Metro Bilbao — Map, Lines, Route, Hours, Tickets

Metro Bilbao Information

The Bilbao Metro connects all the main areas of the city centre and the suburbs. The prestigious architect Sir Norman Foster was responsible for designing the entrances to each of the metro stations, which are easily identifiable thanks to a post with three interlinked circles that stands outside the stations.

The Bilbao Metro is an important public transport system in Bilbao, Spain. The system operates from 6:00 to 23:00 from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays the metro operates from 6:00 am to 2:00 am. Interestingly, it operates 24 hours on Saturday nights.

The metro trains are air-conditioned for the comfort of the passengers. There are also facilities for walking between platforms. However, the system does not have screen doors on the platforms. The Bilbao metro is operated by Metro Bilbao S.A.

A trip on the Bilbao Metro costs 1 euro. The system uses gates to manage fare payment.

Metro Bilbao Map

Map of Bilbao Metro showing different lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Bilbao Metro map in PDF format.

Lines and Stations

The Bilbao metro consists of two lines: Line 1 and Line 2. Line 1 has 29 stations, while Line 2 has 27 stations, divided into two branches: the first branch with 25 stations and the second branch with two stations. The stations of each line are as follows

Line 1: The stations stretch from Etxebarri to Plentzia and include: Etxebarri, Astrabudua, Erandio, Lutxana, Areeta, Leioa, Lamiako, Aiboa, Gobela, Neguri, Bidezabal, Algorta, Sopelana, Berango, Larrabasterra, Urduliz, Santutxu, Bolueta, Basarrate, Moyua, Abando, Casco Viejo, Indautxu, Sarriko, San Mamés, Deusto, Urduliz, San Inazio and Plentzia.

Line 2, Branch One: This branch runs from Basauri to Kabiezes and includes the following stations Basauri, Ansio, Ariz, Gurutzeta/Cruces, Urbinaga, Barakalda, Sestao, Bagatza, Peñota, Abatxolo, Santurtzi, Portugalete, San Inazio, Sarriko, Indautxu, San Mamés, Deusto, Bolueta, Santutxu, Casco Viejo, Moyua, Abando, Basarrate, Etxebarri and Kabiezes.

Line 2, Branch Two: This branch of Line 2 consists of two stations: Mamariga and Santurtzi.

Connections

Bilbao Metro has connections with buses and trains operated by other companies. The metro connects with the following train services:

1. Euskotren Trena
2. Euskotren Tranbia
3. Renfe
4. Feve
5. Cercanías

Bilbao Metro offers connections to Bizkaibus and Bilbobus buses at the Termibus bus station.

Airport Connection

Although there is no direct metro link to Bilbao Airport, the nearest metro station is San Mamés. The journey from the airport to San Mamés takes approximately 24 minutes. From the airport, passengers can take the Bizkaibus A3247 to Alameda Recalde 14 and get off at Moyua Plaza. From here, it is a short walk to Moyua station, where you can take the metro to San Mamés station, which provides access to both Line 1 and Line 2 trains.

Schedule, Timetables, and Calendar

Timetables are provided for journeys from Etxebarri Station to Bidezabal Station and from Sopela Station to Etxebarri Station on Line 1, and from Basauri Station to Kabiezes Station on Line 2. The times indicated are the opening times of the first station and the closing times of the last station. The waiting time between trains is also indicated.

Line 1

From Etxebarri to Bidezabal:

Monday to Friday and on the eve of public holidays: Etxebarri opens at 6:05 and Bidezabal closes at 23:06. Trains run every five or 10 minutes.
Saturdays: Etxebarri opens at 6:04 and Bidezabal closes at 23:08. Trains run every 10 minutes.
Sundays and holidays: Etxebarri opens at 6:04 and Bidezabal closes at 23:05. Trains run every 10 to 20 minutes.

From Sopela to Etxebarri:

Monday to Friday and on the eve of public holidays: Sopela opens at 5:47 and Etxebarri closes at 23:10.
Saturdays: Sopela opens at 6:07 a.m. and Etxebarri closes at 6:50 a.m. the following day.

Line 2

From Basauri to Kabiezes

Monday through Fridays, and holidays’ eves: Basauri opens at 5:57 am, and Kabiezes closes at 10:37 pm. Trains are available every five to 10 minutes.
Saturdays: Basauri opens at 5:57 am, and Kabiezes closes at 11:09 pm. Trains are available every 10 minutes.
Sundays and holidays: Basauri opens at 6:17 am, and Kabiezes closes at 10:51 pm. Trains are available every 10 to 20 minutes.

Fares, Tickets, and Cards

In addition to single tickets, Bilbao Metro also offers the Barik card. Prices are in euros.

Tickets: These are available as occasional tickets and season tickets.

Occasional tickets: Recommended for infrequent users. These tickets can be transferred to another person and include single, return and day tickets.
Single ticket: This ticket allows one journey and is valid until a fare change is made. The price varies according to the number of zones travelled. The maximum journey time is two hours. The prices are 1 zone: €1.50, 2 zones: €1.70, 3 zones: €1.75.
Return ticket: This ticket allows two trips and is valid until the fare is changed. The maximum journey time is two hours per trip. The prices are 1 zone: €3, 2 zones: €3.40, 3 zones: €3.50.
Day ticket (€4.60): This ticket is valid for one day and allows unlimited travel in one, two or three zones. This ticket is for a single person and allows a maximum of two hours travel time per journey.

Lines and Stations

The Bilbao metro consists of two lines: Line 1 and Line 2. Line 1 has 29 stations and Line 2 has 27 stations. Line 2 is divided into two branches: the first branch has 25 stations and the second branch has two stations. The stations on each line are as follows

Line 1: Stations run from Etxebarri to Plentzia. The stations are: Etxebarri, Astrabudua, Erandio, Lutxana, Areeta, Leioa, Lamiako, Aiboa, Gobela, Neguri, Bidezabal, Algorta, Sopelana, Berango, Larrabasterra, Urduliz, Santutxu, Bolueta, Basarrate, Moyua, Abando, Casco Viejo, Indautxu, Sarriko, San Mamés, Deusto, Urduliz, San Inazio, Plentzia.

Line 2, Branch One: This branch runs from Basauri to Kabiezes. The stations are: Basauri, Ansio, Ariz, Gurutzeta/Cruces, Urbinaga, Barakalda, Sestao, Bagatza, Peñota, Abatxolo, Santurtzi, Portugalete, San Inazio, Sarriko, Indautxu, San Mamés, Deusto, Bolueta, Santutxu, Casco Viejo, Moyua, Abando, Basarrate, Etxebarri, Kabiezes.

Line 2, Branch Two: This branch of Line 2 has only two stations: Mamariga, Santurtzi.

Rules in Metro Bilbao

Respect for other passengers is paramount when using the Bilbao Metro. Eating and drinking are not allowed in the metro. If you wish to listen to music, please use headphones so as not to disturb others.

Children under the age of four travel free, but proof of age may be required from their guardian. It’s important to buy a ticket for everyone else as the fare paid provides insurance in the event of an accident.

When using the escalator, please stand on the right to allow those who wish to walk to do so on the left. Be considerate and allow passengers to leave the train before boarding. This will help to avoid obstructions and ensure smooth boarding and alighting.

Please respect the areas designated for the elderly, pregnant women, the disabled, people with prams and people with large luggage. These areas are located in the first and last carriages of each train.

Pets are allowed but must weigh no more than 8 kilos. Dogs and cats must be kept in cages or kennels and dogs must be kept on a lead. Pets should not be placed on the floor and must be carried. Exceptions are made for police dogs and guide dogs. There is no extra charge for pets on the Metro.

Avoid rushing on or off the train when the doors are closing. This could cause injury or delay. Avoid running to catch a train as this may cause injury to yourself or others waiting for the metro.

Future Expansions

Plans for the Bilbao metro include the construction of new lines and stations. These include lines 3, 4 and 5, which together will add 23 new stations. Line 1 will have a new station in the Getxo area and another station in Basauri, which will allow connections between lines 1 and 2 to Feve and Euskotren Trena. Line 3 will have 7 stations and is scheduled to open in March 2027. Line 3 will connect to Lines 1 and 2 at Basauri station and will also serve Bilbao Airport via a connection with Euskotren Trena. The construction dates for lines 4 and 5 have not yet been set. Line 4 will add 7 stations and will connect the regions of Matiko and Rekalde. Line 5 will add six stations and serve the regions of Etxebarri and Usánsolo.

Tips and Advice

At the Termibus bus station, English-speaking staff will tell you which platform you need to catch a bus that connects to the metro, as well as ticket prices.

Remember to validate your card at the beginning and end of each journey. You can do this at the entrance and exit of each station.

Most of Bilbao’s tourist attractions are located in Zone 1, so buying tickets for one zone can be cost-effective if you’re planning to visit these tourist destinations.

For panoramic views of the beach, take line 1 towards Plentzia.

If you’re planning to visit the Puente Colgante bridge, take the metro to Portugalete and get off there. The bridge is on a steep hill, so it’s easier to walk downhill from the bridge to Areeta station for your return journey. For shopping and dining, Moyua and Aband stations are recommended.

Fun Facts

All trains have air conditioning.
You can visit the Bay of Biscay beach if you get off at Larrabasterra station.
The pre-recorded voices on the Metro loudspeakers usually announce station names in Basque only. At transfer stations, however, the names are announced in both Spanish and Basque.
When the doors of the train close, a loud sound is emitted. When the doors open, however, there is a softer, high-pitched sound.
The carriages are made by the same manufacturer as those in Washington, Medellín, Brussels, Algiers, Sao Paulo, Palma de
Mallorca, Delhi, Mexico City, Istanbul, Rome, Hong Kong, Barcelona, Madrid and Santiago.
The entrances to the stations, called Fosteritos, are tubular and enclosed in glass. They are named in honour of the station’s architect, Norman Foster.
The metro’s logo was designed by Otl Aicher.

Nearby Attractions

Given that San Mamés station is the closest to the airport, it will be used as a reference point to reach local tourist attractions. From the metro you can visit the following attractions:

Bilbao Museum of Fine Arts: A 12-minute journey from San Mamés station by line 1, direction Basauri, getting off at Moyua. Then 7 minutes walk to Plaza del Museo, 2nd floor.
Euskal Museo Bilbao: An 11-minute journey from San Mamés station by line 1, direction Basauri, getting off at Casco Viejo. Then a 6 minute walk to Plaza Miguel Unamuno, 4th floor.
Guggenheim Museum: A 14-minute journey from San Mamés station by line 1, direction Etxebarri, getting off at Moyua. Then an 11-minute walk to Avenida Abandoibarra, 2. This is the most visited tourist attraction in Bilbao.
Begoña Basilica: A 16-minute journey from San Mamés station by line 1 towards Basauri, getting off at Casco Viejo. From there it is an 11-minute walk to 38, Virgen de Begoña street.
Parque Doña Casilda de Iturrizar: A 12-minute journey from San Mamés station by line 1 towards Etxebarri, getting off at Indautxu. From there it is a 9-minute walk to the Doña Casilda de Iturrizar Park.
Archaeological Museum: A 9-minute journey from San Mamés station, taking line 1 towards Basauri and getting off at Casco Viejo. From here it is a 4 minute walk to Calzada de Mallona.
Mercado de la Ribera: A 15-minute journey from San Mamés station by train, line 1, direction Basauri, getting off at Casco Viejo. Then 10 minutes walk to Mercado de la Ribera, 22 Bis Ribera.