Bilbao

The airport is 11 km from the centre.

• Bizkaibus A3247simplest4,50 € 1 September 2026

  about 4 departures per hour

  From the arrivals hall. The only bus where you can pay by contactless bank card (no need to tap out). Serves Alameda Recalde (near the Guggenheim), Plaza Elíptica, Gran Vía, then ends at Bilbao's intermodal station.

• Bus (every 30 min)price not stated

  a bus every half hour

• Taxi25 € 1 September 2026

  Estimated cost between 25 and 30 €; lower bound used.

Why that one: Frequent, inexpensive, card payment possible, drops off directly in the city centre.

metro · bus (Bilbobus) · tram (Euskotren Tranbia) · funicular (Artxanda) · commuter train (Cercanías, Euskotren) · bicycle (Bilbaobizi) · taxi

Single ticket

1,70 € 1 September 2026

Single metro ticket: from 1.70 to 1.95 € depending on the zones crossed, lower bound used. Tram (Euskotren Tranbia): single ticket at 1.50 € from the vending machine. Cercanías and EuskoTren: distance-based fares, about 1.50 €. The Barik card (3 € to purchase, rechargeable) is recommended for more than two trips and allows savings compared to single tickets; valid on metro, bus, tram, Euskotren and local Renfe trains in Bizkaia.

• Tourist Bilbao Bizkaia Cardprice not stated

  The sources do not say how many visits it takes for the pass to pay off.

The source indicates that the Barik card is probably more advantageous than the Tourist Bilbao Bizkaia Card (available in 24/48/72-hour versions), without giving a precise price for the latter.

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Languages

Spanish (Castilian), Basque (Euskara)

Card payments

Bank cards widely accepted; ID may be requested when paying by card. 500 € notes are refused in many shops.

Tipping

Not compulsory nor customary in Spain. If the service is considered good, leave 1 to 2 € in change on the table (no American-style percentage). In bars, generally only tourists (particularly Americans) tend to leave a tip. Outside catering, some providers (taxi drivers, hairdressers, upscale hotel staff) may expect one.

Tap water

Safe and drinkable everywhere in Spain, unless stated otherwise ('No Potable' sign). In some southern regions, the water can have a high mineral content and cause stomach upset in those not used to it.

Emergencies

112

• San Francisco neighbourhood to avoid

  The source recommends avoiding the San Francisco neighbourhood in Bilbao.

• Basque political sensitivity

  As a precaution, avoid calling the Basque Country "Spain"; independence/autonomy issues and the past linked to ETA remain sensitive topics to approach with caution with strangers.

• Bars with a Basque nationalist clientele

  Some bars display a Basque nationalist clientele with posters and slogans; pro-Spanish opinions will be poorly received there, even though these places remain safe to visit.

• Barik card: do not confuse tram and metro validation

  On the Euskotren tram, with the Barik card you must validate once on entry per passenger and not validate on exit (the flat fare is already charged); on the metro and Cercanías/EuskoTren, you must validate on entry AND on exit. Getting this wrong can lead to double charging or a validation failure.