There are 10 ways to get from Madrid to Donostia / San Sebastián by bus, train, rideshare, car or plane
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Recommended option
Bus • 5h 30m
Cheapest option
Rideshare • 5h 26m
8 alternative options
Train via Madrid-Chamartin • 6h 13m
Train • 7h 28m
Bus via Estella-Lizarra • 7h 35m
Drive • 4h 24m
Fly to San Sebastian • 3h 44m
Fly to Bilbao, bus • 4h 21m
Fly to Pamplona, bus • 5h 25m
Fly to Logroño, bus • 5h 48m
Madrid to Donostia / San Sebastián by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Madrid to Donostia / San Sebastián is to rideshare which costs €25 and takes 5h 26m.
The fastest way to get from Madrid to Donostia / San Sebastián is to fly which takes 3h 44m and costs €40 - €200.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Intercambiador Av América Bus Interurbano and arriving at San Sebastian. Services depart every three hours, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 5h 30m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Madrid-Principe Pio and arriving at Estación de tren San Sebastián-Donostia. Services depart twice daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 7h 28m.
The distance between Madrid and Donostia / San Sebastián is 459 km. The road distance is 450.2 km.
The best way to get from Madrid to Donostia / San Sebastián without a car is to bus which takes 5h 30m and costs €35 - €55.
The bus from Intercambiador Av América Bus Interurbano to San Sebastian takes 5h 30m including transfers and departs every three hours.
Madrid to Donostia / San Sebastián bus services, operated by ALSA, depart from Intercambiador Av América Bus Interurbano station.
Madrid to Donostia / San Sebastián train services, operated by Renfe Viajeros, depart from Madrid-Principe Pio station.
The best way to get from Madrid to Donostia / San Sebastián is to bus which takes 5h 30m and costs €35 - €55. Alternatively, you can train via Madrid-Chamartin, which costs €40 - €65 and takes 6h 13m, you could also fly, which costs €40 - €200 and takes 3h 44m.
- Distance: 459.2 km
- Duration: 5h 30m
What companies run services between Madrid, Spain and Donostia / San Sebastián, Spain?
ALSA operates a bus from Intercambiador Av América Bus Interurbano to San Sebastian every 3 hours. Tickets cost €35 - €55 and the journey takes 5h 30m. Alternatively, Renfe Viajeros operates a train from Madrid-Chamartin to Estación de tren San Sebastián-Donostia 3 times a day. Tickets cost €40 - €60 and the journey takes 5h 2m.
- Website
- iberia.com
Flights from Madrid to San Sebastian
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €45 - €340
Flights from Madrid to Bilbao
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €35 - €260
Flights from Madrid to Pamplona
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 1m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €40 - €310
Flights from Madrid to Logroño
- Ave. Duration
- 55 min
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- €65 - €140
- Website
- aireuropa.com
Flights from Madrid to Bilbao
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €30 - €180
Spain's excellent and extensive rail system connects cities across Spain and into neighbouring countries. Renfe's high-speed AVE trains can reach speeds of up to 350km/h, making travel between major cities very efficient. All medium- and long-distance trains require a seat reservation; ticket sales for these trains usually open 30-60 days before travel. Most Renfe trains have two classes: Turista (2nd class) and Preferente (1st class), although some AVE trains offer Turista Plus. There is free WiFi for Preferente passengers and for those with a +Renfe loyalty card.
Rome2Rio's guide to Renfe Viajeros
Contact Details
- Phone
- +34 91 232 03 20
- Website
- renfe.com
Train from Madrid-Chamartin to Estación de tren San Sebastián-Donostia
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 2m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- €40 - €60
- Website
- https://www.renfe.com/es/en
Train from Madrid-Principe Pio to Estación de tren San Sebastián-Donostia
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 28m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- €50 - €70
- Website
- https://www.renfe.com/es/en
A Spanish subsidiary of National Express, ALSA provides bus and coach services across Spain and neighbouring countries including Portugal, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland and Malta. Founded in 1923, ALSA values service and the customer experience. Buses are equipped with communal TV screens showing movies, individual behind-seat screens, ALSA radio, app for books and music, and free WiFi. ALSA services are accessible to people with disabilities, and guide dogs are welcome on all journeys. There are three types of tickets on offer (Frequent Traveller Pass, Share Pass and ALSA Pass), along with discounts for senior citizens, students and children.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +34 910 207 007
- alsa@alsa.es
- Website
- alsa.es
Bus from Intercambiador Av América Bus Interurbano to San Sebastian
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 30m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- €35 - €55
- Website
- https://www.alsa.com/en/web/bus/home
Bus from Pamplona to San Sebastian
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- Frequency
- Every 2 hours
- Estimated price
- €6 - €10
- Website
- https://www.alsa.com/en/web/bus/home
- Phone
- +34 900 202 777
- atencionalcliente@jimenezmovilidad.es
- Website
- jimenezmovilidad.es
Bus from Intercambiador Av América Bus Interurbano to Estella
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 5m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- €19 - €29
- Schedules at
- jimenezmovilidad.es
- Phone
- +34 (0) 948 326 509
- info@laestellesa.com
- Website
- laestellesa.com
Bus from Estella (Lizarra) to Estación de Autobuses Donostia-San Sebastián
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- €10 - €22
- Website
- https://laestellesa.com/
Bus from Logroño Bus Station to Estación de Autobuses Donostia-San Sebastián
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 15m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- €14 - €22
- Website
- https://laestellesa.com/
- Phone
- +34 900 12 14 00
- atencionaclientes@pesa.net
- Website
- pesa.net
Bus from Aeropuerto Bilbao to Estación de Autobuses Donostia-San Sebastián
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 13m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €10 - €14
- Website
- https://www.pesa.net/pesa/en/horarios
Rome2Rio's guide to BlaBlaCar.es
Contact Details
- Website
- blablacar.com
Rideshare from Madrid to Saint-Sébastien
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 26m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- €25
- Book at
- blablacar.es
Want to know more about travelling around Spain
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Related travel guides
Train travel in Spain: A guide to Renfe
Top tips on how to best navigate the nation by train, from Alicante to Zaragoza
Read the travel guideWhat are the different types of Renfe trains in Spain?
A simple guide to the different trains, routes and facilities, so you can identify which service is right for you.
Read the travel guideIs ride-sharing platform BlaBlaCar right for you?
Don't have a car, or can't get there on public transportation? This carpooling platform could be your answer.
Read the travel guideMore Questions & Answers
Madrid to Donostia / San Sebastián bus services, operated by ALSA, arrive at San Sebastian station.
Madrid to Donostia / San Sebastián train services, operated by Renfe Viajeros, arrive at Estación de tren San Sebastián-Donostia station.
Yes, the driving distance between Madrid to Donostia / San Sebastián is 450 km. It takes approximately 4h 24m to drive from Madrid to Donostia / San Sebastián.
Book your Madrid to Donostia / San Sebastián train tickets online with Omio.
Book your Madrid to Donostia / San Sebastián bus tickets online with Omio.
There are 1752+ hotels available in Donostia / San Sebastián. Prices start at €43 per night.