Travelling from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Bilbao Airport (BIO): what you need to know
The average length of a direct flight from Istanbul Airport to Bilbao Airport is 4 hours 20 minutes.
The timezone in Bilbao is UTC+1, which is two hours behind Istanbul.
Choose from seven weekly Istanbul Airport to Bilbao Airport flights. The 07:50 departure with Turkish Airlines is the earliest you can take. Turkish Airlines operates the last service of the day at 14:15.
For a smooth journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This way, you'll have plenty of time to board your IST to BIO flight.
During popular months such as August, it's best to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for international flights when you travel during peak periods in general.
Flying into Bilbao (and then seeing more of Spain!) is a snap with Turkish Airlines. This popular carrier offers direct flights from Istanbul Airport to Bilbao Airport.
Most passengers choose to fly with Turkish Airlines on this route.
If you want to explore another city along the way, simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for your ticket from Istanbul Airport to Bilbao Airport. Here are the top stopovers between IST and BIO:
Barcelona Airport
Rome Fiumicino Airport
Geneva Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Bilbao Airport (BIO)
R 1,280 is the best price for a one-way Istanbul Airport to Bilbao Airport flight. Return flights start from R 2,654. These fares may change depending on availability and demand.
Book two months before you want to fly. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to secure cheap tickets from IST to BIO.
July is the cheapest month for flights from Istanbul Airport to Bilbao Airport. If you need to fly at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for each month.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from IST to BIO by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification through the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to get the best deals on flights from Istanbul Airport to Bilbao Airport.
Handy information about Istanbul Airport (IST)
Central Istanbul to Istanbul Airport is approximately 40 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take about 45 minutes to get there if you're ride-sharing, catching a taxi or driving.
Expect a trip time of around 1 hour 10 minutes when using public transport.
Searching for a convenient hotel near IST? If you're boarding an early flight from Istanbul Airport to Bilbao Airport, these stays will have you sleeping moments from your check-in counter:
Arriving at Bilbao Airport (BIO)
Consider staying in a hotel close to BIO if you're taking a late Istanbul Airport to Bilbao Airport flight. Choose one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Pick up a Bilbao Airport rental car and explore Bilbao and beyond with your own set of wheels. Record Go, Click and Rent and Goldcar are leading providers you can book with here.
Lock in the best possible rate by reserving your vehicle from Bilbao Airport around four weeks before your departure date.
Getting from Bilbao Airport (BIO) to central Bilbao
Bilbao Airport is approximately 11 kilometres from the centre of Bilbao. The drive time takes about 15 minutes.
It takes roughly 30 minutes if you're travelling on public transport.
When to fly to Bilbao Airport (BIO)
It's time to pick your travel dates for your flight from Istanbul Airport to Bilbao Airport. June is the busiest month to visit Bilbao. If you'd like a more laid-back vibe, go in March.
The warmest month in Bilbao is August, with the temperature ranging between 16ºC (61ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF). Book your flights from Istanbul Airport to Bilbao Airport in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
If you like cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from IST to BIO in January. Temperatures average between 5ºC (41ºF) and 13ºC (55ºF) then.
Explore more of Spain
Bilbao has loads to offer, but there are so many other parts of Spain just waiting to be explored. Around 241 kilometres south-east of Bilbao, a trip to Zaragoza will keep you on the move. Start with leading attractions like Plaza del Pilar, La Seo del Salvador and Basílica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar.
Around 338 kilometres south-west of Bilbao, Salamanca is another essential stop in Spain. No visit is complete without checking out Catedral de Salamanca, Salamanca, Casco Historico and Plaza Mayor.