Have you checked on flights from your home airport directly to Bilbao? Flights to smaller cities are not always more expensive. Last year I started the Norte in Irún, flying to Bilbao. Those flights (from Boston, USA) were cheaper than those to Madrid! And, it's an easy bus from the Bilbao airport to the Termibus station in Bilbao, then a bus from there to Irún. If Madrid (or Barcelona) is cheaper, (which it is for me this year), consider a flight from to Bilbao, or San Sebastian (as Jan D. suggested) booked as a separate ticket from your transatlantic flight. Then the bus to Irún. Just be sure to leave plenty of time between those flights in case of delays. I will be doing just that (flights Boston- Madrid, then Madrid- Bilbao) next month. The flight I booked from Madrid to Bilbao was not expensive at all and will save me lots of time if all goes according to schedule. It was quite a bit less expensive than booking Boston directly to Bilbao. I also booked a separate ticket from Santiago to Madrid the day before I fly back to the states. Again, very inexpensive. Worth checking out. I wish you Buen Camino. Enjoy the wonderful people, the wonderful food, and the wonder scenery of the Norte!