Taxi price Bilbao Airport → San Sebastián
The trip is about 100 km via the AP-8 and the price is fixed per vehicle, not per person. That makes it especially good value with 2, 3 or 4 people: the fare is split.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price from | €89 per vehicle (up to 4 passengers) · ≈ $95 / £77 |
| AP-8 tolls | Included |
| VAT | Included |
| Luggage | Included, no charge for suitcases |
| Night / holiday surcharge | None |
| Payment | To the driver (cash or card), no online payment |
The exact price depends on your specific point (centre, Gros, Ondarreta, or towns such as Zarautz, Irun or Hondarribia) and is shown before you confirm. See the San Sebastián – airport taxi page for your address.
Why a fixed price and not a meter?
On a long intercity trip, the meter can spike with traffic or detours. The fixed price protects you: the amount you see when booking is what you pay, even if there are jams at the entrance to Bilbao or Donostia. No surge pricing, no rush-hour surcharges.
Tip: for groups of 5 to 7 people, the fixed-price van is even better value per person. See the taxi van to the airport.
Comparison: taxi vs bus vs train
| Option | Price | Time | Door to door |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi (fixed price) | From €89 / vehicle | 1h – 1h15 | ✅ Yes |
| Direct bus | ~€17 / person | 1h15 + waits | ❌ Station |
| Train | Variable, with transfers | 2h+ | ❌ Station |
The bus is cheaper per person, but it leaves you at the station, with waits and dragging your luggage. With bags, children, in a group or at night, the taxi pays off. Full comparison in taxi vs bus vs train.
When is the taxi best value?
- You are 2 or more people: the per-vehicle price is split and drops a lot per head.
- With luggage or gear: no extra charge for bags.
- Night or early flight: no night surcharge and no reliance on bus timetables.
- With children: door to door and with a child seat if you ask.
What the price includes
- The whole vehicle up to 4 passengers (van up to 7).
- Tolls and VAT included.
- Flight tracking free: the driver adjusts the pick-up to your real arrival.
- Free cancellation up to 1 hour before.
Indicative price by area of San Sebastián and Gipuzkoa
Although the base price for central Donostia is €89, the amount adjusts slightly with the real distance from Bilbao Airport (BIO), located in Loiu (approx. coordinates 43.301 N, -2.911 W). Here are the references by area:
| Pick-up area | Approx. distance | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| Old Town / Centre / Gros | ~100 km | €89 |
| Amara / Antiguo / Ondarreta | ~102 km | €90-91 |
| Pasaia / Errenteria | ~105 km | €93 |
| Zarautz / Orio | ~85 km | €95 |
| Irun / Hondarribia | ~120 km | €110 |
The exact amount is always shown before you confirm the booking, with no rough estimates. When you enter your specific address, the system calculates the final fixed price.
Why does it vary by a few euros between areas?
The difference reflects the real kilometres and the AP-8 tolls. Areas such as Irun or Hondarribia, at the eastern end of Gipuzkoa next to the French border, are slightly further from BIO than central Donostia; hence the small adjustment. In every case the price stays fixed with no time-of-day surcharges.
How the price is calculated (and why there are no surprises)
The fixed price is calculated on the basis of the regulated intercity tariffs and the real trip distance, including tolls and VAT up front. Unlike the meter, it does not depend on:
- Traffic: even if there are jams leaving Bilbao or entering Donostia, you pay what was agreed.
- The time: same price at 6:00 as at midnight, no night surcharge.
- The date: holidays, weekends or high season do not make the trip more expensive.
- Waiting: with flight tracking, if your plane is delayed the driver waits at no cost.
This predictability is especially valuable for the international traveller, who books ahead from abroad and wants to know the exact cost in euros before landing.
Payment methods
Payment is made directly to the driver at the end of the trip, in cash (euros) or by card. There is no upfront payment and no bank details in the booking: you book now and pay on arrival.
Tips to pay less
- Share the vehicle: since the price is per car, the more of you travel (up to 4, or 7 in a van), the less each person pays.
- Book a round trip to lock in both journeys and avoid looking for transport on the way back.
- Combine luggage: there is no charge for suitcases, so make the most of the vehicle's capacity.
- Choose a van if you are 5-7: one vehicle instead of two taxis is cheaper per person.
To see exactly how long it takes, read how long it takes from Bilbao airport to San Sebastián, and for the full route, options and booking detail, the Bilbao airport to San Sebastián taxi guide.