Flying from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Bilbao Airport (BIO): what you need to know
Bilbao is eight hours ahead of San Francisco and follows the UTC+1 timezone.
Leave plenty of time to make your SFO to BIO flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months such as August, it's a good idea to get to the airport even earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for international flights whenever you're travelling during a high season in general.
If you'd like to add a stop to your trip, simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for your ticket from San Francisco International Airport to Bilbao Airport. Here are the most popular stopovers between SFO and BIO:
Dublin Airport
Zurich Airport
Barcelona-El Prat Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Bilbao Airport (BIO)
Currently, 216 € is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way San Francisco International Airport to Bilbao Airport flight. The best price for a return ticket is 383 €. Bear in mind that fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
It's a good idea to book early if you want to find cheap tickets from SFO to BIO. That's because airlines adjust prices based on demand, which tends to rise closer to departure.
Getting cheap flights from San Francisco International Airport to Bilbao Airport is more likely if you're flexible with your travel plans. Use the 'Whole month' search function to see the lowest prices throughout the month and snap up a great deal.
Never miss a deal on cheap flights from SFO to BIO by setting up a Price Alert. You'll get an email or push notification on the app when a special offer becomes available.
Select your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops with the filters. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to get the best deals on flights from San Francisco International Airport to Bilbao Airport.
Handy information about San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Of the flights that depart from San Francisco International Airport, 77.36% arrive on time at their destination.
Central San Francisco to San Francisco International Airport is approximately 21 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take about 20 minutes to get there if you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving.
Taking public transport? Expect a trip time of around 45 minutes.
Taking an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Bilbao Airport? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by picking one of these stays near SFO:
Arriving at Bilbao Airport (BIO)
If you're coming in on a late San Francisco International Airport to Bilbao Airport flight, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these accommodation options near BIO:
Fast-track your adventure by picking up a Bilbao Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Record Go, Click and Rent or Goldcar and explore beyond Bilbao's main sights.
Lock in the best rate by booking your ride from Bilbao Airport around four weeks in advance of your trip.
Getting from Bilbao Airport (BIO) to central Bilbao
Bilbao Airport to central Bilbao has a drive time of about 10 minutes. It's approximately 6 kilometres away.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 30 minutes.
When to fly to Bilbao Airport (BIO)
It's time to choose your travel dates for your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Bilbao Airport. July is the busiest month to visit Bilbao. If you want a quieter vibe, go in January.
When reserving your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Bilbao Airport, think about the kind of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Bilbao, with the temperature ranging from 16ºC (61ºF) to 25ºC (77ºF).
Search for cheap tickets from SFO to BIO in January if you like cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 5ºC (41ºF) and 13ºC (55ºF) on average.
Explore more of Spain
Bilbao has plenty going for it, but there are so many other parts of Spain waiting to be explored. Around 241 kilometres south-east of Bilbao, a trip to Zaragoza will keep you on the move. Start with leading sights like Puente de Piedra, Museo Pablo Gargallo and El Tubo.
If you're ready to explore another side of Spain, consider Salamanca, roughly 338 kilometres south-west of Bilbao. Plaza Mayor, S.O.U. Servicio de Orientación al Universitario. Universidad de Salamanca and Pontifical University of Salamanca are key reasons to visit.
