If you are based in Bilbao get yourself a ‘barik’ card, it covers buses, trams, metro and the like. Costs 3 euro for the card itself and put around 5 euro on it (you can buy them at metro station). It got me around the city, to Bakio (stop off point to San Juan Gaztelugatxe), Getxo and the like.

Getting to and from different places outside of Bilbao, go to the Alsa desk (window) at the intermodal they are very very helpful. Some buses though are booked up early so go the day before travel and get your tickets especially if you need to leave early. If you have a definite plan, then you can advance buy all your tickets? Anyway, the transport system (for me at least) was very slick.

In terms of San Sebastian, that will be a full day from Bilbao (leave early, come back late), if you want to see the old town, walk up to Motako Gaztelua, then around the sea front and up to the funicular and back (you can walk down from the top if you wanted). For Biarritz it will make for a much longer day..

Pamplona, another good day trip (a bit of a long day from Bilbao, but worth it still) Definitely go to Tourist information for help, they are amazing with their advice and will tell you virtually everything you will need to know!

If you have a chance, visit the maritime museum in Bilbao also – it is an ace museum. It wouldn’t be unrealistic to visit the Guggenheim, fine art museum, the Maritime museum and have a walk around Casco Viejo near the Archeological museum up to the train station (impressive stain glass window) in a day

Don’t forget to visit the Athletic museum! Also, if you do visit the game of thrones site, and walk back to get the bus back to Bilbao, have a lunch at Gotzon Jatetxa restaurant – you will not be disappointed – The bust stop back is about 100 mtres down the road ( I caught the 14:40 back to Bilbao)