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Traveling from Burgos to Bilbao was an easy way to keep moving through northern Spain without having to fly or overcomplicate the route.
That is one of the things I really liked about this part of Spain. Each city had its own personality, but the route still felt connected. I had already spent time in places like Vigo, Santiago de Compostela, and Burgos, and Bilbao felt like the next natural stop before continuing toward France.
Burgos had that quieter, historic, Castilian feel. The cathedral was stunning, the Old Town was easy to walk, and the city felt calmer than some of the bigger Spanish stops. Bilbao felt different right away. It had more of a modern city energy, a stronger Basque Country identity, and that mix of Old Town streets, river walks, bridges, pintxos, and the Guggenheim area.
That contrast made the move from Burgos to Bilbao worth it.
I took the train from Burgos Rosa Manzano station to Bilbao Abando Indalecio Prieto station. The train was an Alvia in standard class, and the trip took a little under three hours. For two tickets, the total was €31.70, which made it a pretty reasonable travel day for the distance.
If you are planning a northern Spain itinerary and wondering whether Bilbao is worth adding after Burgos, I would say yes. The cities feel different enough that it does not feel repetitive, and the train makes the connection simple.
If you are still deciding what to do once you arrive, start with my Bilbao Travel Guide and my Best Things to Do in Bilbao Spain guide. If you only have a short stay, my One Day in Bilbao Spain Itinerary gives you a walkable route through Casco Viejo, the riverfront, Zubizuri Bridge, and the Guggenheim area.
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Why Travel From Burgos to Bilbao?
Burgos and Bilbao work well together because they show you two very different sides of northern Spain.
Burgos feels more historic and traditional. It is the kind of city where the cathedral dominates the visit, the Old Town feels calm and walkable, and you can spend time learning about the Camino, medieval history, and Castilian architecture.
Bilbao brings a different energy.
It is still walkable, but it feels bigger, more modern, and more layered. You have Casco Viejo, the Old Town, with the Seven Streets, Cathedral of Santiago, Mercado de la Ribera, Plaza Nueva, and pintxos bars. Then you have the riverfront, Zubizuri Bridge, La Salve Bridge, the Guggenheim area, Puppy, Maman, and the Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao.
That old-and-new contrast is one of the reasons Bilbao stands out.
If you are already in Burgos, Bilbao is a good next stop because it changes the mood of the trip without requiring a difficult travel day.
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My Burgos to Bilbao Train Route
I traveled from Burgos to Bilbao by train.
My ticket was from Burgos Rosa Manzano to Bilbao Abando Indalecio Prieto. The train was an Alvia in standard class, and the journey took about 2 hours and 50 minutes.
That made it an easy morning travel day. I left Burgos in the morning and arrived in Bilbao around midday, which gave me time to check in, settle, and still start exploring the city.
For two standard class tickets, I paid €31.70 total. That felt reasonable for the route, especially because it allowed us to travel city center to city center without dealing with an airport.
This is one of the reasons I love train travel in Europe when it works well. You can leave one city in the morning and be walking around the next city by lunch.
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Burgos Train Station: Burgos Rosa Manzano
The train station I left from was Burgos Rosa Manzano.
One thing to know is that Burgos train station is not right in the middle of the Old Town. Depending on where you stay, you may need a taxi, bus, or extra time to get there. I would not leave it until the last minute, especially if you are traveling with luggage.
That is always my biggest train travel tip in Europe.
Check where the station actually is.
Some cities have stations that are right in the center. Others are a little outside the main tourist area. Burgos is one where you want to plan your station transfer ahead of time so the morning feels easy.
Once you are at the station, the route itself is straightforward. The Alvia train made it simple to continue north to Bilbao without needing a flight or complicated connection.
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Bilbao Train Station: Bilbao Abando
I arrived at Bilbao Abando Indalecio Prieto, also known as Bilbao Abando.
This is a convenient arrival point because it puts you close to central Bilbao. From there, it is much easier to start getting your bearings, reach your accommodation, or begin exploring the city if you are staying nearby.
I always appreciate arriving somewhere central, especially when I am carrying luggage or traveling with my son. It makes the first hour in a new city less stressful.
Bilbao is very walkable if you stay central, so arriving at Abando worked well for the kind of visit I wanted. Once I settled in, I could focus on Casco Viejo, the riverfront, the bridges, the Guggenheim area, and food without feeling like I was constantly trying to figure out transportation.
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How Long Is the Train From Burgos to Bilbao?
The train from Burgos to Bilbao took about 2 hours and 50 minutes for my trip.
That is a nice length for a travel day because it is long enough to feel like you moved to a new region, but not so long that it eats up your whole day.
I like these kinds of routes when traveling through Europe. You can have breakfast in one city, take the train, arrive around midday, check in, and still have the afternoon and evening to explore.
For Bilbao, that worked especially well because the city is easy to start exploring on foot. Even with only a half day after arrival, you could walk around Casco Viejo, stop for pintxos, or head toward the river.
Of course, train times and schedules can change, so always check your exact route before booking. But as a general idea, Burgos to Bilbao by train is a very doable travel day.
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How Much Was the Train From Burgos to Bilbao?
For my trip, two standard class Alvia tickets from Burgos to Bilbao cost €31.70 total.
That made it a budget-friendly connection, especially compared to the stress and extra time that can come with flying. There was no airport transfer, no security line, no liquids drama, no waiting around at a gate for hours.
Just the train.
This is one of the reasons I like planning European routes by rail when the timing and price make sense. It keeps the travel day simpler and lets you stay connected to the actual route instead of hopping over everything by plane.
Prices can change depending on when you book, the train type, availability, and travel date, so use this as a personal example, not a guaranteed fare.
But for my trip, it was a very reasonable route.
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Should You Take the Train or Bus From Burgos to Bilbao?
I took the train, and I would take the train again if the timing and price worked.
A bus may also be an option depending on schedules, budget, and where you are staying, but the train was easy for my route. It gave me a direct, comfortable way to move from Burgos to Bilbao without needing to think too much.
When choosing between train and bus, I usually look at a few things.
How close is the station to where I am staying?
How long is the ride?
What time does it arrive?
How much does it cost?
Will I still have time to explore after arrival?
For my Burgos to Bilbao trip, the train checked those boxes.
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Where to Stay in Bilbao After Arriving From Burgos
If you are arriving from Burgos and only have a short time in Bilbao, I would stay central.
That makes the whole visit easier.
Bilbao is very walkable if you choose a good location. Staying near Casco Viejo, the Ensanche area, the river, or within easy reach of Abando station can help you make the most of your time.
I always prefer staying somewhere that lets me start exploring quickly after arrival. When you are moving city to city, you do not want to spend half the day traveling to your accommodation, checking in, and then traveling back toward the sights.
For Bilbao, a central stay means you can walk to the Old Town, Mercado de la Ribera, Plaza Nueva, the riverfront, Zubizuri Bridge, the Guggenheim area, and restaurants without overthinking it.
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What to Do First When You Arrive in Bilbao
If you arrive in Bilbao around midday like I did, I would keep the first day simple.
Drop your bags if you can, then start with Casco Viejo. Walk the Old Town, see the Seven Streets, stop by the Cathedral of Santiago, visit Mercado de la Ribera, and get something to eat around Plaza Nueva or nearby streets.
That gives you an easy first taste of the city without needing a full itinerary right away.
If you still have energy, walk toward the river and start making your way toward the Guggenheim area. Even if you do not go inside, the exterior, Puppy, Maman, La Salve Bridge, and riverfront are worth seeing.
For a full route, use my One Day in Bilbao Spain Itinerary.
How Many Days Should You Spend in Bilbao After Burgos?
I think one to two days in Bilbao works well after Burgos.
If you only have one day, focus on the Old Town, Mercado de la Ribera, Plaza Nueva, the river walk, Zubizuri Bridge, the Guggenheim exterior, Puppy, Maman, and maybe the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum if you have time.
If you have two days, you can slow down and add more. Visit the Guggenheim interior if that interests you, take the Funicular de Artxanda for views, spend more time in Casco Viejo, add Azkuna Zentroa, or take a half-day trip to Vizcaya Bridge and Getxo.
For most first-time visitors, Bilbao does not need a full week. But it does deserve enough time to see more than just the Guggenheim.
That is where the city surprised me.
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How Bilbao Feels Different From Burgos
Bilbao and Burgos feel very different, which is why I liked visiting both.
Burgos felt quieter and more traditional. The cathedral was the main anchor, and the city had that historic northern Spain feel. It was calm, walkable, and beautiful in a more classic way.
Bilbao felt more modern and layered.
The Old Town still gave me history, but the riverfront, bridges, Guggenheim area, public art, and museum scene gave the city a completely different personality. It felt more urban, more creative, and more connected to modern design.
I would not choose one over the other if your route allows both.
They work well together because they do not feel like repeats of the same experience.
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How to Fit Burgos and Bilbao Into a Northern Spain Route
Burgos and Bilbao fit nicely into a northern Spain route, especially if you are moving from Portugal and Galicia toward the Basque Country or France.
For example, a route could look something like this:
Lisbon.
Porto.
Vigo.
Santiago de Compostela.
Burgos.
Bilbao.
Then onward toward France.
That kind of route gives you a really interesting mix of places. Lisbon has the hills, tiles, viewpoints, and coastal-city energy. Porto has the river, wine, bridges, and moody charm. Vigo gives you seafood, water, and a less obvious Galicia stop. Santiago gives you the cathedral, Camino energy, and one of the most atmospheric Old Towns in Spain. Burgos gives you history, cathedral beauty, and a quieter Castilian feel. Bilbao gives you Basque culture, the Guggenheim, river walks, bridges, pintxos, and a more modern edge.
That is why I liked this route.
Each city gave me something different.
What to Pack for the Burgos to Bilbao Train
You do not need anything special for the train from Burgos to Bilbao, but a few basics make the ride easier.
Keep your passport or ID somewhere easy to reach.
Have your ticket downloaded or printed.
Bring water and a snack if you like having something with you.
Keep your charger or power bank nearby.
Pack your luggage in a way that makes boarding and getting off easy.
I always like keeping my valuables in a smaller bag that stays with me. That is my rule for trains, buses, flights, and really any travel day.
The ride is not extremely long, but it is still nice to be comfortable and organized.
Tips for Taking the Train From Burgos to Bilbao
Book your ticket ahead if your travel date is fixed.
Check which Burgos station you are leaving from.
Give yourself enough time to get to Burgos Rosa Manzano.
Download your ticket before leaving your accommodation.
Check the arrival station in Bilbao.
Choose central accommodation in Bilbao if your stay is short.
Do not overplan your arrival day.
Use your first afternoon for Casco Viejo, food, or an easy river walk.
That last tip is important.
Travel days can be tiring, even when they are easy. I always try not to overpack the arrival day. It is better to have a simple plan you can actually enjoy than a packed itinerary you are too tired to finish.
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Is Bilbao Worth Visiting After Burgos?
Yes, Bilbao is worth visiting after Burgos.
The two cities feel different enough that Bilbao does not feel like more of the same. Burgos gives you cathedral beauty, historic streets, museums, and a quieter pace. Bilbao gives you Basque Country energy, modern architecture, public art, river walks, pintxos, bridges, and the Guggenheim area.
That shift made the route more interesting.
I think Bilbao works especially well if you are continuing through northern Spain or heading toward France. It is a practical stop, but it is also a city with enough personality to stand on its own.
Even if you only have one day, it is worth making time for Casco Viejo, Mercado de la Ribera, Plaza Nueva, the riverfront, Zubizuri Bridge, Puppy, Maman, and the Guggenheim exterior.
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Final Thoughts on Traveling From Burgos to Bilbao
Traveling from Burgos to Bilbao by train was simple, affordable, and worth it.
My route from Burgos Rosa Manzano to Bilbao Abando took about 2 hours and 50 minutes on an Alvia standard class train. For two tickets, the total was €31.70, which made it an easy and reasonable connection in my northern Spain route.
But more than the logistics, I liked what Bilbao added to the trip.
After Burgos, Bilbao felt like a change in energy. It was still northern Spain, but it had a different rhythm. The Old Town, riverfront, bridges, Guggenheim area, public art, museums, pintxos, and Basque Country feel made it stand apart from the cities I had visited before.
If you are already in Burgos and wondering whether to continue to Bilbao, I would say yes.
Take the train, stay central, give yourself at least one full day, and let Bilbao show you both sides of itself: the historic streets of Casco Viejo and the modern riverfront around the Guggenheim.
Cavetta is the creator of LifeWithVetta.com and has been traveling the world full time since 2020. She has visited more than 60 countries while worldschooling her son and documenting what it really takes to live abroad. Her guides focus on travel, moving abroad, digital nomad life, and designing a life beyond the traditional path.
