- Must visit
Centro Botín
Major contemporary art center on Santander’s waterfront, known for international exhibitions, cultural programming, and its striking Renzo Piano design.
Cheapest price
$18
Average price
$20
Fastest journey
1 h 40 m
Average duration
2 h 5 m
Buses per day
4
Distance
172 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Palencia to Santander is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Palencia to Santander will cost around $20 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $18.
Of the 4 buses that leave Palencia for Santander on Fri, Jun 19, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jun 19 the direct buses cover the 172 km distance in an average of 2 h 5 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 40 m .
On Fri, Jun 19 the slowest buses will take 2 h 20 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.








Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Palencia to Santander among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $16. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 2h 26m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $16, and a train costs an average of $12.
Distance: 106 miles (172 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$16 Average price Cheapest | $20 Average price | $41 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 56m Average total duration Fastest 2h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 18m Average total duration 2h 48m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 2m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
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 Palencia to Santander:
A bus is $4 (€3) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Palencia to Santander costing on average $20 (€17).
Other travel options to Santander take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 48m.
Tickets start at around $16 (€13) compared to roughly $41 (€33) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $24 (€20). The journey takes 2h 26m versus 2h 2m 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.
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 08:00AM | Arrival Time 10:00AM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $14 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:50AM | Arrival Time 10:50AM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:20AM | Arrival Time 11:20AM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 11:50AM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:50AM | Arrival Time 12:10PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:10AM | Arrival Time 01:20PM | Duration 2h10 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:45AM | Arrival Time 02:15PM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 02:20PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:40PM | Arrival Time 02:20PM | Duration 1h40 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $14 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:00PM | Arrival Time 03:00PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:20PM | Arrival Time 03:40PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 03:30PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:40PM | Arrival Time 03:40PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 05:00PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $15 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:10PM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $15 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:20PM | Arrival Time 07:20PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 08:20PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 06:15PM | Arrival Time 09:15PM | Duration 3h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $16 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:00PM | Arrival Time 09:00PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $15 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:40PM | Arrival Time 10:00PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Tue, Fri | Cheapest price $18 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:50PM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $19 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:10PM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 2h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:20PM | Arrival Time 10:10PM | Duration 1h50 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $17 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:50PM | Arrival Time 11:40PM | Duration 1h50 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $15 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:30PM | Arrival Time 12:20AM | Duration 1h50 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $14 |
The table below shows live departures for Palencia to Santander buses for today, Thursday, June 18. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Normal | 6:15 PM Palencia, Estación De Autobuses | 3h00 | 9:15 PM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Friday, June 19 | |||||
![]() | 12:40 PM Palencia | 1h40 | 2:20 PM Santander | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 1:00 PM Palencia | 2h00 | 3:00 PM Santander | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus 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 Palencia to Santander run on average 5 times per day, taking around 2h 26m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $16 (€13) but you can travel from only $12 (€10) by train.
There are 5 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 08:15, the last at 21:00. The fastest bus covers the 106 miles (172 km) distance in 2h 30m.
Distance 106 miles (172 km) |
Average bus duration 2h 26m |
Cheapest ticket price $16 (€13) |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 5 |
Fastest bus 2h 30m |
First bus 8:15 AM |
Last bus 9:00 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 4 days |
Discover the best of Santander — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Santander trip today.
Major contemporary art center on Santander’s waterfront, known for international exhibitions, cultural programming, and its striking Renzo Piano design.
Important archaeological museum presenting prehistoric cave culture, Roman material, and key finds from across Cantabria.
Leading maritime museum covering Cantabrian Sea ecology, fishing, naval history, and aquariums; a strong family-friendly cultural stop.
Scenic headland combining gardens, sea views, beaches, and the palace grounds; ideal for walking and one of the city’s top experiences.
Santander’s best-known beach area, famous for its elegant promenade, broad sands, and lively atmosphere in good weather.
Grand waterfront promenade lined with historic buildings, sculptures, and access to the bay; essential for a first walk through Santander.
Lightly battered and fried squid rings, one of Santander’s most iconic tapas, especially popular for aperitif time by the bay.
High-quality Cantabrian anchovies, usually served in olive oil on bread or as a tapa; a flagship product of the region.
White tuna from the Cantabrian Sea, prized for its delicate texture and often served grilled, stewed, or preserved in olive oil.
Michelin-starred restaurant known for contemporary tasting menus rooted in Cantabrian products, with polished service and elegant ambiance.
Well-known Santander restaurant and tapas bar, famous for refined Cantabrian cuisine, seafood, and a lively central atmosphere.
Historic and established dining room serving classic Cantabrian dishes in a traditional setting with strong local character.
Moderate by Spanish standards: tapas and set lunches are affordable, while waterfront dining and summer stays cost more.
Tipping is modest. Round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service. Small change in cafes is enough. Taxis are usually rounded up, and hotel tips are appreciated but not expected.
Official public transport app
Santander, Estación de Autobuses -> Santander Centro
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Palencia 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 Palencia to Santander buses use the Palencia, Estación De Autobuses to Santander, Estación de Autobuses station pair, with some services arriving at Santander, Calle Dr. Marañón (Playa). Use this guide to compare Palencia and Santander bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need