Car Hire Bilbao Airport

Car Hire

Bilbao Airport can be found just less than six miles to the north of Bilbao in Biscay. It is the main airport in northern Spain and is the best entry airport for visitors heading to Bilbao and the surrounding Basque country. Although buses run from the airport, renting a vehicle allows you to drive directly from the airport to a number of cities as well as small villages and towns which would be difficult to reach otherwise.

Who to Book With
There are five car hire suppliers at the airport. These include international companies such as Hertz and Avis, along with Sixt and National. These suppliers can all be found in the main terminal. Vehicles can be booked in advance for pick up on the day of arrival. Vehicles are collected from outside of the terminal’s main entrance.

Need to Know Essentials
In order to collect your vehicle, you will need to present the following documentation:

- A valid driver’s licence (both the photo and paper sections of UK licences)
- The credit card used to reserve the vehicle
- A passport
- Proof of address
- The booking confirmation number or email

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
Driving in Spain is on the right hand side. Drivers must carry two warning triangles and a reflective jacket in case of a breakdown, and the vehicle insurance information and car hire paperwork must be kept in the car as you may be asked to show it. The roads are generally well maintained and petrol stations are common, although not all accept cards so it is best to carry cash with you. Motorway tolls are common and only accept cash. On-the-spot fines are enforced for anyone found breaking the rules of the road. This is particularly applicable to drivers caught breaking the speed limit, so always be aware and look out for changes in limits when entering built-up areas.

See our guide to Spain for more information on driving here.

Transport

There is no train link from Bilbao Airport to the surrounding areas. However, there are a number of bus services that run until around 22:00 and the centre of Bilbao is only a 15-minute drive away, with other cities and towns easily reached by road. Other than buses and self-drive, taxis are the only other option.

Taxis
Taxis at the airport are provided by Federación Margen Derecha del Taxi. It is possible to book taxis in advance via the supplier’s website, but there are usually taxis found waiting at the taxi rank outside of the main terminal.

Taxi prices:
Bilbao Airport to Barakaldo is about £20
Bilbao Airport to Bilbao centre is about £20
Bilbao Airport to Durango is about £40
Bilbao Airport to St Burgos is about £170

Buses
There are a number of bus services that connect Bilbao Airport with the surrounding areas. The BizkaiBus line connects the main bus terminal in Bilbao with the airport, with a number of stops on the way, including at Gran Via, Plaza Moyua and Alameda Recalda. There are bus stops outside both Arrivals and Departures. A single ticket costs about £1 and services depart from the airport every 30 minutes from 05:24 until 21:55.

Facilities

Terminals
There is one main terminal in the airport. This terminal deals with four million passengers a year and this number is set to rise. Flights are scheduled to a number of destinations in mainland Europe as well as in the UK. All of the main services, including car rental, can be found in the terminal.

Parking
There are three car parks in Bilbao Airport: short stay, long stay and general. The short-stay and general car parks are usually used for dropping off and picking up. These lots charge by the hour and are located a few minutes’ walk away from the main terminal. The long-stay car park is located directly outside of the airport. This lot is charged at £35 for four days, which can be paid on the day or in advance.

Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is available throughout the main terminal for free.

Information Services
There are four information services available for passengers. One can be found near Arrivals, another is next to the departures board and another is in the centre of the main terminal. There is also a tourist information services booth located at the entrance to the airport.

Useful Numbers
Service Centre: +34 91 321 10 00
Call Centre: +34 944 031 444

Accessibility
The airport complies with strict codes, meaning disabled persons’ access, disabled persons’ parking and wheelchairs available on request are provided. Priority boarding and other services are also available. Head to the information desk on arrival for more details.

Restaurants and Bars
There is a modern cafeteria in the Arrivals space, named Derio. There is also a self-service cafeteria in the boarding area. For those who have more time, there is a specialist Spanish restaurant which sells alcoholic beverages.

VIP Lounges
Iberia VIP Lounge

Money and ATMs
There are four ATMs located throughout the terminal. Euro 6000, Servired and Santander ATMs all dispense euro and accept foreign cards. There are no money exchange facilities in Bilbao Airport.

Shopping
There is a large duty-free shopping area for passengers. It sells perfume, spirits, wines and beer, as well as confectionery and tobacco. There is also the Sibarium Delicatessen where passengers can purchase traditional Spanish food and drinks.