*daily rates in Bilbao Airport based on a 1 day rental (24hr period) and for guidance purposes only.
*average daily rates based on 7 day rental, search for todays best prices.
Bilbao Airport Mini Guide
The Airport
Bilbao Airport is situated 9km north of the city of Bilbao in Basque Country, Spain. It is famous for the design of its terminal, made of white concrete and glass, it has two wings from its centre. The building is nicknamed ‘La Paloma’ or the dove. Last year it welcomed over 5 million people to Spain a five percent increase on the previous year and several new routes have been added, notably by Ryanair potentially increasing numbers further..
How can I get There?
Scheduled and budget airlines operate out of Bilbao Airport, some routes are seasonal. The scheduled services fly to many of Spain’s cities and some of Europe’s capital cities. To travel further afield, you could use
Paris or
Brussels to connect flights.
How Easy is it to get to the City?
By car, there are four routes into the city and the airport is clearly signed from the highway. Alternatively, take the BizkaiBus line 3247 from the airport to the central bus station or Moyua Square. It leaves every 20 minutes and the journey takes between 10 and 15 minutes.
What if I Need Help at the Airport?
The airport offers a support service for passengers with reduced mobility or those with disabilities. There are five meeting points at the airport for this facility.
What is There at the Airport?
There are eight ATMs and a currency exchange booth available in the terminal. If you need to use a business centre or just relax before your flight, there are two VIP lounges for a small fee. In arrivals, you will find desks for tourist information and hotel reservations, should you need them. If you have reserved a Rhino hire car, take the connecting glass gallery to the P1 car park and on the ground floor, you will find the car hire offices.
Can I do Some Shopping?
Buy some gourmet delights or local specialities at Sibarium delicatessen. If fashion is your thing, head for Les Boutiques and browse luxury brands such as Furla and Burberry. Aldeasa Duty Free has all your wines and spirits and fragrances at tax free prices, look out for their special offers! If you are just looking for a newspaper and some water, go to Relay. Aeroshops is the perfect place to buy a souvenir from Biscay or something from Athletic Bilbao Football Club.
What If I’m Hungry?
In departures you have a choice of coffee shops, for a quick bite try Café Loiu or Cafeteria Ganeko. If you have time, you should visit Restaurante and try a local dish, such as bacalao al pil-pil (Basque cod) or steak with Idiazabal cheese.
Anything I can see Nearby?
Highlights of the city of Bilbao include the Guggenheim Museum and the church of San Nico de Bari. You can explore the old quarter of the city and meander around the seven streets district.
Can I Stay at the Airport?
The nearest hotel to the airport is the Holiday Inn Express just two minutes drive away by the hotel’s shuttle bus service. It is a 3 star hotel with modern rooms and Wi-Fi, at extra cost. A buffet breakfast is served every day and the lobby bar is open in the evening for your convenience. You can still get to the city, as buses depart from outside the hotel.
- With the airport nearing capacity, work began in 2009 to extend the terminal in order to double the number of passengers it could service. Work is due to be completed by 2014 but in the meantime some disruption, for which you should allow a little extra time, may be encountered.
- Several new European routes start from Bilbao this summer and for travellers from the UK, these can be useful ways of getting to destinations such as Athens, Rome, Lisbon and Fuerteventura, using Bilbao as a hub.