Travelling to Bilbao
Arriving in Bilbao for WFCS 2027 is straightforward, with efficient connections to the main venue: Bizkaia Aretoa.
Address: Abandoibarra Etorbidea, 3, 48009 Bilbao, Bizkaia
GPS coordinates: 43.26867, -2.93752 Maps Link
1. Arrival in Bilbao
By Air – Bilbao Airport (BIO)
Located ~20 minutes from the city centre.
- Airport Bus (A3247): Runs from 06:00 to 23:30, with a frequency of every 20 minutes, connecting the airport with Gran Vía, Plaza Moyúa, Alameda Rekalde, and the Intermodal station.
- Taxi: Approx. €25–€30 to central Bilbao.
By Train – Bilbao-Abando Station
Main railway hub in the city centre, within walking distance of the venue.
By Ferry – Port of Bilbao
Regular services from Portsmouth and Rosslare. The terminal is ~15 minutes by car from the city centre.
2. Getting to the Venue: Bizkaia Aretoa
Located in Abandoibarra, in central Bilbao, near the riverfront.
- Walking: ~10–15 minutes from Abando station and city-centre hotels
- Tram: “Guggenheim” stop (2-minute walk)
- Metro: “Moyúa” or “Abando” stations (short walk)
- Bus: Multiple lines serving the Abandoibarra area
3. Local Transportation
The Barik card is the recommended option for public transport. It is a rechargeable contactless card (cost ~€3) valid across Metro Bilbao, tram, and buses, offering reduced fares (~€0.70–€1.20 per trip vs. ~€1.50–€4.50 without it).
It can also be used for the airport bus and can be purchased and recharged at the ticket vending machines in metro stations, making it a convenient and cost-efficient solution. Loading €10–€15 is typically sufficient for a short stay.
- Metro: Fast and reliable; Lines 1 and 2 (Metro Bilbao) and Line 3 (Euskotren) connect the city centre with the metropolitan area.
- Bilbao Tram: Convenient for travel along the riverfront (venue area, Guggenheim, city centre).
- Taxi / Ride-hailing: Readily available across the city.
Bilbao’s compact layout allows easy access to Bizkaia Aretoa from most accommodation areas, often within walking distance.
Visa Information
Spain is a member of the European Union and part of the Schengen Area.
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens can travel with a valid national identity card or passport. Please check what kind of ID is required by your airline before traveling, as some airlines only accept passports.
Non-EU travelers: depending on their nationality, delegates either need a Schengen visa or are visa-exempt for short stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period). Please check the requirements for your nationality well in advance on the official EU website Travel to Europe or with the nearest Spanish embassy or consulate. Visa applications may take several weeks, so we recommend starting the process as early as possible. Every delegate must apply for their own visa.
Please also note that:
- Since April 2026, the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) registers non-EU travelers at the Schengen external borders (fingerprints and facial image on the first crossing), which may cause longer waiting times at border control.
- Once it becomes operational, visa-exempt travelers will also need an ETIAS travel authorization before traveling. Please check the official ETIAS website for the current status.
Need an Invitation Letter?
If your embassy or consulate requires a letter from the conference organizers, please email info.wfcs2027@ehu.eus and include the following information:
- Full name as it appears on your passport
- Nationality, passport number, and date of birth
- Affiliation and postal address
- Your role at the conference:
- Authors: paper ID and title
- Speakers: title of the talk
- Committee members: the committee to which they belong
Eligibility criteria
Invitation letters will be issued only to delegates who meet at least one of the following conditions:
- Author of an accepted paper
- Invited speaker
- Committee member
- Registered delegate who has paid the registration fee in full
Please note that the invitation letter does not imply any financial support from the conference.
Sponsors
