Car Rental at Bilbao Airport

Airport travel guide

The largest city in Basque Country, Bilbao is one of the most interesting urban destinations in Spain. The city is best known as the location of the Guggenheim Museum, but plenty of architectural and cultural landmarks are just as interesting to explore. Bilbao also provides easy access both to some of northern Spain’s most beautiful beaches and the stunning peaks of the nearby Pyrenees. These are four of the most interesting attractions in and around the city:

• Basque Museum. Also known as Euskal Museoa, this museum is dedicated to the Basque people, the native inhabitants of the area (to this day, the region is officially bilingual, and Basque can be frequently heard on the streets of Bilbao). The museum celebrated its 100th birthday in 2021.
• Guggenheim Museum. Perhaps the most instantly recognizable landmark of Bilbao, the modern art museum was opened in 1997 and has been one of the symbols of the city ever since. Situated on the banks of the estuary of the Nervion River, it houses works by many notable contemporary artists, both Spanish and from around the world.
• Bilbao Cathedral. Known as Catedral de Santiago in Spanish, Donejakue Katedrala in Basque, and the Cathedral of St. James in English, this impressive building is named after the patron saint of the city. Built in the 12th century and significantly enlarged in the 14th and 15th centuries, this Gothic masterpiece is known for its impressive facade and three naves.
• Urdaibai. An estuary, a biosphere reserve, and a bird center, Urdaibai is one of the most naturally beautiful places near Bilbao. Characterized by a sandy shoreline, coastal mountains, and salt marshes, the area can be explored via a network of trails. Local inhabitants include salamanders, ospreys, and herons, as well as the aforementioned bird center which also doubles as a high-quality museum. Guernica, the main settlement of the area which was depicted in the famous painting by Pablo Picasso, is known for its lively market and takes only about 30 minutes to reach from Bilbao. You can explore the rest of Urdaibai from there.

Top international routes

• Madrid
• Barcelona
• London
• Malaga
• Seville
• Amsterdam
• Paris
• Munich
• Palma de Mallorca
• Frankfurt

Main airlines

Vueling, easyJet, Air Europa, Iberia Regional, Volotea, and Norwegian Air Shuttle

Terminals

Bilbao Airport has a single three-story passenger terminal divided into various halls, which serves all international and domestic traffic.

Location

Bilbao Airport is about 9km (5.6 miles) north of the city of Bilbao (or Bilbo, as it’s called in the local Basque language). Motorways N-633, BI-631, and BI-625, and Alameda de Recalde are the main streets connecting the airport to the city. The cities of San Sebastian–Donostia, Vitoria-Gasteiz, and Santander are all about 100km (62 miles) or less from Bilbao Airport.

Most popular types of rental car

• Small cars - from $18 per day
• SUVs - from $26 per day
• Medium cars - from $27 per day
• Large cars - from $42 per day
• Station wagons - from $63 per day
• Vans - from $106 per day
• Premium cars - from $170 per day

Car rental desks

You’ll find most in the arrivals hall on floor 0.

Services and facilities

You’ll find cafés, snack bars, and two full-service restaurants, as well as many shops, including duty-free outlets for passengers leaving the EU. There are also several ATMs, currency exchange offices, an airport hotel, children’s play area, luggage wrapping machine, and VIP lounge. The airport’s facilities are fully equipped for travelers with reduced mobility. You can find more information on the airport's official website.

Nearest gas station

Estación de Servicio USOA, located at Bilbao Airport commercial zone, can be reached in about three minutes and is open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on workdays and from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on holidays. There are many other gas stations nearby and in Bilbao.

Popular one-way rentals

• San Sebastian (101 km / 63 mi). Located in northeastern Basque country right on the border with France, San Sebastian might just rival Bilbao as the most famous city of the region. In addition to beautiful beaches and many cultural institutions, San Sebastian (or Donostia, as it's known in Basque) is rumored to have the highest number of Michelin 3-star restaurants in Europe per capita.
• Madrid (415 km / 258 mi). The capital city of Spain, Madrid is not only a center of politics, business, and finance but also a lovely place to visit. Whether you come for the world-class museums, equally amazing football teams, or delicious food from all over Spain and Latin America, you’re unlikely to leave disappointed.
• Barcelona (622 km / 386 mi). The second city of Spain and the capital of the Catalonia region, Barcelona is one of Europe’s most famous travel destinations. The city’s amazing architecture, beautiful coastline, and festive atmosphere all add to a great travel experience.
• Bordeaux (333 km / 207 mi). Located in Southwestern France on the River Garonne, Bordeaux is a world-famous wine travel destination. Even if you’re driving and cannot try the wines, visiting the local domains that surround the city is still a fabulous experience. To go from Spain to France, you’ll have to cross an international border, so ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit it.
• Santiago de Compostela (569 km / 353 mi). The capital of the Northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, Santiago is not only the destination of the world’s most famous pilgrimage but also a great city in its own right, as ensured by its beautiful cathedral and many historic squares.
• Malaga (933 km / 580 mi). Located all across Spain from Bilbao in the region of Andalusia, Malaga is one of the great Mediterranean cities. Famous for the countless beautiful beaches that surround it, this classy city was also the birthplace of Pablo Picasso.