Car rental in Bilbao

Bilbao features a complex transport network, with the region's best attractions spread across a wide area. While public transport connects the city center to suburbs, exploring destinations like Getxo, Sopelana beaches, or Urdaibai Reserve requires a vehicle. This eliminates transfer delays and provides schedule independence.

Renting a car in Bilbao enables combining a visit to the Guggenheim Museum with lunch in the fishing village of Bermeo within a single day. You can independently plan coastal routes along the Bay of Biscay, stopping at scenic locations without tour group constraints.

Benefits of Renting Through Localrent

Localrent offers convenient vehicle selection and booking conditions, helping identify suitable options based on specifications and budget.

Key Advantages

1. Low deposit requirements—half the fleet requires less than €450
2. Most vehicles feature actual photographs in listings
3. Extensive selection of cars available without credit card requirements
4. Fixed pricing with transparent costs and no hidden charges
5. Efficient filters for rapid vehicle selection based on priorities

Advance online booking prevents on-site risks: limited vehicle availability or inflated prices. You receive exactly the vehicle selected, not remaining inventory.

Rental Requirements in Bilbao

Essential documentation includes:

• Valid passport
• Current driver's license
• Booking voucher received after reservation

Minimum driver age ranges from 22-25 years, with 1-2 years driving experience required. However, the widest fleet selection becomes available to drivers aged 25+ with 2-3 years experience. Always verify specific vehicle requirements—use filters to display only options matching your age and experience qualifications.

Driving in Bilbao: Essential Traffic Rules

Bilbao presents busy yet predictable traffic conditions. Local drivers operate confidently and courteously, rarely violating regulations. In the city center, prepare for narrow streets in historic quarters—compact vehicles prove advantageous for parking and passing oncoming traffic. During peak periods, particularly mornings and late afternoons, main city exits and waterfront areas experience congestion.

Peak Traffic Hours

• Morning rush: 7:00 am to 9:00 am
• Evening peak: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Beyond the city, expect different road conditions—serpentine routes offering views of green hills and coastline. Roads maintain good condition but feature curves and frequent narrowing. Exercise caution in rain: surfaces become slippery and visibility deteriorates. For mountain village or coastal excursions, select vehicles with engines of 1.4 liters minimum.

Core Traffic Regulations

• City speed limit: 50 km/h
• Highway speeds: 90-100 km/h
• Motorway limit: 120 km/h

At roundabouts, yield to vehicles already circulating

Headlights mandatory in tunnels and reduced visibility conditions

Downloading offline maps for rural travel proves beneficial. Locals value calm, respectful driving practices. Avoid unnecessary horn use, and on narrow streets, courteously gesture to allow other drivers to pass.

Parking in Bilbao

City center curbside parking remains scarce, especially during peak hours. The historic Casco Viejo district, with its narrow streets, functions as a pedestrian zone or permit-holder area—underground parking facilities offer the best solution.

Parking Zone System

• Blue lines: Paid parking with time restrictions, typically 2-4 hours
• White lines: Free parking zones
• Yellow markings: No parking permitted
• Residential districts outside the center offer easier conditions with more frequent free parking availability, though careful sign reading remains essential.

Multi-level parking garages provide the most reliable option. Located near shopping centers, the railway station, and popular tourist sites, pricing varies by location but eliminates search time.

Street parking payment utilizes parking meters or mobile applications. Most terminals accept cards, though carrying coins proves useful—some older machines operate with coins exclusively.

Fuel Stations in Bilbao

Bilbao fuel stations operate under Spain's standard system. Most stations in the city and surroundings offer self-service, with drivers independently selecting fuel type and filling vehicles.

Major chains including Repsol, Cepsa, and BP appear most frequently. City and main highway stations operate 24 hours, while stations in quieter areas may close overnight.

Refueling Process

• Pull up to an available pump and open the fuel cap
• Select fuel type—options include Gasolina 95, Gasolina 98, or Diésel (always verify vehicle specifications)
• Fill the required amount independently
• Pay at the counter or terminal—provide pump number or use automated payment

Cash acceptance remains common at most stations, though some automated facilities may not process bills. Visa and Mastercard function at virtually all locations.

Refueling at major stations along main highways or within the city proves most convenient. For mountain area excursions around Bilbao, verify adequate fuel levels beforehand.

How to Book a Car in Bilbao

The default return location is Bilbao, though you can modify this to another city if needed. Pay particular attention to the "Specify Location" option—this selects specific pickup points. While not mandatory, this filter immediately displays only vehicles available at your chosen location. For airport arrivals, selecting the corresponding filter proves convenient.

After selecting location, apply additional filters. Review each offer's conditions: daily mileage limits, included insurance, cross-border travel permissions. Then:

1. Add required options to your booking. Rent a child seat for family travel in Bilbao. Include additional drivers if sharing driving duties, and add cross-border travel options for visits to Portugal, Andorra, or France.
2. Proceed to booking by clicking "Continue"
3. Select exact pickup/return times and locations, add personal details and contact information
4. Pay deposit online by card

After booking, you receive a voucher—present this when collecting your vehicle.

Destinations Near Bilbao for Rental Car Exploration

Bilbao's strategic location enables Basque Country exploration. By car, you can experience coastline, mountain scenery, and medieval towns within a single day. Recommended destinations:

1. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. This island fortress with winding stone staircase gained recognition following Game of Thrones filming. The summit climb takes approximately 30 minutes—panoramic views of the Bay of Biscay await. Reserve entry tickets in advance through the official website, as visitor numbers are restricted. Parking available at the walking route entrance. Select vehicles with 1.4-liter engines minimum—the route from Bilbao traverses hilly terrain with serpentine sections.
2. Vitoria-Gasteiz. The Basque Country capital features strict medieval planning and rich history. Explore Plaza de la Virgen Blanca and visit Santa María Cathedral. The city operates several interesting museums, including a playing card museum. The route from Bilbao takes approximately one hour via AP-68—this toll road saves time. Compact vehicles suit this trip—the old town has narrow streets.
3. Bermeo. This traditional fishing port maintains authentic atmosphere. Observe working fishermen, sample fresh seafood at harbor restaurants, and view colorful houses characteristic of Basque architecture. En route from Bilbao, stop at the viewpoint above Cape Matxitxako lighthouse—bay views extend across the entire gulf.
4. Vizcaya Bridge in Portugalete. This UNESCO site ranks among the world's oldest transporter bridges. Still operational, it carries passengers and vehicles across the Nervión River. Adjacent to the bridge, a viewpoint and museum document its history. The journey from Bilbao requires no more than 20 minutes through city streets.
5. Salazar Valley. This picturesque Pyrenean valley is known for medieval villages and hiking opportunities. Visit the village of Ochagavía with its 14th-century stone bridge and Romanesque church. Stop at the Mirador de Ariztokia viewpoint for Pyrenees vistas. Vehicles with 1.6-liter engines minimum are recommended—mountain road sections require adequate power.

For nature enthusiasts, Gorbea Natural Park offers well-paved roads to main hiking trail starting points. Gastronomy lovers should visit La Rioja—Spain's premier wine region lies just one hour from Bilbao. The route provides scenic vineyard views and opportunities to visit traditional wine cellars—bodegas.

Rental Locations in Bilbao

When booking through Localrent, select convenient vehicle pickup locations. Primary Bilbao options include:

• Bilbao Airport (BIO)
• Rental company offices
• Hotel or specified address delivery
• Main railway station

Not all vehicles are available at every pickup point. Check available options for each vehicle in its Localrent listing. During search, specify the desired point in "Specify Location" to display only vehicles available at your selected location.

Car Rental Tips for Bilbao

Bilbao's hilly terrain, narrow old town streets, and specific parking culture require careful vehicle selection and usage approach. These recommendations prevent common issues and ensure comfortable travel.

Plan Excursions in Advance

Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons generate traffic congestion on routes from Bilbao toward Vitoria or San Sebastián. Schedule departures for weekday mornings or utilize alternative mountain routes.

Adapt to Local Driving Customs

Bilbao drivers actively use roundabouts—priority always goes to vehicles already circulating. On narrow streets, mutual yielding to oncoming traffic is customary—drivers typically exchange light signals. Avoid parking in port and industrial zones—resident-only restrictions frequently apply.

Many city center streets operate one-way, with some plazas organized as roundabouts without clear markings. During initial days, avoid peak hours—this adjustment period allows familiarity with local driving characteristics.

Use Local Navigation Services

Google Maps occasionally displays incorrect traffic organization in Bilbao. Waze provides superior accuracy for congestion near tunnels and Nervión River crossings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Rental in Bilbao