price, indicating that deals are infrequent.

The cheapest time to fly from Madrid to Bilbao is typically during March, with a median fare of $60. Following closely, April also offers competitive prices, with a median of $64. August is another affordable option, showing a median fare of $67.

A typical journey from Madrid to Bilbao takes about 1h 5m, including connections. For non-stop flights, the median duration is also 1h 5m. However, if your itinerary includes connections, the median flight time extends to 8h 43m.

The distance between Madrid and Bilbao is approximately 317 kilometers, classifying this as a short-haul route.

How much is a round trip from Madrid to Bilbao

Regular price: €42 - €134

Prices for flights from Madrid to Bilbao are currently within the regular range.

The regular price range for this route is typically between 42 EUR and 134 EUR. The current lowest deal is 64 EUR with Iberia Airlines, for travel from Nov 13-Nov 16.

now 64 €

Low 42 €

High 134 €

The cheapest time to fly from Madrid to Bilbao

The cheapest month to fly from Madrid to Bilbao is March, with a median price of $60. The most expensive month is September, with a median price of $238. Prices are generally lower from January to November.

March

Cheapest

Flights from 60 €

September

Most Expensive

Flights from 238 €

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from Madrid to Bilbao

Iberia Airlines

Last-minute flights going from Madrid to Bilbao

Tue, Oct 13

⌛ Last-Minute

MAD - Bilbao

Madrid (MAD) - Bilbao (BIO)

Iberia Airlines

224 €

120 €

One-way

Wed, Oct 14

⌛ Last-Minute

MAD - Bilbao

Madrid (MAD) - Bilbao (BIO)

Ryanair

223 €

121 €

One-way

Thu, Oct 15

⌛ Last-Minute

MAD - Bilbao

Madrid (MAD) - Bilbao (BIO)

Aero Services Executive

225 €

114 €

One-way

Fri, Oct 16

⌛ Last-Minute

MAD - Bilbao

Madrid (MAD) - Bilbao (BIO)

Air Europa

224 €

121 €

One-way

Fri, Oct 16

⌛ Last-Minute

MAD - Bilbao

Madrid (MAD) - Bilbao (BIO)

Air Europa

221 €

145 €

One-way

Sat, Oct 17

⌛ Last-Minute

MAD - Bilbao

Madrid (MAD) - Bilbao (BIO)

Air Europa

207 €

94 €

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Madrid to Bilbao

1 night

Oct 13 - Oct 14

191 € → 83 €

56%

4 nights

Oct 11 - Oct 15

207 € → 110 €

47%

7 nights

Oct 13 - Oct 20

168 € → 82 €

51%

3 nights

Oct 12 - Oct 15

202 € → 124 €

39%

Popular Airports to fly from Madrid to Bilbao

Madrid - Bilbao route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are below the typical level

Recent fares from Madrid to Bilbao are below the typical level, with a median of $178.

📅 Best time to fly

March is historically the cheapest month to fly

Historically, March is the cheapest month to fly from Madrid to Bilbao, with a median price of $60.

⏱️ Flight duration

Direct flights take 1h 5m

Direct flights from Madrid to Bilbao typically take 1 hour 5 minutes, while connecting flights average 8 hours 43 minutes.

✈️ Airlines & availability

58.5% of recent flights are direct

58.5% of recent flights from Madrid to Bilbao are direct, with connecting flights typically having 1 stopover.

🏆 Airline highlight

Iberia Airlines offers direct flights

Iberia Airlines offers direct flights on this route, with 1 direct deal recently found.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals on this route are rare

Deals for flights from Madrid to Bilbao are rare, based on recent 30-day patterns.

Madrid main airports to depart from

Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas (MAD)

Cheapest

Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport is a convenient option for flights from Madrid to Bilbao.

📍 ~14 km from Madrid city center (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~€65

Bilbao main airports to arrive at

Bilbao (BIO)

Cheapest

Bilbao Airport is a convenient arrival choice for reaching Bilbao and the surrounding Basque Country.

📍 ~5 km from Bilbao (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~€63

Airports nearby Bilbao used as alternative

Santander (SDR)

Cheapest

Santander is a reliable alternative for domestic and European flights, especially with low-cost carriers.

📍 ~100 km from Bilbao (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~€36

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Bilbao

$733

Save $453

Iberia Airlines

Business Class

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Bilbao

To find more affordable flights, consider being flexible with your travel dates and times. Comparing prices across different airlines and booking sites can also help you discover better deals. Looking into flights during the off-peak season may also present lower fares.

Booking in advance often provides more options and potentially lower prices, especially for popular routes. However, last-minute deals can sometimes appear, though they are less predictable. Monitoring price trends can help you decide on an optimal booking time.

Comparing nearby airports can sometimes reveal alternative flight options that may be more affordable. While it might involve additional ground transportation, the savings on airfare could be significant. It's often a good strategy for budget-conscious travelers.

Madrid to Bilbao: Overview

Insights for flights from Madrid to Bilbao

The distance between Madrid and Bilbao is approximately 317 kilometers, classifying this as a short-haul route.

How much is a round trip from Madrid to Bilbao

Regular price: €42 - €134

Prices for flights from Madrid to Bilbao are currently within the regular range.

The regular price range for this route is typically between 42 EUR and 134 EUR. The current lowest deal is 64 EUR with Iberia Airlines, for travel from Nov 13-Nov 16.

now 64 €

Low 42 €

High 134 €

The cheapest time to fly from Madrid to Bilbao

March

Cheapest

Flights from 60 €

September

Most Expensive

Flights from 238 €

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec