How to Get to Basque Country, Spain — A Local Expert's Complete Guide (2026)

How to Get to Basque Country by Plane — Bilbao Airport

If you ask me where to fly into for a trip to Basque Country, the answer is almost always Bilbao. Around 80% of our guests arrive through Bilbao Airport — and for good reason.
Bilbao Airport (BIO) is the largest international airport in northern Spain. It connects directly with dozens of cities across Europe, and if you plan ahead, flights are often cheaper than you'd expect — sometimes even cheaper than the bus.
Direct Flights to Bilbao in 2026

● New York (JFK) → Bilbao — several times per week
● Istanbul → Bilbao — daily flights from two operators: Turkish Airlines and Pegasus
● Europe: London, Paris, Warsaw, Venice, Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Frankfurt, Geneva, Lisbon and more
● Within Spain: Barcelona, Madrid, Alicante, Gran Canaria, Ibiza, Málaga — multiple daily flights, often as low as €15–20 in season

Pro tip: For travellers from Europe, a direct flight to Bilbao frequently costs the same as — or less than — a long-distance bus from southern Spain. Book 4–8 weeks in advance for the best fares.

Getting from Bilbao Airport to the City

Once you land, you have three options:● Taxi — The easiest option. Walk out of arrivals and you'll find taxis waiting. No app needed, no booking required. The meter runs from the moment you get in — expect around €30+ to the centre of Bilbao. Note: airport taxis are always slightly more expensive than city taxis, but there are no surprises.
● Bus A3247 — The budget option at just €5. Runs every 30 minutes. Head to the top floor of the terminal and turn right — that's the bus stop. The route goes to the centre of Bilbao and the main Intermodal bus station.
● Direct bus to San Sebastián (DO04) — This is the insider move. You don't need to go through Bilbao at all. Inside the airport, look for the San Sebastián counter. Bus DO04 runs roughly every hour (less frequent on weekends) and takes you directly to San Sebastián city centre. Price: €8–17 depending on time of day.

Other Airports Near Basque Country

Bilbao isn't your only option. Depending on where you're flying from, these airports are worth checking:

● San Sebastián Airport (located in Hondarribia) — flights from London, Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga and the Canary Islands. Smaller airport, fewer connections, but drops you right at the doorstep of the city.

● Vitoria-Gasteiz Airport — connections from Alicante, Barcelona, Brussels, Madrid, Málaga, Milan and Seville. Good option if you're starting your trip inland.

● Biarritz Airport, France — the underrated hack — This one surprises people. Biarritz Airport is just 40 minutes by car from San Sebastián (about 90 minutes by public transport). It receives flights from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Zurich, Edinburgh, Milan, Lyon, Marseille, Paris and Munich. If you can't find a good connection to Spain, check Biarritz — it might be closer and cheaper than you think.

Getting to Basque Country by Bus

If you're already travelling around Spain or coming from elsewhere in Europe, the bus is a solid option. There are direct routes from many Spanish cities and some international destinations.
Main arrival points in the north: Pamplona, San Sebastián, Bilbao and Vitoria.
Prices are comparable to budget flights from southern Spain — around €15–50 depending on distance — but journey times are significantly longer. The trade-off is comfort: long-distance Spanish coaches are clean, air-conditioned and reliable.

Getting to Basque Country by Train — Honest Advice

I'll be straight with you: the train is not the best way to get to Basque Country, and I rarely recommend it.
Bilbao has very limited train connections. Pamplona, San Sebastián and Vitoria have direct trains from Barcelona and Madrid, but the options are few, the prices are often higher than flights, and the schedules are inconvenient.

The one exception: if you're travelling from France, you can reach San Sebastián by train — but you'll need to change trains at the border in Hendaye/Irún. It's manageable, but adds friction to your journey.

My honest recommendation: fly in, then rent a car. That's the winning combination for a trip to northern Spain.

Renting a Car in Basque Country — Why I Always Recommend It

Once you've arrived, the best way to explore northern Spain is by car. The Basque Coast, the villages of Navarre, the vineyards of La Rioja — none of it is properly accessible without one.

What to budget:
● Car rental: €25–35/day for a standard car (booked for several days)
● Insurance: add approximately €25/day — and I strongly recommend it

In Spain, cars get dinged in car parks constantly — door scratches are a fact of life. Without full coverage, you're liable. With it, you hand the car back and walk away. Plus, you won't have a large deposit blocked on your credit card.

Where to Rent
Major international companies — Sixt, Enterprise, Avis. Reliable, widely available at Bilbao Airport.

Worth checking for better prices:

● Click Rent — locally based in Bilbao, often cheaper than the big names, insurance frequently included at a reasonable rate
● Amovens — peer-to-peer car rental (like Airbnb for cars). Cheaper than traditional rental companies, but you'll need to collect the car from the owner's location

How to Get to Basque Country — Quick Comparison

The Bottom Line
Fly into Bilbao, rent a car, and northern Spain opens up completely. That's the combination I've seen work for hundreds of travellers — from solo adventurers to families with kids.
If the Bilbao flight doesn't work for your route, check Biarritz. If you can't fly, the bus is your next best option. Avoid the train unless you have no alternative.
Planning a trip to northern Spain? We run small-group and private guided tours of the Basque Country, Navarre and La Rioja — with local expertise, hand-picked restaurants and no tourist traps. Get in touch →Or if you're planning independently, our 5-day northern Spain travel guide (€29) gives you a complete day-by-day itinerary with every address, restaurant tip and hidden gem we know. Buy the guide →