Best way to travel from Salamanca to Bilbao?

Posted by angietornes on 07/29/24 08:21 PM

These are the options I've discovered so far:

1) Asla bus company: takes either 5hr15m or 5hr45m, depending on departure times offers more departure times; prices same as train or a bit more for faster option.
2) Alvia, Renfe's high speed trains take equally as long as the buses
3) BlaBlaCar, one hour shorter than bus and train; Spain's ride share analgo to Uber: but much cheaper; ride option availability only becomes available a few days prior to departure. This is a long time to be driving with someone unfamiliar...which could be a positive and/or a negative.

I'd appreciate any insight/advice, thanks.

Posted by Jazz+Travels

Chicago

07/29/24 08:40 PM

8165 posts

The Alsa bus has a toilet on board and makes 20 minute stops at rest stations along the highway where you can get off stretch your legs, smoke, and buy a snack if you for get to bring your own on board.
The train is more comfortable because there is more space and a toilet on each connecting car.
I'd go with the train if you can afford the ticket. The train sometime has someone coming through selling snacks also if you forget to bring your on and feel like you need something.

Posted by jaimeelsabio

Mid-Atlantic area

07/29/24 09:29 PM

7157 posts

The quickest way is a rental car and would take just over four hours. There are a number of rental companies by the Salamanca train station, including Avis, Alamo, Europcar, Enterprise, and Budget. The route to Bilbao couldn’t get any easier. Get on the E80 highway and stay on it until you arrive. You could stop in Tordesillas for a quick look around. The town is small. Years ago we enjoyed touring the Royal Convent of Santa Clara. Also en route is Burgos. It has a beautiful cathedral with the tomb of El Cid and his wife Jimena. There is some free parking about a 10 minutes walk from the cathedral on the other side of the river. Finally, you pass very near Vitoria-Gasteiz. I haven’t spent any time there, but it’s supposedly nice to visit. So, rather than going straight from point A to B, you could make a full day of it by visiting some interesting locations.

If you might rent a car for any part of your trip, get an IDP at AAA before going over. Time of year and length of your stay will obviously affect what you do.

Posted by angietornes OP

07/30/24 06:42 PM

2 posts

Thanks very much both whom replied for this info. It's good to know the preference for train over bus in this situation and, adding another good option, simply renting a car to make a day of it. With two of us, the price is a wash and we do like the possibility of stopping by Burgos Cathedral, etc.

Very helpful! Thanks again.