- Must visit
Museo do Pobo Galego
Leading museum of Galician culture, housed in the former Convent of San Domingos de Bonaval. Known for its history, ethnography, and iconic triple spiral staircase.
Cheapest price
$68
Average price
$78
Fastest journey
8 h 30 m
Average duration
8 h 48 m
Buses per day
9
Distance
487 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Madrid to Santiago de Compostela is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Madrid to Santiago de Compostela will cost around $78 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $68.
Of the 9 buses that leave Madrid for Santiago de Compostela on Sat, May 23, 8 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, May 23 the direct buses cover the 487 km distance in an average of 8 h 48 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 8 h 30 m .
On Sat, May 23 the slowest buses will take 9 h 15 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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NormalOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Madrid to Santiago de Compostela among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $23. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 59m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $23, and a flight costs an average of $40.
Distance: 302 miles (487 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$62 Average price | $46 Average price Cheapest | $321 Average price | $122 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 46m Average total duration 8h 16m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 33m Average total duration 4h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 59m Average total duration Fastest 1h 59m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 59m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.5 - 1.2kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.5 - 2.9kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() 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 |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Madrid to Santiago de Compostela:
A train is $15 (€12) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Madrid to Santiago de Compostela costing on average $62 (€50).
A train is $275 (€223) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid to Santiago de Compostela costing on average $321 (€260).
Other travel options to Santiago de Compostela take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 3m.
Bus takes on average 8h 16m.
Tickets start at around $62 (€50) compared to roughly $122 (€99) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $60 (€49). The journey takes 8h 16m versus 5h 59m 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, BlaBlaCar, Alsa Supra.
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 12:30AM | Arrival Time 09:00AM | Duration 8h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $39 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 02:00PM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 08:15AM | Arrival Time 05:30PM | Duration 9h15 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 10h00 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:15AM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 9h15 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:20AM | Arrival Time 03:40PM | Duration 5h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $57 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 9h00 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:20AM | Arrival Time 06:10PM | Duration 6h50 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:50PM | Arrival Time 06:30PM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 02:30PM | Arrival Time 11:15PM | Duration 8h45 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:30PM | Arrival Time 09:30PM | Duration 7h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $70 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:40PM | Arrival Time 09:20PM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 03:45PM | Arrival Time 12:30AM | Duration 8h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:20PM | Arrival Time 10:10PM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $55 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 10:10PM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:40PM | Arrival Time 04:55PM | Duration 24h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $57 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 04:45PM | Arrival Time 12:50AM | Duration 8h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 12:50AM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 05:45PM | Arrival Time 02:30AM | Duration 8h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 02:30AM | Duration 8h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:45PM | Arrival Time 07:00AM | Duration 9h15 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:30PM | Arrival Time 07:00AM | Duration 8h30 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $83 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:45PM | Arrival Time 08:00AM | Duration 9h15 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $72 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:30PM | Arrival Time 08:00AM | Duration 8h30 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $57 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:45PM | Arrival Time 09:00AM | Duration 9h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $74 |
The table below shows live departures for Madrid to Santiago de Compostela buses for today, Friday, May 22. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:45 PM Madrid | 9h15 | 7:00 AM Santiago de Compostela | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 10:30 PM Madrid | 8h30 | 7:00 AM Santiago de Compostela | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Saturday, May 23 | |||||
Normal | 12:30 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 8h30 | 9:00 AM Santiago de Compostela, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Friday, May 22 | |||||
![]() | 10:45 PM Madrid | 9h15 | 8:00 AM Santiago de Compostela | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:30 PM Madrid | 8h30 | 8:00 AM Santiago de Compostela | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 9:30 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 10h00 | 7:30 PM Santiago de Compostela, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 10:15 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 9h15 | 7:30 PM Santiago de Compostela, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 10:30 AM Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa) | 9h00 | 7:30 PM Santiago de Compostela, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:40 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 24h15 | 4:55 PM Santiago de Compostela, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal | 4:45 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 9h45 | 2:30 AM Santiago de Compostela, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 5:45 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 8h45 | 2:30 AM Santiago de Compostela, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 6:00 PM Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa) | 8h30 | 2:30 AM Santiago de Compostela, 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 Santiago de Compostela run on average 13 times per day, taking around 8h 16m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $23 (€19) if you book in advance.
There are 11 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:30, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 302 miles (487 km) distance in 7h 30m.
Distance 302 miles (487 km) |
Average bus duration 8h 16m |
Cheapest ticket price $23 (€19) |
Buses per day 13 |
Direct buses 11 |
Fastest bus 7h 30m |
First bus 12:30 AM |
Last bus 11:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 91 days |
Discover the best of Santiago de Compostela — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Santiago de Compostela trip today.
Leading museum of Galician culture, housed in the former Convent of San Domingos de Bonaval. Known for its history, ethnography, and iconic triple spiral staircase.
Cathedral museum with cloister access, historic rooms, sacred art, and important context for understanding the cathedral complex beyond the main church interior.
Galicia’s main contemporary art center, next to Bonaval. A strong choice for modern exhibitions and a good contrast to the city’s medieval core.
The grand square in front of the cathedral and the emotional arrival point for many pilgrims. The city’s most iconic public space and essential first stop.
Historic square beside the cathedral, divided into upper and lower levels. Particularly atmospheric in the evening and central to the old city experience.
Beloved central park with shady walks and one of the classic postcard views of the cathedral skyline. Popular with both locals and visitors.
Galician-style octopus served with olive oil, paprika, and coarse salt, often on a wooden plate. It is one of the most iconic dishes in Galicia.
Traditional almond cake from Santiago, typically scented with lemon and topped with the Cross of Saint James. It is the city’s signature dessert.
Small green peppers fried in olive oil and sprinkled with salt. A classic Galician tapa, with the occasional spicy one adding surprise.
Well-known contemporary restaurant near the cathedral, blending Galician products with creative Asian touches in a lively, stylish setting.
Established restaurant in the old town serving refined Galician cuisine, including seafood and seasonal dishes, in a warm stone-walled space.
Popular market-focused restaurant known for fresh seafood and modern Galician small plates, with an energetic and casual atmosphere.
Moderate by Spanish standards: meals and coffee are reasonable, while central hotels cost more in peak pilgrimage and summer periods.
Service is usually included. Locals often round up or leave EUR 1-2 in cafés, 5-10% in restaurants for very good service, and small change for taxis.
Official public transport app
Santiago de Compostela Estación de Autobuses -> Praza do Obradoiro, Santiago de Compostela
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Madrid to Santiago de Compostela 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 Santiago de Compostela, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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