- Must visit
Centro Botín
A modern art and cultural center with exhibitions and events in an iconic building on the seafront.
Cheapest price
$10
Average price
$13
Fastest journey
1 h 5 m
Average duration
1 h 19 m
Buses per day
44
Distance
75 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Bilbao to Santander is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bilbao to Santander will cost around $13 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $10.
Of the 44 buses that leave Bilbao for Santander on Tue, May 19, 24 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, May 19 the direct buses cover the 75 km distance in an average of 1 h 19 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 5 m .
On Tue, May 19 the slowest buses will take 1 h 30 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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Supra Economy
Supra Economy
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NormalOmio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Bilbao to Santander among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $10. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 1h 49m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $10, and a train costs an average of $8.
Distance: 46 miles (75 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$11 Average price Cheapest | $11 Average price | $21 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 19m Average total duration Fastest 1h 49m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 43m Average total duration 2h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 16m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Bilbao to Santander:
A bus is $0.71 (€0.57) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Bilbao to Santander costing on average $11 (€9).
Other travel options to Santander take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 13m.
Tickets start at around $11 (€9) compared to roughly $21 (€17) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $11 (€9). The journey takes 1h 49m versus 1h 16m 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, Alsa Supra, BlaBlaCar.
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 Alsa | Departure Time 01:45AM | Arrival Time 03:00AM | Duration 1h15 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 02:15AM | Arrival Time 03:45AM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:30AM | Arrival Time 03:10AM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:40AM | Arrival Time 04:20AM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $6 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 06:45AM | Arrival Time 08:00AM | Duration 1h15 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 08:30AM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:10AM | Arrival Time 08:00AM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $6 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 08:40AM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 10:40AM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:10AM | Arrival Time 10:20AM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:45AM | Arrival Time 11:30AM | Duration 1h45 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 11:45AM | Duration 1h45 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 11:10AM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 12:20PM | Duration 1h50 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 11:10AM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $6 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:50AM | Arrival Time 11:30AM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 12:30PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:30AM | Arrival Time 01:00PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:45AM | Arrival Time 01:25PM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 01:20PM | Duration 1h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 01:30PM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 02:00PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 01:10PM | Arrival Time 02:50PM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 02:45PM | Duration 1h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 03:10PM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Sat | Cheapest price $9 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:20PM | Arrival Time 02:40PM | Duration 0h20 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:30PM | Arrival Time 03:40PM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 02:30PM | Arrival Time 04:00PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Mon, Sat | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 02:35PM | Arrival Time 04:05PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 03:50PM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Sat | Cheapest price $5 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 03:20PM | Arrival Time 04:50PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 04:45PM | Duration 1h15 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 05:10PM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 05:30PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:10PM | Arrival Time 05:10PM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:20PM | Arrival Time 05:10PM | Duration 0h50 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 05:40PM | Duration 1h10 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 05:35PM | Duration 1h05 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 06:30PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 06:00PM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $6 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 05:15PM | Arrival Time 06:45PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:20PM | Arrival Time 06:20PM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 05:20PM | Arrival Time 07:00PM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 06:10PM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Mon, Thu | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 1h55 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 08:00PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:40PM | Arrival Time 08:40PM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $8 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 08:00PM | Arrival Time 09:30PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 08:45PM | Arrival Time 10:15PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:15PM | Arrival Time 10:45PM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:30PM | Arrival Time 10:10PM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:40PM | Arrival Time 10:40PM | Duration 1h00 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $4 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:20PM | Arrival Time 12:00AM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:20PM | Arrival Time 12:50AM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:45PM | Arrival Time 01:15AM | Duration 1h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $10 |
The table below shows live departures for Bilbao to Santander buses for today, Monday, May 18. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Normal | 11:45 AM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h40 | 1:25 PM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal · Normal | 11:45 AM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 2h50 | 2:35 PM Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 11:45 AM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 3h30 | 3:15 PM Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 1 transfer | |
Normal | 1:30 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h40 | 3:10 PM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal · Normal | 1:30 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 3h05 | 4:35 PM Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 1:30 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 2h25 | 3:55 PM Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 1 transfer | |
Normal | 2:30 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 4:00 PM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal · Normal | 2:30 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 4h05 | 6:35 PM Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 1 transfer | |
Normal | 3:30 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h55 | 5:25 PM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 3:30 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h40 | 5:10 PM Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 0 transfersDirect | |
Supra Economy | 4:00 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h05 | 5:05 PM Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 0 transfersDirect | |
Supra Economy | 4:00 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 5:30 PM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 5:30 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h55 | 7:25 PM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 6:00 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 7:30 PM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal · Normal | 6:00 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 2h35 | 8:35 PM Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 1 transfer | |
Normal | 6:30 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 8:00 PM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 7:00 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 8:30 PM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 7:00 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h05 | 8:05 PM Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 7:00 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h20 | 8:20 PM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 8:45 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 10:15 PM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 10:20 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h40 | 12:00 AM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 11:45 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 1:15 AM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Tuesday, May 19 | |||||
Supra Economy | 1:45 AM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h15 | 3:00 AM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 2:15 AM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 3:45 AM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 6:45 AM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h15 | 8:00 AM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal · Normal | 6:45 AM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 4h30 | 11:15 AM Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 1 transfer | |
Normal | 7:00 AM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 8:30 AM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal · Normal | 7:00 AM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 2h55 | 9:55 AM Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 7:00 AM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 3h35 | 10:35 AM Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 7:00 AM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 2h15 | 9:15 AM Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 1 transfer | |
Normal | 9:00 AM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h40 | 10:40 AM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal · Normal | 9:00 AM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 2h55 | 11:55 AM Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 1 transfer | |
Normal | 9:45 AM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h45 | 11:30 AM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal · Normal | 9:45 AM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 3h30 | 1:15 PM Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 9:45 AM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 2h50 | 12:35 PM Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 1 transfer | |
Normal | 10:00 AM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h45 | 11:45 AM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 11:00 AM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 12:30 PM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal · Normal | 11:00 AM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 4h15 | 3:15 PM Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 11:00 AM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 2h15 | 1:15 PM Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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Buses from Bilbao to Santander run on average 42 times per day, taking around 1h 49m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $10 (€8) but you can travel from only $8 (€7) by train.
There are 26 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:45, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 46 miles (75 km) distance in 1h 5m.
Distance 46 miles (75 km) |
Average bus duration 1h 49m |
Cheapest ticket price $10 (€8) |
Buses per day 42 |
Direct buses 26 |
Fastest bus 1h 5m |
First bus 12:45 AM |
Last bus 11:45 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 91 days |
Discover the best of Santander — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Santander trip today.
A modern art and cultural center with exhibitions and events in an iconic building on the seafront.
A royal palace located on the Magdalena Peninsula with stunning views of the sea.
A modern architectural landmark that hosts cultural and artistic exhibitions.
One of Santander’s most famous beaches, ideal for sunbathing and water sports.
One of Santander’s most famous beaches, ideal for sunbathing and water sports.
A picturesque park offering hiking trails, beaches, and scenic views.
A hearty stew made with beans, cabbage, and assorted meats like pork ribs and blood sausage. It's a traditional dish from the Cantabria region, perfect for warming up on cold days.
Fried squid rings, often enjoyed as a tapa. Known for their tenderness and light, crispy coating, rabas are a staple in Santander.
A traditional butter cake from the Cantabrian Pas valley, known for its rich flavor and soft texture. Usually enjoyed as a dessert or snack.
Compared to other Spanish cities, Santander is moderately priced, with affordable accommodation and dining options.
Tipping is not mandatory, but rounding up or leaving small change in restaurants and cafes is appreciated.
Official public transport app
Aeropuerto+De+Santander, Santander -> Estacion+de+Autobuses+de+Santander, Santander
In almost every hour of the day and in only 1:20 hours to 2:00 hours you can travel by bus from Bilbao to Santander. Bus connections are also available on the route at 23:15 and 1:45 at night.
Modern buses of the Spanish buses company ALSA Transportes are in regular service on the Bilbao - Santander route.
All bus services offered by ALSA Transportes do not include transfers. The direct bus trips from Bilbao to Santander take between 1:20 and 2:00 hours
.From 6:00 a.m. to 23:15 p.m. ALSA Transportes offers bus connections on the route. You can also take the bus from Bilbao to Santander at 1:45 a.m. during the night. Between the departures there are usually no more than 60 minutes.
At which bus station does the bus start in Bilbao? buses depart from Bilbao at the bus station Estación de Autobuses in the street Gurtubay Kalea. It is located directly next to the station and tram stop San Mamés.
At which bus station does the bus arrive in Santander? The buses services end in Santander at the bus station in Plaza Estaciones. The main station is only a two-minute walk away.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bilbao 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.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need