Search Flights from Bilbao to Zurich

Among the alternatives you can prefer to reach the airport from Bilbao city center are very easy and comfortable transportation options, especially buses and taxis. In Bilbao, if you want, you can also rent a car to get to the airport from the city center; in this way, you can also explore the surrounding area while driving the car between the city center and the airport.

The airport is only 13 kilometers away from Bilbao city center. Thanks to its close location to the center of the city, the prices of transportation alternatives between the airport and the city center are not too high. However, if you want to travel by a much more economical means of transportation, you can take the buses departing from the city center and from other places in the immediate vicinity of Bilbao.

If comfort and speed are your priorities instead of affordable prices for transportation, taking a taxi or the shuttle services provided by hotels would be a much more accurate decision in this sense. Renting a car in Bilbao is a great option that allows you to arrive at the airport from the city center as well as to explore the different parts of the city around Bilbao.

You just need to have a valid driver's license to rent a car in the city. It is also possible to reach many points in and around Bilbao by your own car. However, if you are going to drive the car, you will find it extremely helpful in the city to travel with a local guide or with the help of a navigator to get directions properly. You can also easily get a taxi at many points in the city center and take the advantage of taking a taxi on your journey to the airport.

Taxis in the city run with the taximeter system and generally there is no chance to bargain with the driver over taxi fare. However, the distances within the city are very close to each other. So, the taxi fare you need to pay is not very high.

Bus

Bilbao city center is 13 kilometers away from Bilbao Airport. The first alternative you can prefer is to take a bus, which is also the most economical transportation option in the city. You can reach the airport from Bilbao city center by bus for approximately 1.40 Euros.

If you want to get to the airport from the nearby places such as San Sebastian, Zarautz, Arrasate, Bergara and Eibar, you can consider transportation by bus as the first among your alternatives.

It is possible to reach the airport by taking the advantage of the buses running from early morning until night, even if their departure times vary during weekdays, weekends and holidays. The frequency of bus services varies depending on passenger density; the buses depart from Bilbao city center every 30 minutes and usually depart hourly from other central places in the city.

You can pay for the ticket in the bus and you need to make sure you have Euros with you. Although it is possible to pay for taxi in dollars, only euro is accepted for bus transportation.

Taxi

You can also get to the airport from Bilbao city center by taxi. Moreover, taxis are one of the most preferred options in the city. Taxi stands out as the most convenient alternative in airport transportation, especially for foreign tourists visiting the city for the first time. The fact that the airport is located 13 kilometers away from the city center makes it possible for taxis to stand out as a generally affordable option.

You can also prefer to take a taxi as a shared car if there are other passengers going to the airport from the hotel where you stay in the city, and so you can decrease the taxi fare. However, please keep in mind that taxi drivers may charge a little more for taxi service if you want to take advantage of this option.

Rent a car

Among transportation alternatives, renting a car in and around Bilbao is a popular option preferred by passengers. In the city, there are the offices of a number of international car rental companies, mainly AVIS, Europcar and Hertz. You can choose the car you want by visiting one of these offices and you can continue your journey by the car you have rented in only a few minutes. If you book your car online, you can save time and choose from more rental car options.

Private Shuttle Services

One of the most comfortable and practical transportation option is the shuttle services provided by large hotels in the city. You can make a reservation in advance to take the advantage of the "pick-up" from the hotel and arrive at the airport terminal building in about 15 minutes. If your hotel does not provide such a service, you can also take advantage of the services provided by private shuttle companies. However, the taxis in the city are generally more economical and practical compared to shuttle services. Even so, if you are traveling with a crowded group, private shuttle services can be considered both as a comfortable and an economical option.

Limousine and Luxury Cars

You will have a chance to get to the airport from Bilbao city center by taking advantage of the luxury cars offered by limousine companies. Luxury cars and limousines serving in Bilbao can be provided by the hotels as well as other private companies providing this service independently. The fees for these vehicles are generally higher than taxis and public transportation such as bus. If you want to reach Bilbao Airport by luxury transfer vehicles, you can contact your hotel to make a reservation and you can reach the airport by the luxury car, which is almost as fast as taxi, by getting on the car in front of the hotel where you stay.

Airport Information

The airport is located 13 kilometers away from the city center in Bilbao, which is situated in the north of Spain and considered as one of the most important cities of the country. Bilbao Airport, which is one of the most important transportation hubs for the region in which Bilbao and its surroundings are located, has lounges specially designed for the passengers in the city, a big duty-free and other shopping stores where you can enjoy your time by doing shopping, and the restaurants where you can taste delicious Spanish cuisine and the delicacies from different parts of Europe.

There is also a private passenger lounge among the services and privileges you can take advantage of at Bilbao Airport. Here you can read your magazines and newspapers while relaxing in the extremely comfortable area provided for you, as well as you can enjoy the special food and beverage service prepared for you.

There are also special charging stations where you can charge your electronic devices and ATMs where you can make money transfers by carrying out your simple banking transactions in the airport terminal building.

You can also benefit from the baby care rooms specially designed for the parents traveling with children at Bilbao Airport. You can follow the signs at the airport or get information from the airport staff, especially if you want to take advantage of these rooms which make travels easier for families with young children. If you want to spend your time by looking at the books and magazines while waiting for your flight, you can find and buy Spanish and English publications at the airport's kiosks. You can also benefit from the city and country guides that you can find at the airport, as well as you can find out about Bilbao and other cities of Spain.

Sibarium Delicatessen, Derio Cafe and Pans & Company are among the places you can prefer to eat or drink at Bilbao Airport.

If you want to do shopping and buy some souvenirs, you can also take a glance at Las Lilas, which is one of the stores you can visit at the airport.

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and is situated at the tip of Lake Zurich. The city is divided in two by the Limmat River, which is a outlet of Lake Zurich. The city’s main railway station, Zurich Hauptbahnhof, is the focal point of the public transportation network. Every tram, train, and bus line passes through this area, providing transportation to various parts of the city and its surrounding areas. The public transportation system in Zurich is the Zürcher Verkehrsverbund (ZVV). Public transportation vehicles in Zurich are very clean, reliable and comfortable. The prices are very reasonable and every vehicle is extremely punctual. While trains provide transportation within the city, and access to neighboring cities, the most preferred means transportation in the city are buses and trams.

The public transportation network also operates after midnight. This service is called the night supplement. You need to purchase a night supplement ticket, in addition to your regular ZVV network ticket. Tickets can be purchased from ticket machines, sales offices, or by SMS.   

The ZürichCARD is a fare payment system for all public transit in the city. It is an ideal option for tourists looking to explore the city during their stay. Purchasing a Zurich card to use during your stay ends up being more affordable. You have the option of purchasing a ticket that is valid for 24-hours or 72-hours. These tickets also offer free entry to museums in Zurich, a 10-20% discount in participating stores, and discounts on city tours and various cultural activities.

Zurich Airport is the largest and busiest airport in the country. The airport is located 13 km from the city center, a 12 minute ride by rail. If you plan on getting to the city center by public transportation you can purchase a ticket after you land, which will be valid for 1 hour. Passengers under the age of 16 receive a discount on tickets. Children under the age of six must be accompanied by an adult and ride for free. Passengers under the age of 25 can purchase a multi-day pass, which is more affordable.

Train

The easiest way to get to the city center from the airport is by train. The train station is located at the airport, on Level -2, next to the shopping mall. The train runs every 12 minutes and provides transportation to the main railway station, Zurich Hauptbahnhof. The total trip from the airport to the main station takes 12 minutes. The main railway station is located in the city center. The public transportation system in the city is incredibly punctual, so keep in mind that the train will depart on time.

Zurich Hauptbahnhof is a major station with dense passenger traffic. Trains departing from this station provide transportation within the city as well as transportation to other cities in Switzerland and neighboring countries such as France and Germany. The railway station also contains a shopping center, the ShopVille mall, located beneath it. Other areas that regional trains travel to include the Glattbrugg Railway Station, Regensdorf Railway Station, Schlieren Railway Station, Waldburg, Wollishofen and Uetliberg.

Bus

Another way to get to the city center from the airport is by bus. The bus network in the city is very comprehensive and convenient. Buses depart from the Airport Centre and provide transportation to the main railway station. From there you can access every part of the city using different public transportation alternatives. Buses are also very punctual and depart on time under normal circumstance but visitors should expect delays when it snows.

Tram

The tram is the second largest transport network in the city, after buses. There are 10 tram lines that provide transportation within the city. These lines all gather around the city center and operate from the city center to the outskirts of the city. However, since the tram network isn’t as comprehensive as the bus network you can’t access every part of the city by tram. Once you get off the tram you always have the option of transferring to a bus or train.   

Taking the tram to the city center is quite convenient. Tram Line 10 provides transportation from the airport to the main railway station located in the city center. The tram departs from the Airport Centre, which is located on Level -2. The tram runs every 7 ½ to 15 minutes.

Tram Line 2 operates between Farbhof and Tiefenbrunnen Railway Station, tram Line 3 operates between Albisrieden and Kluspla, tram Line 4 operates between Werdhölzli and Tiefenbrunnen Railway Station, tram Line 5 operates between Enge Railway Station and the zoo, tram Line 7 operates between Wollishofen and Stettbach Railway Station, tram Line 9 operates between Triemli and Hirzenbach, tram Line 10 operates between Seebach and the Main Railway Station, tram Line 11 operates between Oerlikon Railway Station and Rehalp, tram Line 13 operates between Albisgütli and Frankental, and tram Line 14 operates between Tremli and Seebach.

Taxi

Another transportation alternative to get to the city center from the airport is by taxi. However, taxis are more expensive than public transportation options and offer the same level of comfort. Public transportation vehicles provide quality service at an affordable price so paying extra for a taxi can be unnecessary.

Rental Car

If you don’t want to use public transportation vehicles, then renting a car is another transportation alternative. You can rent a car from the Airport Center, located on level 1, and return your vehicle to the Rental Car Return area at the end of your trip, if you are flying out of Zurich Airport. You can also book a vehicle in advance by making a reservation online. Rental car companies located at the airport that you can choose from include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Thrifty, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, National, and Sixt.