Hi All,
Have heard that the Alsa bus is comfortable and reliable vs. the Renfe train system which rarely loads schedules early enough to be practical. I would prefer the train, but apparently for the hassle factor of Renfe, the bus is a more suitable replacement.
Conundrum:I don't think I can sit for 4 hours straight on a bus, without being able to walk around a bit.
Have any of you taken the bus? Does Alsa stop and provide a chance to move around a bit? Realize that the seats may be nicely upholstered in leather, but are they comfortable? (Just fyi: I have been seated in airline 1st class seats that were older & very uncomfortable.)

Would very much appreciate your advice, as I don't see any other alternatives, besides the airport (ugh).

Thank you!
pepperment

There´s this recurrent thing about buses in Spain, and for some reason US visitors do not consider them as an adequate means of transport. So, to clarify this point: bus (coach) transport in Spain is excellent. Clean, safe, very frequent, quick, modern, full equipped, toilets, wifi and ammenities in long-distance (Madrid-Bilbao, for example) routes...and quite cheap too. Buses on this route stop for around 20min for a coffee and something quick to eat, so you can stretch your legs. Leather seats in Premium Class, rest are also very comfortable, reclinable and with ample room for your legs. Public transport is outstanding in Spain, so take advantage of it!

The Alsa bus SUPRA service (VIP) from Madrid airport to Bilbao departing at 9:15 is direct, arriving in Bilbao at 13;45. (at least it is for the September date that I just checked).

The SUPRA service Alsa bus departing at 11:30 from San Sebastián to the Madrid airport (or the later one departing at 14:30) makes only 1 stop in Vitoria.

To book a one way ticket, simply don't put in a date for the return.

Again, Alsa is not your American Greyhound.

On September 19 from Madrid airport, which is closer to Bilbao than the Estación Sur de Autobuses in the southern part of city, where the buses originate, their second stop in the city is the Intercambiador at Avenida de América, on the direct route to the airport. From the airport there is a Supra service (VIP) departure at 9:15, which reaches Bilbao's Intermodal station at 13:25, a ride of 4 hours, 10 minutes. Non-stop. Faster than the train.

Depending on where you're staying, or if you're arriving at the airport that day and can make the 9:15 bus from the airport, it's the quickest way to go.

Alsa makes 2 stops within the city of Madrid, first from its starting point, the Estación Sur (south) de Autobuses, then the Intercambiador de Avenida de América in the Salamanca district, which is a bus-metro hub in the mid-north part of the city, then from there, the bus goes directly to the airport. From the airport, the 9:15 Supra service (the VIP service) is non-stop.

In short, if you catch the Alsa bus in Madrid from its starting point, the southern Estación de Autobuses, (Madrid's principal bus station), then this bus will have its first stop within the city, in the mid-north section of Madrid at the Intercambiador at Avenida de América (bus/metro interchange) and then the 2nd stop will be at the Madrid airport before connecting to the A-1 autoroute that will take the bus directly north to Bilbao. That's why Also lists 2 stops for the 9:15 on its route to Bilbao. Both of these stops are within the city of Madrid, before continuing on directly from the Madrid airport on the A-1 autoroute to the Intermodal bus station in Bilbao.

That's how Also works in Madrid in its routing to the north.