Bilbao Airport - Flight Information and Guide (BIO)

Bilbao Airport is the gateway to the Basque Country and is internationally renowned for its terminal, nicknamed 'La Paloma' for its bird-wing shape, designed by architect Santiago Calatrava.

Located approximately 12 km from Bilbao's city center, the city has undergone profound urban transformation in recent decades, becoming one of northern Spain's most visited cultural destinations.

Content verified on 06/09/2026

Official source: www.aena.es/en/bilbao.html

How to get to Bilbao Airport

Bilbao is connected to its airport via a direct and efficient bus service, with no need for transfers to reach the city centre.

By Car

Those arriving by car follow the A-8 motorway, with a dedicated and clearly marked exit to the terminal, just a few minutes from Bilbao city center.

By Train

There is no railway station at the airport: rail connection to the city centre is achieved by first reaching the city by bus or taxi.

By Bus

The Bizkaibus A3247 line connects the airport directly to Bilbao city centre with services every 30 minutes (5:25-00:00); a ticket costs 3 euros in cash on board, 1.70 euros with the reloadable Barik card.

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Tips The Bizkaibus remains generally the simplest and most economical solution for the city centre, without need to consider rail alternatives.

Average travel time to BIO

TrainNot available

Shuttle bus30 minutes

Taxi / Private hire20-25 minutes

Parking near Bilbao Airport

Parking areas P1 and P2, located right in front of the terminal, cover both short and multi-day stays, with covered pedestrian pathways that make access convenient even with heavy luggage.

P1 (General): 2.95 euros/hour, cap of 23.50 euros/day; the AENA Long Stay P2 parking starts at 8 euros/day for longer stays.

How to get to Bilbao from BIO

The Bizkaibus A3247 line connects the airport directly to Bilbao city center in approximately 30 minutes, with frequent service throughout the day; since there is no railway station at the airport, the bus remains the most practical solution.

By Train

There is no railway station at the airport: rail connection to the city center is via metro, not via a Renfe station within the airport.

By Bus

The A3247 line stop is located just outside the terminal's arrivals area, well signposted.

By Taxi

Official taxis wait in the arrivals area; the meter is standard for trips to Bilbao city center, approximately 25-30€.

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Car rental at Bilbao Airport

The main car rental companies, including Hertz, Avis, and Europcar, have dedicated desks in the terminal, convenient for those wanting to explore the Basque Country beyond Bilbao alone.

Car rental is particularly useful for reaching areas such as the Basque coast or San Sebastián, which are not always easy to visit using only public transportation.

A driver's license, passport, and credit card are required; in most cases an International Driving Permit (IDP) is also required.

Hotels near Bilbao Airport

Bizkaibus's A3247 bus connects Loiu airport to the center of Bilbao in 15-20 minutes, with stops at Gran Vía, Plaza Moyúa and Alameda Recalde, every 15-20 minutes from 6 to midnight: no need for a taxi, even with luggage. With no hotels on the airport grounds, the real choice is between areas of the city. Casco Viejo, pedestrian and full of pintxos bars, is the most pleasant base for those who want to get around on foot; Gran Vía and Abando remain more convenient for those arriving late who want to get off the bus a few steps from their accommodation; Deusto, across the river, offers a quieter, more affordable alternative.

City centre

Casco Viejo

bus A3247 from the airport to Plaza Moyúa or Abando (15-20 minutes), then a few minutes on foot or by metro

Best for: those who want to walk around the Siete Calles and the pintxos bars

Pros

Historic lanes full of bars and shops
Cathedral and the Arriaga theater a few steps away

Cons

Pedestrian streets, hard to arrive by car
Can be noisy in the evening on weekends

Recommended hotels

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City centre

Gran Vía and Abando

the A3247 bus from the airport stops directly on Gran Vía (15-20 minutes)

Best for: those arriving on the airport bus who want to get off a few steps from their accommodation

Pros

Airport bus stop right outside
Shops, banks and restaurants open late

Cons

Less distinctive than Casco Viejo
Traffic and noise of a major city artery

Recommended hotels

GRAN VÍA Bilbao & Parking gratis by ALOHA Bilbao Apartment with free parking right on Gran Vía, close to the San Mamés metro. View availability

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Neighbourhood

Deusto

bus A3247 to the center (15-20 minutes), then another metro ride to Deusto

Best for: those looking for a more affordable stay while still being a few minutes by metro from the center

Pros

Lower prices than in the center
Quiet residential area near the university

Cons

Requires changing transport from the airport
Fewer evening venues compared to Casco Viejo

Recommended hotels

Habitaciones Arrisal Renovated rooms in a residential area, an affordable option with broad and consistent feedback. View availability

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Airport services

A Santiago Calatrava architectural work, the terminal offers services aligned with Bilbao's role as the primary gateway to the Basque Country.

Shopping & Duty Free

The duty-free area offers fragrances, alcoholic beverages, and Basque products including txakoli (the local white wine) and idiazábal cheese.

Lounges & relaxation

A VIP lounge located beyond security screening offers pay-per-visit access or is accessible via major travel credit cards.

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

Free WiFi managed by Aena covers the entire terminal area. For a local SIM, national carriers (Movistar, Vodafone, Orange) often have a counter or ATM at the airport—convenient if you'd rather not search the city. All offer eSIM activation with an ID document.

Families & Children

Parents will find diaper changing and nursing facilities in the central areas of the terminal.

Terminal guide

The terminal, an architectural work by Santiago Calatrava inaugurated in 2000, is a single multi-level building with expansive glass surfaces that strongly characterize the visual experience of those passing through.

Check-in, security, and boarding areas are distributed in a linear and intuitive manner, making navigation relatively straightforward despite the terminal's considerable dimensions.

Walking from check-in to gate typically takes just a few minutes, given the compact structure of the terminal called 「La Paloma」.

Map of Bilbao Airport

Frequently asked questions

Q. How do you get to downtown Bilbao from the airport?

With the Bizkaibus A3247 bus line, which connects the airport directly to the city centre in about 30 minutes.

Q. How much does a taxi cost from Bilbao airport to the centre?

The ride takes 20-25 minutes: since the public bus service is limited in the evening, a taxi often remains the most practical solution outside peak hours.