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 5 (EUR 1.19 with Barik) | Cash, Barik card, or bank card at the airport cabin |
| Taxi (workday) | EUR 27 | Aena published fare to Bilbao |
| Taxi (public holiday) | EUR 30 | Aena published fare to Bilbao |
| Private transfer (sedan) | Fixed, quoted at booking | Fixed price, door to door |
| Private transfer (minivan) | Fixed, quoted at booking | Groups or heavy luggage |
| Rental car | Varies by company and season | Plus fuel and parking |
Fixed-price private transfer
BIO Bilbao City Center
From€45for 2 passengers
4 passengers: €120 per vehicle, about €30 per person
- Fixed price, no meter
- Flight tracked
- 60 min free waiting
- Driver meets you at arrivals
- Free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup
Other destinations
Cost by destination
| Destination | Taxi | Transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Bilbao (Plaza Moyua, Casco Viejo, Guggenheim) | EUR 27 workday / EUR 30 holiday | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Getxo | Metered — check at the rank | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| San Sebastian (~100 km) | Metered — no fixed Aena rate for this route | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Vitoria-Gasteiz | Metered — check at the rank | Fixed, quoted at booking |
The Bilbao city figure is Aena's fare guidance for the airport rank. Destinations further out, like San Sebastian, have no published fixed rate and run on the regulated meter — ask at the rank before you set off, or book a fixed-price transfer.
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. The airport bus does not require exact change, and you can pay by bank card at the Bizkaibus cabin — but a Barik card cuts the fare from EUR 5 to EUR 1.19, which is a large saving rather than a small one.
Bottom line
The bus at EUR 5 — or EUR 1.19 with a Barik card — is hard to argue with for budget travelers. For two people sharing, the EUR 27 workday taxi fare works out to about EUR 13.50 each — still very affordable. Private transfers cost more but remove all uncertainty, especially for onward journeys to San Sebastian or the wine country.
When a private transfer from BIO is the right choice
- Three or more people: a 4-seat car to Bilbao City Center is from €120, about €30 per person, usually level with or below separate public-transport tickets once you count the walk, the wait and the last mile with bags.
- Going to a specific address rather than the main station: the car goes to the door, so the public-transport fare is not the whole cost of the trip.
- Arriving tired or late: the driver waits at arrivals with your name, included for 60 minutes after landing.
BIO → Bilbao City Center from €45Fixed price, flight tracked, free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup.