- Must visit
Tabakalera
Major contemporary art center in a former tobacco factory. It hosts ambitious exhibitions, local culture, and one of the city’s strongest programs.
Cheapest price
$55
Average price
$88
Fastest journey
5 h 10 m
Average duration
9 h 52 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
343 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Madrid Barajas Airport to Donostia-San Sebastian is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Madrid Barajas Airport to Donostia-San Sebastian will cost around $88 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $55.
Of the 5 buses that leave Madrid Barajas Airport for Donostia-San Sebastian on Fri, Jul 17, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jul 17 the direct buses cover the 343 km distance in an average of 9 h 52 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 10 m .
On Fri, Jul 17 the slowest buses will take 17 h 51 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.
Normal
Normal
Supra Economy
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus
Supra Economy
Normal
Normal
FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBusOmio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Madrid Barajas Airport to Donostia-San Sebastian among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $33. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 35m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $33, and a flight costs an average of $46.
Distance: 213 miles (343 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$64 Average price | $33 Average price Cheapest | $265 Average price | $109 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 44m Average total duration 7h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 29m Average total duration 4h 59m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 35m Average total duration Fastest 1h 35m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 13m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Madrid Barajas Airport to Donostia-San Sebastian:
A train is $31 (€26) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Madrid Barajas Airport to Donostia-San Sebastian costing on average $64 (€53).
A train is $232 (€190) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid Barajas Airport to Donostia-San Sebastian costing on average $265 (€217).
Other travel options to Donostia-San Sebastian take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 59m.
Bus takes on average 7h 14m.
Tickets start at around $64 (€53) compared to roughly $109 (€89) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $44 (€36). The journey takes 7h 14m versus 4h 13m 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 BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:50AM | Arrival Time 07:30AM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 07:15AM | Arrival Time 02:00PM | Duration 6h45 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $55 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 12:30PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 08:15AM | Arrival Time 01:30PM | Duration 5h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $70 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:15AM | Arrival Time 03:00PM | Duration 5h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $55 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 03:20PM | Duration 5h20 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 04:00PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $59 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 04:50PM | Duration 4h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 05:00PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 01:15PM | Arrival Time 07:45PM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Sat | Cheapest price $55 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:20PM | Arrival Time 06:00PM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $55 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 07:20PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:40PM | Arrival Time 08:00PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 09:30PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Tue, Fri | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 04:15PM | Arrival Time 09:45PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $55 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:20PM | Arrival Time 09:10PM | Duration 4h50 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 09:00PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 05:15PM | Arrival Time 10:40PM | Duration 5h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $55 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:50PM | Arrival Time 10:00PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 10:00PM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $39 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:40PM | Arrival Time 11:00PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 06:45PM | Arrival Time 11:55PM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $67 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 12:00AM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00PM | Arrival Time 12:10AM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:50PM | Arrival Time 12:15PM | Duration 15h25 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $76 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:59PM | Arrival Time 05:50PM | Duration 17h51 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $77 |
The table below shows live departures for Madrid Barajas Airport to Donostia-San Sebastian buses for today, Thursday, July 16. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus | 8:50 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 15h25 | 12:15 PM Donostia-San Sebastian, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:59 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 17h51 | 5:50 PM Donostia-San Sebastian, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
| Friday, July 17 | |||||
Normal | 4:15 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 5h30 | 9:45 PM Donostia-San Sebastian, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 5:15 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 5h25 | 10:40 PM Donostia-San Sebastian, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Supra Economy | 6:45 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 5h10 | 11:55 PM Donostia-San Sebastian, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
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 Madrid Barajas Airport to Donostia-San Sebastian run on average 10 times per day, taking around 7h 14m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $54 (€44) but you can travel from only $33 (€27) by train.
There are 8 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 05:15, the last at 22:25. The fastest bus covers the 213 miles (343 km) distance in 5h 10m.
Distance 213 miles (343 km) |
Average bus duration 7h 14m |
Cheapest ticket price $54 (€44) |
Buses per day 10 |
Direct buses 8 |
Fastest bus 5h 10m |
First bus 5:15 AM |
Last bus 10:25 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Discover the best of Donostia-San Sebastián — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Donostia-San Sebastián trip today.
Major contemporary art center in a former tobacco factory. It hosts ambitious exhibitions, local culture, and one of the city’s strongest programs.
Fine arts museum in a historic building with Basque, Spanish, and international works. A compact stop for painting and sculpture lovers.
Aquarium with historic maritime displays and a famous underwater tunnel. It combines family appeal with local ocean and fishing context.
The city’s most famous beach promenade curves around La Concha Bay. Essential for classic views, elegant walks, and sunset atmosphere.
Historic Old Town of lively squares, churches, and traditional streets. It is the best area for atmosphere, architecture, and everyday city life.
Urban beach and neighborhood promenade popular with surfers and locals. Great for broad sea views, people-watching, and a more contemporary vibe.
Small bar snacks on bread or bites, central to local txikiteo culture. San Sebastián is famous for creative and classic pintxos in packed old-town bars.
Whole grilled turbot, prized on the Basque coast for its clean flavor and simple preparation with olive oil, garlic, and grill smoke.
Basque-style cod often cooked with garlic, olive oil, and peppers. It reflects the region’s deep seafood tradition and classic home cooking.
Celebrated fine-dining restaurant with innovative Basque cuisine and tasting menus in an elegant, destination setting above the city.
Refined modern Basque restaurant by the bay, known for seafood-focused tasting menus and a polished but welcoming dining room.
Well-known grill restaurant specializing in premium beef and Basque classics, with a smart, contemporary atmosphere near the center.
Moderate for Spain: lodging is pricier in peak season, but pintxos, set lunches, and local buses keep daily costs manageable for most tourists.
Tipping is optional. Round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service; small change is fine in cafes. Taxi tipping is usually just rounding up.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Madrid Barajas Airport to Donostia-San Sebastian 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 Donostia-San Sebastian, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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