The Cercanías (Aldirikoak) suburban train network operated by RENFE has
three lines. The Santurtzi line is the busiest with trains every 10 minutes,
the Orduña line has a half-hourly service. Fares are based on zone with
central Bilbao zone one and fares are cheaper on weekdays. Single tickets are €0.90
for trips in zone one and two, €1 for trips to zone three.
EuskoTren operates two suburban train lines with trains running every 15-20 minutes.
Services operate between San Sebastian and Bilbao.
The narrow gauge railway FEVE (Ferrocarriles de Via Estrecha) operates a suburban
line to Balmaseda.
EuskoTren, FEVE and RENFE also operate to areas in the Basque country and outside.
RENFE trains run direct to Alicante, Barcelona (2 daily), Madrid (3 daily) and
destinations in Galicia. Renfe services use Abando station.
EuskoTren operate regional train services from Atxuri station with services to
San Sebastián and Hendaye on the French border. FEVE operates from Corcordia
Station and along the north coast stopping at Santander, Oviedo and Ferrol.
TOP
FERRIES
P&O Ferries to Portsmouth in the UK depart from Santurtzi, 14km from the
centre on the RENFE train line. The journey takes 30 hours and there are two
trips a week.
TOP
BUS
Long-distance buses use two stations. Buses to Barcelona (4 daily) and Madrid
(12 daily) depart from Avenida de la Autonomía 17. Bus to destinations
closer to Bilbao (1 hour) like San Sebastián and to France depart from
the Termibus station near San Mamés metro station.
HITCHING
The Basque region is not the most successful for hitch hiking due to the low
volume of traffic on the roads. For long journeys try the web-based ride sharing
service at http://www.europe.bugride.com
DRIVING
Traffic is not congested in Bilbao and finding your way around should not be
a problem. Check your hotel has parking provided. Auto Europe Hertz Avis
MOTORCYCLE
Motonline.com - http://rent.motonline.com/en/ rent@motonline.com
Motonline allows you to rent a bike throughout Europe and there are pickup and
drop off points around the country (for additional fees). Rentable bikes include
Ducati, Aprilia, Yamaha and BMW.
BIKING AND WALKING
This may be a cheaper, safer and healthier way to get around. Ask at your hotel
or hostel for the nearest places to rent good bikes or do walking tours. Check
out our tour
pages for biking and walking holidays in Spain.
Bilbao is not far off the Camino de Santiago walking pilgrimage route. The route
does pass through Pamplona (1 hour by bus) and you can join it there. Go to our walking
pages for more details.
Euro-Bike and Walking Tours - http://www.eurobike.com – offers
similar tours by bike or foot starting with Florence and venturing out to nearby
small towns. Go to their website for more details or contact them at info@eurobike.com.
Their postal address is PO Box 990, DeKalb, IL 60115 – USA
TICKETS
Buy tickets for local buses on board from the conductor or from newsstands or
the station in advance. For long distance journeys you need to buy the ticket
from the station counter.
