Biarritz Pays Basque Airport, located just 5 kilometres southeast of Biarritz’s city centre, serves as a convenient gateway to the French Basque Country, handling around 930,000 passengers in 2022.
This compact airport, also known as Biarritz-Parme or Biarritz-Anglet-Bayonne Airport, supports flights from airlines like Air France, Ryanair, easyJet, and Lufthansa, connecting to European destinations such as London, Paris, and Brussels. The single-terminal layout is straightforward, with check-in desks and security on the ground floor and departure gates upstairs. Passengers board via tarmac walks, as jet bridges are absent, but clear signage in English and French ensures easy navigation. The small size keeps walking distances short, though the terminal can feel busy during peak summer months.
Access to the airport is efficient, with multiple transport options. The Chronoplus bus network, including lines 3, 8, and 14, connects to Biarritz city centre in about 15 minutes for €1.50, with a 24-hour pass available for €2.
Taxis outside the arrivals hall reach Biarritz in 10 minutes for approximately €15, while trips to Bayonne or Anglet, 10-15 minutes away, cost €20-€30. For those heading to San Sebastian, long-distance buses like FlixBus take about an hour for €10-€15. Car rentals from Avis, Hertz, and Europcar are available on-site, and the A63 motorway provides direct access for drivers, with 1,200 parking spaces across short-term (P0) and long-term (P1, P2) lots, bookable online.
The nearby Biarritz railway station, 3 kilometres away, offers train connections to regional destinations like Dax or Hendaye, accessible via a short bus or taxi ride.
Dining and retail options are modest but cater to traveller needs. The Bidaïa Bar serves sandwiches and drinks, while Belharra, located landside, offers light meals. Airside, a Relay shop stocks local Basque products like cheeses, wines, and espadrilles, alongside a Quiksilver store for surfing gear and a duty-free outlet for travel essentials.
Facilities include free Wi-Fi for a limited period, though a small fee applies for extended use, and an ATM near the arrivals area. A first aid room is located by the information desk, open daily from 8:00 AM to 10:15 PM (8:00 PM on Saturdays).
Passengers with reduced mobility can access ramps, lifts, adapted toilets, and reserved parking in P0, with assistance available via interphones at car park entrances or the information desk, provided airlines are notified in advance. A simple VIP lounge offers snacks and Wi-Fi for a fee, and two meeting rooms accommodate up to 18 people for business travellers.
On-time performance is generally reliable, as low-cost carriers prioritise quick turnarounds, but delays can occur during peak seasons due to the airport’s limited capacity.
Security queues may take 15-20 minutes when multiple flights depart, and tarmac boarding can slow operations in poor weather. Arriving two hours early for international flights is advisable. Connections are limited, as the airport primarily serves point-to-point routes, but domestic-to-domestic transfers take as little as 20 minutes, while international transfers require 60 minutes due to customs and security checks. Passengers with separate tickets may need to reclaim luggage and recheck, adding up to an hour.
Potential delays to watch for include congestion at check-in and security during busy periods, particularly in summer, when the terminal’s small size strains capacity. Staffing issues can occasionally slow processing, and the lack of jet bridges may delay boarding in rain or wind.
Baggage handling, especially for oversized items like surfboards, requires extra time at the dedicated desk in arrivals. Biarritz Pays Basque Airport offers a practical and efficient experience, with easy access to the Basque coast’s beaches and towns, supported by functional amenities and affordable transport links.
Ryanair
Ryanair operates flights to Dublin on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from the main terminal, with check-in desks typically in the check-in area (desks 1–5). Exact desk numbers are displayed on airport screens.
Flights to Ireland (Dublin) typically depart from Schengen gates (gates 1–3). Gates are assigned dynamically and shown on departure boards.
As a smaller airport, facilities and gate assignments are limited.
