- Must visit
Musée des Confluences
A striking science and anthropology museum at the meeting of the Rhône and Saône, known for bold architecture and major permanent exhibitions.
Cheapest price
$102
Average price
$128
Fastest journey
21 h 35 m
Average duration
1 d 6 h 48 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
730 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Santander to Lyon is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Santander to Lyon will cost around $128 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $102.
Of the 2 buses that leave Santander for Lyon on Mon, May 25, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, May 25 the direct buses cover the 730 km distance in an average of 1 d 6 h 48 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 21 h 35 m .
On Mon, May 25 the slowest buses will take 1 d 16 h 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 bus as it is the most popular option from Santander to Lyon among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $44. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 45m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $44, and a flight costs an average of $83.
Distance: 453 miles (730 km)
Most popular Bus | Flight | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$86 Average price Cheapest | $268 Average price | $190 Average price | $196 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
15h 36m Average total duration 15h 6m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 45m Average total duration Fastest 2h 45m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 23h 52m Average total duration 23h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 42m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Santander to Lyon:
A bus is $104 (€84) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Santander to Lyon costing on average $190 (€154).
A bus is $182 (€147) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Santander to Lyon costing on average $268 (€217).
Other travel options to Lyon take longer:
Bus takes on average 15h 6m.
Train takes on average 23h 22m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by {directProviders}.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 02:05AM | Duration 19h05 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $64 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 03:55AM | Duration 19h55 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $57 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:25AM | Arrival Time 12:25AM | Duration 40h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $102 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 04:05AM | Duration 19h05 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:50PM | Arrival Time 02:25PM | Duration 21h35 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $125 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 09:14AM | Duration 16h14 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:50PM | Arrival Time 09:50AM | Duration 16h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $120 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:50PM | Arrival Time 10:50AM | Duration 16h00 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $88 |
The table below shows live departures for Santander to Lyon buses for today, Sunday, May 24. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Normal · Normal | 9:00 AM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 19h05 | 4:05 AM Lyon, Perrache Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 6:50 PM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 21h35 | 4:25 PM Lyon, Avenue Tony Garnier (Gare routière de Lyon Gerland) | 1 transfer | |
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 Santander to Lyon run on average 2 times per day, taking around 15h 6m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $44 (€36) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 00:55, the last at 23:35. The fastest bus covers the 453 miles (730 km) distance in 16h 0m.
Distance 453 miles (730 km) |
Average bus duration 15h 6m |
Cheapest ticket price $44 (€36) |
Buses per day 2 |
Fastest bus 16h 0m |
First bus 12:55 AM |
Last bus 11:35 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Lyon — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Lyon trip today.
A striking science and anthropology museum at the meeting of the Rhône and Saône, known for bold architecture and major permanent exhibitions.
One of France’s leading fine arts museums, housed in a former abbey with strong collections from antiquity to modern art.
Archaeological museum on Fourvière Hill with Roman mosaics, inscriptions, and access to the adjacent ancient theatres.
One of Europe’s largest open squares, a central meeting point and starting place for exploring Lyon.
Lyon’s flagship urban park with a lake, botanical gardens, rose garden, and broad walking paths.
The central peninsula between the Rhône and Saône, packed with shopping streets, squares, and grand architecture.
Light dumplings traditionally made with pike and served with a rich Nantua crayfish sauce, a classic of Lyonnais cooking.
A warm salad with frisée, lardons, croutons, and a poached egg, widely associated with Lyon's bouchon tradition.
A robust sausage made from pork tripe, famous in Lyon for its strong flavor and served in many traditional bouchons.
Historic fine-dining institution in Lyon, renowned for haute cuisine rooted in the legacy of Eugénie Brazier.
Popular modern bouchon offering refined Lyonnais classics in a warm, intimate setting.
Classic bouchon known for traditional Lyonnais dishes, hearty set menus, and a lively, old-school atmosphere.
Moderate by French standards: bakeries and bouchons are reasonable, while hotels and fine dining cost more.
Service is included in restaurant bills. Leaving 5-10% for great service is appreciated but not required. Round up for taxis; small change for cafés is optional.
Official public transport app
Lyon Perrache Bus Station -> Lyon Part-Dieu Station
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santander to Lyon 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 Lyon, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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