Spain's northern ferry hub is more than a port. Santander is a lively cultural center, with plenty to see and do. Getting to Santander by bus is easy, with numerous daily connections from Bilbao, Madrid, and other northern Spanish cities. That includes the chance to transfer from Madrid-Barajas Airport, a really handy option for trans-Atlantic travelers.

Which is the main bus station in Santander?

Every bus to Santander will arrive at either Aeropuerto Santander or the Plaza Estaciones. Aeropuerto is, unsurprisingly, a stop at the airport, so it's only useful for those transferring to regional flights. Plaza Estaciones is much more central. Very close to the cathedral and the city's major museums, the bus station is also around 15 minutes walk from the port, so it's a convenient spot to arrive for a host of reasons.

Which bus companies offer buses to Santander?

Passengers won't need to consider multiple bus companies when booking a bus to Santander. Only Alsa operates on routes into the city, running direct connections from cities like Madrid, Bilbao, San Sebastian, and Oviedo.

Why travel by bus to Santander?

Taking buses to Santander makes sense on many levels. For starters, Alsa offers a superb service, providing on-board internet connectivity, entertainment apps, and comfortable, spacious seating. Journey times from Madrid aren't too long, and direct buses from Barajas Airport are available. That's a big bonus for those arriving on flights across the Atlantic, and it means that they won't need to wait for connecting flights or make the journey into Madrid to find railway connections. Add in a central bus station, and there's a great case for taking the bus to Santander.

Before you travel to Santander by bus - good to know!

Famous as a port for hundreds of years, Santander has blossomed into a tourist destination. Must-see sights include the Cathedral, the boldly designed Centro Botin (which offers plenty of science-related fun), and the outstanding Museum of the Sea. Heading out to the Magdalena Peninsular is advisable as well. Visitors will find the opulent Palacio de la Magdalena, as well as one of Spain's best city beaches. Head to the Playa de la Magdalena or the more central Playa del Sardinero to swim and sunbathe, or pull up a chair at one of many beach bars to enjoy the university city's excellent nightlife.

Bus providers: PALOMERA, Alsa and Alsa Supra to Santander

You can travel by bus to Santander with PALOMERA, Alsa and Alsa Supra. When you search Omio for times and tickets, we’ll show you the best deals available.

FlixBus is one of the most popular low-cost bus companies in Europe. Founded in Germany, FlixBus has expanded its services throughout Europe and even to the United States, giving travelers in both continents the option to take a long-distance bus at an affordable price. FlixBus also operates overnight buses on select routes throughout Europe. FlixBus offers only the Standard ticket for all its routes, which allows you to bring one carry-on bag and one checked bag per person. Additional fees apply for bringing extra luggage and making specific seat reservations, such as if you want to book an Extra Seat, Table Seat or the Panorama Seat. Standard amenities onboard include free Wi-Fi, power outlets to charge your phone, tablet or laptop during long bus journeys, extra legroom, luggage space and toilets.

Alsa is the main bus company in Spain, a subsidiary of the UK bus company National Express. Alsa offers a wide variety of national and international routes and transports more than 300 million passengers every year. Apart from the Standard fare, Alsa provides ticket types like Minimum, Reduced and Flexible fares on select routes for those looking to save money on bus journeys. While most travelers don’t mind traveling on normal buses with basic services like bathrooms, free WiFi, footrests and onboard entertainment, some others may want to check out Alsa’s deluxe buses like the Alsa Supra, Alsa Eurobus and Alsa Premium, which provide more luxurious amenities on specific routes.

Buses to Santander: related information

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

Travelling to Santander: related information

Tickets and more information for trains to Santander

More information on flights to Santander

The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy

We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.