Still another point of entry into Spain is through Bilbao. The city of Bilbao is located
on the Northern coast of Spain in the Basque Country about 75 minutes East of Santander and
2 hours East of Garabandal.
Bilbao Sondica international airport (airport code: BIO) lies
just to the North of the city and offers several direct flight options from major
European gateway cities.
The list below is by no means all-inclusive but lists a few of the main carriers offering
service to Bilbao:
Iberia
Iberia is the national airline of Spain and flies to Bilbao from at least half a dozen
cities in and outside of Spain. Iberia generally offers competitive fares and
therefore is often a good starting point.
The following two online travel agencies are very dependable and may be useful in booking your trip.
The airport code for your destination, Bilbao, is BIO.
Microsoft Expedia
Travelocity.com
Once in Bilbao there are a couple of options available to you.
Rent a car
The journey from Bilbao typically takes 2 hours by car without stops. Rental rates range
from as little as $35 US* / day for a compact car with a standard transmission to
$50-60 US* / day for a family-size car with an automatic transmission
and air-conditioning.
The roads between Bilbao and Garabandal have been greatly improved including the
construction of a new multi-lane highway that covers much of the trip.
Nevertheless it should be noted that the last 35 miles (56 kilometers) or so are on narrow,
winding mountain roads that demand caution and driving skill.
Some directions and maps are available here.
You would also be well advised to purchase a detailed road-map of Spain prior to departure. One that we have
found quite helpful is the Euro Travel Atlas of Spain and Portugal by American Map. This book is
available at most bookstores including online from Amazon.com for $15.16 US. Click here to purchase from Amazon.
Most major car rental agencies operate out of Bilbao including Hertz, Avis, and Europcar (affiliated with Alamo in
the US). Cars may be rented with a valid license from your native country and a credit card. Whenever possible it is
a good idea to reserve your car ahead of time and confirm the availability of the car you are requesting.
This is particularly true if you wish to rent a vehicle with an automatic transmission, a luxury car or a van.
Take a Taxi
A taxi from Bilbao to Garabandal is quite costly particularly if travelling alone.
However if you are unable or unwilling to drive yourself taxis are available curbside at the airport.
The rate is roughly $135* US each way.
Bus Service
There is regular bus service between Bilbao and the town of Cabezon de la Sal which is
about 20 miles (32 kilometers) from Garabandal. The bus fare
is usually less than $10* each way however once in Cabezon you will need to either hire a taxi to
Garabandal for about $35* each way or rent a car. Taxis are usually not hard to find
at the bus stop in Cabezon. Bus station transfer information and bus tickets, are
available from English speaking representatives through the information desk
at Bilbao airport. If you can read Spanish, bus schedules and tickets may
actually be viewed and purchased online
from ALSA one of Spain's largest bus companies.
* Please note that all prices listed in US Dollars are rough estimates only using the currency exchange rate available at the
time of publishing. Currency exchange rates fluctuate constantly and, as a result, the actual prices in US Dollars may
be more or less than those quoted here. Please be sure to verify the actual exchange rate and prices before traveling.
See a Map
Getting to San Sebastian de Garabandal: Homepage
