- Must visit
Centro Botín
Leading modern and contemporary art center by Renzo Piano, renowned for exhibitions, architecture, and exceptional bay views.
Cheapest price on Oct 01
$48
Average ticket price on Oct 01
$54
Fastest journey on Oct 01
5 h 15 m
Average journey duration on Oct 01
5 h 21 m
Buses on Oct 01
13
Distance
339 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Madrid to Santander is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Madrid to Santander will cost around $54 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $48.
On Thu, Oct 01, we found 13 buses from Madrid to Santander, including 12 direct services.
On Thu, Oct 01 the direct buses cover the 339 km distance in an average of 5 h 21 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 15 m .
On Thu, Oct 01 the slowest buses will take 5 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
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Supra Economy| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 12:30AM | Arrival Time 06:30AM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $63 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 12:45AM | Arrival Time 06:30AM | Duration 5h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $64 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:00AM | Arrival Time 07:30AM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 10:40AM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 11:30AM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 12:20PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 01:50PM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 08:15AM | Arrival Time 01:50PM | Duration 5h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 12:25PM | Duration 3h25 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:20AM | Arrival Time 01:40PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 02:00PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 02:20PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 04:15PM | Duration 5h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:40AM | Arrival Time 03:40PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:45AM | Arrival Time 04:15PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 03:20PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 05:30PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:20PM | Arrival Time 04:20PM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 01:00PM | Arrival Time 06:30PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 01:15PM | Arrival Time 06:30PM | Duration 5h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:40PM | Arrival Time 06:50PM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:40PM | Arrival Time 08:10PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:50PM | Arrival Time 07:10PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 03:15PM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 5h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:45PM | Arrival Time 08:15PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 09:10PM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:20PM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 4h10 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 10:15PM | Duration 5h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 09:30PM | Duration 5h00 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:40PM | Arrival Time 09:20PM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:40PM | Arrival Time 09:20AM | Duration 16h40 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $60 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 04:45PM | Arrival Time 10:15PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 09:00PM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 12:00AM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 12:10AM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 06:45PM | Arrival Time 12:00AM | Duration 5h15 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:30PM | Arrival Time 05:00AM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $49 |
The table below shows live departures for Madrid to Santander buses for tomorrow, Thursday, October 1. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Normal | 8:00 AM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 5h50 | 1:50 PM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 8:15 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 5h35 | 1:50 PM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 10:30 AM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 5h45 | 4:15 PM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 10:45 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 5h30 | 4:15 PM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 1:00 PM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 5h30 | 6:30 PM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 1:15 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 5h15 | 6:30 PM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Supra Economy | 3:00 PM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 5h30 | 8:30 PM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Supra Economy | 3:15 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 5h15 | 8:30 PM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 4:30 PM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 5h45 | 10:15 PM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:40 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 16h40 | 9:20 AM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal | 4:45 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 5h30 | 10:15 PM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 6:30 PM Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 5h30 | 12:00 AM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 6:45 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 5h15 | 12:00 AM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
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 Madrid to Santander run on average 14 times per day, taking around 6h 29m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $37 (€31) but you can travel from only $8 (€7) by train.
There are 13 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:30, the last at 23:35. The fastest bus covers the 210 miles (339 km) distance in 4h 25m.
Distance 210 miles (339 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 29m |
Cheapest ticket price $37 (€31) |
Buses per day 14 |
Direct buses 13 |
Fastest bus 4h 25m |
First bus 12:30 AM |
Last bus 11:35 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
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.
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.
Bus trips through Spain are a great way to see as much of the country as possible and travel at very low cost. Especially for travellers with a lot of luggage, the bus option is usually the cheapest way to get from one place to another. Those who want to get from Madrid to the north coast of Spain can use the bus Madrid - Santander. The cities are about 400 kilometres apart, which takes about 5 hours by buses. Several buses travel this route every day, so travellers can travel from the capital to the north at many times.
For the Madrid - Santander bus connection, the Spanish company ALSA offers all the services. ALSA is by far the largest bus tour operator in Spain. Travellers have been able to travel between cities in the country on ALSA buses for more than 60 years.
The direct journey from Madrid to Santander by buses takes about 5 to 6 hours. For all connections with a stopover, part of the route is covered by train, offered by Renfe or Renfe AVE. In most cases you will first take the train to Palencia and from there take the buses to Santander. Travellers must allow at least 7 hours for this connection.
The route between Madrid and Santander is the easiest way to get from the capital to the north coast of Spain. Therefore at least 20 connections between the two cities are offered daily. The first buses in Madrid usually leave very early in the morning. The last buses, on the other hand, run in the evening.
At which bus station does the bus depart from in Madrid? ALSA's buses depart from in Madrid either at the airport or at the bus station Madrid Interc. Av América. The airport is about 12 kilometres from the city centre, while the bus station is in the city centre. Renfe trains also depart from Madrid Chamartín station.
At which bus station does the bus arrive in Santander? In Santander all buses arrive at the bus station at Plaza Estaciones. The bus station is located directly at the harbour and very centrally in the city centre. From here, travellers can either take a taxi or even walk, depending on where their hotel is or where they want to go next.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Madrid 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 Madrid to Santander buses use the Madrid, Avenida de América to Santander, Estación de Autobuses station pair. Use this guide to compare Madrid and Santander bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Madrid, Avenida de América is 3 km from Madrid city centre. Public transport options include:
Madrid, Avenida de América 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 Rincón (0.5 km), La Vaca Argentina (0.7 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and on the second floor.
Ticket office support is available at Madrid, Avenida de América.
Available at Madrid, Avenida de América: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madrid, Avenida de América: Elevators, ramps.
Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) is 12 km from Madrid city centre. Public transport options include:
Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) has practical services for this route, including Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Rodilla, Mahoudrid
ATMs are aTMs located throughout T4, major cards accepted .
Ticket office support is available at Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid).
Available at Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid): WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid): Step-free access, elevators, accessible toilets.
Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses is 3 km from Madrid city centre. Public transport options include:
Madrid, Estación Sur 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 Brillante (0.5 km), La Taberna de Domínguez (0.7 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and in the waiting area.
Ticket office support is available at Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses.
Available at Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses: Elevators, ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need