The Basque Country (Euskadi) is an autonomous community in northern Spain nestled between the Cantabrian mountains and the Bay of Biscay, celebrated worldwide for its extraordinary gastronomy, avant-garde architecture, and fiercely proud cultural identity. Home to Bilbao's transformative Guggenheim Museum and San Sebastián's legendary pintxos bars, the region blends industrial heritage with breathtaking coastal scenery and lush green valleys. With more Michelin stars per capita than almost anywhere on earth, the Basque Country offers travelers a uniquely sophisticated yet deeply authentic Spanish experience.
- Public
- The Basque Country has some of Spain's best public transport — Bilbao's Norman Foster-designed metro is a highlight in itself
- Taxi
- Taxis are metered and reliable; Cabify app works well in Bilbao and San Sebastián
- Rental
- Car rental is useful for exploring the Urdaibai reserve, Álava wine country, and mountain villages
- Walking
- Bilbao's Casco Viejo and San Sebastián's old town are completely walkable and best explored on foot
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- €25–35, 20 minutes to Bilbao city centre
- Taxi Info
- Taxis queue outside arrivals; agree fare or ensure meter is running
- Shuttle
- Not widely available; some hotels offer private transfers
- Shuttle Info
- Check with hotel for private transfer options
- Bus
- €3, Bizkaibus A3247, 30–40 minutes to Bilbao city centre
- Bus Info
- Departs every 30 minutes from outside arrivals terminal
- Private
- €20–30, pre-booked via Cabify or MyTaxi app
- Private Info
- Book online before landing for best rates
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
City buses in Bilbao (Bilbobus), San Sebastián (Dbus), and Vitoria-Gasteiz (TUVISA); €1.15–1.75 per ride with BariK card
Alternatives
Bilbao Metro (€1.70+), trams in Bilbao and San Sebastián, EuskoTren coastal railway, shared bikes (BilbaoBizi, Donostibizi)
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- €2.50 base fare + €1.20/km (Bilbao); slightly higher in San Sebastián
- Apps
- Cabify, MyTaxi, Free Now
- App Names
- Cabify, MyTaxi, Free Now
- Typical Fare
- €8–15 for average city ride
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
ALSA buses connect Bilbao–San Sebastián (€8–12, 1.5 hours) and Bilbao–Vitoria-Gasteiz (€6–10, 1 hour)
Shared
Not commonly used; standard buses are affordable and frequent
Flights
Domestic flights available but unnecessary given short distances; buses and trains are more practical
Private
Private car hire from €40–60/day from major operators at Bilbao Airport
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
The Basque Country has excellent public transport infrastructure. Bilbao has a modern metro, tram, and extensive bus network. San Sebastián is served by trams, buses, and EuskoTren. Vitoria-Gasteiz has an award-winning tram system. The three provincial capitals are well connected by ALSA coaches and RENFE trains, and the EuskoTren narrow-gauge railway links coastal towns between Bilbao and San Sebastián.
Airports
Bilbao Airport (Bilbao Internacional)
San Sebastián Airport
Vitoria-Gasteiz Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Bilbao Metro App
Official Bilbao Metro journey planner and card top-up
Cabify
Professional ride-hailing app working well in Bilbao and San Sebastián
ALSA
Long-distance bus booking app for routes throughout the Basque Country and Spain
Renfe
Spanish national rail booking for AVE and regional trains
BilbaoBizi
Bilbao's public bike-sharing scheme; €15 annual or €2/day
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy a BariK rechargeable card for significant discounts on Bilbao Metro, Bilbobus, EuskoTren, and trams — available at Metro stations
The EuskoTren coastal railway between Bilbao and San Sebastián is a scenic journey worth taking rather than the faster bus
San Sebastián and Bilbao city centres are very walkable — use public transport for inter-city travel and walk locally
Validate your bus or tram ticket when boarding — inspections do occur and fines are €50–100
Bilbao's metro has a 10-trip Creditrans card that saves money over single tickets
Taxis from the airport to central Bilbao run about €25–35; the Bizkaibus A3247 is much cheaper at €3