If you don’t fancy walking, or aren’t a fan of metros, buses are a cheap and efficient method to explore Bilbao. There are two main bus companies: Bilbaobus, the red inner-city buses, and Bizkaibus, which service the wider province of Biscay.
Located in the San Mames neighbourhood, Bilbao’s main bus station is called Bilbao Intermodal. Intermodal is the central hub for Bilbobuses, Bizkaibuses and long-distance coaches.
LOCAL TIP – If you plan on using public transport in Bilbao or Biscay during your stay, we advise that you purchase a Barik card upon arrival. They cost €3, can be bought and topped up at special machines in any Bilbao metro station, and can be used on any form of public transport in the province.
For more information about general public transport in Bilbao, please check out this in-depth guide.
Bilbobus (city buses)
You will see red Bilbobuses everywhere in Bilbao. They are spacious and comfortable, usually run on time, and most of them are either fully electric or hybrid.
There are 141 buses split across 41 regular lines on a network of 535 stops throughout Bilbao. According to Bilbobuses’ official website, 99.8% of Bilbao’s population lives within 300 metres of a bus stop.
Depending on your nearest stop, it’s unusual that you will need to wait over ten minutes for a bus anywhere in Bilbao. What’s more, most stops are covered and have a screen with information about next arrivals.
You make a one-off payment regardless of time or distance when boarding a Bilbobus. If you have a Barik card, a journey will cost you €0.35, while an ordinary ticket is €1.50 – drivers won’t accept bills of more than €20.
The only downside is that most Bilbobuses are not yet equipped to accept contactless card payment. You must use a Barik card or cash.
The buses have plenty of seats, some of which are reserved for the elderly or disabled, in addition to a couple of spaces for prams, buggies and wheelchairs. Bear in mind that if both spaces are already occupied, the driver might not be able to let you on the bus if you have a pram or buggy.
Most vehicles also have an onboard screen with information about upcoming stops and what other lines are available at those stops.
Bilbobuses has a mobile phone app which also offers real-time information. We recommend downloading it before visiting Bilbao – Bilbobus App
City view tourist bus
Bilbobus also runs a double-decker tourist bus which takes in all of Bilbao’s most important sights. In the summer months the buses leave every 30 minutes from close to the Guggenheim Museum. In the off-peak season, they depart every hour.
The route has 11 stops and takes about 55 minutes from start to finish.
The bus comes with audioguides in 13 different languages, including a separate guide for children in English, Basque and Spanish.
Tickets cost €16 for an adult, €7 for children aged between six and 12, and are free for children under six.
For more information please check the company’s official website.
Bizkaibus (provincial buses)
These are the big green buses you’ll see around Bilbao. However, while they do have many stops in the city, Bizkaibuses are more like coaches than regular buses and predominantly serve the wider province of Biscay.
Getting a Bizkaibus is a great option if you’re looking to leave Bilbao and visit nearby sights or towns like San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Gernika, Plentzia or Lekeitio.
As they’re designed to travel longer distances, there’s less room for standing but more seating and the seats are generally more comfortable than on Bilbobuses.
Furthermore, all Bizkaibuses have free WIFI onboard as well as USB charging outlets. There are also screens displaying the names of upcoming stops to help you keep track of where you are.
Another difference is that, unlike Bilbobuses, when using a Barik card you must tap in and tap out on these buses.
Bizkaibus prices are based on a zoning system. There are five zones. the more you cross, the more expensive your journey will be.
WITH A BARIK CARD
ZONE 1 – €0.99
ZONE 2 – €1.14
ZONE 3 – €1.39
ZONE 4 – €1.80
ZONE 5 – €2.45
WITHOUT A BARIK CARD
ZONE 1 – €1.35
ZONE 2 – €1.50
ZONE 3 – €1.90
ZONE 4 – €2.55
ZONE 5 – €3.35
Bizkaibus also has a mobile phone application with detailed information about its routes, timetables and network of bus stops. Download the Bizkaibus app here.
The Bilbao Airport bus
Bizkaibus run the A2347, the only bus line which goes from Bilbao city centre to the airport. Unlike other Bizkaibuses it is equipped to accept contactless card payments.
The journey takes about 20 minutes to and from the airport, and there are four main stops: Bilbao Intermodal, Plaza Moyua (the main roundabout in the middle of the city), Gran Via and Alameda Recalde.
A single journey, to or from the airport, costs €0.99 with a Barik card, but a regular ticket will set you back €3.
Bilbao to airport
Here is the timetable for the bus that goes from Bilbao city centre to the airport. Buses leave Intermodal every 20 minutes from November to March and every 15 minutes from April to October.
Airport to Bilbao
The image below contains information about the bus from Bilbao Airport to the city centre. The prices are the same as the reverse routes. However, the timetables are slightly different depending on the time of year.
We have a detailed guide with more information about Bilbao’s airport, which includes advice about transport, nearby hotels and going through security.
