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Transportation Options from Santander Airport to Bilbao

Bilbao is the most popular destination in northern Spain and it’s the capital of the Basque Country. While the downtown area is filled with skyscrapers, the city is surrounded by green mountains, ensuring amazing activities for all types of travellers. Whether you want to experience the lively nightlife, taste the delicious Basque cuisine, enjoy some beach time or go for a hike, Bilbao has it all. Even though the city has its own airport, you may find a more convenient flight through Santander and you can get from Santander Airport to Bilbao directly by taxi or bus.

If you value comfort and speed, then taking an airport taxi is the best option for you and your travel party. Taxi service is available around the clock at Santander Airport but you could also book a personalised transfer in advance for an even smoother experience. The trip from Santander Airport to Bilbao takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes and the average fare is about €150 for up to 4 passengers.

If the taxi fare is out of your budget, the bus is a cheaper alternative, ideal for solo travellers or light packers. There is no public bus line connecting the two cities, but you can take the Alsa Bus from Santander Airport to Bilbao. The trip duration is approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, which is longer compared to taking an airport taxi, but the fare is much lower, starting at €7.66 per traveller. Both transportation options are safe and reliable and you can choose the one that best matches your needs.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Santander 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
Taxi €150 70min 24/7
Bus €15.32 110min 11:40–16:15

How to get from Santander Airport to Bilbao by taxi

The best way to get from Santander Airport to Bilbao directly is to take an airport taxi. You can choose between on-demand service at the airport taxi rank and pre-booking your transfer to skip the line and save time. The ride takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes depending on traffic and your exact destination in Bilbao.

What's the cost of a taxi from Santander Airport to Bilbao?

Local cabs in Santander use a taximeter to calculate the fare for in-city rides. For a ride from Santander Airport to Bilbao, the fare may be fixed depending on the operator; make sure to confirm with the driver before you get in the taxi. If you take an on-demand taxi from the airport rank, you can expect to pay an average of €150 for up to 4 passengers.

Cost

€150

Trip Duration

1 Hr. 10 Min.

*Fares will vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Santander International Airport (SDR).

Where do I take a taxi from?

The airport taxi rank at Santander Airport is on the Ground Level in front of the Passenger Terminal; simply head right after exiting the building and you should see taxis lined up any time of the day.

Convenience

Taking an airport taxi from Santander Airport to Bilbao is the perfect option for travellers with luggage, families with young children, and anyone who wants to enjoy a comfortable ride directly to their accommodation. It’s the most convenient option to start your trip smoothly and avoid crowded buses. For an even better experience, you can pre-book a private transfer to have a driver waiting for you as soon as you touch down.

Editor’s Note

Airport taxis are the most convenient option to reach your destination in Bilbao but it's also more expensive. If you're travelling alone or on a tight budget, consider the bus instead or look for other travellers heading there to split the cost.

Useful Tips

Most Santander taxi drivers don’t speak English, so be sure to write down your destination in Spanish.
Before getting in the taxi, it's best to confirm if the price is fixed or if the driver will use the taximeter.
Many Santander taxis accept card payments but you may still come across a taxi that accepts only cash payments.
Tipping your taxi driver isn't required in Santander but it's well-received for long-distance trips.

How to get from Santander Airport to Bilbao by bus

A budget-friendly option to reach your accommodation is the bus from Santander Airport to Bilbao. Public transport isn’t available for this route but you can take the bus operated by Alsa, a reliable private company. They operate direct routes from Santander Airport to Bilbao and the trip takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes, depending on how many stops are scheduled along the way and excluding wait time.

How much is the fare for the bus from Santander Airport to Bilbao?

The cost of getting from Santander Airport to Bilbao by Alsa Bus ranges from €7.66 to €13.92 per traveller. Also keep in mind the added cost if you need to navigate from the bus station in Bilbao to your final destination.

Cost

€7.66

Trip Duration

1 Hr. 50 Min.

Alsa Buses usually operate routes from Santander Airport to Bilbao 3 to 4 times daily.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The first departure from Santander Airport is scheduled at 11:40 and the last one is usually at 16:15 except for Sundays. Consult the company website for the updated timetable.

Where do I take the bus from?

Alsa Buses depart from Santander Airport at the bus stop on the Ground Floor in front of the Passenger Terminal; look for the relevant signs guiding you there.

Convenience

The low fare makes the bus from Santander Airport to Bilbao the best value-for-money option, especially if you’re looking to keep transportation expenses as low as possible. If you’re carrying light luggage and you’re not in a hurry, it’s worth spending a little longer on the road. Just keep in mind that the bus will only take you to the main bus station in Bilbao, and you will still need to walk or find additional transportation to your accommodation.

Editor’s Note

Getting from Santander Airport to Bilbao by bus is a great option for solo travellers and small groups. For larger groups or travellers with multiple pieces of luggage, taking an airport taxi will ensure a smoother experience and direct service without any intermediate stops.

Useful Tips

You can purchase your ticket online on the Alsa website or from the ticket office at Santander Airport.
You can carry up to 30 kg of luggage free of charge on the bus.
Small pets, bicycles, and surf boards are permitted on Alsa Buses.
Most Alsa buses are fully accessible to wheelchair users.

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 from Santander Airport?

Bilbao is 96 km east of Santander Airport. The taxi driving time from Santander Airport to Bilbao is around 1 hour and 10 minutes in average traffic.

How do I get from Santander Airport to Bilbao?

An airport taxi or the bus are the best transportation options from Santander Airport to Bilbao. Airport taxis provide services 24/7 but you could also pre-book a private transfer to skip the line at the rank. The trip is around 1 hour and 10 minutes and the average fare for up to 4 passengers is €150. The bus operated by Alsa is a cheaper but slower alternative. The total fare to get from Santander Airport to Bilbao by bus varies depending on the route you choose. Tickets start at €7.66 and can go up to €13.92 per traveller and the travel time is around 1 hour and 50 minutes excluding wait time and navigation to your final destination in Bilbao.

What’s the cost of a taxi from Santander Airport to Bilbao?

Taxis in Santander calculate the fare with a taximeter for routes around the city.  For long-distance routes like the one from Santander Airport to Bilbao, the driver may not use the taximeter and give you a fixed quote instead based on the number of passengers, luggage, and other factors; make sure to confirm the total fare before setting off. For a standard taxi that can accommodate up to 4 passengers, the average fare is around €150.

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