Is there a way to reach Bilbao from Cologne without flying?

You can travel between these two cities by bus or train. Either way you choose, you'll be sure to reach your destination in the most easy and eco-friendly way. You can also use carpool services and share a car ride with other travelers.

How long is the bus ride from Cologne to Bilbao?

On average, the trip from Cologne to Bilbao takes around 1d, but you can get there in as little as 21h 30m with the fastest bus. This is the time it takes to travel the 703 miles (1134 km) that separate the two cities.

What is the distance between Cologne and Bilbao?

The distance between the two cities is 703 miles (1134 km).

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Cologne to Bilbao?

If you're headed to Bilbao from Cologne, chances are that your bus will depart from Cologne/Bonn Airport and arrive at Estación Autobuses. These are the main pick-up and drop-off locations on this route, there are other pick-up and drop-off locations that could make it easier for you to reach your destination.

What is the cheapest way to get from Cologne to Bilbao?

Go for the bus if you want the most affordable way to travel this route. With prices starting at $77, you won't find a cheaper way to get there.

What is the ticket price for the bus trip from Cologne to Bilbao?

The average bus ticket price from Cologne to Bilbao is $99. Over the last 30 days, the prices ranged between $77 and $201, so make sure to compare them to get the best option.

What are the best sights and things to do in Bilbao?

Once in Bilbao, you can start exploring the city and discover its surroundings. The top sights and things to do are Gaztelugatxe (Bermeo), A Walk Along the River, Climbing Pagasarri and Ganekogorta, Day Trip to Donostia - San Sebastián and The Old Port - Algortako Portu Zaharra.

Is it possible to travel by overnight bus from Cologne to Bilbao?

Yes, it is possible to take an overnight bus from Cologne to Bilbao. Don't forget to bring a snack and a blanket to help you stay comfortable through the night.

Cologne to Bilbao Bus Tickets

TomorrowMay 25

from $150

MonMay 26

TueMay 27

WedMay 28

ThuMay 29

FriMay 30

SatMay 31

SunJun 1

Next departures to Bilbao

One passenger / one way

This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest
Departure time: May 25 at 11:55am
Departure city: Cologne
Departure location: Cologne/Bonn Airport
Arrival time: May 26 at 11:00am
Destination city: Bilbao
Destination location: Estación Autobuses
Operated by: BlaBlaCar Bus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 23h 5m
This trip is recommended because it is: Fastest
Departure time: May 25 at 8:45am
Departure city: Cologne
Departure location: Flughafen Köln/Bonn Airport (CGN)
Arrival time: May 26 at 6:25am
Destination city: Bilbao
Destination location: Estación Autobuses
Operated by: Flixbus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 21h 40m
Departure time: May 25 at 8:45am
Departure city: Cologne
Departure location: Flughafen Köln/Bonn Airport (CGN)
Arrival time: May 26 at 6:25am
Destination city: Bilbao
Destination location: Estación Autobuses
Operated by: Flixbus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 21h 40m
Departure time: May 25 at 8:28am
Departure city: Cologne
Departure location: Hbf
Arrival time: May 26 at 11:15am
Destination city: Bilbao
Destination location: Estación Autobuses
Operated by: Flixtrain + Flixbus
Flixtrain + Flixbus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 1d 2h
Departure time: May 25 at 9:15am
Departure city: Cologne
Departure location: Flughafen Köln/Bonn Airport (CGN)
Arrival time: May 26 at 7:45am
Destination city: Bilbao
Destination location: Estación Autobuses
Operated by: Flixbus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 22h 30m

Accepted payments

Compare 3 ways to go from Cologne to Bilbao.

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average Price$77 - $201	Average Duration1d	CO₂ emissions 28kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars	Cheapest
Train	Average Price$86 - $147	Average Duration1d 2h	CO₂ emissions 27kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars	Most eco-friendly
Carpool	Average Price$105 - $105	Average Duration14h	CO₂ emissions 48kg CO₂e4 out of 5 stars	Fastest

Busbud recommends carpooling from Cologne to Bilbao

Among the sustainable travel choices, the carpool stands out as the good way to reach Bilbao. The journey takes about 14 hours and with fares starting at just $105, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

1carpool per day

14hAverage Duration

$105Cheapest ticket

48kgCO₂ emissions

Bus Cologne to Bilbao: Trip Overview

Average ticket price$99

Average bus trip duration1d

Number of daily buses2

Earliest bus departure12:10am

Distance706 miles (1138 km)

Latest bus departure11:35pm

Compare bus companies

FlixBus

3.5/58,742 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness4

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi2.6

Flixbus is a European bus operator that offers intercity and bus travel in over 38 countries. Known for their easy-to-spot lime green buses and for offering affordable transportation between cities in Europe and the Americas, Flixbus is a good option for those looking for an affordable, reliable bus company. In their buses, you'll find free WiFi, bathrooms, and power outlets. You can also pay extra to choose your seat and get extra legroom, or even buy a snack or drink onboard directly from the driver. You can reschedule your ticket for a small fee, which varies from $1 to $5, depending on how close you are to the departure date.

BlaBlaCar Bus

3.5/510,249 reviews

Staff4.4

Timeliness3.7

Cleanliness4.3

Wifi2.5

ES bus companies: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, Sindbad, MarinoBus, Infobus, RegioJet, Ecolines

Cologne to Bilbao Bus

With Busbud, comparing and booking tickets for a bus from Cologne to Bilbao is a breeze. Browse through an extensive selection of bus fares and bus schedules to find the best deals.

Bus service from Cologne to Bilbao will be provided by the most trusted bus companies.

Discover how much the bus trip from Cologne to Bilbao will cost you. Use our filters and sorting features to find the cheapest bus tickets or luxury buses.

Where are the popular stops in Cologne and Bilbao?

Stops in Cologne

A - Cologne/Bonn Airport

B - Hbf

C - Gummersbacher Str.

D - Riehl Zoo

E - Leverkusen Mitte

F - Rhein Energie Stadion

Stops in Bilbao

A - Estación Autobuses

B - Abaro Estrata

C - Basurtu Kastrexana Errepidea

D - Buenos Aires Kalea, 2

E - Hotel Carlton

F - Bilbao-Abando Geltokia

Frequently asked questions for your trip Cologne - Bilbao

Is there a way to reach Bilbao from Cologne without flying?
How long is the bus ride from Cologne to Bilbao?
What is the distance between Cologne and Bilbao?
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Cologne to Bilbao?
What is the cheapest way to get from Cologne to Bilbao?
What is the ticket price for the bus trip from Cologne to Bilbao?
What are the best sights and things to do in Bilbao?
Is it possible to travel by overnight bus from Cologne to Bilbao?

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found

05/22

$101

05/23

$74

Today

$81

05/25

$140

05/26

$68

05/27

$68

05/28

$131

05/29

$92

The cheapest trip from Cologne to Bilbao was searched and found on May 26, 2025 with a price of $68

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Cologne to Bilbao, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $68 to $210 for a bus ticket from Cologne to Bilbao based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $68 which is on 2025-05-26.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Meet and talk to locals at the bus stations while traveling from Cologne to Bilbao.There is no better way to get inside travel information while exploring a new city than to go straight to its people.

Much more than a mere vehicle taking you from Cologne to Bilbao, riding the bus will expose you to some of the most stunning panoramas while enroute to your final bus stop.

Buses have one of the smallest carbon footprints of motorized transport modes. A bus going from Cologne to Bilbao will emit less CO2 than a car or an airplane.

Create your own real life musical score by curating a personalized bus travel playlist - the perfect accompaniment to your bus ride from Cologne to Bilbao.

Did you know?

The bus driver with the longest career in the world drove more than 2,000,000 miles and is a happy World Record holder.

The word 'bus' is an abbreviation of 'omnibus" which means 'for all' in Latin as buses were meant to be transportation for everybody.

Did you know there are on average 4,400 intercity bus departures every day in the US only? This number has been growing for 9 years in a row, yay!

What's the cheapest way to go from Cologne to Bilbao?

The bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

Vehicle Type	Travel Time	Avg Price	Daily Departures
Vehicle TypeBus	Travel Time1d	Avg Price$99	Daily Departures2
Vehicle TypeTrain	Travel Time1d 2h	Avg Price$99	Daily Departures1
Vehicle TypeCarpool	Travel Time14h	Avg Price$105	Daily Departures1

Will you be returning to Cologne by bus?

Bus from Cologne to Bilbao

You can also go to Bilbao by train

Train from Cologne to Bilbao

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

Busbud helps you easily search, compare and book intercity bus tickets on a worldwide scale with our comprehensive list of bus routes and schedules. With Busbud, wherever you go, you have a worldwide bus station within reach and available in your own language and currency. Busbud prides itself on its worldwide partnerships. We make it possible for you to buy tickets with its large network of trustworthy bus partners like Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others.

Bus Tickets from Cologne to Bilbao