French & Spanish Basque Coast Car-Free
Cross the border from Biarritz to San Sebastián and Bilbao, connecting the Basque coast by train and bus.
The Basque Country is divided by a national border, but this route connects both sides: the beaches of Biarritz, the historic streets of Bayonne, and Saint-Jean-de-Luz, followed by San Sebastián, Hondarribia, and Bilbao across the border. The route is easily completed using local buses and narrow-gauge railways. Perfect for food lovers who prefer not to drive, bypassing inland French mountain villages and Spanish wine regions.
Day by day
Day 1 · First Look at Biarritz Coast
Biarritz（Les Halles de Biarritz、Grande Plage de Biarritz、Port des Pêcheurs、Rocher de la Vierge）
Take a taxi or bus from the airport to the city center in about 15 minutes. Walk along the coast to the Rocher de la Vierge.
Stay: Grande Plage and City Centre
Day 2 · Half-Day in Bayonne Old Town
Biarritz（Bayonne Old Town & Cathedral、Musée Basque et de l'Histoire de Bayonne、Plage de la Côte des Basques）
Take the T1 rapid bus to Bayonne in about 30 minutes. Return to the Biarritz coast in the afternoon.
Stay: Grande Plage and City Centre
Day 3 · Saint-Jean-de-Luz & Border Crossing
Biarritz（Saint-Jean-de-Luz、Ciboure） → San Sebastián（Parte Vieja, San Sebastián）
Take the TER train to Saint-Jean-de-Luz (about 20 minutes), continue to Hendaye, and walk to transfer to the E2 narrow-gauge railway (about 50 minutes total).
Buy tickets separately for the French and Spanish segments. Allow 20 to 30 minutes for the transfer.
Stay: Old Town (Parte Vieja)
Day 4 · La Concha Bay & Two Scenic Hills
San Sebastián（Monte Urgull、La Concha Beach、Peine del Viento (Comb of the Wind)、Monte Igueldo）
Walk along the bay for about 30 minutes, take the funicular up Monte Igueldo, and return by local bus.
Stay: Old Town (Parte Vieja)
Day 5 · Hondarribia & Pasaia
San Sebastián（Hondarribia、Pasai Donibane）
Take an E-series bus to Hondarribia in about 40 minutes. On the return journey, get off at Pasaia and take the small ferry across the river.
Stay: Old Town (Parte Vieja)
Day 6 · West to Bilbao for the Museums
Bilbao（Guggenheim Museum Bilbao、Bilbao Fine Arts Museum）
Take a long-distance bus from Donostia-San Sebastián (Atotxa) to Bilbao Intermodal in about 1 hour and 20 minutes, then walk or take the tram into the city.
The Guggenheim Museum is usually closed on Mondays; if your visit falls on a Monday, reschedule for the following morning.
Stay: Casco Viejo (Siete Calles)
Day 7 · Ribera Market & Departure
Bilbao（Mercado de la Ribera、Casco Viejo, Bilbao）
Spend the morning walking through the Old Town (Casco Viejo) and the market, then take the airport bus (about 20 minutes) to depart.
Most fresh food stalls in the Sunday market only operate in the morning.