My family is travelling between Barcelona and Bilbao in June/July 2010. I’m looking for pros/cons of travel options. I have researched the options as far as the Renfe, ALSA, Vueling, and Ryan Air websites for costs and schedules. I’d like to hear from those who have travelled this route.

Is this route scenic? Would bus/train be enjoyable for the scenic value?

How comfortable is the ALSA ‘normal” bus? Has anyone taken the overnight bus on this route? I’m somewhat concerned about luggage on the bus- we travel light but luggage storage on a bus seems minimal- under the bus worries me a bit- should this worry me?

How comfortable is the Renfe train on this route?

How much of a hassle is the Vueling flight- when adding in the ground transport in Barcelona and Bilbao?

Thanks,
Mary

No, the route is not scenic. Most of it runs through flat, deserted land.

ALSA buses are extremely comfortable, clean and modern. You need not to worry about your luggage, it´s perfectly ok.

Vueling is the best option, there´s very good connection between Barcelona airport and downtown, and Bilbao airport is just 10 minutes away (taxi-20 minutes by bus) to city centre.

Frankly, I would take the plane. I have traveled quite a bit by bus within Spain, including Alsa buses. I like Bus travel, but for segments less than 4 hrs. One time I did a 5-6 hr segment and I was dizzy by the time I got to my destination. Never again would I do such a long ride. I hated using the little bathroom in the bus.

I have stored my lugagge in the "belly" of the bus, the driver usually helps you to get it in and out. I wouldn't worry about anything happening to your lugagge there.

If you are checking lugagge on your Vueling flights , make sure you quantify the fees for that, it will add up. You should check the cost of the Iberia flights between BCN and Bilbao, it might not be that much difference once you gactor the extra costs.

Iberia and Vueling are code share airlines, so they do not compete on the routes/times. Vueling has direct flights from Barcelona to Bilbao while Iberia flies through Madrid. There is a luggage restriction on all of the Barcelona-Bilbao flights of 10 kg for carry-on (1 only) and up to 23 kg for checked luggage in Economy Class.

The code share situation must be a recent thing. I flew Iberia a couple of years ago from BCN to Bilbao.

I have traveled on ALSA Bilbao-Barcelona (Sants). The most memorable thing for me was the rest/lunch stop. Unlike some other 'long haul' Bus trips I have taken, the Restaurant/Service Plaza where this one stopped was quite good: the food & drink were excellent as were the facilities. But you've got to remember exactly where the Bus is parked.

I agree: there's not much scenery; although you can see the foothills of the Pyrenees to the north of the Bus route. As I recall, it was about a 9-hour trip including rest/lunch stop

Vueling and Clickair have just merged. Clickair was the low cost company of Iberia.

Thanks so much to all for your advice. NEDSIRELAND- good to hear about your experience on the bus. I had initially planned on flying but airfares on Vueling and Ryanair have shot up for this route for late June/July making the train fare comparable and the bus fare the least expensive.

Any advice on purchase of tickets for bus or train? We are a family group of 7 and we'd like to get seats together. Does this route fill up in late june early July?





Any advice on purchase of tickets for bus or train? We are a family group of 7 and we'd like to get seats together. Does this route fill up in late june early July?