- Must visit
Centro Botín
Leading modern and contemporary art center by Renzo Piano, renowned for exhibitions, architecture, and exceptional bay views.
Cheapest price on Sep 19
$84
Average ticket price on Sep 19
$86
Fastest journey on Sep 19
9 h 30 m
Average journey duration on Sep 19
12 h 50 m
Buses on Sep 19
3
Distance
541 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Barcelona to Santander is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Barcelona to Santander will cost around $86 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $84.
On Sat, Sep 19, we found 3 buses from Barcelona to Santander, including 2 direct services.
On Sat, Sep 19 the direct buses cover the 541 km distance in an average of 12 h 50 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 9 h 30 m .
On Sat, Sep 19 the slowest buses will take 18 h 45 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
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FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus
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FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBusOmio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Barcelona to Santander among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $53 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 57m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the bus is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.5 - 1.4kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $53, while a flight costs an average of $323.
Distance: 336 miles (541 km)
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$114 Average price | $323 Average price | $53 Average price Cheapest | $139 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
16h 15m Average total duration 15h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 57m Average total duration Fastest 1h 57m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 8h 1m Average total duration 7h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 52m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.5 - 1.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.6 - 3.2kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Barcelona to Santander:
A train is $61 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Barcelona to Santander costing on average $114.
A train is $271 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Barcelona to Santander costing on average $323.
Other travel options to Santander take longer:
Train takes on average 7h 31m.
Bus takes on average 15h 45m.
Tickets start at around $114 compared to roughly $139 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $25. The journey takes 15h 45m versus 6h 52m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by Alsa.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:30AM | Arrival Time 09:20AM | Duration 30h50 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $110 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:10AM | Arrival Time 12:10PM | Duration 8h00 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $86 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:45AM | Arrival Time 10:15PM | Duration 10h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $84 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:35PM | Arrival Time 09:20AM | Duration 18h45 | Departure days Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $57 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 01:15AM | Duration 10h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $84 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:00PM | Arrival Time 08:30AM | Duration 9h30 | Departure days Tue, Sat | Cheapest price $84 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:10PM | Arrival Time 09:20AM | Duration 34h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $130 |
The table below shows live departures for Barcelona to Santander buses for today, Friday, September 18. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:10 PM Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants | 34h10 | 9:20 AM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 2 transfers | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Barcelona to Santander run on average 4 times per day, taking around 15h 45m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $63 but you can travel from only $11 by train.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 02:20, the last at 23:10. The fastest bus covers the 336 miles (541 km) distance in 8h 15m.
Distance 336 miles (541 km) |
Average bus duration 15h 45m |
Cheapest ticket price $63 |
Buses per day 4 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 8h 15m |
First bus 2:20 AM |
Last bus 11:10 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 63 days |
Discover the best of Santander — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Santander trip today.
Leading modern and contemporary art center by Renzo Piano, renowned for exhibitions, architecture, and exceptional bay views.
Excellent maritime museum covering Cantabrian seafaring, ecology, fishing, and naval history with aquariums and family-friendly displays.
Art museum focused on Cantabrian and Spanish painting, offering a compact but rewarding overview in a central historic setting.
Iconic peninsula park with palace grounds, beaches, mini-zoo area, and scenic walking routes. One of Santander’s essential outings.
Elegant seafront promenade linking gardens, monuments, and bay views. Ideal for a first walk through central Santander.
Dramatic headland viewpoint with cliffs, lighthouse scenery, and walking trails. A favorite for sunsets and Atlantic panoramas.
Cantabrian anchovies cured in salt or olive oil. Santander is famous for high-quality bocarte landed on this coast and served as a prized tapa.
Fresh hake with green sauce, usually with garlic, parsley, fish stock, peas and clams. A classic northern coastal dish tied to local fishing traditions.
Mountain stew from Cantabria with white beans, collard greens and pork products. Hearty inland cooking that is iconic across the region.
Refined Michelin-starred dining focused on seasonal Cantabrian products. Elegant setting and creative tasting menus with strong local identity.
Well-known dining room specializing in grilled fish and Cantabrian seafood. Smart but relaxed atmosphere with a strong local reputation.
Established seafood restaurant known for fresh fish, shellfish and classic Santander cooking. Traditional atmosphere near the seafront.
Moderate for Spain. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than Madrid or Barcelona, while local transit and casual meals stay fairly affordable for tourists.
Tipping is modest. Round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service, small change in cafes, and round up taxi fares.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Barcelona to Santander by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Santander, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Barcelona to Santander buses use the Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord to Santander, Estación de Autobuses station pair. Use this guide to compare Barcelona and Santander bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord is 2 km from Barcelona city centre. Public transport options include:
Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafetería de la estación (in the station), Tapas 24 (0.4 km), Pizzeria Roma (0.6 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and inside the waiting area.
Ticket office support is available at Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord.
Available at Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord: Elevators, ramps.
Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants is 1 km from Barcelona city centre. Public transport options include:
Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafetería de la estación (in the station), Fast Food Corner (in the station), Local Cuisine Spot (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and in the waiting area.
Ticket office support is available at Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants.
Available at Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants: Elevators, ramps.
El Prat de Llobregat, Aeroport de Barcelona- El Prat (T2) is 11 km from Barcelona city centre. Public transport options include:
El Prat de Llobregat, Aeroport de Barcelona- El Prat (T2) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafetería de la estación (in the station), Fast Food Express (in the station), Local Cuisine Corner (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and food court.
Ticket office support is available at El Prat de Llobregat, Aeroport de Barcelona- El Prat (T2).
Available at El Prat de Llobregat, Aeroport de Barcelona- El Prat (T2): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at El Prat de Llobregat, Aeroport de Barcelona- El Prat (T2): Elevators, ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need