Bilbao’s international airport (BIO) is a 20-minute drive from the city centre. In this article we’ll explain how to get there, what’s at the airport and where you can fly to and from.
Getting to and from Bilbao Airport
Bilbao city centre <> Bilbao Airport
Bilbao Airport is located in the outskirt town of Loiu and cannot be reached by train or metro – although there are plans to extend the metro system so it reaches that area.
The easiest way to travel to and from Bilbao Airport is by bus. If you’re coming from or going to Bilbao, you’ll need to catch the A3247 Bizkaibus line (green buses).
The A3247 going to Bilbao leaves the airport from a stop outside the arrivals hall every 20 minutes between 06:00 and 00:00 in the winter (November to March) and every 15 minutes in the summer (April to October) from 06:10 until 23:40, with one final bus also leaving at 00:00.
This bus stops at Alameda Recalde 14, Gran Via 46 (just after Plaza Moyua), Gran Via 74 and Bilbao Intermodal (San Mames). If there’s no traffic, the journey only takes 20 minutes from the airport to Plaza Moyua in the city centre.
A single ticket costs around €3 (they recently updated their systems so passengers can now pay by contactless card too). If this is a return trip to Bilbao, use your Barik travel card for a reduced rate of €1.14 (don’t forget to tap in and tap out).
When taking the A3247 from the city centre to the airport, get on at either Bilbao Intermodal, Gran Via 79, Plaza Moyua, or Alameda Recalde 11.
From November to March, the buses leave Bilbao Intermodal every 20 minutes from 05:00 until 22:00. From April to October, there’s a bus every 15 minutes.
A single ticket costs €3, but is only €0.99 with a Barik card.
Download the Bizkaibus mobile phone app to help you figure out where you need to go.
For more information about using buses to get around Bilbao during your stay, check out our guide.
Donostia/San Sebastian <> Bilbao Airport
There are also regular direct buses connecting Bilbao Aiport with San Sebastian’s city centre, with a stop in the town of Zarautz.
The first daily D004 bus departs from Donostia Bus Station at 05:00 and there is one every hour until 21:00, with the journey taking around one hour and 15 minutes. A ticket costs €12.90 and can be purchased here.
Buses from Bilbao Airport to Donostia begin at 07:45 and every hour until 22:45, and the final one departs at 00:00. A ticket for this bus also costs €12-90.
Arrasate <> Bilbao Airport
The DG12 goes between Bilbao Airport and the town of Arrasate/Mondragón, with stops in Oñati (only first departure at 05:00), San Prudentzio, Bergara and Eibar.
The bus leaves Arrasate at 05:15, 08:00, 11:00, 14:00, 17:15 and 21:15, taking roughly one hour and 15 minutes to get to the airport.
Buses from the airport leave at 06:45, 09:45, 12:45, 15:45 and 19:15, with a final bus that also goes to Oñati leaving at 23:15.
You can purchase tickets in advance via this website.
For both the D004 and DG12, please check the relevant timetables on the Lurraldebus website.
Taxi and Uber
There is a taxi rank outside the airport’s arrivals area. The journey to Bilbao takes about 15 minutes and will cost around €25-€35. A taxi from Bilbao to the airport will cost roughly the same amount.
The two main taxi companies in Bilbao are:
Radio Taxi – (+34) 944 448 888
Tele Taxi – (+34) 944 102 121
You can also take an Uber to and from the airport. There is a specific designated Uber area on Floor 1 of the airport’s general car park. Follow the signs when leaving the arrivals hall.
Get Your Guide Private Transport
Alternatively, you can book private transfers all over the Basque Country via getyourguide.com
Getting through Bilbao Airport
It’s a relatively small airport and it only takes a few minutes to go through security, even when it’s busy. However, the lines occasionally can be longer during peak times.
There is only one main terminal and there 14 departure gates, so there’s very little opportunity to get lost or miss your flight.
The airport is open from 05:00 to 00:00. You will not be allowed in overnight.
Our advice is to get to the airport around one hour before your flight departs if you don’t need to check in, and get there 90 minutes before departure if you do need to check in.
There’s a cafe and a WHS Smith in the landside lounge, while there are a range of bars, cafes and duty-free shops in the departure hall after going through the security.
Bilbao Airport Hotels
If you have an early flight and feel more comfortable sleeping closer to the airport, there are two nearby hotels.
Holiday Inn Express Bilbao Airport
Hotel New Bilbao Airport
Bilbao Airport flight routes
Bilbao Airport is one of Europe’s major flight hubs and currently offers direct routes to 19 different countries and 41 destinations outside of Spain.
There are daily flights all week to London Gatwick, Istanbul, Lisbon, Amsterdam, Dublin, Frankfurt, Munich, Paris and Brussels.
The airport’s network is constantly increasing. For example, in what is seen as a coup for Bilbao Airport and the city, there are now direct transatlantic flights between Bilbao and Newark, New Jersey (close to New York city), whilst WizzAir now run flights to London Luton as well.
Search below to find flights to Bilbao from where you live.
Public transport in Bilbao
We have an in-depth post with more information about public transport in Bilbao, with guidance on the metro system, buses, trains and trams in the city.
