Bilbao Airport (BIO) Information
(Bilbao, Biscay, Basque Country, Spain)
The dove-shaped design of Bilbao Airport's new terminal is as unique as this Basque city's famous Guggenheim Museum. Visitors can watch excited passengers reunite with loved ones from the viewing gallery, while gates and check-in counters arranged like fans are situated on the upper Departures floor.
Since the turn of the new millennium, Bilbao Airport's annual passenger traffic increased from slightly over 2.5 million to more than four million, making this one of Spain's fastest-growing air facilities. It takes just 20 minutes to reach central Bilbao from the airport by bus, car or taxi.
Bilbao Airport offers direct flights to destinations throughout Spain and the rest of the European Union. A stunning 300-metre / 985-foot long observation tunnel, constructed entirely from glass, connects the upper and lower floors.
Bilbao Airport (BIO)
Address: 48180 Loiu / Vizcaya, Bilbao, Biscay, Spain
Tel: +34 944 869 664
Bilbao Airport lies only 12 km / 7 miles north of the city and not much further from other Basque holiday destinations such as
San Sebastian, Pamplona and France's south-west coast. The contemporary terminal, which first opened in 2000, was designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.
Bilbao Airport (BIO) Guide
Facilities:
- Spacious viewing gallery
- Duty free shopping zone
- Retail outlets on each floor
- Currency exchange in Baggage Claim
- Car hire from National, Hertz, Europcar and Avis at Baggage Claim
- Pharmacy and medical centre
- Room for parents
- Business and tourist information centres on two floors
- A total of 3,000 parking spaces within two car parks
Cars
The A8 links Bilbao Airport with San Sebastian and south-west
France, while the AP68 connects the city to
Madrid,
Barcelona and several other Spanish cities. Although the drive along the Corredor del Txorierri between Bilbao and the airport is fairly straightforward, navigation becomes more complicated within the city limits.
Constant construction and hilly streets make the city a little difficult to navigate, especially when drivers are unfamiliar with the layout. Of note, motorists can reach the city in roughly 18 to 20 minutes.
Buses
The main bus line between Bilbao's city centre and airport, Bizkaibus, departs once each half-hour, from early morning until midnight, taking no more than 30 minutes to reach the city. Some local hotels grant courtesy bus transfers.
It takes between four and five hours to reach Madrid from the city's TermiBus station, which also provides regular one hour and 15 minute journeys to
Santander and one-hour long journeys to San Sebastian. Automóviles Luarca S.A. (ALSA) offers frequent bus routes between Bilbao and Santander.
Taxis
Tel: +34 944 800 909
If you are looking for convenience, then taxis often fit the bill, connecting the city centre and various other surrounding destinations and municipalities within the Basque Country, such as Barakaldo, Erandio, Getxo, Portugalete and Sestao.