Tram systems in Bilbao
Bilbao is the largest city in Spain’s Basque Country and the capital of the province of Bizkaia. Situated along the Nervión estuary and surrounded by hills, it developed as an important industrial and commercial centre. Its regenerated waterfront, Guggenheim Museum and historic Casco Viejo now make it a major cultural and visitor destination.
Bilbao’s public transport network includes metro, suburban and regional trains, trams and buses. The metro provides connections across the city and the wider metropolitan area, while Euskotren and Renfe rail services link Bilbao with surrounding towns. Bilbobus operates the city bus network, complemented by Bizkaibus services across the province. The Artxanda funicular connects the city with the hillside above.
The Barik smartcard is widely accepted across the area’s public transport, including the tram, providing a convenient way to travel between different services. Fares and transfer arrangements vary by operator.
Bilbao has one tram line, running between La Casilla and Bolueta. Its approximately 8-kilometre route serves 16 stops, linking the Basurto and San Mamés areas with the Abandoibarra waterfront, Guggenheim Museum, city centre and the edge of the Casco Viejo before continuing through Atxuri and Abusu to Bolueta.
The tram complements the metro and railway network, offering convenient access to waterfront attractions and several important transport interchanges.
Bilbao currently has 1 tram line, details of which can be found on the Lines tab.
The tram is operated by Euskotren under its Euskotren Tranbia brand. Euskotren’s official website provides tram timetables, route maps, fares and service updates.
Useful official links:
Bilbao’s tramway history began in 1876 with an animal-drawn line linking the city with Las Arenas, later extended to Algorta. Further routes followed, including a line to Santurtzi and an urban network connecting the city’s railway stations, docks and neighbourhoods. Alongside passenger services, the early urban tramways played an important role in transporting goods.
Electric traction was introduced in 1896 on the Bilbao–Santurtzi route, making Bilbao the first city in Spain with a regular electric tram service. The wider network subsequently included the Bilbao–Durango and Arratia tramway, whose electric services were inaugurated in 1902. These interurban routes connected Bilbao with industrial communities along the estuary and towns further inland.
During the twentieth century, buses and trolleybuses progressively replaced the traditional trams. Bilbao introduced its first trolleybus route in 1940, beginning a gradual change in the city’s surface transport. Most of the old tram network had disappeared by the end of the 1950s, but the Arratia tramway survived until November 1964, bringing the first era of tram operation in Bilbao to an end.
Construction of Bilbao’s modern tramway began in May 1999. The new system formed part of the transformation of the city’s former industrial waterfront, providing public transport through the redeveloped Abandoibarra area.
Trams returned to passenger service on 18 December 2002, when the initial six-stop section opened between Atxuri and Uribitarte. The line reached the Guggenheim Museum in April 2003 and San Mamés in July that year. A further extension to Basurto followed in July 2004.
In April 2012, the tramway was extended to La Casilla, adding two stops. The existing Basurto terminus was renamed Hospital/Ospitalea, while the Basurto name was transferred to a new stop on the extension.
On 25 March 2022, the line was extended from Atxuri to Bolueta, using a former Euskotren railway alignment. The 2.3-kilometre extension added stops at Abusu and Bolueta, with the latter providing an interchange with the metro. This established the present route between La Casilla and Bolueta, approximately 8 kilometres long with 16 stops.
Bilbao currently has 1 tram line, which is listed below.
| Line | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Bilbao tramway runs between La Casilla and Bolueta via San Mamés, Guggenheim, Abando and Atxuri. |
Bilbao’s tramway uses metre-gauge track (1,000 mm) and is electrified at 750 V DC through overhead wires. The route extends for approximately 8 kilometres between La Casilla and Bolueta, serving 16 stops.
The line combines street-level running with reserved track. Much of the route is double-track, but the central section towards Atxuri includes single-track running, with a passing loop at Arriaga. Beyond Atxuri, the tram follows a converted railway alignment towards Bolueta, including the Miraflores tunnel near Abusu.
The tram depot, workshops and control facilities are located at Atxuri, alongside the former railway station. These facilities remained in use when the railway tracks beyond the station were converted for tram operation.
Bilbao uses articulated trams built by CAF, comprising the original 400 series and longer 500-series vehicles. Both types are bidirectional, with driving cabs at each end and doors on both sides.
The eight 400-series trams were built for the modern system’s opening in 2002. These three-section vehicles are approximately 24.4 metres long and 2.4 metres wide. They have a predominantly low-floor layout, with raised floor areas above some of the running gear.
The five-section 500-series trams were originally built for Vitoria-Gasteiz. Their introduction to Bilbao began in June 2021 as part of a programme to add three longer vehicles and increase capacity ahead of the Bolueta extension. At approximately 31.4 metres long, they are around seven metres longer than the original fleet. Euskotren quotes capacities of 198 passengers for the 400 series and 270 for the 500 series.
Both types provide designated spaces for wheelchair users and pushchairs, air conditioning, audible announcements and electronic passenger information.
A new tram stop is planned at Los Caños, between Atxuri and Abusu, improving access to the tramway from the surrounding neighbourhoods. The project includes a lift and footbridge connecting the platforms with Paseo de Los Caños and Avenida Miraflores, together with improvements to nearby pedestrian links.
The construction contract was awarded in March 2026 with a 15-month programme. Opening is expected in the second half of 2027, although a precise date has not been announced.
An approved scheme would extend the tramway to the redeveloping island of Zorrotzaurre. The approximately 2.4-kilometre route would leave the existing line near Euskalduna, serve Olabeaga and cross the estuary on a new bridge before continuing onto the island. Five new stops are planned.
The extension is designed as a double-track route, largely laid on grassed track. The new bridge would also accommodate pedestrians and cyclists. Detailed design was commissioned in September 2024, but a confirmed opening date has not been announced.
Improvements at Bolueta will reopen the former railway station vestibule and provide access to the tram stop from both Calle Tellería and Calle Ibarsusibidea. The work is intended to shorten walking routes and make interchange between the tram and metro more convenient. The construction contract was formalised in June 2026 with a six-month programme.