Bilbao Airport

Bilbao Airport (BIO), officially Bilbao-Loiu Airport, serves Bilbao, the largest city in the Basque Country and home to the iconic Guggenheim Museum. Located 12 km north of the city center, it features a striking terminal designed by Santiago Calatrava.

The airport has a single terminal with distinctive wave-like architecture that resembles a dove taking flight. A fitting gateway to a city transformed by architectural ambition.

Key airlines: Vueling (largest), Iberia, Air France, Lufthansa, KLM, British Airways, Ryanair, and various European carriers.

BIO is north of Bilbao:

• To Bilbao city center (Moyúa): 12 km, 20-30 minutes
• To Guggenheim Museum: 13 km, 25-30 minutes
• To San Sebastián: 100 km, 75 minutes
• To Vitoria-Gasteiz: 60 km, 50 minutes

Uber does not operate in Bilbao. Use taxis or public transport.

Taxis available from the rank outside arrivals:

• To Bilbao center: €25-35
• To Guggenheim area: €25-35
• To San Sebastián: €140-160

Taxis are metered and reliable.

Bizkaibus A3247

BizkaiBus line A3247 connects to central Bilbao:

• Route: Airport → Termibus (bus station) → Gran Vía → Moyúa
• Journey time: 25-30 minutes
• Frequency: Every 20-30 minutes
• Cost: €3
• Hours: 06:00-00:00

1. Exit arrivals and find the bus stop
2. Purchase ticket from driver (cash) or use Barik card
3. Get off at Moyúa or your central stop

The bus is the most economical option.

Type	Daily Rate	Notes
P1 (covered)	€20/day	Terminal adjacent
P2	€12/day	Short walk
Long Stay	€8/day	Shuttle available

Book online at aena.es for discounts.

BIO has decent dining:

Airside:

• Café/restaurant: Basque pintxos and Spanish food
• Coffee bars
• Quick-service options

Try a pintxo (Basque tapas) before flying—it's what Bilbao is famous for.

Network: Aena Free WiFi

• Cost: Free (30 minutes), then registration
• Speed: Adequate
• Registration via email or social media

SIM cards available from:

• Shops in terminal (limited)
• Better selection in Bilbao city from Movistar, Vodafone, Orange

Spanish prepaid SIM: €10-20 for data packages.

ATMs available in the terminal.

Currency: Euro (€)

Cards widely accepted; cash useful for small pintxo bars.

Airside:

• Duty-free (limited)
• Basque souvenirs
• Spanish products

Sala VIP Sancho el Sabio

• Location: Airside
• Access: Business class, Priority Pass, or €30-35 walk-in
• Amenities: Food, drinks, WiFi
• Hours: 06:00-22:00

Small but comfortable lounge.

Hotels near the airport are limited. Most visitors stay in central Bilbao (20-30 minutes).

Bilbao has transformed from an industrial city into a world-class cultural destination, anchored by the Guggenheim and renowned for pintxos:

Top attractions (with travel time from airport):

• Guggenheim Museum Bilbao: 30 min—Frank Gehry's titanium masterpiece, world-class art
• Casco Viejo (Old Town): 30 min—medieval streets, Cathedral, Seven Streets
• Mercado de la Ribera: 30 min—Europe's largest covered market
• Puente Zubizuri: 30 min—Calatrava's striking white bridge
• San Mamés Stadium: 25 min—Athletic Bilbao's home, stadium tours
• Funicular de Artxanda: 35 min—panoramic views of the city

Pintxos (Basque tapas): Bilbao's pintxo culture is legendary. Head to:

• Casco Viejo: Traditional bars, authentic atmosphere
• Plaza Nueva: Covered square, multiple bars
• Ledesma Street: Modern pintxos, innovative flavors

Must-try pintxos:

• Gilda: Anchovy, olive, pickled pepper on a stick—the original pintxo
• Bacalao: Salt cod in various preparations
• Txistorra: Basque chorizo
• Tortilla: Spanish omelet, Basque style

Basque Country day trips:

• San Sebastián: 75 min—stunning beach city, even better pintxos, three Michelin-starred scene
• Getxo/Portugalete: 30 min—Bizkaia Bridge (UNESCO transporter bridge)
• Gaztelugatxe: 45 min—dramatic island chapel (Game of Thrones Dragonstone)
• Rioja wine region: 90 min—famous wine country to the south
• Guernica: 45 min—historic Basque town, peace museum

Basque cuisine:

• Bacalao a la vizcaína: Salt cod in red pepper sauce
• Marmitako: Tuna and potato stew
• Txuletón: Massive Basque beef steak
• Txakoli: Light, slightly sparkling local white wine
• Idiazabal cheese: Smoky sheep's milk cheese

Local tips:

• Pintxo etiquette: Order 1-2 pintxos per bar, then move to the next
• Txikiteo: Bar-hopping culture—embrace it
• Athletic Bilbao: Local football club with passionate following; only Basque players allowed
• Basque language (Euskera): Signs are bilingual; locals appreciate attempts at Basque phrases
• Siesta: Some shops close 14:00-17:00
• Dinner timing: Spaniards eat late (21:00+); pintxo bars active 19:00-23:00
• September: La Semana Grande festival—biggest celebration
• Green and rainy: Basque Country has a climate similar to northern Europe
• The Guggenheim single-handedly transformed Bilbao's image—the "Bilbao Effect"