Bilbao Airport
Bilbao, Spain
Bilbao Airport
The Basque Country's modern international gateway.
- ›The terminal was designed by world-famous architect Santiago Calatrava and opened in 2000.
- ›The terminal is nicknamed 'La Paloma' (The Dove) for its distinctive wing-shaped white roof.
- ›The airport is operated by AENA, Spain's national airport authority.
- ›It is located near the town of Loiu, approximately 9 km north of Bilbao.
- ›The airport serves as the primary air gateway for the entire Basque Country region.
Bilbao Airport, officially known as Aeropuerto de Bilbao, serves the Basque Country in northern Spain and is located approximately 9 kilometres north of the city centre in Loiu. Originally opened in 1948, the airport gained international recognition for its striking terminal building designed by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava, inaugurated in 2000. It serves as the primary gateway for visitors drawn to Bilbao's world-famous Guggenheim Museum, pintxos culture, and the rugged Basque coastline.
- Main Terminal (T1) — A single integrated terminal featuring Santiago Calatrava's iconic white steel and glass wave-like canopy, handling all domestic and international departures and arrivals.
- Bus: Bizkaibus A3247 service connects the airport to Bilbao city centre (Termibus station) every 30 minutes
- Taxi: Licensed taxis available at the designated rank outside arrivals; journey to city centre takes around 20 minutes
- Car Rental: Major operators including Hertz, Avis, Europcar, and Sixt are located in the arrivals hall
- Ride-hailing: Cabify operates in the Bilbao area and can be booked from the airport
- Private Transfer: Pre-booked private shuttle services are available through various local operators
- Holiday Inn Express Bilbao Airport
- NH Bilbao Loiu
- Hotel Loiu
- Meliá Bilbao
- Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao
Inside the terminal, passengers will find a selection of cafés, a restaurant, and grab-and-go options offering both international fare and Basque-inspired snacks, though choices are relatively limited compared to larger European hubs. Airside options include a bar serving pintxos, reflecting the region's celebrated food culture. For a fuller dining experience, the city centre's Casco Viejo and Ensanche neighbourhoods, reachable in under 25 minutes, offer world-class Basque cuisine and pintxos bars.
- Arrive at least 90 minutes before domestic flights and 2 hours before international departures, as security queues can build during peak summer months.
- The Bizkaibus A3247 is the most cost-effective way to reach the city centre; purchase your ticket from the driver and validate on board.
- Bilbao's weather is notoriously rainy year-round — pack a waterproof layer even in summer, both for the city and the airport bus stop.
- The Guggenheim Museum and other major attractions are best booked online in advance, especially during festival season in August.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
Route map (34 destinations)
Airlines serving this airport
Routes
Pick what matters for your layover or early flight, then compare on your favorite booking site.
IndianAirports may receive compensation when you book or purchase through some of the links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Prices and availability are set by the booking provider and may change. We never share your private trip details with partners — only the destination, dates and party size you searched.
City & Place Guide
No guide exists for this place yet — Click to generate a Traveler Pulse guide.
Passport, Visa & Immigration
Flying internationally via BIO? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for Spain from official government sources.
Bilbao Airport is a minor international airport located 9 km (5.6 mi) north of Bilbao, in the municipality of Loiu, in Biscay. It is the largest airport in the Basque Country and northern Spain, with 6,336,441 passengers in 2023. It is famous for its new main terminal, which opened in 2000, designed by Santiago Calatrava.
Read full article on Wikipedia