Bilbao airport car hire

If you’re planning to explore northern Spain’s Basque Country, a hire car from Bilbao Airport (BIO) will ensure your journey is comfortable and your route flexible. With plenty of car rental providers at the airport, it’s easy to get on the open road soon after you’ve landed in Spain.

The rental car pick-up area at Bilbao Airport is located on the ground floor of the P1 general car park. Some of the car hire companies here include:

• Avis: +34 902 110 198
• Enterprise: +34 944 533 340
• Europcar: +34 911 505 000
• Hertz: +34 944 530 931
• Sixt: +34 871 180 192
• Gobycar: +34 944 340 344

Bilbao Airport is around a 15-minute drive from Bilbao’s city centre. It’s best to avoid driving in and around the city, so opt for a park-and-ride from places like Ansio, Etxebarri and Leioa.

If you can’t avoid driving in the city centre, a small hire car is ideal for navigating the streets. Your parking options include Plaza Euskadi car park and Alhondiga car park.

Driving in Spain is generally easy once you’ve got the hang of driving on the right-hand side of the road. The roads are typically in good condition and clearly signposted. Most are also toll-free, aside from a few motorways, such as the AP-68 between Bilbao and Zaragoza. You can pay the fee with cash or a card.

Throughout Spain, speed limits are typically 50km/h (31 mph) in urban areas, 70-100km/h (43-62 mph) outside of city limits and 90-120km/h (56-75 mph) on highways.

With a hire car from Bilbao Airport, you can take scenic road trips through valleys and along the coast, easily covering the region’s attractions. From Bilbao, it’s just over an hour’s drive along the AP-8 to the foodie town of San Sebastián.

• Min. age required to hire a car: 18-21 with restrictions depending on age
• Which side of the road: Right
• Credit card requirements: Credit and debit cards are accepted for payment
• Any additional requirements: If your licence is from outside mainland UK (such as the Isle of Man), you’ll need an International Driving Permit