autoa
Car
Usage
"Kotxea" is also common in speech. Central Bilbao is a 30 km/h zone
autobusa
Bus
Usage
A bus stop is "autobus geltokia" — the same form as in the nouns deck. Bilbao's city network is Bilbobus
Bizkaibus
Bizkaibus (Bizkaia regional bus)
Usage
Bizkaia's provincial bus network — including line A3247 between Bilbao airport and the city. Gipuzkoa's equivalent is Lurraldebus
trena
Train
Usage
The general word; a station is "geltokia", as in the nouns deck
Metro Bilbao
Usage
Its glass entrances by Norman Foster are nicknamed "fosteritos". Lines L1–L3 reach the coast at Getxo and Plentzia
Euskotren
Euskotren (Basque regional railway)
Usage
The Basque Country's narrow-gauge network, running Bilbao–Donostia–the French border. Separate stations and tickets from Renfe
Topoa
El Topo (Donostia commuter line)
Usage
The nickname ("the mole") for Euskotren's Donostia–Irun–Hendaye line, so called for its many tunnels. The way across into France
Aldiriak
Aldiriak (Renfe Cercanías)
Usage
The Basque name for Renfe's commuter service. Signage reads "Aldiriak / Cercanías"
tranbia
Tram
Usage
Runs in Bilbao and Vitoria-Gasteiz; Bilbao's line A passes the Guggenheim
Artxandako funikularra
Artxanda funicular
Usage
A 1915 funicular up Artxanda hill for the view over Bilbao; the city travel card is valid
Bizkaiko Zubia
Bizkaia Bridge (transporter bridge gondola)
Usage
The world's oldest transporter bridge (1893), a UNESCO site still ferrying people across the river between Portugalete and Getxo
taxia
Taxi
Usage
A taxi rank is "taxi geltokia"
motorra
Motorbike
Usage
The same word also means "engine", so context decides
bizikleta
Bicycle
Usage
The stem ends in -a, so the definite form matches. Cycling is close to a national sport here
patinete elektrikoa
Electric scooter
Usage
Banned from pavements — ride in the bike lane or the road
hegazkina
Airplane
Usage
The airport is "aireportua", as in the nouns deck
itsasontzia
Ship
Usage
From "itsaso" (sea) + "ontzi" (vessel). Note the "ts". A port is "portua"
txalupa
Small boat
Usage
The small boats of the fishing harbours. Note the "tx"; the stem ends in -a
trainerua
Trainera (traditional Basque rowing boat)
Usage
A 13-crew wooden rowing boat, once a fishing craft and now the star of the summer regattas ("estropadak"). Something to watch, not to travel in
anbulantzia
Ambulance
Usage
The emergency number is 112. "Deitu anbulantzia bat!" means "call an ambulance!". Note the "tz"
poliziaren autoa
Police car
Usage
The Basque police force is the Ertzaintza — report a theft to them
kamioia
Truck
Usage
Appears on motorway signage
alokairuko autoa
Rental car
Usage
"Autoa alokatu" is "to rent a car". Pair it with the car_rental deck
More Basque phrases
- Basic Words
- Basic Nouns
- Basic Verbs
- Adjectives
- Question Words
- Greetings
- Food & Drinks
- Transportation
- Shopping
- Numbers
- Hotel
- Emergency
- Sightseeing
- Flirting
- Nightlife
- Massage & Spa
- Compliments
- Contacts & SNS
- Beach & Activities
- Places & Areas
- Useful Phrases
- Airport & Customs
- Weather & Climate
- Pharmacy & Health
- Directions
- Money & Exchange
- Health & Hospital
- Internet & WiFi
- Nature & Outdoors
- Religion & Temples
- Café & Drinks
- Schedule & Booking
- Culture & Etiquette
- Traveling with Kids
- Sports & Activities
- Public Transport
- Accommodation
- Banking & ATM
- Visa & Immigration
- Business & Work
- School & Education
- Cooking & Markets
- Music & Entertainment
- Art & Museums
- Festivals & Events
- Photography
- Laundry
- Post Office
- Language Learning
- Dating & Romance
- Dating Apps
- Volunteering
- Accessibility
- Sustainability & Eco
- Fruits
- Colors
- Dietary & Allergies
- Markets & Souvenirs
- Wine & Spirits
- Car Rental & Driving
- Time & Dates
- Hiking & Trekking
- Diving & Water Sports
- Skiing & Winter Sports
- Hot Springs & Baths
- Yoga & Wellness
- Casino & Gambling
- Beauty & Grooming
- Remote Work
- Fashion & Clothing
- Convenience Store
- Martial Arts
- Signs
- Body Parts
- Animals
- Electronics
- Feelings
- Slang
- Local Dishes
- Local Drinks
- Indulgences