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Getting from Bilbao Airport to San Sebastian

San Sebastian is one of the most visited cities in Spain and famed for its beaches, quaint Old Town and incredible food. Known as Donostia in Basque, it is definitely a town worth visiting, especially for all the foodies out there; it is renowned for its Basque cuisine and boasts the second most Michelin stars per capita in the world. Also home to the amazing pintxo (tapas), it’s considered by many to be the greatest gastronomic destination in Spain.

If you are arriving from Bilbao International Airport and making your way to San Sebastian, you have two transfer options; you can either take a taxi or a bus. Although more expensive, taking a taxi or private airport transfer from Bilbao airport to San Sebastian is the fastest and most comfortable way to travel, taking 1 hour 15 minutes to reach the city. Your other transfer option is to take the Pesa bus company that operates direct routes between Bilbao airport and the centre of San Sebastian.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Bilbao at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups €190 75min 24/7 Book
Book
Taxi €155 75min 24/7
Bus €33 80min 07:45–20:45

How to get from Bilbao airport to San Sebastian by taxi

Arriving in a new city and having to make your way all the way to San Sebastian can be disconcerting, so choosing to take a Bilbao airport taxi to San Sebastian is definitely a great option. Not only do they provide easy, comfortable and door-to-door services, you and your travel partners can just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. Taxis are available 24/7 at Bilbao International Airport and are easy to recognise as the vehicles are white with a red stripe on the side of their doors.

Taxi fare from Bilbao International Airport to San Sebastian

Unfortunately Bilbao airport taxis do not offer flat rate fees to San Sebastian, instead they calculate their fare using a taximeter, so based on the time and distance travelled and on several other factors. Nonetheless, your approximate taxi fare for your 1 hour 15 minute trip to San Sebastian should cost around €155 if you are travelling by day and €170 if you are travelling at night or on a weekend. Please note that there is no airport surcharge when leaving Bilbao airport.

Cost

€155

Trip Duration

1 H 15 Min.

*Rates may vary unless you book your taxi in advance.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Bilbao International Airport (BIO)

Where do I get it from

The official Bilbao airport taxi rank is located at the passenger terminal building on level 1, on the Arrivals sidewalk, and have a capacity for 64 vehicles.

Convenience

Although the more expensive travel method to get from Bilbao airport to San Sebastian, taking a taxi is always the most practical and convenient option. Knowing that you just need to hop into a taxi and enjoy the ride to your accommodation after a long flight is priceless. However, as airport taxi prices vary depending on several factors, it is highly recommended to book a private Bilbao airport transfer in advance and avoid any hidden fees.

Editor’s Note

It is good to know that guide dogs and passenger wheelchairs can be accommodated in the taxi vehicle for free.

Useful Tips

There are no airport supplements, nor luggage surcharges at Bilbao International Airport.
Make sure that the taximeter has been reset and turned on before starting your journey to San Sebastian.

How to get from Bilbao airport to San Sebastian by bus

If you and your travel partners are looking for a more cost efficient way to travel from Bilbao airport to San Sebastian, then taking the airport bus, run by Paso, is your best option. Not only do the airport buses run direct routes to San Sebastian, the vehicles provided are air-conditioned and comfortable. The journey from the airport will take 1 hour 20 minutes, with only one stop along the way at Zarautz.

How much is a bus ticket from Bilbao airport to San Sebastian?

A regular one-way bus ticket from Bilbao International Airport to San Sebastian costs €16.50 and can be purchased online (maximum 1 month in advance) or at the Pesa airport ticket office upon your arrival.

Cost

€16.50

Trip Duration

1 H 20 Min.

There is an average waiting time of 2 hours for the bus.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The Pesa buses run daily from Bilbao airport to San Sebastian from 07:45 to 20:45.

Where do I get it from?

The Pesa bus stop is located right outside the airport’s exit doors on the right.

Convenience

Taking a bus from Bilbao to San Sebastian is a great option for those travelling on a budget. The bus is direct from the airport to the city and only marks one stop along the way. Moreover, travel time is not that much different from that of a taxi. However, if you arrive early in the morning or during the night you will have to find another travel option to get to San Sebastian.

Editor’s Note

In order to board the bus, you must have printed out your online ticket paper and show it to the Transportes Pesa, S.A. driver.

Useful Tips

All the Pesa bus's four front seats are reserved for people with reduced mobility and will only go on sale once the other seats have been taken.
Tickets can be purchased up to 1 month before your travel date.
Tickets can only be cancelled if requested at least 30 minutes prior to your departure and only from the www.pesa.net online payment interface. Tickets purchased online cannot be cancelled at the ticket office nor on the bus.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Bilbao. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

Read more Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

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Frequently asked questions

How far is Bilbao International Airport from San Sebastian?

Bilbao International Airport is located 102 km away from San Sebastian, and the journey takes around 1 hour 15 minutes by car.

How to get from Bilbao airport to San Sebastian?

If you are looking to travel from Bilbao International Airport to San Sebastian, you have two transfer options; you can either take a taxi with a travel time of 1 hour 15 minutes or a PESA bus, which will take you 1 hour 20 minutes.

How much is a taxi from Bilbao International Airport (BIO) to San Sebastian?

If you wish to take a taxi for your Bilbao airport transfer it will cost you around €155. Please note that prices vary for night and weekend trips. If you wish to travel at a fixed price with no hidden fees, it is highly recommended to book your private airport transfer in advance.

How much is bus ticket from Bilbao airport to San Sebastian?

A regular PESA bus ticket from Bilbao airport to San Sebastian costs €16.50; you can buy your tickets from the PESA website or directly at the airport ticket booth.

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