Key Facts About Bilbao Airport (BIO)
Bilbao Airport, also known as Loiu Airport or BIO airport, is operated by AENA and has a single terminal handling all departures and arrivals. Here are the most important facts at a glance:
- IATA code: BIO
- ICAO code: LEBB
- Location: Loiu, Biscay — 12 km from Bilbao city centre
- AENA information phone: +34 913 211 000
- Annual passengers: approx. 6 million
- Daily flights: over 150
- Terminal: single terminal — floor 0 (arrivals) and floor 1 (departures)
The terminal layout is straightforward: floor 1 contains check-in desks and the departures area, while floor 0 covers arrivals, baggage reclaim, and all ground transport access points including the taxi rank and bus stop.
The 'La Paloma' Terminal: Santiago Calatrava's Iconic Design
One of the most distinctive features of Bilbao Airport is its spectacular architecture. The terminal building was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and is popularly known as "La Paloma" (The Dove) for its sweeping white roof structure that evokes the outstretched wings of a bird in flight.
Opened in 2000, the building became an instant symbol of the Basque Country's modernisation, perfectly in step with the urban renaissance that Bilbao experienced in the late 1990s following the opening of the Guggenheim Museum. The steel and glass structure spans over 35,000 m² and maximises natural light throughout the terminal, making the passenger experience significantly more pleasant. Whether you are departing or collecting arriving guests at BIO airport, the architecture alone makes an impression worth noting.
Airlines and Routes at Bilbao Airport
BIO airport is served by a broad range of airlines connecting Bilbao to major European and domestic destinations. Vueling has its operational base here and is the carrier with the largest presence. The main airlines operating at Bilbao Airport are:
- Vueling — based at Bilbao, extensive domestic and international network
- Ryanair — low-cost routes across Europe
- Iberia — connections to Madrid and international routes
- Air Europa — flights to Madrid with onward connections to Latin America
- easyJet — budget European routes
- Lufthansa — daily connection to Frankfurt and the wider Lufthansa Group network
- KLM — daily flight to Amsterdam with global onward connections
- Volotea — regional and leisure routes across Spain and Europe
From Bilbao Airport you can fly directly to more than 60 destinations in Europe, with particularly high frequency to London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Rome, Barcelona and Madrid.
How to Get to Bilbao Airport: All Transport Options
Knowing how to get to Bilbao Airport is essential for a stress-free journey. There are several options available, each with its own advantages in terms of cost, journey time and convenience. One crucial point: the Bilbao Metro does not serve the airport directly, so your realistic options are the bus, taxi, or private hire vehicle.
Bizkaibus A3247 — Public Bus
The Bizkaibus line A3247 is the most affordable way to reach Bilbao Airport from the city centre. It departs from Plaza Moyua in the heart of Bilbao and stops at several points along the route before reaching the terminal.
- Price: €1.70 with Barik card / €3.00 cash
- Frequency: every 30 minutes
- Operating hours: 5:25 am – midnight
- Journey time: 30 to 50 minutes depending on traffic
This is the ideal choice if you are travelling alone, carrying minimal luggage and have enough time to spare. However, during peak hours or with heavy baggage it can be uncomfortable.
Taxi to Bilbao Airport
The taxi is the most comfortable, fastest and door-to-door option available. Official licensed taxis operate 24 hours a day and the journey from Bilbao city centre takes approximately 15 minutes. Booking in advance through a service like Taxi Bilbao Aeropuerto guarantees a fixed price, a fully licensed driver and no hidden charges.
Private Hire Vehicles: Cabify and Uber
VTC services such as Cabify and Uber also operate at Bilbao Airport. Prices are broadly similar to taxis, though they can surge during periods of high demand. Unlike taxis, they do not have a dedicated rank at the terminal, so pickup can require a little more coordination on arrival.
Taxi Fares from Bilbao Airport: Full Price Table
One of the key advantages of booking with Taxi Bilbao Aeropuerto is the fixed fare with no surprises. Below are the standard prices from Bilbao Airport to the main destinations in the greater Bilbao area:
| Destination | Estimated Price | Approximate Journey Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bilbao city centre | from €25 | ~15 min |
| Barakaldo | €28 | ~20 min |
| Sestao | €29 | ~21 min |
| Portugalete | €30 | ~22 min |
| Santurtzi | €31 | ~24 min |
| Getxo | €32 | ~25 min |
| San Sebastián | on request | ~1 h 15 min |
The Taxi Bilbao Aeropuerto service runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with fully licensed professional drivers. You can book online in under 60 seconds and pay the driver on arrival — no upfront payment required.
Parking at Bilbao Airport: Options and Prices
If you prefer to drive to Bilbao Airport, AENA operates three car parks with different price tiers to suit every type of trip:
- P1 — General Car Park: €2.95/hour | €23.50/day. Located directly in front of the terminal building — the most convenient option for quick drop-offs and pick-ups.
- P2 — Long Stay Car Park: €18/day. The best choice for trips of several days. Connected to the terminal by a free shuttle bus.
- Outdoor Low Cost Car Park: €12/day. The most affordable option for longer stays, also with a free shuttle to the terminal.
For trips lasting more than two or three days, the Long Stay or Low Cost car parks offer significantly better value than the General car park. If your flight departs very early or arrives very late, check the shuttle timetable before choosing one of the off-terminal options.
Terminal Services at BIO Airport
The Bilbao Airport terminal offers all the essential facilities to make your experience comfortable, whether you are transiting or waiting for a flight:
- Free AENA WiFi: available throughout the terminal with no time limit
- Luggage storage: secure storage for bags during a layover or day trip
- VIP Lounges: accessible with a business class boarding pass or premium credit card
- Tourist Information Office: advice on the Basque Country and Bilbao for first-time visitors
- Car rental desks: all major companies — Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Enterprise — have desks on floor 0
- ATMs and currency exchange offices
- Duty-free shops and restaurants in the airside departure area
- Pharmacy, newsagent and convenience stores in the public landside area
For general airport information, the AENA Bilbao helpline is +34 913 211 000, available for queries about flights, services and terminal operations.
Distances from Bilbao Airport to Key Destinations
Loiu Airport is ideally positioned for access to the entire Bilbao metropolitan area and the wider Basque Country. The following table shows distances and estimated driving times from the airport:
| Destination | Distance | Driving Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bilbao city centre | 12 km | ~15 min |
| Barakaldo | 18 km | ~20 min |
| Portugalete | 20 km | ~22 min |
| Santurtzi | 21 km | ~24 min |
| Getxo | 22 km | ~25 min |
| San Sebastián | 100 km | ~1 h 15 min |
Thanks to its direct access to the A-8 and AP-8 motorways, BIO airport is reachable from virtually anywhere in the Basque Country in under an hour.
Practical Tips for Travelling Through Bilbao Airport
Whether this is your first visit or you are a frequent flyer through Bilbao Airport, these practical tips will help make your journey smoother:
- Arrive with enough time: allow at least 2 hours before departure for European flights and 3 hours for international routes.
- Take the bus if you are travelling light: the Bizkaibus A3247 from Plaza Moyua is fast and inexpensive if you have minimal luggage and no tight connection.
- Book your taxi in advance: especially for early morning or late-night flights. With Taxi Bilbao Aeropuerto you can reserve in 60 seconds and your driver will be waiting for you on arrival.
- The metro does not reach the airport: do not rely on the Bilbao Metro for your airport transfer — there is no direct metro connection to BIO.
- Compare parking rates: if leaving your car, weigh up P1, P2 and the Low Cost car park based on how many days you will be away.
- Use the free WiFi: AENA provides free WiFi throughout the terminal — useful for printing boarding passes or checking onward connections.
- Check in online: all airlines allow online check-in in advance. Save time and avoid queues at the airport, especially during busy summer and holiday periods.
- Currency and ATMs: there are ATMs and exchange desks on floor 0 near the arrivals exit, though airport exchange rates are typically less favourable than in the city centre.