There are 12 ways to get from Cardiff to Bilbao by train, plane, bus, car, car ferry, 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.
Train to Bristol Airport, fly
best- Take the train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meadstrain
- Fly from Bristol Airport (BRS) to Bilbao Airport (BIO)plane BRS - BIO
6h 12m€81–183Train, bus via Paris
- Take the train from Cardiff Central to London Paddingtontrain
- Take the train from London St Pancras Intl to Paris Nordtrain Eil
- Take the train from Paris Montparnasse 1 Et 2 to St Jean De Luz Cibouretrain Tgv
- Take the bus from Saint-Jean-de-Luz to Bilbao Intermodalbus
14h 4m€342–639Train, bus
- Take the train from Cardiff Central to London Paddingtontrain
- Take the train from London St Pancras Intl to Lille Europetrain Eil
- Take the bus from Lille - Europe Train Station to Bilbao Intermodalbus
21h 30m€248–456Drive, car ferry
- Drive from Cardiff to Plymouthcar
- Take the carferry from Plymouth to Santandercarferry
- Drive from Santander to Bilbaocar
24h 7m€158–785Fly from Cardiff Airport
- Fly from Cardiff Airport (CWL) to Bilbao Airport (BIO)plane CWL - BIO
8h 24m€119–233Train, train to London Gatwick Airport, fly
- Take the train from Cardiff Central to Readingtrain
- Take the train from Reading to Gatwick Airporttrain
- Fly from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Bilbao Airport (BIO)plane LGW - BIO
8h 18m€113–278Train to London Heathrow Airport, fly
- Take the train from Cardiff Central to London Paddingtontrain
- Fly from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Bilbao Airport (BIO)plane LHR - BIO
7h 22m€129–372Train to Manchester Airport, fly
- Take the train from Cardiff Central to Wilmslowtrain
- Fly from Manchester Airport (MAN) to Bilbao Airport (BIO)plane MAN - BIO
9h 1m€135–289Bus
- Take the bus from Park Place to London Victoria Coach Station Arrivalsbus 507 / ...
- Take the bus from London Victoria to Paris - Bercy-Seine Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from Paris to Bilbaobus
26h 2m€134–261Train, ferry, bus
- Take the train from Cardiff Central to Plymouthtrain
- Take the ferry from Plymouth to Santanderferry
- Take the bus from Estación de autobuses de Santander to Bilbao Intermodalbus
29h 9m€267–497Train, ferry, bus via Portsmouth
- Take the train from Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbourtrain
- Take the ferry from Portsmouth to Santanderferry
- Take the bus from Estación de autobuses de Santander to Bilbao Intermodalbus
39h 48m€294–543Drive, Eurotunnel
- Drive from Cardiff to Folkestonecar
- Take the cartrain from Folkestone to Calais-Fréthuncartrain
- Drive from Calais-Fréthun to Bilbaocar
15h 55m€367–484
Cardiff to Bilbao by train, subway, foot, and bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Cardiff to Bilbao is to train and fly which costs €80 - €190 and takes 6h 12m.
The fastest way to get from Cardiff to Bilbao is to train and fly which takes 6h 12m and costs €80 - €190.
No, there is no direct bus from Cardiff to Bilbao. However, there are services departing from Park Place and arriving at Bilbao via London Victoria and Paris. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 26h 2m.
The distance between Cardiff and Bilbao is 986 km.
The best way to get from Cardiff to Bilbao without a car is to train and bus via Paris which takes 14h 4m and costs €340 - €650.
It takes approximately 6h 12m to get from Cardiff to Bilbao, including transfers.
Cardiff to Bilbao bus services, operated by National Express, depart from Park Place station.
The best way to get from Cardiff to Bilbao is to fly which takes 8h 24m and costs €110 - €240. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs €130 - €270 and takes 26h 2m.
Cardiff to Bilbao bus services, operated by National Express, arrive at London Victoria Coach Station Arrivals.
Bilbao is 1h ahead of Cardiff. It is currently 10:41 PM in Cardiff and 11:41 PM in Bilbao.
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 via London Victoria Coach Station Arrivals, London Victoria, Paris - Bercy-Seine Bus Station, and Paris in around 26h 2m.
- Website
- vueling.com
Flights from Cardiff Airport to Bilbao Airport via Alicante–Elche
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 10m
- When
- Wednesday and Tuesday
- Estimated price
- €70–270
Flights from Cardiff Airport to Bilbao Airport via Malaga
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 30m
- When
- Tuesday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- €75–270
Flights from London Gatwick Airport to Bilbao Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 4m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €28–110
Flights from London Gatwick Airport to Bilbao Airport via Barcelona
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 30m
- When
- Monday
- Estimated price
- €28–110
Flights from London Heathrow Airport to Bilbao Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €40–160
- Website
- britishairways.com
Flights from London Gatwick Airport to Bilbao Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 4m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €28–110
Flights from London Heathrow Airport to Bilbao Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €40–160
Flights from Manchester Airport to Bilbao Airport via London Heathrow Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 20m
- When
- Tuesday and Friday
- Estimated price
- €65–160
- Website
- klm.com
Flights from Bristol Airport to Bilbao Airport via Amsterdam Schiphol
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €65–310
Flights from Cardiff Airport to Bilbao Airport via Amsterdam Schiphol
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 7m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €85–410
Flights from London Gatwick Airport to Bilbao Airport via Paris Charles de Gaulle
- Ave. Duration
- 4h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €50–270
Flights from Manchester Airport to Bilbao Airport via Amsterdam Schiphol
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 21m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €65–320
- Website
- aerlingus.com
Flights from London Heathrow Airport to Bilbao Airport via Cork
- Ave. Duration
- 5h
- When
- Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- €60–340
Flights from Manchester Airport to Bilbao Airport via Dublin
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 17m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €50–270
- Website
- easyjet.com
Flights from Bristol Airport to Bilbao Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- When
- Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- €50–120
Flights from Manchester Airport to Bilbao Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 10m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- €55–130
- Website
- airfrance.com
Flights from London Gatwick Airport to Bilbao Airport via Paris Charles de Gaulle
- Ave. Duration
- 4h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €50–270
Flights from London Heathrow Airport to Bilbao Airport via Paris Charles de Gaulle
- Ave. Duration
- 5h
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- €60–320
- Website
- brusselsairlines.com
Flights from Manchester Airport to Bilbao Airport via Brussels
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 10m
- When
- Monday to Saturday
- Estimated price
- €65–240
- Phone
- +44 (0)345 7000 125
- gwr.feedback@gwr.com
- Website
- Great Western Railway (GWR)
Train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meads
- Ave. Duration
- 52 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €19–40
- Website
- Great Western Railway (GWR)
Train from Cardiff Central to London Paddington
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 55m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €75–140
- Website
- Great Western Railway (GWR)
Train from Cardiff Central to London Paddington
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 55m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €75–140
- Website
- Great Western Railway (GWR)
Train from Cardiff Central to Reading
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 24m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €55–110
- Website
- Great Western Railway (GWR)
Train from Reading to Gatwick Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 31m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €27–50
- Website
- Great Western Railway (GWR)
Train from Cardiff Central to London Paddington
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 55m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €75–140
- Website
- Great Western Railway (GWR)
Train from Cardiff Central to Plymouth
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 32m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- €85–160
- Website
- Great Western Railway (GWR)
Train from Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 23m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €70–140
- Website
- Great Western Railway (GWR)
- Phone
- 03333 211 202
- Website
- Transport for Wales
Train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meads
- Ave. Duration
- 57 min
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- €17–30
- Website
- Transport for Wales
Train from Cardiff Central to Wilmslow
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 55m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €70–130
- Website
- Transport for Wales
Train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meads
- Ave. Duration
- 49 min
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- €23–35
- Website
- Cross Country
- Phone
- +44 (0)3432 186 186
- Website
- Eurostar
Train from London St Pancras Intl to Paris Nord
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 28m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €130–220
- Website
- Eurostar
Train from London St Pancras Intl to Lille Europe
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 22m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €75–130
- Website
- Eurostar
- Phone
- +33 1 84 94 36 35
- Website
- TGV inOui
Train from Paris Montparnasse 1 Et 2 to St Jean De Luz Ciboure
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 26m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- €150–250
- Website
- TGV inOui
- Phone
- +33 1 84 94 36 35
- Website
- Oui.SNCF
Train from Paris Montparnasse 1 Et 2 to St Jean De Luz Ciboure
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- €120–250
- Website
- Oui.SNCF
- Phone
- +44 (0) 8443 35 35 35
- Website
- LeShuttle
Car train from Folkestone to Calais-Fréthun
- Ave. Duration
- 35 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €136
- Website
- LeShuttle
- Standard fare
- €136
- Phone
- +3 318 576 2228
- Website
- BlaBlaCar Bus
Bus from Saint-Jean-de-Luz to Bilbao Intermodal
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 15m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- €11–20
- Website
- BlaBlaCar Bus
Bus from Lille - Europe Train Station to Bilbao Intermodal
- Ave. Duration
- 16h 10m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- €95–180
- Website
- BlaBlaCar Bus
Bus from London Victoria to Paris - Bercy-Seine Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 15m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- €35–70
- Website
- BlaBlaCar Bus
- Phone
- +44 (0)3717 81 81 81
- Website
- National Express
Bus from Park Place to London Victoria Coach Station Arrivals
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 42m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €30–85
- Website
- National Express
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- service@flixbus.com
- Website
- Flixbus
Bus from Paris to Bilbao
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 5m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- €65–110
- Website
- Flixbus
- Phone
- +34 910 207 007
- Website
- ALSA
Bus from Estación de autobuses de Santander to Bilbao Intermodal
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €8–14
- Website
- ALSA
Bus from Estación de autobuses de Santander to Bilbao Intermodal
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €8–14
- Website
- ALSA
- Phone
- 0330 159 7000
- reservations@brittanyferries.com
- Website
- brittany-ferries.co.uk
Car ferry from Plymouth to Santander
- Ave. Duration
- 20h 15m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- €100–700
- Schedules at
- brittany-ferries.co.uk
- Book at
- brittany-ferries.co.uk
- Single Ticket
- €100–230
- Car Single Ticket
- €290–700
Ferry from Plymouth to Santander
- Ave. Duration
- 21h 45m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- €170–320
- Book at
- brittany-ferries.co.uk
Ferry from Portsmouth to Santander
- Ave. Duration
- 33h
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- €210–390
- Book at
- brittany-ferries.co.uk
Want to know more about travelling around Spain
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Booking & Getting There
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