Spain Guide
Euskal Herria: the País Vasco & Navarra
Getting Around
Central Bilbao is small enough to walk around comfortably; indeed, the riverside stroll between the Casco Viejo and the Guggenheim is a highlight for many visitors. The city does, however, boast the modern Metro Bilbao, designed by Norman Foster. An easy, efficient service runs every four minutes from Plentzia (northeast of Getxo) to Extebarri, south of the city centre; a second line runs from here to Portugalete on the southern bank of the river. All journeys in the city centre (including the Casco Viejo) are within one zone (€1.20).
For parts the metro doesn't reach, there are red municipal buses (€1) with route maps at the green bus shelters, or for longer journeys (including to the airport) the blue and yellow Bizkiabuses. The green Euskotran trams (€1) run along a single line, linking the Casco Viejo and the Museo Guggenheim with San Mamés and the bus station.
If you plan to use the transport system frequently, buy a BilbaoCard from any turismo (€6/10/12 for one/two/three days), which provides unlimited travel on all Bilbao's various modes of transport in the Creditrans network – the metro, tram, municipal and provincial buses and Artxanda funicular – and offers discounts of ten to fifty percent at various museums and shops. Alternatively, the Creditrans farepass comes in denominations of €5, €10 and €15 (available at stations, tram stops, kiosks and tobacconists' shops), which reduce in value as you use them, but offer discounts on normal ticket prices (and have no time limit).