Bilbao to Madrid Flights (BIO-MAD)

🇪🇸 BIO

Bilbao

197 mi

MAD 🇪🇸

Madrid

Bilbao Airport Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport 4 airlines

The Bilbao to Madrid route connects Bilbao Airport (BIO) in ES with Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) in ES. This short-haul flight covers approximately 197 miles (317 km) with a typical flight time of 37m. This route is served by 4 airlines: Iberia, Air Europa Express, Air Europa and others. AirportRoutes has tracked 85 unique flight numbers on this route.

Search tickets for this route

Compare flight prices across hundreds of booking sites

Search BIO → MAD flights

Opens a live price search — just pick your dates

About This Route

Route Overview

The Bilbao (BIO) → Madrid (MAD) air route links Spain’s Basque Country with the national capital over 197 miles (317 km). Flights are frequent and typically take about 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes, making it a time-saving alternative to longer overland options when schedules are tight. Travelers choose this hop for easy connections via Madrid-Barajas to international networks across Europe and the Americas, and for quick access to Madrid’s museums, business districts, and major events. It’s also popular for weekend breaks: Bilbao’s coastal culture and gastronomy pair well with Madrid’s big-city energy. Expect a short, efficient journey with limited in-flight service, ideal for carry-on travelers and same-day meetings.

Travel Tips

Book early for the best fares, especially around holidays and major events; one-way tickets often range from €30–€120 (about $33–$132) depending on demand and baggage. At Bilbao Airport, arrive 75–90 minutes ahead; security is usually swift, but morning peaks can add queues. Madrid-Barajas is large, so confirm your terminal (T1–T4) and allow extra time for transfers—Terminal 4 is extensive. For a smoother arrival, use the Metro (Line 8), Cercanías train (from T4), or official taxis with fixed airport pricing into the city. On board, expect a short flight with minimal service; pack essentials in your personal item and download boarding passes to speed up boarding.

Destination Highlights

Madrid blends royal grandeur with neighborhood life and world-class art. Prioritize the Golden Triangle of Art: the Prado, Reina Sofía (Picasso’s *Guernica*), and Thyssen-Bornemisza. Stroll the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral, then unwind in El Retiro Park and along Gran Vía for shopping and theaters. For atmosphere, explore La Latina (tapas streets), Malasaña (creative nightlife), and Barrio de las Letras (literary cafés). Food is a highlight: try bocadillo de calamares near Plaza Mayor, cocido madrileño, and churros with chocolate at classic chocolaterías. Day trips to Toledo, Segovia, or El Escorial are easy by train.

Best Time to Fly

Late spring and early autumn—April to June and September to October—offer pleasant temperatures and often better value than midsummer. July–August can be hot in Madrid and typically pricier due to domestic and European holiday demand. Winter is cooler with occasional bargains, except around Christmas and New Year. For events, consider San Isidro in May and major museum exhibitions year-round; prices can rise during festival weekends. Shoulder-season departures frequently deliver the best balance of weather, availability, and fares in € (and USD equivalents).

AI-Generated Content: This information was compiled using AI from web sources on Dec 25, 2025. Content may not be current; please verify with airlines before booking.

Departure Airport

Bilbao Airport

ICAO Code:: LEBB
IATA Code:: BIO
City:: 🇪🇸 Bilbao
Country:: ES
Elevation:: 138 ft

Destination Airport

Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport

ICAO Code:: LEMD
IATA Code:: MAD
City:: 🇪🇸 Madrid
Country:: ES
Elevation:: 1998 ft

Operators

Tracked Flights

197

Miles

37m

Flight Duration

Route Map

Great Circle

Map data © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap contributors

Operating Airlines

Airline	ICAO	IATA
Iberia	`IBE`	`IB`
Air Europa Express	`OVA`	`X5`
Air Europa	`AEA`	`UX`
Air Nostrum	`ANE`	`YW`

Flight Schedule Pattern

Day	Flights Observed	Frequency
Monday	37	11%
Tuesday	56	16%
Wednesday	58	17%
Thursday	43	13%
Friday	65	19%
Saturday	54	16%
Sunday	30	9%

Pattern Analysis

85 Tracked Flights:

Data Points: 343
API observations used to build this analysis

Weekdays: 259 flights
Weekend: 84 flights

Business Route More active on weekdays

All Flight Routes

4 Routes

Note: This table shows aggregated route data by airline. Each airline may operate multiple daily flights at different times. See the "Spotted Departure Times" section below for all observed departure times.

Airline	Aircraft Type	Typical Time	Days Active	Last Seen	Status
Air Europa `AEA` / `UX`	B738	16:50 4:50 PM (Representative)	M T W T F S S	May 9, 2026	Active
Air Europa Express `OVA` / `X5`	B738	08:20 8:20 AM (Representative)	M T W T F S S	May 8, 2026	Active
Air Nostrum `ANE` / `YW`	CRJX	19:35 7:35 PM (Representative)	M T W T F S S	Feb 19, 2026	Active
Iberia `IBE` / `IB`	A319	17:35 5:35 PM (Representative)	M T W T F S S	Jul 3, 2026	Active

Total Routes: 4

Active Routes: 4

Unique Airlines: 4

Aircraft Types: 4

Spotted Departure Times

Departure Time	Operator	ICAO	IATA
08:20 8:20 AM	Air Europa Express	`OVA`	`X5`
16:50 4:50 PM	Air Europa	`AEA`	`UX`
17:35 5:35 PM	Iberia	`IBE`	`IB`
19:35 7:35 PM	Air Nostrum	`ANE`	`YW`

Time Information

Times are shown in the departure airport's local timezone (LEBB - Europe/Madrid).

Total Departure Times: 4

Time Range:
08:20 - 19:35

These are typical departure times observed from actual flights. Times may vary by season and schedule changes.

Bilbao to Madrid Flights

Get Notified About Route Changes