Bilbao airport (BIO), in Loiu, is the main airport of the Basque Country, about 12 km from the city. Its white terminal, by Santiago Calatrava, is nicknamed "La Paloma", the dove. Here is how to get on your way.
To Bilbao city centre
- Bus (Bizkaibus A3247): about 20 minutes to the centre, stopping on Gran Vía, at Plaza Moyua and at the main bus station (Termibus). It runs every 15 – 30 minutes from early morning to late evening; pay on board.
- Taxi: about 20 minutes to the centre, from the rank outside arrivals.
To San Sebastián
A direct bus runs from outside arrivals to San Sebastián's bus station in about 1 h 15 – 1 h 20, roughly every hour (more often in summer). See getting to San Sebastián.
Car hire
The rental desks are in the arrivals hall. Most of the coast and the inland villages are easier by car; Bilbao and San Sebastián themselves are easier without one.
Data on arrival
The first things you will need are on your phone: the bus timetable, your hotel's address, a taxi app, messages home. Install a data eSIM for Spain before you fly, switch it on when you land, and you are online at the baggage belt, without hunting for Wi-Fi or removing your own SIM.
Check bus timetables and fares on Bizkaibus and the airport's website before you travel; they change by season.