Cheap Car Rental in Bilbao

Tips for Renting a Car Inexpensively in Bilbao

Looking for a cheap car rental in Bilbao? With Economybookings, you can easily compare multiple providers to find the best deals in the city. Whether you're planning to drive around the urban center or take day trips along the Basque coast, a quick comparison can save you time and money.

• Compare pickup locations - Select the broader city, not just the airport, to unlock more options and often lower prices.
• Slightly adjust pickup and return times - Even changing your booking by an hour can make a difference to the final rate.
• Choose compact cars - These usually cost less and use less fuel.
• Book early - Peak periods, such as summer or Semana Grande in August, see prices rise quickly; reserving in advance helps secure better rates and availability.

Tips when renting a car in Bilbao

• If you're driving in the center, be mindful of the Low Emission Zone (ZBE): on weekdays from 7:00 to 20:00, only vehicles with C, ECO, or Zero stickers may access and circulate (older vehicles face restrictions). If your rental has a C/ECO sticker, you're fine.
• The regulated street parking network (OTA) has expanded across neighborhoods. Typical hours are weekdays in the morning and afternoon, plus some Saturday mornings; many areas reduce hours in August. Check the specific sector on the street post or the municipal app.
• For visits to the Guggenheim Museum, Fine Arts Museum, or the Old Town (Casco Viejo), use park-and-ride or public car parks and continue on foot or by tram/metro. Street parking near the center is scarce, and fines are common.
• Avoid rush-hour traffic (7:30-9:30 AM and 5:30-8:00 PM) on approaches like the A-8 or A-68. If you're returning the car, allow extra time.

Driving tips in Bilbao

• Always carry your driver's license, rental contract, and insurance documents.
• Drive on the right, overtake on the left, and always signal your intentions.
• Pedestrians have the right of way at crosswalks; make sure you stop for them.
• Roundabouts require attention. Pick your lane before entering: the inner lane for overtaking and the outer lane for exiting. Yield to traffic already in the roundabout and signal right when you exit.
• Bilbao's Old Town is largely pedestrian or has restricted access. Don't try to drive in; leave the car in a nearby car park and explore on foot.
• Popular gas stations include Repsol (Petronor), Cepsa, and BP.
• Spain has strict alcohol laws: the limit is 0.5 g/L (0.3 if your license is under two years old). Fines can easily exceed €500.

Speed limits

• 120 km/h (75 mph) on highways.
• 90 km/h (55 mph) on secondary roads.
• 50 km/h (31 mph) on city streets.
• 30 km/h (19 mph) on residential or narrow streets.
• 20 km/h (12 mph) in shared pedestrian zones.

Much of the city center is limited to 30 km/h to reduce traffic and improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

Road signs

Road signs in Bilbao follow the European standard: clear icons and speed limits in km/h. Many directional signs are bilingual (Spanish and Basque), showing local names in both languages. The Low Emission Zone (ZBE) is clearly indicated by vertical signs specifying restrictions according to each vehicle's environmental sticker. There are also bus-and-taxi lanes marked by signs and road paint; private vehicles may not use them.

Tolls and restricted zones

There are no urban tolls within Bilbao; there's no charge to drive into or through the city. However, several major motorways around Bilbao do charge tolls. For example, the AP-8 (toward San Sebastián and France) and AP-68 (toward Vitoria and Zaragoza) are tolled on intercity sections. The Supersur (Metropolitan South Bypass) and the Artxanda tunnels (toward the airport) also apply fees. If you prefer to avoid tolls, use national roads as free alternatives, keeping in mind they're often slower or busier.

Discover Bilbao by car

Bilbao is a vibrant city known for the Guggenheim Museum, its riverside promenade, and legendary pintxos. While the center is easy to explore on foot or by public transport, a rental car offers freedom to roam the surroundings. In under an hour, you can reach San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, perched above the sea, and charming fishing towns like Bermeo along the rugged Basque coast. Head inland for green valleys and mountain views dotted with traditional farmhouses. Roads are generally in excellent condition; some motorways are tolled, but you can always choose alternative routes.

When to Visit

Bilbao has an oceanic climate: wet winters and mild summers.

• May-June: Milder spring weather, fewer rainy days than winter, and long daylight hours. It's great for parks, terrace pintxos, and soaking up local life before peak season.
• Late August: Semana Grande (Aste Nagusia). Bilbao's biggest festival, with concerts, fireworks, and lively street events for an entire week.
• September-October: Pleasant temperatures and fewer visitors after summer; an ideal time for museum visits and enjoying Basque cuisine at a relaxed pace.

Languages & Communication

Spanish and Basque (Euskera) are both official in the Basque Country. Spanish predominates in the city, though you'll see Basque on signs, street names, and hear it in conversation. In tourist areas English-speaking staff are common, so you can get by even if you don't speak Spanish. Outside those areas, English is less frequent, but locals are friendly and helpful.

Currency & Payments

The euro (€) is the local currency in Bilbao. Credit and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere. Carrying a little cash can be handy for traditional markets or small bars that might have a minimum spend for card payments. ATMs are widespread across the city.

Top driving routes from Bilbao

With a rental car in Bilbao, you'll have plenty of day-trip options within two hours:

• San Sebastián: About an hour away, La Concha Bay, the Old Quarter packed with pintxo bars, and viewpoints like Monte Igueldo.
• San Juan de Gaztelugatxe: Under an hour to this dramatic islet crowned by a hermitage, linked by a stone bridge. Climb the 241 steps for sweeping coastal views (a Game of Thrones filming location).
• Rioja Alavesa wine route: Around 90 minutes south—medieval towns like Laguardia and Elciego. Visit wineries and taste world-class wines among the vineyards.
• Santander (Cantabria): About 1 hour 15 minutes west—an elegant seaside city with the Palacio de La Magdalena, El Sardinero beaches, and a lively seafront for fresh seafood.
• Vitoria-Gasteiz: Roughly an hour by motorway—the Basque capital, known for a beautifully preserved medieval old town and its Green Ring parks, perfect for a relaxing walk.