Day Trip from San Sebastian to Bilbao, Spain

Day-trip to Bilbao

Getting there

Forget day hire of a car, unless you are prepared to part with upwards of 200 euro for the day, and put up with heavy traffic and the difficult parking at the museum.

Buses leave regularly from the new bus depot beneath the station in San Sebastian, cost about ten euro and take about an hour and twenty minutes each way.

The ALSA buses are the more comfortable long distance bus, but the first of only two return trips is at 18h30, so consider buying a one-way ticket there only.

The PESA buses run every 30 minutes and are therefore easier to fit in with whatever time you choose to return. Buying a last minute ticket in Bilbao is simple and quite safe, but the PESA buses are less comfortable than ALSA, especially for tall people.

When you get to the Bilbao bus depot head for the adjacent tram stop (San Mames) and purchase a day ticket for Euro 4-70. You will see a machine on the platform to validate the ticket for the day before you board. The Guggenheim stop is on the line to Atxuri.

When you are done with the museum hop on to the same tram in the same direction and head for the Arriaga stop which is right next to the old town where you can enjoy the sights and some pintxos.

The Ribera stop on the same line is directly opposite the Mercado de Ribera.