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Bilbao Airport Guide (BIO)
Airport info
Code:
BIO
No. of terminals:
1
Dialling code:
+34
Address:
Bilbao, Biscay 48180, Spain
Location:
Bilbao Airport is located approximately 11km (6.5 miles) north of Bilbao city centre.
Telephone:
+34 91 321 1000
Bilbao Airport (IATA: BIO, ICAO: LEBB) is the principal airport of the Basque Country and the busiest in northern Spain. Located in the municipality of Loiu, approximately nine kilometres north of Bilbao city centre, it handled over seven million passengers in 2025, making it the twelfth-busiest airport in Spain. The airport is managed by Aena and serves the Basque Country, Navarre, La Rioja and parts of Cantabria, operating as a significant commercial and leisure gateway in a region known for its cuisine, architecture and distinctive cultural identity.
The airport's most distinctive feature is its terminal building, designed by the architect Santiago Calatrava and opened in November 2000. Known locally as La Paloma (the Dove) for its symmetrical wing-like structure and sharp central spine, it is consistently cited among the most architecturally elegant airport terminals in the world. The building's white concrete and glass exterior, with open and luminous interior spaces, reflects Bilbao's broader architectural renaissance in the same period that brought the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao to international attention. The Calatrava terminal handles all passenger operations from a single building divided across three levels.
Vueling is by far the dominant carrier from Bilbao, accounting for over 46 per cent of capacity at the airport in the third quarter of 2025, followed by Volotea. The airport has a broad network connecting the Basque Country to the main European hub airports, providing one-stop connectivity to destinations worldwide. United Airlines operates the only long-haul scheduled service, a seasonal route to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New York.
Layout
The Calatrava terminal operates on three levels. The upper floor, P2, houses the departures area with check-in desks arranged in a fan formation facing the main entrance, along with a shopping area and access to security. After security, a 300-metre enclosed glass observation corridor leads passengers down to the boarding gates, which are distributed between the mezzanine level (P1) and the ground floor (P0). Arrivals are handled on the ground floor, where a spacious baggage claim hall leads to the main exit and the transport connections. Passengers navigating the terminal for the first time should follow the signage carefully: the vertical separation between check-in and gates, and the distinctive glass corridor descent, are more complex than a conventional single-level layout.
Check-In
All check-in desks are located on the upper floor. Self-service kiosks are available for applicable airlines. The recommended arrival time is two hours before departure for international flights and 90 minutes for domestic services. During peak summer periods and around the MotoGP Grand Prix held at the Circuit de Jerez in spring, additional congestion can occur.
Information points are located on the first floor on the baggage reclaim hall and the third floor in the check-in hall.
Email address:
infobio@aena.es
The airport is well connected by road. The A-8 motorway to the east and the AP-68 to the south provide fast access to the wider Spanish motorway network, and the airport is within 20 minutes of the city centre by car in normal conditions. Parking and drop-off facilities are located close to the terminal. The road network also provides efficient access to destinations beyond Bilbao, including San Sebastián approximately 80 kilometres to the east and Vitoria-Gasteiz approximately 80 kilometres to the south.
Public Transport
Bus
The Bizkaibus A3247 service provides the main public transport connection between the airport and Bilbao city centre. The bus departs from the terminal forecourt and stops at Alameda Recalde, Gran Via, Plaza Moyua and Bilbao Intermodal bus and train station. The journey to Plaza Moyua in the city centre takes approximately 20 minutes in normal traffic. Services run every 15 to 20 minutes depending on the season, from early morning until late evening. The fare is approximately €3 for a single ticket, reducible to around €1.14 with a Barik travel card. Contactless payment is accepted. Additional bus services connect the airport with San Sebastián, Vitoria-Gasteiz and other Basque towns.
Taxi and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are available from the rank outside the arrivals area. The journey to Bilbao city centre takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes and costs in the region of €25 to €35, with slightly higher rates at weekends, public holidays and at night. Uber also operates in Bilbao and can be collected from the Parking Area P1 general zone. Pre-booking a taxi through local providers is available for early-morning departures.
Terminal facilities
ATMs are located on both the ground floor arrivals level and the upper floor departure area. A currency exchange booth is available in the baggage claim hall on the ground floor.
Free high-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal via the Aena airport network. Registration is required via the network portal. Charging outlets and work areas with desks are located in the arrivals and airside zones.
Cafés and restaurants in the departure zone serve a range of pintxos, the small bread-topped snacks that are the signature of Basque food culture, alongside hot meals, sandwiches, coffee and drinks. The quality of food at Bilbao Airport is generally good relative to comparable-sized European airports, reflecting the Basque Country's exceptional food tradition. A cafeteria in the arrivals area provides a basic range of refreshments for those meeting incoming flights.
The main airside retail area is located on the upper floor immediately after security in the departure zone, with a duty-free shop, fashion and accessories outlets, and a selection of Basque souvenir and specialty food shops. Regional products including txakoli wine, Idiazabal cheese and local food specialities are available and provide a distinctive shopping experience not easily replicated at larger airports.
A lost property office (tel: +34 944 869 801) is situated in the baggage reclaim area. Luggage trolleys are provided, and a baggage wrapping service is also available. Left luggage services are not available at the airport.
Lounges
Bilbao Airport has two passenger lounges, both operated by Aena and open to all departing passengers regardless of airline or class. The Urdaibai VIP Lounge is located on level 3 in the airside boarding area. The Nervión VIP Lounge is on the mezzanine level, floor 2, also airside. Both offer a selection of hot and cold dishes from 13:00 to 23:00, complimentary beverages, Wi-Fi, charging points, television screens and reading materials. Showers are available in both. Entry passes cost approximately €45 to €46 per adult for a four-hour stay and can be purchased through the Aena website. Priority Pass, DragonPass and select airline status cards are also accepted.
There is a children’s play area in the arrivals hall on the first floor.
Airport facilities
There are no meeting rooms in the airport, but the Bilbao VIP lounge offers PCs and basic business facilities. Conference facilities are offered by some nearby hotels.
The terminal is fully accessible, with adapted lifts, ramps, telephones and toilets throughout. Assistance services for passengers with reduced mobility are available and should be requested through the airline at least 48 hours before travel. Eight cardiac arrest rescue points are distributed across the terminal.
Bilbao Airport provides a general parking facility of approximately 3,000 spaces, located approximately 100 metres north of the terminal. The P1 general car park has five floors, with short-stay levels on the lower floors and longer-stay options above. A smaller Express parking area is available for brief drop-offs and pick-ups. Pre-booking online via the Aena website is recommended and provides lower rates than turning up without a reservation.
Car hire desks from Avis, Enterprise, Europcar, Gobycar, Hertz, OK Mobility and Sixt are located on the ground floor of the general car park, adjacent to the terminal. A hire car provides the most flexible way to explore the Basque Country, including the Rioja wine region to the south, the Basque coast and the wine town of Haro.
Hotels
No hotel is located directly within the terminal building. Several hotels in the nearby Loiu and Derio areas provide accommodation a short drive from the terminal. The main concentration of accommodation is in Bilbao city centre, approximately 15 minutes away, where a wide range from budget to luxury hotels is available. The Hotel Gran Bilbao and the Gran Hotel Domine opposite the Guggenheim Museum are among the most prominent options.
A little further from the airport on the way into Bilbao, this attractive rural property is perched on a hill overlooking the city. It has various room options, including two apartments. Airport pickup services are available upon request.
Berrizbidea 112,
48015,
Bilbao,
Spain
Also close to the airport, the Hotel Seminario is aimed primarily at customers travelling for business and meetings. It has a restaurant, café and multiple sporting facilities, including a small golf course and gymnasium.
c/Larrauri No. 1,
48160,
Derio,
Spain
This accommodation is located just a five-minute drive from the airport. It offers a quality restaurant and free Wi-Fi.
Lastexte Kalea 24,
48180,
Loiu,
Spain
A standard offering from the popular international chain, this hotel operates a regular shuttle service to and from the terminal. There is an on-site business centre, two meeting rooms and a bar. A restaurant is located adjacent to the property. A business centre, meeting rooms, and dining options are available at the hotel.
Zarandoa Kalea 5, Derio,
48160,
Vizcaya,
Spain
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