- Must visit
Centro Botín
Leading modern and contemporary art center by Renzo Piano, renowned for exhibitions, architecture, and exceptional bay views.
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 $95 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $95.
On Tue, Nov 03, we found 1 buses from Cartagena to Santander, including 1 direct services.
On Tue, Nov 03 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 Tue, Nov 03 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.

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Buses from Cartagena to Santander run on average 7 times per day, taking around 11h 45m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $39 but you can travel from only $7 by train.
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 10h 35m.
Distance 431 miles (694 km) |
Average bus duration 11h 45m |
Cheapest ticket price $39 |
Buses per day 7 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 10h 35m |
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 Thu |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Cartagena to Santander.
| 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 Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $85 |
Operator Bilman Bus | Departure Time 05:30AM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 15h00 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $83 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 06:45AM | Arrival Time 06:30PM | Duration 11h45 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $120 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:45AM | Arrival Time 12:00AM | Duration 14h15 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $94 |
The table below shows live departures for Cartagena to Santander buses for tomorrow, Tuesday, November 3. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 4:30 AM Cartagena | 15h00 | 7:30 PM Santander | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
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Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
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.
Get destination-focused answers for the end of your trip, including what to do, when to go, practical entry details, and tips for making the most of your time in Santander.
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