Public transport in Bilbao and the Basque Country

Key rules

• One card: A single Barik card works on Metro Bilbao, Bizkaibus and Bilbobus.
• Metro zones: Metro fares rise with the number of zones you cross.
• Registration: Register the card in your name to protect your balance and access discounts.
• Yearly fares: Fares are revised every year, so check current prices with the CTB.

Fares, the card fee and top-up locations change each year, so confirm current figures with the Bizkaia transport consortium (CTB) before you travel.

One card for all your trips

In Bilbao and the rest of Bizkaia, you pay for public transport with a Barik card. The same card works on Metro Bilbao, Bizkaibus and Bilbobus. Get one in your first days and you rarely need paper tickets.

How to get a Barik card

You can buy a card at Metro Bilbao stations, at Bizkaibus and Bilbobus points, and at some kiosks. You pay a small fee for the card itself. The fee can change, so ask at the point of sale.

Register the card in your name. A registered card lets you protect your balance if you lose it, and it is the route to discounts. The checklist below lists the steps in order.

How to top up

Add money to the card at a machine, online, or at a shop or tobacconist. Top up before you travel, then tap in when you board or enter the station. Top-up locations change, so check the current list with the Bizkaia transport consortium (CTB).

How fares work

On the metro, the fare depends on zones. Zone 1 is the cheapest, and the price rises as your trip crosses into zone 2, zone 3 and beyond. Before you settle into a routine, check which zone your usual trip falls in.

Bizkaibus and Bilbobus also take Barik. A trip paid with the card costs less than a single paper ticket.

Changing between metro and bus

If you change between operators within a set time window, you get a transfer discount. You need to use the same Barik card for both trips. The FAQ below answers whether you pay again.

Discounts

Discounts exist for young people, seniors and large families. Ask the CTB whether you qualify and which documents you need. You will usually need a registered card to get them.

Check current prices

The CTB revises fares every year. Look up the current prices and the card fee with the CTB before you budget.

Checklist

• Pay the small card fee when you buy it.

• Register the card in your name to protect your balance and get discounts.

• Top up the card at a machine, online, or at a shop or tobacconist.

• Check which Metro Bilbao zone your usual trip falls in, because fares rise with distance.

• Ask whether you qualify for a young person, senior or large family discount.

• Use the same card on metro, Bizkaibus and Bilbobus to get the transfer discount.

Frequently asked questions

Do I save money by registering my Barik card?

Yes, a personal registered card lets you protect your balance and get discounts that an anonymous card does not. Discounts exist for young people, seniors and large families. Ask at a Metro Bilbao station which one fits you.

Where can I top up my Barik card?

You can top up a Barik card at machines, online, and at shops and tobacconists. Machines are in Metro Bilbao stations. Top-up places can change, so check the current list before you rely on one.

Do I pay again when I change between metro and bus?

Transfers between operators are discounted if you make them within a time window. Pay with the same Barik card each time so the discount applies. Ask the consortium for the current time limit.