Biarritz Pays Basque airport

Biarritz Airport is located in the commune of Anglet, three kilometres northeast of Biarritz city centre and 25 kilometres from the Spanish border on the Atlantic coast of the French Basque Country. It is the third-largest airport in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region after Bordeaux and Toulouse, handling around one million passengers annually. The single-terminal facility serves a mix of domestic routes to Paris, Lyon, and Marseille, plus seasonal international services to London, Dublin, Brussels, and several German cities. Its compact size and proximity to the coast make it a convenient entry point for surfers, beach holidaymakers, and business travellers alike.

Getting There

Biarritz Airport is easily reached from Biarritz town centre, which is a 10-minute drive via the D911 and D932 roads. The distance is roughly five kilometres. Taxis from the city centre cost around €15–20 and take 10–15 minutes depending on traffic. An airport shuttle bus, operated by the Chronoplus network, runs every 20–30 minutes from Biarritz railway station, stopping at several points in the city and at the terminal. The journey takes about 25 minutes. A single ticket costs €1.20. From Bayonne, the bus line 6 (Chronoplus) connects the city centre and the airport in 35 minutes. Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a 30-minute taxi ride or a 45-minute bus journey via Bayonne. If driving, take the A63 motorway exit 4 (Biarritz/Anglet) and follow signs for the airport. The paid parking lot is directly in front of the terminal; short-term parking costs €2 per half-hour, long-term about €15 per day. For cyclists, bike racks are available outside the terminal, though the surrounding roads are moderately busy. The airport website offers a pre-booking service for parking spaces, which can save time during peak season.

Inside the Terminal

Biarritz Airport has a single, two-storey terminal building. The ground floor houses check-in desks, baggage claim, and a small tourist information desk. The first floor contains the departure lounge, security checkpoint, and gates. The facility is wheelchair-accessible throughout: there are ramps, accessible toilets with changing tables, and a wheelchair rental service (available at the information desk or by advance request). The paid parking lot is also wheelchair-accessible. Wi-Fi is free and available in all areas; users need to register with an email address. The departure lounge has a few shops selling regional produce (Basque wines, chocolates, and esparto grass products) and a café that serves pastries and light meals. There is also a press shop. The security area is small but efficient; during busy times (Monday to Thursday, particularly around 4–5 pm), queues can build up, so allow 30 minutes for security. The lounge has adequate seating, much of it wheelchair-accessible. There is no business class lounge, but the free Wi-Fi and power sockets near the café provide a basic workspace. The terminal's atmosphere is relaxed and unhurried, typical of a regional airport. The overall layout is straightforward: check-in, security, then straight to the gate – no confusing corridors or long walks.

Biarritz Airport and Anglet

Anglet, the commune that hosts the airport, is often overlooked by visitors who rush through to Biarritz or Bayonne. But it deserves its own attention. Anglet stretches along three kilometres of Atlantic coastline, with eleven sandy beaches that range from family-friendly coves (like the Petite Chambre d'Amour) to surf-heavy breaks such as Les Cavaliers. The Forêt du Pignada, a protected pine forest of 200 hectares, lies inland and offers hiking and cycling trails. The airport sits at the northern edge of this forest, meaning that passengers arriving by road see a green canopy before the terminal appears. Anglet is also the birthplace of the famous Basque beret – the industry started here in the 19th century – and the town still produces berets at a small factory. The broader region is the Basque Country, a culturally distinct area with its own language, festivals, and strong culinary traditions. Food lovers come for pintxos (Basque tapas), fresh seafood, and the local wine, txakoli. The nearby towns of Biarritz (with its historic Hôtel du Palais and Grande Plage), Bayonne (known for its Gothic cathedral and chocolate shops), and Saint-Jean-de-Luz (a fishing port with a charming old town) are all within 15–30 minutes by car. Surfers flock to the entire coastline: spots like La Gravière (Hossegor) and Anglet's own Plage de la Madrague are world-ranked. The airport also serves the Pyrenees mountain resorts, located about two hours' drive south, where hiking and skiing are popular. In summer, the Basque pelota games, ferias (street parties), and outdoor concerts fill the calendar. The airport itself is a practical base; many visitors stay in Anglet's hotels or holiday apartments near the beaches, and the convenience of a 10-minute drive to the terminal means early morning flights are not a problem. Historically, Biarritz Airport was built in 1968 to replace an older airstrip in Biarritz. Its location in Anglet was chosen for the flat terrain and proximity to the main road. Over the decades, the airport has expanded to handle larger aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, and it now serves as a regional hub for the entire Basque Country. The terminal's architecture reflects the local style – modern but with Basque red and white accents. For travellers, understanding that the airport is in Anglet, not Biarritz, is key: the taxi drop-off zone, the car rental desks, and the bus stop are all in Anglet territory. This distinction matters only for navigation, but it explains why the address says "Anglet" rather than "Biarritz."

Practical Information

The airport is not open 24 hours. It typically opens around 5:00 AM and closes after the last departure, around 11:00 PM, but exact hours depend on the flight schedule. Check the website for daily times. Contact details: phone number is available on the official website (http://www.biarritz.aeroport.fr/). For specific enquiries, the website has a contact form. The airport is well equipped for passengers with reduced mobility: wheelchair-accessible entrance, car park, seating, and toilets, as well as wheelchair rental. Changing tables are available in both male and female accessible toilets. Wi-Fi is free and unlimited. The paid parking lot accepts credit cards and offers a pre-booking discount of about 20%. For departures, allow 90 minutes for domestic flights and two hours for international flights, especially during peak hours (Monday to Thursday, 4–5 pm). If you are surfing, the airport accepts surfboards as checked luggage – check with your airline for size and weight limits. There is no luggage storage facility, so plan accordingly. One concrete piece of advice: if you are flying on a Monday afternoon, book your parking online a day in advance to guarantee a space and save money. The parking lot fills quickly during summer and on weekends, but the online reservation system reliably secures a spot.