Hi 2 of us traveling from UK 2 Madrid then onto Bilbao and looking for cheap but clean accomodation in Bilbao, any recomendations please..also best but again form of travel from Madrid to Bilbao, thanks

Fastest way Madrid/Bilbao is plane, but the bus is cheap and fairly quick. Try to stay in the old quarter in Bilbao (sorry, don't know any hostales).

As for traveling from the UK to Bilbao, Go, Iberia and British Airways have direct flights from London to Bilbao.

With Go you you can travel from £68 return.

If you already have your ticket to Madrid, the best way to travel to Bilbao is by bus. Check out Getsa . Note that, despite what they say at their website, buses depart now from the new Avenida de América station.

You can try to get a cheap fare to Bilbao flying with Spanair (they would have an special offer for 10000 pesetas return plus taxes) or Iberia (10500 pesetas including taxes with a "last minute offer" or 12000 tourist internet fare)

Regards,

Antonio

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The best tips from your favourite hostal in Madrid.
Hostal Chelo at http://www.chelo.com

[This message has been edited by Antonio (edited 11-15-2000).]

Found this one the web: sounds good to me!
In the Casco Viejo, the nine-unit Hotel Arriaga (3 Ribera St.,
telephone 011-34-4479-00-01) has rooms for $55. The charming but tiny
Iturrienea Ostatua (14 Santa Maria, telephone 011-34-4416-15-00, fax
011-34-4415-89-29) has doubles for $45. Add $5 for two continental
breakfasts.

Hi

We were in Bilbao for 5 days in July this year and stayed in Pension Gurea, 14 Bidebaretta, in the old town (Casco Viejo). We paid 4875 pts (less than US$30) for a double room with a private bathroom. It was very clean and the staff were very friendly and helpful. We travelled by train from Madrid to Bilbao. Train info (complete schedules and prices) can be found on the Renfe website (http://www.renfe.es/ingles/hir/idex.html)

All of my customers from Bilbao take the bus. I've asked them about the train and they all told me trains take longer, are less frequent and more expensive than buses.

So, definitely, go for the bus (regular travelers are always the best experts).

------------------
The best tips from your favourite hostal in Madrid.
Hostal Chelo at http://www.chelo.com

[This message has been edited by Antonio (edited 11-15-2000).]

[originally posted by...]

turkishdelio
Junior Member posted 09-04-2000 03:08 AM
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now back in UK so thanks Guys for all your helpfull tips ect. Traveled by train overnight one way (save on a nights accomodation that way) and went first class and was able to pull out spare seats in our compartment to make beds, and came back during the day, also worth it for the scenic views. We stayed in the Hostal Ledero, information provided by the tourist Information Office down by the river 5 mins from the station and can reccomend for clean and friendly, the Senora is most helpful, well worth the trip Bilbao was very pretty and cooler than Madrid in high summer....will post any more info later..

We stayed at Iturrienea Ostatua. Unfortunately, we had an exterior room on the lowest floor they have, the 1st (aka 2nd)floor, for a Friday-Saturday-Sunday night. The street is very very busy and very very noisy till very very late on Friday and Saturday. Sunday was somewhat noisy--it only takes one happy loud group per hour to be difficult--but not too bad.

If you are staying on a weekend, try to make sure you get an interior room. Given a choice, unless you really like the "club" style scene--crowded and lively--you may want to avoid the area on weekends. On the other hand, it is special and people were very festive. Made me feel middle-aged when I know I never did like that scene.