San Fermin 2026: key dates you need to know
The San Fermin festival takes place every year in Pamplona (Navarre, northern Spain) from 6 to 14 July. The opening rocket (chupinazo) is fired at 12:00 on 6 July from the Town Hall balcony, and the famous Running of the Bulls (encierro) takes place every morning at 8:00 am from 7 to 14 July.
During these nine days, transport demand between the Basque Country and Pamplona surges dramatically. Trains and buses sell out days in advance, dynamic pricing pushes fares up and late-night services simply do not exist. Booking a private taxi with a fixed price is the only way to guarantee your transfer — both ways.
- Opening rocket (chupinazo): 6 July at 12:00
- Running of the Bulls: 7–14 July at 8:00 am
- Closing ceremony: night of 14 July into 15 July
- Festival atmosphere: non-stop parties, music and fireworks throughout
How much does a taxi from Bilbao to Pamplona cost?
The Bilbao–Pamplona route covers approximately 150 km via the AP-68 and A-15 motorways, with a journey time of around 1 hour 15 minutes. Our service operates on a fixed price basis: the fare you see when booking is exactly what you pay — no night supplements, no luggage charges, no surprises.
Below are the approximate fares from the main areas in Greater Bilbao:
| Pick-up point | Approx. fare | Journey time to Pamplona |
|---|---|---|
| Bilbao city centre | From €130 | ~1 h 15 min |
| Barakaldo | From €125 | ~1 h 10 min |
| Getxo | From €140 | ~1 h 25 min |
| Portugalete | From €128 | ~1 h 15 min |
| Santurtzi | From €130 | ~1 h 18 min |
| Sestao | From €126 | ~1 h 12 min |
| Bilbao Airport (BIO) | From €135 | ~1 h 20 min |
Travelling as a group? Split between 3 or 4 passengers, the cost per person works out at around €32–45 — competitive with the train once you factor in luggage, connections and the time lost at the station.
Taxi vs train vs bus: which is best for San Fermin?
During San Fermin, public transport options come with real limitations that are worth understanding before you decide:
| Transport | Journey time | Approx. cost | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private taxi | ~1 h 15 min | Fixed price | None |
| Renfe train | ~1 h 30–2 h | €15–40 / person | No late-night services, sold out during festival |
| Alsa bus | ~1 h 45 min | €10–18 / person | Limited timetables, intermediate stops |
| Rental car / own car | ~1 h 15 min | Fuel + tolls ~€20 | No parking in Pamplona during the festival |
- Early morning departures: the encierro starts at 8:00 am, which means many travellers need to leave Bilbao at 5:00 or 6:00 am — well before any train or bus operates.
- No parking in Pamplona: the city centre is closed to private vehicles during the festival and finding a parking space is virtually impossible.
- Late-night returns: street parties and concerts go on until the early hours. A private taxi is the only option that can pick you up whenever you are ready.
- No metro to the airport: if you are connecting from Bilbao Airport (BIO), remember the metro does not serve the airport directly — only a private taxi covers the full airport-to-Pamplona route without changes.
How to book your Bilbao to Pamplona taxi for San Fermin
Booking takes less than 60 seconds. Here is how it works:
- 1. Visit taxibilbaoaeropuerto.com and enter your pick-up point and destination (Pamplona city centre or any specific address in Pamplona).
- 2. Select your date and time — if you want to watch the encierro on 7 July, plan to leave Bilbao no later than 6:30 am.
- 3. Confirm your booking and receive your driver's details by WhatsApp or email.
- 4. Pay the driver on arrival in Pamplona. No card required in advance, no deposit, no hidden fees.
All our drivers are fully licensed and official, vehicles are spacious (up to 4 large suitcases) and the service runs 24 hours a day throughout the entire festival period.
Our advice: book at least 2–3 weeks in advance for San Fermin dates. Availability fills up quickly and fixed prices are only guaranteed for advance bookings. Last-minute requests during the festival may not be available.
Top tips for travelling from Bilbao to Pamplona during San Fermin
Here are the most useful tips from travellers who have made this trip during the festival:
- Book your return journey too: the night of 14–15 July (closing ceremony) is the single busiest moment of the entire festival. If you do not have a return taxi booked, you may be stranded.
- Agree the exact pick-up point in Pamplona in advance: road closures are extensive during the festival. The area around the Ciudadela park or Paseo Sarasate tends to remain accessible — confirm with your driver beforehand.
- Bring a change of clothes: whether you join the encierro or the night parties, you will get wet. The taxi boot has plenty of room for a bag.
- Wear white and red: the traditional San Fermin outfit is white clothes with a red neckerchief (pañuelo). Pick yours up in Pamplona on arrival.
- Groups of 3–4 save the most: the fixed fare is shared between all passengers, making the taxi significantly cheaper per head than the train or bus when travelling as a group.
Flying into Bilbao Airport for San Fermin? We go directly to Pamplona
If you are flying into Bilbao Airport (BIO / Aeropuerto de Loiu) and heading straight to Pamplona for San Fermin, we offer a direct airport-to-Pamplona transfer with no changes and no wasted time in the city.
This service is particularly popular with international travellers arriving from the UK, Ireland, France and beyond who want to experience San Fermin without the hassle of public transport connections. You land, your driver meets you at arrivals and you are in Pamplona in around 1 hour 20 minutes.
- Pick-up: directly from the arrivals hall at Bilbao Airport (BIO)
- Flight tracking: if your flight is delayed, your driver waits at no extra charge
- Fixed price: from €135 for the full BIO → Pamplona transfer
- 24h availability: early morning arrivals and late-night flights covered
Note: the Bilbao metro does not serve the airport and the Bizkaibus A3247 bus (Plaza Moyua → airport, €1.70, every 30 min) does not connect to Pamplona — so a private taxi is the only direct option from the airport to San Fermin.