£30 Cheap Flights to Bilbao

Book a Flight to Bilbao

The capital of Spain’s Basque province, Bilbao, has reinvented itself from an industrial to a cultural giant. But, if truth were told, it’s the city’s location next to the beach resorts of Santander and San Sebastián that sees most UK visitors searching for cheap flights to Bilbao.

Whether its architectural and artistic masterpieces that you seek, or just a bit of Spanish sun and sand, Expedia can help you find the cheapest flights to the glorious Basque coast.

When to Book Cheap Flights to Bilbao

Come rain or shine, you’ll never be short of things to do in and around Bilbao. Whether you are picturing yourself taking a relaxed summer’s day walk through Casco Viejo or imagining that rugged coast and picturesque Basque countryside in the winter, Bilbao will oblige.

The peak season for visitors from the UK is definitely the summer months. During this time the sun shines gloriously on coast and city – and that northern Spanish rain is held at bay. During this time the Aste Nagusia festival is held to celebrate Basque culture – and, if you’re here in August, try and coincide your visit with the colour and clamour that the parades and events bring to Bilbao.

Cheap flights to Bilbao are easy to find in the winter months – but so are rain and significantly cooler temperatures. April offers a good month to find great weather and cheap air fares to Bilbao, just make sure you book around the Easter break as Holy Week draws the crowds and inflates the cost of both hotels and flights. Similarly, the autumnal months of September and October offer good weather but lower-priced flights.

How to Find the Best Flight Deals to Bilbao

Whichever season you choose to visit Bilbao in, there are ways you can use Expedia to ensure that you book the cheapest flight possible. Here’s a few pointers to finding the best price on your air fare to the capital of the Basque country.

It’s always worth looking at other airports near you to see if prices are lower from these. You can do this by clicking on ‘Nearby airports’ to reveal the price of flights from a range of airports near you.

If you are thinking of flying from the capital it’s best to select ‘All London airports’ rather than a single one. This will return results with more carriers and increase your chance of finding the most convenient and lowest-priced flight.

Another way to search for cheap flights to Bilbao flexibly is to select ‘Show flexible dates’ when your flight results are returned. This allows you to review the flight prices across a range of different dates.

UK Departures to Bilbao

Optimal flight times from UK airports to Bilbao are:

• London to Bilbao – 1 hour 55 minutes
• Manchester to Bilbao – 2 hours 10 minutes
• Birmingham to Bilbao – 4 hours (no direct flights)
• Glasgow to Bilbao – 4 hours 45 minutes (no direct flights)
• Newcastle to Bilbao – 4 hours 35 minutes (no direct flights)
• Edinburgh to Bilbao – 2 hours 35 minutes
• Belfast to Bilbao – 6 hours 30 minutes (no direct flights)

Main Airports in Bilbao

Bilbao Airport is located in Loiu, in Biscay, about six miles from the centre of Bilbao. Its new terminal has seen it win many awards for design and the airport caters very well to the needs of the five million passengers who use it each year. Bilbao Airport is the largest airport in northern Spain.

Shuttle buses outside the airport will whisk you to Termibús, the main bus terminal in Bilbao. From here it is possible to catch any bus, tram or train that you need for your onward travel.

The Bizkaibus Line A3247 also connects the airport to the city – buses leave every 30 minutes and one-way tickets cost less than two euros.Both taxi and car hire service providers are available at the airport. Car hire gives you the freedom to explore Bilbao and then head out to see the beautiful Atlantic coast of Spain, taking in destinations such as San Sebastian and Guernica as you drive.

Which Airlines Fly to Bilbao?

Airlines offering direct flights to Bilbao from the UK include:

• British Airways
• Vueling
• easyJet
• Norwegian

In addition, connecting flights can be found with:

• Air France
• KLM
• Lufthansa

How to Get Around in Bilbao

Bilbao’s efficient public transportation system is supplemented by taxis for shorter hops.

Within the city Bilbobus run until the early hours and the tramway, Euskotran, is available until 11pm.

For those looking to journey further into Spain, Madrid, Barcelona, Burgos and many other Spanish cities are easy to reach on Renfe, Spain’s national rail line, or by long-distance bus.

What are the Must-Sees in Bilbao?

Bilbao’s Casco Viejo is the place to enjoy a leisurely lunch and relaxed stroll. Also known as the Old Town, Casco Viejo is the medieval neighbourhood of Bilbao. It’s made up of seven streets, lined with historic buildings and a mouth-watering selection of restaurants.

Housed within an ancient Baroque building, the Basque Museum of Bilbao focuses exclusively on the rich history and tradition of the Basque people. Opened in 1921, the museum contains over 20,000 objects some dating to prehistoric times.

The light-filled glass walls of the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum have become a symbol of Bilbao’s regeneration. And the interior’s art collection isn’t too bad either!

Tips for Travelling to Bilbao

Though Castilian Spanish is the official language of Spain, Basque, or Euskara, is prominently spoken in Bilbao.