- Must visit
Centro Botín
Leading modern and contemporary art center by Renzo Piano, renowned for exhibitions, architecture, and exceptional bay views.
Cheapest price
€72
Average price
€77
Fastest journey
15 h
Average duration
15 h
Buses per day
2
Distance
694 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Cartagena to Santander is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cartagena to Santander will cost around €77 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €72.
Of the 2 buses that leave Cartagena for Santander on Wed, Aug 05, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Aug 05 the direct buses cover the 694 km distance in an average of 15 h but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 15 h .
On Wed, Aug 05 the slowest buses will take 15 h 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.




Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Cartagena to Santander among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €69. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 32m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €69, and a flight costs an average of €85.
Distance: 431 miles (694 km)
Most popular Bus | Flight |
|---|---|
€73 Average price Cheapest | €226 Average price |
13h 28m Average total duration 12h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 32m Average total duration Fastest 2h 32m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Cartagena to Santander:
A bus is €153 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cartagena to Santander costing on average €226.
Other travel options to Santander take longer:
Train takes on average 8h 21m.
Bus takes on average 12h 58m.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Bilman Bus | Departure Time 04:30AM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 15h00 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price €71 |
Operator Bilman Bus | Departure Time 05:30AM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 15h00 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price €69 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 07:15AM | Arrival Time 12:00AM | Duration 16h45 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price €98 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 08:45AM | Arrival Time 12:00AM | Duration 15h15 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price €83 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:45AM | Arrival Time 12:00AM | Duration 14h15 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price €83 |
The table below shows live departures for Cartagena to Santander buses for today, Tuesday, August 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Normal · Normal | 9:45 AM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 14h15 | 12:00 AM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 9:45 AM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 14h15 | 12:00 AM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 9:45 AM Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses | 14h15 | 12:00 AM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
| Wednesday, August 5 | |||||
![]() | 4:30 AM Cartagena | 15h00 | 7:30 PM Santander | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 5:30 AM Cartagena | 15h00 | 8:30 PM Santander | 0 transfersDirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare 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 Cartagena to Santander run on average 1 times per day, taking around 12h 58m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €69 if you book in advance.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:45, the last at 16:00. The fastest bus covers the 431 miles (694 km) distance in 15h 0m.
Distance 431 miles (694 km) |
Average bus duration 12h 58m |
Cheapest ticket price €69 |
Buses per day 1 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 15h 0m |
First bus 12:45 AM |
Last bus 4:00 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 1 day |
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 Cartagena 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 Cartagena to Santander buses use the Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses to Santander, Estación de Autobuses station pair. Use this guide to compare Cartagena and Santander bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses 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), Restaurante El Galeón (0.5 km), La Catedral (0.7 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses.
Available at Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Cartagena, Estación de Autobuses: Elevators, ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need