Bilbao Airport is about 12 km from the city center, and transport costs are reasonable compared to many European airports.
Cost breakdown by transport type
| Transport | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bizkaibus A3247 | EUR 3 | Cash or Barik card |
| Taxi (daytime) | EUR 25-30 | Metered, to city center |
| Taxi (night/weekend) | EUR 28-35 | Supplement of EUR 3-5 applies |
| Private transfer (sedan) | EUR 35-45 | Fixed price, door to door |
| Private transfer (minivan) | EUR 45-60 | Groups or heavy luggage |
| Rental car | From EUR 30/day | Plus fuel and parking |
Cost by destination
| Destination | Taxi | Transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Plaza Moyua | EUR 25-30 | EUR 35-45 |
| Casco Viejo | EUR 25-32 | EUR 35-45 |
| Guggenheim Museum area | EUR 22-28 | EUR 35-45 |
| Getxo | EUR 15-20 | EUR 30-40 |
| San Sebastian | EUR 180-220 | EUR 150-190 |
| Vitoria-Gasteiz | EUR 100-130 | EUR 90-120 |
What affects the price
Taxi fares increase after 21:00 and on weekends and public holidays. Luggage does not carry an extra charge in taxis. Traffic during morning rush hour (08:00-09:30) can add a few euros to a metered taxi ride.
For destinations outside Bilbao, a pre-booked transfer almost always costs less than a taxi because the price is agreed in advance rather than running on a meter for a long highway drive.
Hidden costs to watch for
There are no hidden tolls on the route to central Bilbao. Parking in the city center runs about EUR 1.50-2.50/hour in public garages if you rent a car. The airport bus does not require exact change, but a Barik card gives a small discount on repeat rides.
Bottom line
The bus at EUR 3 is hard to argue with for budget travelers. For two or more people sharing, a taxi at EUR 25-30 works out to roughly EUR 12-15 per person — still very affordable. Private transfers cost more but remove all uncertainty, especially for onward journeys to San Sebastian or the wine country.