Bilbao Airport

Bilbao Airport (BIO)

Just like Bilbao itself the airport in the city has also undergone a facelift in the past few years. In 2000 the new terminal started to be used. It is a design from architect Santiago Calatrava and represents a flying dove. The building has two levels. The Departures Hall is on the second level and the Arrivals Hall on the first. Moreover, the numbers of passengers transported are growing so fast that this terminal will probably be too small in a few years.

The Bilbao Airport particularly processes domestic flights (almost 75% in total). The national Spanish airline also has connections to international destinations, but most international travelers use the budget airline EasyJet. Ryanair uses the airport from Santander, west of Bilbao.

Local transport

Train

There is no train connection with the airport, but Bizkaibus goes to the bus and train station in Bilbao. Trains go daily from Bilbao to the Chamartín Station in Madrid and to a few other places in the surrounding area.

Car and bus

The airport is 12 kilometers north of Bilbao in the district Loiu. From the airport you follow the BI-631 to the south. This road connects to the N-637 north of Bilbao where there are different exits to the city. West of Bilbao the road connects to the A8, the highway along the Spanish north coast.

Bizkaibus A-3247 leaves every 30 minutes to the centre of Bilbao. This takes about 45 minutes. More information through tel: +34(0)902 222 265. From the bus station in Bilbao (TermiBus) there are regular connections with Santander (90 min.), San Sebastian (60 min.) and the bus station at the Avenida de las Americas in Madrid (4-5 hours).

Car rental Bilbao Airport

At Bilbao Airport there are four car rental companies: Avis, Europcar, Hertz and National Atesa. You can also reserve a rental car in advance using the service EasyTerra provides. They compare the rates of several providers in a single quote.

Taxi

Taxis are in front of the Arrivals Hall (tel: +34(0)944 800 909). A ride to the centre of Bilbao takes about 20 minutes and costs about € 20.00, to Getxo € 25.00.

Airport Parking

There is a large general parking place where you pay € 0.50 for the first half hour, € 0.70 for the second half hour and € 12.00 per day (from the fifth day € 9.60 per day). Close to the terminal there is a small parking place where there are higher prices (first half hour € 1.20, then € 1.80 per half hour).

Services

Hotels

There are no hotels at the airport. The nearest hotels are Hotel Andrea in Derio (tel: +34(0)944 544 238), Hotel Artea-Errota in Zamudio (tel: +34(0)944 523 457), Hotel Restaurante Loiu in Loiu (tel: +34(0)944 535 038) and Hotel Tryp in Sondika (tel: +34(0)944 538 052). For more hotels and reserving online you can go to Booking.com. They have a large offering of hotels with great internet rates.

Shops and restaurants

The shopping and restaurant area at Bilbao Airport (Las Tiendas del Aeropuerto) has recently been expanded. There is now an extensive offering of shops with cosmetics, electronics, clothing, books, drinks and local specialties. Furthermore, there is a duty-free shop. The offering of restaurants, cafés and bars is good.

Baggage

You cannot store baggage at Bilbao Airport. The general information counter in the Arrivals Hall also acts as the office for lost and found items (tel: +34(0)944 869 663).

Information

Next to the general information counter there are offices for tourists and business travelers. You can find these in the Arrivals Hall and Departures Hall (by check-in counter 36).

Business

There are limited meeting facilities at the airport. From more information you can call the Airport Manager (tel: +34(0)944 869 776). In the Departures Hall there are two VIP Lounges: Bristol Lounge from Spanair (tel: +34(0)944 869 777) and the Iberia VIP Lounge (tel: +34(0)944 869 830).

Handicapped persons

The airport is excellently accessible for handicapped persons. There are adapted restrooms, telephones and elevators. There are parking places reserved for handicapped persons right by the entrance to the terminal. For assistance during arrival or departure it is best to contact your airline.

Other services

There is a bank, and you can find cash machines at several places. Wireless internet is also available; for the necessary access information you can go to the general information counter.

Contact

Address

Aeropuerto de Bilbao
E- 48180
Loiu / Vizcaya
Bilbao
Spain

Telephone and email

Telephone: +34(0)944 869 663/4
Email: infobio@aena.es

Airport codes

IATA airport code: BIO
ICAO airport code: LEBB