Flights to Bilbao

Flights from London to Bilbao Airport take around two hours.

Summer is a popular time to visit, so it’s often cheaper to fly to Bilbao over the winter months between October and March. To find the cheapest flights to Bilbao, use our low fare finder.

Bilbao isn’t known for being especially expensive for visitors, with a wide variety of hotels, restaurants and attractions that cater to every budget. The Basque style of tapas, known as pintxos, is a great option for sampling all the local flavours without breaking the bank.

Many of Bilbao’s attractions are free to visit on certain days, such as the impressive Itsasmuseum where you can discover more about the city’s maritime heritage. Housed in a former shipyard, there’s no fee to visit on Tuesdays outside of July and August.

Bilbao’s airport is just 9km outside of the city, so it’s a straightforward journey by taxi. You can also take the inexpensive bus service, which runs at regular intervals and takes 20 minutes to reach the city centre.

Bilbao is compact and walkable, so you can easily get by without a car if you’re staying somewhere central. The city has a Metro service that’s easy to use and makes for an efficient way to get around and explore the nearby beaches.

You can hire a car with British Airways if you want to see more of what the Basque Country has to offer. You’ll receive great benefits, with all mandatory charges included and 24-hour customer support, plus you’ll collect Avios points on every rental.

The Basque Country is known for its excellent food and wine, so once you’ve explored the many pintxos bars of the city, head out to the countryside to discover the Bizkaiko Txakolina wine region. Book a tour at the Bodega Berroja Winery, set in the rolling hills with soaring views across the forest.

You can also combine a city break to Bilbao with some beach hopping. Visit Ereaga Beach, which you can reach on the city’s Metro system, or go further afield to La Arena, a beach that’s popular with surfers and blessed with golden sand and nearby bars and restaurants for enjoying a sunset beer.

You can book a hand baggage-only ticket or make the most of our generous baggage allowance. If you choose economy standard or one of our British Airways Holidays’ packages, each passenger can check in a bag weighing up to 23kg – in addition to a handbag, laptop case or other small bag. Families travelling in any cabin with younger children can also check in one car seat and one fully collapsible pushchair. Read more about baggage allowances for children.

If you’re flying in our business cabin, you can check in two bags weighing up to 32kg each. Read our baggage guide for full details.

Citizens of the UK and Ireland and EU passport holders do not need a visa to visit Spain. If you hold a passport from a country or territory outside of these areas, you may need to apply for a visa before you travel. You can find out more about visa requirements for all the countries we fly to at the IATA Travel Centre.

Discover outstanding service from the moment you book. Fly with just hand baggage and you can carry two bags free of charge. Choose our checked baggage option and you can travel with hand baggage and a 23kg bag checked into the hold, plus enjoy free seat selection 24 hours before you fly. On board you’ll find HEPA-filtered air, quality on-board catering, and a warm, uniquely British welcome.

Simply relax and let us take care of you, every step of the way.