Football | Spurs fans taking the 'scenic' route to Bilbao

How are Spurs fans getting to Bilbao for the Europa League final?

With flights scarce and prices inflated, supporters have turned to boats, buses, coaches and convoluted train journeys to reach the Basque Country. 

Author - Greg S

It is a stark reminder of the lengths loyal fans will go to for the privilege of standing on foreign soil, clad in their colours, and singing their hearts out.

The romanticism of a European away day remains, but this trip has become needlessly difficult.

Perhaps, it also shows how desperate Spurs fans are to see their side win a trophy. It has been a while. 

Below, supporters shared with us their often absurd, always committed travel plans to get to Bilbao, in their own words, slightly polished for clarity.

Amy:

“I’ll be setting off on my birthday, driving from the Midlands to London on 20 May. Then it’s the Eurostar to Paris, metro across the city, and a train down to Bordeaux. From there, I’m on a Flixbus overnight to Bilbao, arriving in the early hours of 21 May. I’ll head onwards to Santander for accommodation, before returning to Bilbao for the game.”

Phil:

“My sons and I are turning it into a proper road trip. We’re taking the Eurotunnel on Monday evening after work. Flying is just too expensive and almost impossible now. We’ll stay overnight in France, then enjoy a scenic drive down the Atlantic coast on Tuesday. We’ve got an Airbnb sorted for two nights in Bilbao.”

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Tony:

“I booked my flights early, £80 return from Birmingham to Madrid. Hired a car for £24 and found two nights’ accommodation in Burgos, which is close enough to Bilbao. Even got a space in an underground car park for €20. Snagged my match ticket this morning, so I’m all set.”

Jamie:

“I’ve got a flight from London with a seven-hour stopover in Barcelona on Tuesday night. I’ll be in Bilbao for two nights, flying home on Monday. UEFA really need to rethink how they allocate finals, especially when both teams are from the same country. But let’s be honest, it’s about money, not fans.”

Lewis:

“It’s a bit of a marathon. Late night flight from Gatwick to Milan on Tuesday, then straight to Madrid at 6am the next morning. From there, I’ve got a coach to Bilbao arriving around 3pm. No sleep, straight back on the coach at 2am to Madrid, then on to Milan and back to Gatwick. Should be home by Thursday evening, hopefully with the trophy.”

Daz:

“I’m getting the bus from Bristol, over 30 hours on the road. I just hope it's going to be worth the effort. These injuries have made me nervous."

Peter:

“I’ll be driving from Norwich to Portsmouth on Sunday the 18th, then taking the 30-hour ferry to Bilbao. Should arrive on Tuesday 20th, ready to soak up the atmosphere and sleep wherever I can, likely the car. Then it’s the same journey in reverse on Saturday, back in Portsmouth Sunday 25th and three more hours to Norwich.”