Bilbao Airport (BIO) — also known as Bilbao Loiu Airport — sits about 12 km north-east of the city centre. There is no rail or metro link; the main public transport connection is the Bizkaibus A3247 express bus, which runs directly to the city centre in around 25–30 minutes. Taxis are also readily available, and the drive is straightforward.
Bizkaibus A3247: the direct airport bus
The A3247 is the dedicated airport express bus operated by Bizkaibus, the provincial bus company of Bizkaia. It departs from the bus stop outside the arrivals exit and heads into central Bilbao, making a few stops including Gran Vía (the main commercial boulevard), the Abando intermodal station (Bilbao's main rail hub), and the Moyúa area near the Guggenheim Museum.
The full journey from the airport to the city centre takes around 25–30 minutes in normal traffic, though the tunnel section and the approach into Bilbao via the A-8 motorway can slow during commuter peak hours. Buses typically run every 15–30 minutes from early morning until late at night, making this a practical option for most arrival times. Check the current timetable at the Bizkaibus stop outside the terminal or on the Bizkaibus website, as frequency varies by time of day.
Tickets are bought on board from the driver, paying in cash or using the Barik integrated transport card. The Barik card (available from the Bilbao metro and some kiosks) offers discounted fares across Bilbao's metro, tram and buses if you plan to use public transport extensively during your stay — though for a single airport trip, buying on the bus is perfectly fine.
Tip: The A3247 is sometimes called the "Aerobús" locally. It is the only direct bus service to the city centre, so if you miss it, the next one in 15–30 minutes is usually the simplest solution rather than switching to a taxi, unless you are in a hurry.
Other bus options
In addition to the A3247, some other Bizkaibus routes pass closer to the airport and connect to the local town of Loiu and the broader Bizkaia road network. For visitors heading to Bilbao city centre, these are of limited use as they involve changes and take considerably longer than the direct express. For travellers heading to coastal Basque towns such as Getxo or Leioa, there may be more direct bus options — check the Bizkaibus network map for current routes.
Taxi
Licensed taxis wait outside the arrivals hall. The drive to central Bilbao takes around 20–30 minutes in normal traffic, using the A-8 motorway through the Artxanda tunnel or via Begoña into the city. Fares are metered and include an airport supplement. For a solo traveller or a couple with luggage who value door-to-door convenience, the taxi is a sound choice, though it is considerably pricier than the bus.
VTC (private hire) services such as Cabify also operate in Bilbao and can be pre-booked via app. Pick-up is typically in a designated zone outside the terminal.
Rideshare and private transfers
Bilbao is compact enough that pre-booked private transfers are offered by several local operators, particularly catering to visitors attending events at the Guggenheim or the San Mamés football stadium. For most independent travellers, however, the A3247 bus or a metered taxi will be the more practical and cost-effective choice.
Rental car
Car hire desks are in the terminal building. The motorway network from Bilbao airport connects well to the A-8 coastal motorway along the Basque coast and the AP-68 towards Vitoria-Gasteiz and the Spanish interior. A car is particularly useful if you want to explore the Basque coastline, the vineyards of La Rioja (about an hour south), or cross into France via the border at Irún — the motorway connection is excellent.
Within Bilbao, driving is less appealing: the compact old quarter (Casco Viejo) and the city centre streets are busy, and parking is scarce and metered. Consider dropping the car off and using the excellent Bilbao metro and tram within the city.
Bilbao's local transport network
Once you are in the city, Bilbao has a modern metro (two lines), a tram (EuskoTran) running along the river, and a comprehensive bus network. The metro is particularly good for reaching the Guggenheim, the Casco Viejo, the Abando station and the beach suburbs of Getxo. The Barik card works on all of these, including the A3247 bus, and offers a flat discounted per-trip rate.
Bilbao is also a gateway to San Sebastián (Donostia) — about 100 km east by motorway or about 70 minutes by regional train from Abando station. The Basque Country is very walkable between its compact cities.
Getting back to the airport
Pick up the A3247 from any of its city stops — Gran Vía and Abando are the most central. Allow 30–35 minutes to reach the airport, and add time for walking through the terminal. Bilbao Airport handles mainly short-haul European and domestic flights; arrive at least 90 minutes before departure. Security queues at Bilbao are generally manageable, but early morning flights to Madrid are popular with business travellers and queues can build from around 06:00 onwards.
Frequently asked questions
Which bus goes from Bilbao Airport to the city centre?
The Bizkaibus A3247 is the direct airport express bus. It departs from outside the arrivals exit and reaches central Bilbao (Gran Vía and Abando station) in around 25–30 minutes.
Is there a metro or train from Bilbao Airport to the city?
No. Bilbao Airport is not connected to the metro or rail network. The A3247 bus is the only direct public transport link; taxis and rideshare are the alternatives.
How often does the A3247 run?
Roughly every 15–30 minutes from early morning to late at night. Frequency is higher during the day and reduces in the evenings. Check current timetables at the Bizkaibus stop or on the Bizkaibus website.
How much does a taxi from Bilbao Airport to the city centre cost?
Taxis are metered with an airport supplement added at the start. The fare to the city centre is higher than the bus, but reasonable when shared between two or more travellers. Exact fares depend on traffic and destination.
Sources and further reading:
- Bus routes and timetables: Bizkaibus (Diputación Foral de Bizkaia).
- Airport transport information: Aena (Bilbao Airport, BIO).
- Bilbao metro and Barik card: Bilbobus / Metro Bilbao.