How to get to La Rioja from abroad: flights, gateways and the final stretch

Almost nobody flies straight into Logroño. The secret to a smooth arrival is picking the right gateway for the country you are leaving from – get it wrong and you can add two or three hours to an already long travel day.

This guide is written for visitors coming from outside Spain: which airport makes sense from the UK, Ireland, France, Central Europe and North America, what the land and sea alternatives look like, and the small practical details worth sorting out before you touch down.

Why there is no "La Rioja airport" option

La Rioja does have its own airfield, Logroño-Agoncillo, but scheduled services there are very limited and it rarely works for an international trip. In practice, overseas visitors land at one of the larger airports in northern Spain or south-west France and cover the last leg by road. For a distance-by-distance comparison of every option, read our guide to airports near Logroño; here we look at the question from the point of view of where you are flying from.

Driving times are approximate and depend on traffic, the time of day and exactly where in La Rioja you are staying.

From the UK and Ireland: fly to Bilbao or take the ferry

British and Irish travellers have the widest choice. Bilbao has direct flights to London and, depending on the season, to other cities in the UK and Ireland, so it is worth checking what operates on your dates. From the arrivals hall it is roughly 135 km down the AP-68 motorway to Logroño, and a little less to Haro. If you have never used Bilbao before, our Bilbao Airport arrivals guide explains exactly where your driver will be waiting.

If you would rather bring your own car, or you are travelling with plenty of luggage (golf clubs, bikes, a few cases of wine for the way home), there are ferry routes from the south of England to Bilbao and Santander. From the Bilbao ferry terminal the drive is similar to the one from the airport; from Santander it is somewhat longer, and for that option we run a dedicated Santander to La Rioja transfer.

From France: Biarritz, Bilbao or by road

If you live in south-west France you will probably drive in via Irún. From further afield there are two airports worth weighing up: Biarritz, with flights from Paris and other French cities, and Bilbao. The road journey from Biarritz takes about 2 h 30 – see our Biarritz Airport to La Rioja transfer for details. Arriving by train at the border? We can also collect you in Hendaye or Irún, which spares you a chain of connections.

From Germany, Switzerland and the Benelux

Bilbao has links with several Central European cities – Frankfurt, Munich, Amsterdam, Brussels and Zurich among them – although the timetable shifts with the season. If nothing flies direct on your dates, a connection via Madrid or Barcelona onto Bilbao often beats landing in Madrid and spending 3 h 30 on the road: you frequently arrive earlier and far less tired.

From the USA, Canada and Latin America

There are no transatlantic flights into Bilbao, so the decision comes down to two routes:

• Direct to Madrid-Barajas, then by road (about 3 h 30). The simplest choice if you land in the morning and do not mind the drive. Your driver meets you in the terminal with a name sign; see our Madrid Airport to Logroño transfer and the guide Madrid-Barajas Airport to La Rioja.
• Via a European hub, then a short hop to Bilbao. More time in terminals, but only around 1 h 30 on the road at the end – useful if you land in the afternoon or are travelling with older relatives or young children.

There is a third possibility: the train. Logroño has no high-speed AVE service, although it does have Alvia, Intercity and regional trains. From Madrid that normally means crossing the city from the airport to the station first, which after a long-haul flight is rarely worth the effort.

What about Barcelona, Zaragoza, Vitoria or Pamplona?

Barcelona-El Prat is about 4 h 30 by road, so it only makes sense if the fare is much cheaper or you are combining La Rioja with Catalonia. Zaragoza (about 1 h 45), Vitoria (about 1 h) and Pamplona (about 1 h) are all close, but their international schedules are thin and usually involve a change. Our airport transfers page brings every route together in one place.

Planning your arrival from overseas

1. Choose where you are sleeping before you book flights. Logroño, Haro and a hotel in Rioja Alavesa can each point to a different "best" airport.
2. Compare arrival times, not just fares. Landing in Madrid at 11 pm means reaching La Rioja in the small hours.
3. Book your transfer with your flight number. We track the flight, so if it is delayed the pickup is adjusted at no extra cost.
4. Tell us your language and any special needs. If you would like the whole journey in English, ask for an English-speaking driver in La Rioja, and mention child seats, bulky luggage or reduced mobility.
5. Save our WhatsApp number. It is the easiest way to reach us the moment you land, even on airport wifi.

Travelling as a group or on business?

International groups – extended families, incentive trips, delegations heading to a trade fair – often arrive on different flights. We can stagger several pickups or combine nearby arrivals in one vehicle, such as the seven-seat van of Rioja Group. Companies will find booking and invoicing terms on our corporate transport page.

Good to know before you travel

• Spain uses the euro and Central European Time, one hour ahead of the UK and Ireland. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, wineries included.
• Meal times run late by British or American standards: winery visits usually happen in the morning and dinner rarely starts before about 9 pm.
• Check the entry requirements for your nationality on official government sources before you fly.
• If you need an invoice in your company's name, ask for it when you book.
• For the return journey, leave a margin: the AP-68 usually flows well, but early-morning fog in winter can slow things down.

Once you have settled in, our La Rioja in 3 days itinerary helps you make the most of a short stay, and the guide to the best time to visit La Rioja will help you choose your dates.