Bilbao Airport, located 12 kilometres north of Bilbao in the municipality of Loiu, serves as the largest airport in the Basque Country, handling nearly 6.4 million passengers in 2023.
Known as La Paloma for its dove-like terminal designed by Santiago Calatrava, it offers a modern and efficient experience for travellers exploring northern Spain or connecting to over 50 European destinations. The single terminal, spanning 32,000 square metres across three floors, features 36 check-in desks on the third floor, departures and arrivals on the second, and a baggage claim hall with seven carousels on the first. Clear signage in Basque, Spanish, and English ensures easy navigation, though the terminal’s compact design can feel crowded during peak hours.
Accessing the airport is straightforward with multiple transport options. The Bizkaibus A3247 line connects to Bilbao’s city centre in about 20 minutes, stopping at Gran Vيa 79, Plaza Moyua, and Bilbao Intermodal for €3, or €0.99 with a Barik card, with buses running every 15-30 minutes from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Taxis from the arrivals area reach central Bilbao in 15 minutes for €25-€35, while private transfers to San Sebastian or Pamplona cost €185-€318. Car rentals from Avis, Hertz, and Sixt are available on the ground floor, and the BI-631 road provides direct access for drivers, with 3,000 parking spaces across short-term and long-term lots, bookable online. The Pesa bus service links to Zarautz and San Sebastian, taking about an hour for €14.80-€17.10.
Dining and retail options cater to traveller needs within a 1,381-square-metre commercial area. Airside, passengers can enjoy cafes like Hub Convenience and restaurants offering Basque cuisine alongside international chains. A World Duty Free shop sells perfumes, wines, and local products, while Relay and fashion stores provide additional shopping.
Landside, a cafeteria serves light meals. Facilities include free Wi-Fi via the AdP_FreeWifi network, accessible with social media logins, and a pharmacy between gates 4 and 5, open daily from 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM. Toilets, disabled restrooms, and a children’s play area in the arrivals hall ensure accessibility, while the Bilbao VIP Lounge offers snacks and Wi-Fi for €30. Assistance for passengers with reduced mobility is available with 48 hours’ notice, with meeting points on the terminal sidewalk and in the check-in hall.
On-time performance is generally reliable, supported by airlines like Volotea, Vueling, and Lufthansa, but delays can occur during peak summer periods.
Security queues may take 20-30 minutes when multiple flights depart, and passport control for non-Schengen flights can slow processing. Weather, particularly fog in the mountainous region, may disrupt schedules, so arriving two hours early for international flights is recommended. Connections are efficient within the single terminal, with domestic-to-domestic transfers taking as little as 20 minutes and international transfers up to 45 minutes due to customs 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 morning and evening rushes, as the terminal’s capacity is strained at 3,000 passengers per hour. Baggage handling issues have been reported, occasionally delaying arrivals by up to 45 minutes. The tarmac boarding process, used for some gates, can slow operations in adverse weather.
Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus operates from the Main Terminal at Bilbao Airport for flights to Dublin. Check-in desks are typically in the Check-in Zone P0–P1 (desks 1–20 range), but specific desks are assigned daily. Check-in opens 2 hours before departure and closes 45 minutes before departure. Online check-in is available up to 4.5 hours prior.
Departure Gates are usually in the Schengen area (Gates A or B). Bilbao is a smaller airport, so gates are assigned close to departure time and displayed on airport screens.
Bilbao is a newer route for Aer Lingus (expanded in 2025), so confirm operational details via the Aer Lingus website.
