Bilbao Airport coach transfers for groups heading to Bilbao, Donostia / San Sebastián and Rioja
Bilbao Airport is in Loiu, about 12 km from the city. It has one terminal, no rail or metro link, and no published coach stop. So the coach is the backbone of most group arrivals, and its stopping place is agreed in advance.
Agreeing the stop at Loiu
At Bilbao, Aena publishes neither a coach pick-up point nor a coach waiting area. The terminal has Arrivals and Departures levels, each with an express car park for dropping off and picking up; for longer stays Aena points drivers to the general car park, P1. Ask the operator where the coach will stop, and give the group a gathering point inside Arrivals.
A small party in a car with driver collects at the pick-up point given with the booking. That place is currently temporary, so check it shortly before the flight.
Into Bilbao
Plaza Moyúa is about 13 km away, around 20 minutes in light traffic. Bilbao has a low-emission zone in the centre, but its rules for coaches and foreign vehicles could not be confirmed; the operator looks at the specific coach. No official set-down points are published either: the operator confirms the stop for the Guggenheim, the Casco Viejo or the hotel. Euskalduna, the congress centre, is on the river near the Guggenheim; BEC is in Barakaldo, west of the city.
Where the group boards the coach
- Aena does not publish a pick-up point or a waiting area for discretionary coaches at Bilbao. Agree the meeting point and where the coach will stop with the operator when booking.
Where coaches park and wait
- No coach rules are published. There are two express car parks for dropping off and picking up, one at Departures and one at Arrivals; for stays over 60 minutes Aena recommends the general car park P1. Cars with driver (VTC) currently pick up in the arrivals express car park 2 (a temporary location).
Road time into the city
- about 13 km by road to Plaza Moyúa, in the centre of Bilbao, about 20 min by coach in light traffic; longer at peak times
Donostia / San Sebastián
The Boulevard there is a 101 km drive, roughly 1 h 35 min. Every vehicle registered abroad must hold an authorisation before entering the city's low-emission zone, and the current phase runs to 2027. A Spanish-registered coach is judged by its DGT label instead, and the operator checks the coach assigned.
Rioja and the coast
Haro, in the Rioja wine area, is about 95 km from Bilbao. Laguardia is further. A wine day straight off a morning flight is possible, but add up the hours: the driver's daily limit includes the airport run.
What organisers ask us
Is there a train or metro from Bilbao Airport?
No. Bizkaibus line A3247 runs to the city and the Termibus bus station, and a Lurraldebus line goes to Donostia / San Sebastián.
Where will the coach wait if our flight is late?
Aena lists none at Bilbao, so holding the coach during a delay is planned by the operator.
Can we fly into Bilbao for an event in Donostia / San Sebastián?
Yes. It is about 101 km, around 1 h 35 min by coach. The city's own airport, at Hondarribia, has few routes.
Cities
Vehicles with a driver
- Full-size coach (autocar) — Seats: 49-57
- Midi-coach (midibús) — Seats: 29-35
- Minibus (minibús) — Seats: 9-16 passengers plus the driver
- Executive Sprinter-style minibus (minibús ejecutivo) — Seats: 8-16 passengers plus the driver
- Executive car with driver (VTC, vehículo de turismo con conductor) — Seats: 1-3 (up to 8 passengers in a van-type car)
- Wheelchair-accessible minibus (minibús adaptado) — Seats: Varies by layout; wheelchair positions replace seats
Get a Bilbao airport coach quote
List arrival times and flight numbers, the size of the group, the bags and the address you are heading for. A licensed partner operator does the driving.
Request a quote or call 35227647770