There are 4 ways to get from Santander to Basque Country by bus, train (Renfe), or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Bus
best- Take the bus from Santander E.A. to Estación de Autobuses Donostia-San SebastiánAlsa
2h 50m€16–40Train
cheapest- Take the train from Santander to Bilbao
- Take the train from Zazpikaleak/Casco Viejo-Bilbao to Amara-DonostiaE1
6h 22m€13–17Drive 198.1 km
- Drive from Santander to Donostia / San Sebastián198.1 km
2h 8m€32–45Bus via Bilbao
- Take the bus from Santander E.A. to Bilbao IntermodalAlsa
- Take the bus from Bilbao Intermodal to San Sebastián / DonostiaDo01 / ...
3h 16m€20–32
Santander to Basque Country by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Santander to Basque Country is to train which costs €13 - €18 and takes 6h 22m.
The fastest way to get from Santander to Basque Country is to drive which takes 2h 8m and costs €30 - €45.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Santander E.A. and arriving at Estación de Autobuses Donostia-San Sebastián. Services depart every four hours, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 2h 50m.
No, there is no direct train from Santander to Basque Country. However, there are services departing from Santander and arriving at Amara-Donostia via Zazpikaleak/Casco Viejo-Bilbao. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 6h 22m.
The distance between Santander and Basque Country is 200 km. The road distance is 198.1 km.
The best way to get from Santander to Basque Country without a car is to bus which takes 2h 50m and costs €16 - €40.
The bus from Santander E.A. to Estación de Autobuses Donostia-San Sebastián takes 2h 50m including transfers and departs every four hours.
Santander to Basque Country bus services, operated by ALSA, depart from Santander E.A. station.
Santander to Basque Country train services, operated by Renfe Cercanias AM - Feve, depart from Santander station.
The best way to get from Santander to Basque Country is to bus which takes 2h 50m and costs €16 - €40. Alternatively, you can train, which costs €13 - €18 and takes 6h 22m.
What companies run services between Santander, Spain and Basque Country, Spain?
ALSA operates a bus from Santander E.A. to Estación de Autobuses Donostia-San Sebastián every 4 hours. Tickets cost €16–40 and the journey takes 2h 50m. Alternatively, you can take a train from Santander to Amara-Donostia via Bilbao and Zazpikaleak/Casco Viejo-Bilbao in around 6h 22m.
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- Phone
- +34 912 320 320
- Website
- renfe.com
Train from Santander to Bilbao
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 10m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- €8–11
- Website
- https://www.renfe.com/es/en/suburban/cercanias-am
- Schedules at
- https://www.renfe.com/es/en/suburban/cercanias-am/horarios
- Phone
- +34 944 333 333
- Website
- euskotren.eus
Train from Zazpikaleak/Casco Viejo-Bilbao to Amara-Donostia
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 40m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €5–7
- Website
- https://www.euskotren.eus/en
- Phone
- +34 910 207 007
- alsa@alsa.es
- Website
- alsa.com
Bus from Santander E.A. to Estación de Autobuses Donostia-San Sebastián
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 50m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- €16–40
- Website
- https://www.alsa.com/en/
Bus from Santander E.A. to Bilbao Intermodal
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €8–15
- Website
- https://www.alsa.com/en/
Bus from Bilbao Intermodal to San Sebastián / Donostia
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €12–17
- Website
- https://gipuzkoa.avanzagrupo.com/en/home
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More Questions & Answers
Santander to Basque Country bus services, operated by ALSA, arrive at Estación de Autobuses Donostia-San Sebastián station.
Santander to Basque Country train services, operated by Renfe Cercanias AM - Feve, arrive at Bilbao station.
Yes, the driving distance between Santander to Basque Country is 198 km. It takes approximately 2h 8m to drive from Santander to Basque Country.
Book your Santander to Basque Country bus tickets online with Omio.
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