Spain · City bus rules
Can my dog travel on Bilbobus buses in Bilbao?
Checked · Official source ↗
No. Your dog has to fit in a closed carrier.
What this means for you: Bilbao’s buses are carrier only. The metro is carrier or in your arms until 14 October 2026; from 15 October a bigger dog rides muzzled on a short lead, off-peak, lifts only — once Metro Bilbao publishes the amended rule, plan on it. Euskotren, which takes a dog that’s no danger or nuisance, and the Cercanías are the options today.
The rule, line by line
What Bilbobus buses actually say.
- Who gets on
- Small domestic animals in a carrier on Bilbobus; on Bizkaibus, pets up to 8 kg in a closed carrier.
- Who doesn’t
- Any dog outside a carrier, on both bus networks. Bizkaibus refuses anything over 8 kg.
- How much
- No fare for a pet in a carrier is published.
- Where they ride
- In the carrier.
- Never, whatever the size
- Dogs of 8 kg or more.
- Where this applies
- Bilbao city (Bilbobus) — the city bus network. The metro, tram and train operators in the city are below. Double-check who actually runs your service.
- Assistance dogs
- Guide and assistance dogs ride free everywhere with their identification, and the carrier rules don’t apply to them.
The rest of the city — metro, tram, train
Dogs on the Metro, Bizkaibus, Euskotren and the Cercanías
The bus is one rule; each metro, tram and train operator in the city is another. 2 of the 4 networks below take a big dog — muzzled, on a short lead, and usually outside rush hours.
Where a big dog rides — muzzled, on a short lead
There are two networks where the idea is the same: lead, off the seats, and you clean up. Muzzles and fares vary, so read the row.
Pets may accompany you when they’re neither dangerous nor a nuisance. Not on Euskotren’s buses or replacement buses.
One pet per passenger, no weight limit, free — dogs on a lead and muzzled; local restrictions can apply.
Where it’s carrier only
Two networks. A dog that fits in a closed bag or basket on your lap rides. A dog on a lead doesn’t, however calm.
Until 14 October 2026: a dog under 8 kg on a lead in your arms, or inside a carrier; cats always in a carrier. From 15 October 2026 the amended Article 18 admits dogs over 8 kg — muzzled, on a fixed lead of 50 cm or less, not on weekdays 07:00–10:00, 13:00–16:00 or 18:00–20:00, not in the first or last car, lifts and fixed stairs only.
The October change was reported as definitively approved on 24 September 2026; Metro Bilbao hasn’t published the amended text yet. Check its conditions before you count on it.
Dogs and cats up to 8 kg in a closed cage or carrier (art. 16 of the conditions of use).
Checked 28 September 2026. Local rules change more often than the area rule — recheck the week you travel.
Your next step
So what do you do instead?
Three alternatives, in the order I’d try them.
- Choose a location that’s serviced by a train.Ideally a station in the town itself, not a railhead half an hour out. Look at the walk from platform to front door before you book — a dot on the map isn’t the same as an easy last connection with a big dog.
- Walk it.Under about 3 km on a proper path, walking usually beats the alternatives — and it’s the one option nobody can refuse you.
- Book a taxi, an Uber, or a private car service.Check they take dogs, and book before you go. Turning up at a rank with a 30 kg dog and no arrangement is where these trips actually fall apart.