Distance and time from Santander to Bilbao Airport
Bilbao Airport (code BIO), in Loiu, is the reference airport for Cantabria thanks to its volume of domestic and international flights, far greater than Santander's own airport (Seve Ballesteros). That is why thousands of Cantabrians choose to fly from Bilbao and need a reliable transfer.
The distance between Santander and Bilbao Airport is about 100 km by road, almost entirely on the A-8 (Cantabrian dual carriageway). Travel time by taxi is 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes in normal conditions.
Quick summary: ~100 km · 1h – 1h15 · A-8 · fixed price from €115 per vehicle.
The route step by step via the A-8
The itinerary is direct and comfortable, with toll sections already included in the fixed price:
- Santander → A-8 towards Bilbao: take the Cantabrian dual carriageway eastbound.
- Through Cantabria: the A-8 skirts Solares, Colindres and Laredo before entering Biscay.
- Entering Biscay: via Castro Urdiales and the Left Bank (Margen Izquierda) area.
- Airport exit: direct link to Bilbao Airport in Loiu, without passing through the city centre.
It is a heavily used route for private transfer vehicles, well signposted and hassle-free.
Fixed price for the taxi from Santander to Bilbao Airport
Unlike the traditional meter or apps with variable fares, our service offers a closed fixed price from €115 per vehicle (up to 4 passengers) for the Santander → BIO journey. This includes:
- Tolls and VAT included: the amount you see is the final one.
- All the kilometres to the terminal.
- Luggage at no extra cost.
- Flight tracking and home pick-up in Santander or nearby.
For groups we have higher-capacity vehicles (van). You can book your taxi from Santander to Bilbao Airport with a closed price in a minute.
| Option | Price | Time | Door to door |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private taxi (fixed price) | From €115 / vehicle | 1h – 1h15 | ✅ Yes |
| ALSA bus | ~€10-15 / person | 1h30 – 2h | ❌ No |
| Rental car | Rental + fuel + parking | ~1h10 | Partial |
Taxi vs the ALSA bus
There is an ALSA bus connection between Santander and Bilbao, but it has drawbacks for reaching the airport: it does not leave from the airport but from Bilbao's bus station, so you need a second means of transport (the Bizkaibus A3247 or a taxi) to the terminal, adding time and transfers. Timetables are also limited and don't always match early or late flights.
For one or two people with plenty of time, the bus is cheap. But for families, groups, travellers with luggage or flights at awkward hours, the door-to-door taxi pays off: it picks you up at your home in Santander and drops you straight at the terminal, with no transfers.
What time should I leave Santander for my flight?
As a reference, for a flight departing from Bilbao Airport, allow:
- 1h15 of travel from Santander (conservative reference with possible traffic).
- +2 hours of margin for check-in and security (more for international or long-haul flights).
- That is, leave Santander about 3h15 – 3h30 before your flight's departure.
If you give us the flight number, we adjust the pick-up time and track it in real time, especially useful on the way back if you land late.
Return: from Bilbao Airport to Santander
The service works the same way in reverse. On landing at Bilbao Airport, the driver waits for you in arrivals with your name and takes you straight to Santander, with the same fixed price and no night surcharge. It is the most comfortable option after a long flight, with no need to look for transport at unsociable hours.
Why fly from Bilbao and not from Santander?
Santander airport (Seve Ballesteros) is convenient, but its flight offering is limited. Bilbao Airport offers many more domestic and international connections, more frequencies and more airlines, including low-cost ones. For many Cantabrians, the ticket price difference or the availability of a direct route more than makes up for the one-hour journey to Loiu. The fixed-price taxi turns that trip into the most comfortable part of the journey.
Tips for the Santander → BIO journey
- Book in advance on long weekends, in summer and at Easter, when transfer demand soars.
- Give us your flight number to adjust the pick-up to the real time, even with delays.
- Book a return trip if you already know the dates: you secure your way back and save hassle.
- Tell us if you carry bulky luggage or a large group so we assign the right vehicle.