Rome2Rio

How to get fromCardiff to Bilbaoby train, plane, bus, car, car ferry, or car train

Find Transport to Bilbao

See all options

There are 12 ways to get from Cardiff to Bilbao by train, plane, bus, car, car ferry, or car train

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Train to Bristol Airport, fly

    best
    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meadstrain train
    2. Fly from Bristol Airport (BRS) to Bilbao Airport (BIO)plane plane BRS - BIO
    5h 52m
    €86–185

  2. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to London Paddingtontrain train
    2. Take the train from London St Pancras Intl to Lille Europetrain train Eil
    3. Take the bus from Lille - Europe Train Station to Bilbao Intermodalbus bus
    21h 40m
    €259–486

  3. Drive, car ferry

    1. Drive from Cardiff to Plymouthcar car
    2. Take the car ferry from Plymouth to Santandercarferry car ferry
    3. Drive from Santander to Bilbaocar car
    24h 7m
    €159–787

  4. Train, car ferry

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Frattontrain train
    2. Take the car ferry from Portsmouth International Port to Le Havrecarferry car ferry
    3. Take the train from Le Havre to Massy - Palaiseautrain train Tgv
    4. Take the train from Massy Tgv to Hendayetrain train Tgv
    5. Take the train from Amara-Donostia to Zazpikaleak/Casco Viejo-Bilbaotrain train E1
    24h 27m
    €321–704

  5. Fly from Cardiff Airport

    1. Fly from Cardiff Airport (CWL) to Bilbao Airport (BIO)plane plane CWL - BIO
    8h 21m
    €89–253

  6. Train, train to London Gatwick Airport, fly

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Readingtrain train
    2. Take the train from Reading to Gatwick Airporttrain train
    3. Fly from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Bilbao Airport (BIO)plane plane LGW - BIO
    8h 5m
    €116–298

  7. Train to London Heathrow Airport, fly

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to London Paddingtontrain train
    2. Fly from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Bilbao Airport (BIO)plane plane LHR - BIO
    7h 5m
    €130–379

  8. Train to Manchester Airport, fly

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Wilmslowtrain train
    2. Fly from Manchester Airport (MAN) to Bilbao Airport (BIO)plane plane MAN - BIO
    8h 44m
    €142–281

  9. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Park Place to London Victoria Coach Station Arrivalsbus bus 507 / ...
    2. Take the bus from London Victoria to Doverbus bus 700
    3. Take the bus from Dover to Paris, Quai de Bercy (Bercy Seine)bus bus 700
    4. Take the bus from Paris - Bercy-Seine Bus Station to Bilbao Intermodalbus bus
    26h 50m
    €109–289

  10. Train, car ferry, bus

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Plymouthtrain train
    2. Take the car ferry from Plymouth to Santandercarferry car ferry
    3. Take the bus from Estación de autobuses de Santander to Bilbao Intermodalbus bus
    27h 39m
    €199–890

  11. Train, car ferry, bus via Portsmouth

    1. Take the train from Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbourtrain train
    2. Take the car ferry from Portsmouth International Port to Santandercarferry car ferry
    3. Take the bus from Estación de autobuses de Santander to Bilbao Intermodalbus bus
    39h 47m
    €174–763

  12. Drive, Eurotunnel

    1. Drive from Cardiff to Folkestonecar car
    2. Take the car train from Folkestone to Calais-Fréthuncartrain train
    3. Drive from Calais-Fréthun to Bilbaocar car
    15h 55m
    €379–497

Cardiff to Bilbao by train, subway, and bus

Calendar10Weekly Services
Duration21h 40mAverage Duration
Ticket€259Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Cardiff to Bilbao.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 985.7 km
  • Duration: 5h 52m

What companies run services between Cardiff, Wales and Bilbao, Spain?

KLM, Vueling Airlines, and Ryanair fly from Cardiff Airport (CWL) to Bilbao Airport (BIO) 3 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Park Place to Bilbao Intermodal via London Victoria Coach Station Arrivals, London Victoria, Dover, Paris, Quai de Bercy (Bercy Seine), and Paris - Bercy-Seine Bus Station in around 26h 50m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators
Ferry operators

Want to know more about travelling around Spain

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides

More Questions & Answers