Barik – Public Transportation Card of Bilbao: How to Get, Use, Load

The public transportation card of Bilbao is called Barik. It is a rechargeable smart card that allows you to use the public transportation system in Bilbao, including the metro, tram, and urban buses. The Barik card is a convenient and cost-effective way to use the public transportation system in Bilbao. By using the card, you can save money on individual fares and make it easier to get around the city.

There is also another card, the Bilbao Bizkaia Card, which is a tourist card, convenient and cost-effective way to explore the Bilbao and Bizkaia region, providing access to public transportation and discounts on attractions and amenities.

Barik

How to Obtain Barik?

To obtain a Barik card, you can go to any metro station, tram stop, or authorized point of sale, such as tobacconists or newsstands, and purchase a card for a small fee. You will need to provide a passport-sized photo and your identification information in order to purchase the card.

Once you have your Barik card, you can load it with credit at any metro station, tram stop, or authorized point of sale. The card can be loaded with a specific amount of credit or with a multi-trip pass, which allows you to take a certain number of trips within a set period of time.

How to obtain a Barik card from the airport upon arrival in Bilbao?

If you’re arriving at Bilbao Airport and would like to obtain a Barik card, you can do so at the airport itself. Follow these steps to get your Barik card:

1. Look for the “Barik” vending machine at the airport. The machine is located in the arrivals area, just outside the baggage claim area.
2. Purchase a Barik card from the vending machine. The card costs €3 and comes preloaded with €3 of credit.
3. To add more credit to your card, simply insert the card into the vending machine and follow the instructions to add the desired amount of credit.
4. Once your Barik card is loaded with credit, you can use it to take the Bizkaibus A3247 shuttle from the airport to the city center. The shuttle costs €3 per ride, and the fare will be deducted from your card balance when you touch the card to the reader on the shuttle.
5. When you arrive in the city center, you can continue to use your Barik card to pay for fares on the metro, tram, and urban buses in Bilbao.

It’s important to note that the Barik vending machine at the airport only accepts cash, so be sure to have some euros on hand to purchase and load your card.

Obtaining a Barik card from the airport upon arrival in Bilbao is a simple and convenient process that can help you save money and make it easier to get around the city.

How to Use Barik?

To use the Barik card, simply touch the card to the reader when boarding the metro, tram, or bus. The fare will be automatically deducted from your card balance.

The Barik card can be used on all modes of public transportation in Bilbao, including the metro, tram, and urban buses. It can also be used to transfer between different modes of transportation, as long as the transfer is made within a certain time limit (usually 1 hour).

How to load credit onto a Barik card?

To load credit onto your Barik card, you can go to any metro station, tram stop, or authorized point of sale. Look for the Barik logo, which is usually displayed near the ticket machines or sales counters.

To load credit onto your card, follow these steps:

1. Insert your Barik card into the machine or hand it to the salesperson.
2. Select the amount of credit you would like to load onto the card. You can choose to load a specific amount of credit, or purchase a multi-trip pass.
3. Pay for the credit using cash or a credit/debit card.
4. Wait for the transaction to be processed, and then remove your card from the machine or from the salesperson.

Once the credit is loaded onto your card, you can use it to pay for fares on the metro, tram, or urban buses in Bilbao. To use the card, simply touch it to the card reader when you board the vehicle, and the fare will be automatically deducted from your card balance.

It’s important to note that the Barik card can only be loaded with a specific amount of credit or with a multi-trip pass, and cannot be recharged with individual fares. So be sure to load enough credit onto your card to cover your transportation needs while you’re in Bilbao.

Comparison of Barik card and the Bilbao Bizkaia Card: Which to Buy Advice

Here’s a comparison of the Barik card and the Bilbao Bizkaia Card, along with some advice on which one to buy:

Barik card:

• A rechargeable smart card that allows you to use the public transportation system in Bilbao, including the metro, tram, and urban buses.
• Can be obtained at any metro station or authorized point of sale.
• Can be loaded with credit or a multi-trip pass.
• Can be used on all modes of public transportation in Bilbao.
• Does not provide discounts on attractions, restaurants, or shops.

Bilbao Bizkaia Card:

• A tourist card that allows you to travel on public transportation in Bilbao and throughout the Bizkaia region, as well as providing discounts on attractions, restaurants, and shops.
• Can be obtained at the airport, tourist offices, or online.
• Available in several different durations, from 24 hours up to 5 days.
• Provides free access to the airport shuttle bus.
• Can be used on a variety of transportation services in the Bizkaia region, including the metro, tram, urban buses, intercity buses, funicular, and Euskotren train service.
• Provides discounts on a variety of attractions, restaurants, and shops throughout the region.

Which card to buy depends on your travel plans and budget. If you plan to mainly explore Bilbao and use public transportation within the city, the Barik card is a good option. It’s a simple and cost-effective way to use public transportation in Bilbao, without the need to purchase individual tickets.

If you plan to travel outside of Bilbao to explore other parts of the Bizkaia region, or if you’re interested in taking advantage of discounts on attractions, restaurants, and shops, the Bilbao Bizkaia Card may be a better choice. The card offers more flexibility and convenience, and can help you save money on transportation and other expenses during your trip.

Overall, both cards offer convenient and cost-effective ways to use public transportation in Bilbao. It’s worth considering your travel plans and budget before making a decision on which one to purchase.