To get from San Sebastian to Bilbao, you must take a train, bus, taxi, or private car service like Daytrip. The train and the bus are the cheapest options, the taxi is the most expensive, and Daytrip is the most convenient.
What is the best way to travel from San Sebastian to Bilbao?
In general, the best way to travel from San Sebastian to Bilbao is usually with Daytrips convenient, reliable, reputable, trustworthy, comfortable, and exciting door-to-door car service. It's the only option with sightseeing stops! If you're on a budget, the bus is the most affordable option.
Is Bilbao a day trip from San Sebastian?
Bilbao is the perfect day trip destination since it is only 62 miles from San Sebastian. Traveling by car will get you from one city to the next in a little over an hour, leaving you plenty of time to explore and sightsee the city.
Can you fly from San Sebastian to Bilbao?
No, there are no flights from San Sebastian to Bilbao. The distance between the two cities is only 62 miles (100 km), so air travel and an airport are impractical. A car transfer would cover the distance in less time than it takes to go through airport check-in and security!
How much is a taxi from San Sebastian to Bilbao?
Unfortunately, traveling by taxi from San Sebastian to Bilbao is incredibly expensive. On average, the fare will cost between $200 depending on when and where you travel. Traveling with a private car service like Daytrip is a much better and more affordable alternative.
Is it better to stay in Bilbao or San Sebastian?
Both San Sebastian and Bilbao offer incredible opportunities to make memories, so it can be challenging to choose where to stay. Typically, Bilbao is cheaper, and San Sebastian is more expensive when it comes to accommodation.
Bilbao is the largest city in Spain’s northern Basque region and is home to scrumptious pintxos, a local version of tapas, beautiful golden beaches, and the famed Guggenheim Museum. This city is also one of the best places to visit for those who want to experience the best that the culinary world has to offer. But before you visit Bilbao and drive by car with Daytrip from San Sebastian to Bilbao, you need to make a few stops along the way.
A San Sebastian to Bilbao transfer with Daytrip will let you stop and visit the spectacular medieval village of Getaria, which has an infamous history surrounding its being the birthplace of Juan Sebastian. After wandering the village, you can ask your professional English-speaking driver to stop at the Sanctuary of Loyola. This magnificent Baroque complex is said to be the birthplace of a saint—Saint Ignatius Loyola, to be exact.
Then there is Onati, nestled in a valley and the much-adored central hub for the Basque Country. And let's not forget about Durango, surrounded by some of the best nature trails in Spain, like the Urkiola Natural Park, that you might be tempted to explore. Regardless of where you stop, just know that Daytrip will indulge your sightseeing requests and get you safely to Bilbao.
About Bilbao
Bilbao manages to do what few other cities can: strike an inexplicable balance between varying contrasts. It's a city that is both traditional and cosmopolitan, wild but sedate, daring but sophisticated. With so many elements encompassing the city, it's unsurprising that it's a travel haven for those who want adventure and those who are eager for a relaxing and leisurely travel experience.
Bilbao is situated in the north of Spain and is the largest city of the Basque region. Although it is a part of Spain, it has a distinctive culture and language that differentiates it from other Spanish cities, such as Madrid and Barcelona. Although it wasn't always a traveler's dream destination and evolved from humble beginnings, it has become a popular Spanish holiday destination. It's not hard to see why, considering Bilbao is home to incredible sites like the Guggenheim Museum and is surrounded by fertile, lush lands, rugged mountain landscapes, and a stunning coast.
Besides its attractions, beautiful landscapes, and scenery, Bilbao is also known for its gastronomy. The cuisine offered in the city is an art form, so you must be sure to try the many incredible local dishes when you visit. From buzzing bars and family restaurants to prestigious Michelin-starred eateries, there is somewhere for everyone to sate their appetite and tantalize their taste buds.
The city is also well-known for its parks like Doña Casilda de Iturrizar, where you'll see hills and can ride the Artxanda cable car if you dare. Should you brave it, you'll be treated to a bird's-eye view of the city. Then, there are the nearby coastal activities that are worth your time. From people-spotting at the beach, paddle surfing, or renting a boat to see the Vizcaya Bridge in Portugalete, there are lots of activities to fill your day.
So what are you waiting for? Plan your trip from San Sebastian to Bilbao with a car service like Daytrip to enjoy the adventure of a lifetime.
From San Sebastian to Bilbao: travel tips
The trip from San Sebastian to Bilbao is bound to be exciting and memorable. However, much can go wrong, so it's a good idea to be as prepared as possible. That's why we've shared the tips below to ensure your travel experience is memorable for the right reasons.
Don't expect warm weather
Since you are planning to travel from San Sebastian to Bilbao, you need to note that you are driving through northern Spain and the Basque Country. This means that you shouldn't expect the typical weather seen on the Mediterranean coast.
The temperatures vary, and even during the summer, you can expect cloudy and rainy weather, so come prepared with the right clothing and possibly a raincoat or umbrella if you're going to stop and sightsee outside attractions.
Most places are card-friendly
Cash might be king in other regions of Europe, but the card is king in Bilbao and the many places you might visit along the way to this city. Most attractions, cafes, hotels, shops, and restaurants accept cards. So don't be surprised that you can go days without using any cash to pay for your drinks, taxis, meals, bus fare, and more.
Memorize the emergency number
Unfortunately, even the best-laid plans can encounter snags, such as medical emergencies, so it is best to memorize the emergency number commonly used in Spain before you travel from San Sebastian to Bilbao. This number is 112, and it can be contacted for any emergency, not only medical. You also don't need a Spanish SIM card to dial it.
How to get from San Sebastian to Bilbao
If you're planning on touring Spain's Basque Region, San Sebastian and the port city of Bilbao are two must-visit stops. Traveling from San Sebastian to Bilbao is often recommended, as you'll visit numerous villages, towns, and cities along the stunning Basque coastline, like Gertaria and Bermeo.
Even though the trip between the two cities is relatively short – about a one-hour drive – across 62 miles (100 km), there is much you can cram into this trip. This is especially true if you drive with a private car service like Daytrip. Daytrip is one of the more popular travel methods but you can also take a bus or train. Let's discuss these options below:
From San Sebastian to Bilbao by private car transfer service Daytrip
A private car service from San Sebastian to Bilbao is the travel option of choice for travelers who want to explore the best of the Basque region. A highway connects the two cities, and it takes roughly an hour via the AP-8 highway. However, even though the trip is short, there are ample opportunities to immerse yourself in Basque culture when you ride with Daytrip.
With Daytrip, you can stop and sightsee in many of the towns and cities along the way. These places hold several must-see attractions, such as the Animas Museum in Durango, St. Mary Church in Guernica, and the San Juan de Gaztelugatxe on the coast of Biscay in Bermeo. You can also ask your friendly English-speaking driver for travel tips about the places you want to visit while they navigate the rugged coast of the Bay of Biscay and you enjoy exceptional views.
Those who choose to drive with Daytrip will also get to choose when and where they are fetched and dropped off, eliminating many of the travel stresses commonly experienced. Plus, the trip costs only 57 euros per seat per trip.
From San Sebastian to Bilbao by train
Surprisingly, the trains are the slowest way to travel the distance between San Sebastian and Bilbao, with an average trip taking about an hour and a half. Although a train trip is often scenic, there are no sightseeing opportunities.
To book a train, you will need to visit the station in San Sebastian and check the train's timetable or book online with the Euskotren train line. This train line offers trips every hour, with the last train leaving late in the evening. If you book your ticket online, you can check the timetable and choose a flexible fare ticket option, which will let you modify your trip if your plans change. The average ticket costs about $8 to $12.
From San Sebastian to Bilbao by bus
The bus is a convenient option for budget travelers who want to get to Bilbao from San Sebastian fast for a day trip but don't have the funds to book a door-to-door private car service Daytrip or similar.
On average, a bus trip takes about an hour and 15 minutes, which is comparable to driving. The main difference is that, like the train, you won't get to stop and sightsee, which is a bummer considering how beautiful the route is and how much you can do.
The typical bus ticket price is $8 to $19, depending on when you travel. Bus lines offering routes between these two cities include Lurraldebus, ALSA, Eurolines FR, and Transportes Pesa.
Things to do when you get to Bilbao
Bilbao used to be overlooked as a holiday destination, but it has since become a favorite among those touring the Basque region. So, if you want to explore Bilbao and are driving from San Sebastian to Bilbao, you're not the only one.
But where should you explore? As a buzzing, gleaming city of excitement, there is much to see and do, and we've listed a few of the best attractions in Bilbao that are worthy of your time and that will help you plan your trip.
Mercado de la Ribera
If you love to explore markets, you'll want to tour the Mercado de la Ribera, Europe's largest covered market. This market offers almost anything, from a hospitality area serving local cuisine and beautiful river views to fresh regional produce that shines beneath its stunning stained-glass roof. It even has a bar where one can enjoy a tasty cocktail or beer while listening to the relaxing sounds of jazz music over the speakers.
Guggenheim Museum
The Guggenheim Museum is one of the best museums in Spain, with its cutting-edge, contemporary design. When you visit, the museum's architecture is likely to sear itself into your mind with its unmissable characteristics.
It's a museum that is enjoyed for the art it exhibits and its structural design. From oddly shaped striking metal-like facades to famous statues and breathtaking spaces, it's a place not to be missed if you enjoy art.
Riverside docks
After a long day of touring Bilbao, you'll have earned yourself a refreshing alcoholic beverage, a delicious plate of food, or both! The best place to enjoy both is at the riverside docks, which cater to those wanting to relax while enjoying views of the river or those seeking an evening of fun at a lively bar or club.
If you don't know where to go for nibbles and something cold once you're at the riverside docks, we recommend either Muella de Ripa, which is in front of the Arriaga Theater, or Muelle Marzana, which is behind the Mercado de la Rivera.
When is the best time to visit Bilbao?
Choosing when to drive from San Sebastian to Bilbao will depend on what you want to do when you travel, your budget, and the weather you prefer to enjoy while on holiday. Usually, as with many other European countries, the best time to travel is during May, June, and September.
August is peak travel season for Bilbao, so it should be avoided if you can. If you want to visit during this month to enjoy the good weather, you should plan a bigger budget and book restaurants, attraction tickets, and accommodation well in advance. It might be more crowded and expensive, but August is also when the Semana Grande festival takes place, so you'll enjoy it!
沿途参观这些景点
Getaria
Famous for being the birthplace of Juan Sebastián Elcano, the first man to circumnavigate the Earth, this medieval fishing village is quite the catch. Around the World
Sanctuary of Loyola
This beautiful baroque complex is centered around the medieval birthplace of Saint Ignatius, founder of the Jesuits. Sumptuous Sainthood
Onati
Nestled quietly in a valley in the center of the Basque Country, this quaint countryside town dates back to the Medieval period. The Place of Many Hills
Durango
Like an egg in a basket, the golden cultural center of this medieval town is surrounded by some of the best nature trails in the nation. A Basquet Full of Culture
Guernica
Best known for the 1937 bombing that levelled the city and inspired Picasso’s seminal work, this Basque cultural center has become a symbol of peace. War and Peace
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
This dramatically situated medieval hermitage gained international fame as "Dragonstone" in Game of Thrones. Here Be Dragons
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