Bilbao accomodation late flight arriving

[La Knysna]

Hi everyone, plans are to fly Air France from Johannesburg, South Africa, to Bilbao on 3rd April (Friday night) with a transfer through CDG airport. The flight leaves at 9am in South Africa and lands at 10.45 pm in Bilbao. I notice the municipal albergue is open 24 hrs...what arrangements did you make if you flew in on this late night flight? We are from a country with a crap exchange rate so a hotel isn't a possibility although maybe a cheap air B n B. Any advice?

 

[Caminobill]

Hi everyone, plans are to fly Air France from Johannesburg, South Africa, to Bilbao on 3rd April (Friday night) with a transfer through CDG airport. The flight leaves at 9am in South Africa and lands at 10.45 pm in Bilbao. I notice the municipal albergue is open 24 hrs...what arrangements did you make if you flew in on this late night flight? We are from a country with a crap exchange rate so a hotel isn't a possibility although maybe a cheap air B n B. Any advice?

 

[Caminobill]

Hola pilgrim, I’ll check my notes from a sty in 2016 at a private hostel in central for you but I had Problem at the airport there, in 2018 it closes at 2300 until 0500 so when you arrive waist no time getting to entrance of arrival to get a ride to town. There’s a train but I’m not sure of the last train to town. There is no place at or close to the airport to stay, I had to sleep on a metal bench at the car rental area. Now a lot can change in two years but just a heads up. Cheers Bill

 

[Walkerooni]

If one unforeseen night in a hotel will make or break your Camino, this may not be the best year to do it. Lots of unknowns hanging over everyone, no guarantee all albergues will be open, or have volunteer hospitaleros able to get there. A good year
'to go with a Plan B, C, D, E....

 

[Vacajoe]

Optimi Rooms - capsule style hostel. 25€ Single rooms, but they have double rooms too. Worth a look.

 

[La Knysna]

Optimi Rooms - capsule style hostel. 25€ Single rooms, but they have double rooms too. Worth a look.

thanks! Will check it out.

 

[easygoing]

Part of the joy of the Camino for me is being creative. I've slept in the airport and except for the loudspeaker every half hour announcing do not leave your luggage unattended it wasn't bad.
I've already booked my flight to walk the Camino leaving May 13th and I am looking forward to it. I could possibly be exposed to the flu in my home state and actually Washington State ( my home state) has a lot of cases. I will probably be safer on the Camino. All you can do is take precautions, and then go ahead and enjoy life with business as usual.

 

[La Knysna]

Hola pilgrim, I’ll check my notes from a sty in 2016 at a private hostel in central for you but I had Problem at the airport there, in 2018 it closes at 2300 until 0500 so when you arrive waist no time getting to entrance of arrival to get a ride to town. There’s a train but I’m not sure of the last train to town. There is no place at or close to the airport to stay, I had to sleep on a metal bench at the car rental area. Now a lot can change in two years but just a heads up. Cheers Bill

thanks for the heads up!

 

[La Knysna]

If one unforeseen night in a hotel will make or break your Camino, this may not be the best year to do it. Lots of unknowns hanging over everyone, no guarantee all albergues will be open, or have volunteer hospitaleros able to get there. A good year
'to go with a Plan B, C, D, E....

One unforseen night in a hotel won't make or break my Camino. Its my third and I'm comfortable with uncertainty. I would like to avoid an expensive unplanned hotel stay if i can avoid it though by getting advice on the topic. It may not be the best year to do it, but it may be also the best year to do it.

 

[La Knysna]

Part of the joy of the Camino for me is being creative. I've slept in the airport and except for the loudspeaker every half hour announcing do not leave your luggage unattended it wasn't bad.
I've already booked my flight to walk the Camino leaving May 13th and I am looking forward to it. I could possibly be exposed to the flu in my home state and actually Washington State ( my home state) has a lot of cases. I will probably be safer on the Camino. All you can do is take precautions, and then go ahead and enjoy life with business as usual.

thanks. I am happy to sleep in the airport if I have to. My question was specifically about Bilbao and its airport and late night transport. Corona does not factor into my decision.

 

[La Knysna]

Hola pilgrim, I’ll check my notes from a sty in 2016 at a private hostel in central for you but I had Problem at the airport there, in 2018 it closes at 2300 until 0500 so when you arrive waist no time getting to entrance of arrival to get a ride to town. There’s a train but I’m not sure of the last train to town. There is no place at or close to the airport to stay, I had to sleep on a metal bench at the car rental area. Now a lot can change in two years but just a heads up. Cheers Bill

thanks for the good advice!

 

[Vacajoe]

The airport bus runs into town until midnight, so you should be able to reach downtown Bilbao (or it’s a cheap taxi ride). In general, though, once an albergues closes for the evening, there is no late night check-in (especially in municipals where the paid staff usually go home at night).

I’d completely skip the idea of an official albergue that first night and find a cheap private room (like the link I sent to you in the other post) so that you could check in late PLUS sleep better and sleep in a bit. No one in an albergue wants new folks showing up and unpacking at midnight, nor do you want to be awakened at 5am by them when they start their day.

 

[La Knysna]

thanks! that is helpful advice, have already made an enquiry at an air b n b about how to best get to them at that time of night. Good to know the airport bus runs until midnight. thanks again

 

[tpmchugh]

Hi everyone, plans are to fly Air France from Johannesburg, South Africa, to Bilbao on 3rd April (Friday night) with a transfer through CDG airport. The flight leaves at 9am in South Africa and lands at 10.45 pm in Bilbao. I notice the municipal albergue is open 24 hrs...what arrangements did you make if you flew in on this late night flight? We are from a country with a crap exchange rate so a hotel isn't a possibility although maybe a cheap air B n B. Any advice?

I used the Pil Pil hostel. Five minute walk from bus station where the airport bus drops you. I stayed in dorm room but it does have private rooms. Breakfast included in price

 

[La Knysna]

I used the Pil Pil hostel. Five minute walk from bus station where the airport bus drops you. I stayed in dorm room but it does have private rooms. Breakfast included in price

thank you! will check it out.