The Basque Country is a unique destination with excellent transport links. In just over an hour, you can travel from a bustling city to a coastal town, explore the countryside or enjoy some of the most charming villages on the Basque coast. Thanks to its extensive transport network, travelling around the Basque Country is convenient and safe.
How to get here
The Basque Country has excellent national and international air, road and rail connections.
If you’re travelling by air, you have the choice of three strategically located airports. Bilbao Airport is the main international point of entry, with direct connections to numerous European cities. San Sebastián Airport offers domestic and international flights (mainly during the high season), whilst Vitoria-Gasteiz Airport is a very convenient alternative for those starting their journey in the Basque Country.
You can also get here easily by train or bus, with frequent services running from Spain’s main cities. Those choosing to travel by car will find an excellent road and motorway network providing easy access to the region, which is about three and a half hours’ drive from Madrid or five hours from Barcelona.
If you’re travelling by car
Although you can travel comfortably and conveniently between the five destinations on public transport, if you decide to travel in your own vehicle, we recommend you check the various parking options before your visit. Each destination’s tourist information offices and websites provide up-to-date information to help you choose the option that best suits your needs, depending on the location, the length of your stay and what type of visit you are planning.
Connections between the destinations
Exploring the five destinations is easy thanks to the short distances involved and the Basque Country’s excellent transport network. In little more than an hour, you can go from the medieval streets of Vitoria-Gasteiz to the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Bilbao, or enjoy the beauty of the Gipuzkoa coast and its capital.
The three Basque capitals are well connected by both road and public transport. Bilbao and Donostia/San Sebastián are just over an hour apart, whilst Vitoria-Gasteiz is less than an hour from Bilbao and about an hour and a quarter from Donostia/San Sebastián.
If you want to explore the coast, Zarautz is just 20 minutes from Donostia/San Sebastián and about 30 minutes from Hondarribia-Irun, with frequent train and bus services making travel between them easy all year round.
To travel between destinations by public transport, you can check the timetables of operators such as Euskotren, La Unión, Pesa, Alsa and Ekialdebus. The Barik, Mugi and BAT cards give you access to discounts on urban and inter-city transport.
A little country to be explored unhurriedly
Five destinations, infinite possibilities. The fact that Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Donostia/San Sebastián, Zarautz and Hondarribia-Irun are so close together means you can explore the entire Basque Country very comfortably, taking in the heritage, the cuisine, the countryside and the sea in a single trip. Plan your itinerary and discover a region that invites you to explore its every corner.