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Good to know
- Nearest airport
- Bilbao Airport (BIO)
- To city centre
- 5 km
- Parking in the centre
- Paid zones
- Region
- Basque Country
- Main roads
- A-8, AP-68, the BI-625 corridor
- Population
- 351,124
- City IATA code
- BIO
- Time zone
- Europe/Madrid
- Currency
- EUR
- Driving side
- Right-hand traffic
- Rental offices
- 13
- Rental companies
- 8
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Where to pick up a car in Bilbao
Rental desks by area, with the distance from the city centre.
Train stations
Offices 10Abando Indalecio Prieto
Bilbao La Concordia
Autonomía
San Mamés
Further from the centre
Offices 3Deustuko Doneperiaga
San Vicente de Barakaldo
Bilbao by car
Bilbao lies in a narrow valley, and the motorway network threads along it towards the coast and the border. The green hills of Biscay start a few minutes out of town.
Driving in Bilbao
Bilbao is reached by A-8, AP-68 and the BI-625 corridor. Parking in the centre is paid and marked by zone.
Arriving by road
A half-ring of the BI-625 and N-637 wraps the east side and the N-634 and A-8 the west, while Sabino Arana and Juan Antonio Zunzunegui avenues carry traffic from the motorways into the central districts. Both the AP-8 heading east and the AP-68 heading south are toll roads. Central streets are hilly and one-way in places, and a low emissions zone keeps some vehicles out.
From the airport without a car
Bizkaibus line A3247 leaves Bilbao Airport from the arrivals hall, and tickets are sold at a booth on the far right of that floor. In town it calls at Alameda Recalde by the Guggenheim, Plaza Elíptica and Gran Vía before ending at the Bilbao Intermodal bus station.
Popular searches in Bilbao
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Day trips from Bilbao
- Vitoria-Gasteiz50 km
- Santander75 km
- San Sebastian76 km
Rules of the road in Spain
- Speed limits
- 50 / 90 / 120 km/h
- Alcohol limit
- 0.5 ‰
- Motorway tolls
- motorway tolls paid at the barrier
- Must carry
- a reflective vest and a warning triangle
- Emergency number
- 112
What kind of car do you need?
Typical capacity for the category — the exact model is confirmed by the rental company at booking.
Frequently asked questions
Spain: which side of the road do they drive on?
On the right. Speed limits are posted at the roadside and differ between towns, open roads and motorways.
Which currency will I be charged in?
Prices are usually set in EUR. The rental company sets both the price and the deposit, and shows them before you book.
Can I drive the car into another country?
Often yes within the EU, but never assume it. Crossing a border has to be allowed by the rental company and usually costs extra, so check the terms before you book.
Where do I park in the centre of Bilbao?
Parking in the centre is paid and marked by zone.
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
An International Driving Permit is recommended alongside a non-EU licence.
What are the speed limits in Spain?
50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on open roads, 120 km/h on motorways.
Are the motorways tolled?
Motorways charge at the barrier. Payment is by cash or card.
Where can I pick up a rental car in Bilbao?
At Abando Indalecio Prieto: Alamo, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, National and an independent office. At Bilbao La Concordia: Centauro. At Autonomía: Avis. At San Mamés: Europcar and an independent office. In Deustuko Doneperiaga: Hertz and Sixt. In San Vicente de Barakaldo: an independent office. More rental desks are at Bilbao Airport.