15–25 minutes from T1 to central Bilbao for about $3
Bizkaibus A3247 runs from Bilbao Airport T1 to the city in roughly 15–25 minutes for around $2–5, and locals on Reddit say “for Bilbao it’s bus, no question” compared with a €25–30 taxi. The line hits several central stops on the way in, so you don’t have to ride all the way to the terminal if you’re staying near Moyua or on Gran Vía.
The bus operates roughly 06:00–23:00, with a daytime pattern of every 20 minutes, though regulars note that after about 22:00 gaps can stretch beyond that. Officially the ride is sold as 15 minutes, but frequent users report closer to 20–25 minutes in normal traffic and longer at rush hour when the A8 clogs up.
On the city side, A3247 stops at Alameda Recalde, Plaza Moyua, Gran Vía, and then Bilbao Intermodal (Termibus), which is the main bus hub. A Yelp reviewer calls out that these three city stops before Termibus cover most central hotels, so if you’re near Moyua you should hop off there instead of cruising to the end and backtracking.
Tickets run about €1.30–3 depending on Barik card or cash, and you buy or validate with the driver at the airport stop because there’s no separate ticket machine. That driver-only setup slows boarding when an A320 or 737 unloads a full flight, and reviews mention people fumbling for coins while the line of passengers spills along the curb.
Regulars tap a Barik card the second they step on, which shortens the stop and avoids digging for cash in front of everyone. Locals also like getting off at Moyua to connect to Metro Bilbao if they’re staying out of the center, rather than walking from Termibus with bags.
Watch out for peak times: Reddit and Yelp posts mention the bus getting packed when two flights land close together, with limited luggage racks so suitcases block the aisle. If you’re carrying multiple large bags or arriving late when frequencies stretch past 20 minutes, it can be worth paying the €25–30 for a taxi instead.
Practical tip: sit or stand near the rear doors with your suitcase so you can step off quickly at Moyua or Gran Vía without fighting past a wall of people and bags.