- Must visit
Museo Nacional del Prado
Spain’s premier art museum, famed for masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco. A cornerstone of Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art and a top priority for first-time visitors.
Cheapest price
$73
Average price
$77
Fastest journey
7 h 55 m
Average duration
8 h 49 m
Buses per day
8
Distance
487 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid will cost around $77 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $73.
Of the 8 buses that leave Santiago de Compostela for Madrid on Fri, Jun 12, 7 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jun 12 the direct buses cover the 487 km distance in an average of 8 h 49 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 7 h 55 m .
On Fri, Jun 12 the slowest buses will take 9 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.
Normal
Normal · Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Supra Economy
Supra Economy
Normal
Normal
NormalOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $24. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 9m. 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 $24, and a flight costs an average of $26.
Distance: 302 miles (487 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$63 Average price | $53 Average price Cheapest | $267 Average price | $149 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 51m Average total duration 6h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 34m Average total duration 4h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 9m Average total duration Fastest 2h 9m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 6h 2m 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 Santiago de Compostela to Madrid:
A train is $10 (€8) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid costing on average $63 (€51).
A train is $214 (€174) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid costing on average $267 (€217).
Other travel options to Madrid take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 4m.
Bus takes on average 6h 21m.
Tickets start at around $63 (€51) compared to roughly $149 (€121) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $86 (€70). The journey takes 6h 21m versus 6h 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, 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 BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:00AM | Arrival Time 09:00AM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $59 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:20AM | Arrival Time 10:50AM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:30AM | Arrival Time 10:40AM | Duration 6h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $46 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 05:45AM | Arrival Time 02:40PM | Duration 8h55 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $34 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:50AM | Arrival Time 01:20PM | Duration 7h30 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 03:20PM | Duration 7h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 11h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $73 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 04:20PM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $55 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:40AM | Arrival Time 06:00PM | Duration 7h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $77 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:45AM | Arrival Time 09:00PM | Duration 10h15 | Departure days Tue, Fri | Cheapest price $39 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 05:40PM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 06:50PM | Duration 6h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $71 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:10PM | Arrival Time 06:40PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $65 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 01:45PM | Arrival Time 11:05PM | Duration 9h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $73 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 08:40PM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $52 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 02:15PM | Arrival Time 10:25PM | Duration 8h10 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $39 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:40PM | Arrival Time 01:10AM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $62 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:50PM | Arrival Time 01:30AM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $65 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:50PM | Arrival Time 01:50AM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:30PM | Arrival Time 07:00AM | Duration 9h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $34 |
The table below shows live departures for Santiago de Compostela to Madrid buses for today, Thursday, June 11. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Supra Economy | 2:15 PM Santiago de Compostela, Estación de Autobuses | 7h55 | 10:10 PM Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Supra Economy | 2:15 PM Santiago de Compostela, Estación de Autobuses | 8h10 | 10:25 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 9:30 PM Santiago de Compostela, Estación de Autobuses | 9h00 | 6:30 AM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 9:30 PM Santiago de Compostela, Estación de Autobuses | 9h30 | 7:00 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Friday, June 12 | |||||
Normal · Normal | 8:00 AM Santiago de Compostela, Estación de Autobuses | 11h30 | 7:30 PM Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa) | 1 transfer | |
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 Santiago de Compostela to Madrid run on average 12 times per day, taking around 6h 21m. 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 55m.
Distance 302 miles (487 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 21m |
Cheapest ticket price $23 (€19) |
Buses per day 12 |
Direct buses 11 |
Fastest bus 7h 55m |
First bus 12:30 AM |
Last bus 11:45 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 91 days |
Discover the best of Madrid — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Madrid trip today.
Spain’s premier art museum, famed for masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco. A cornerstone of Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art and a top priority for first-time visitors.
Madrid’s leading modern art museum, best known for Picasso’s Guernica alongside major works by Dalí and Miró. Essential for modern and contemporary art lovers.
A major museum spanning European painting from the Renaissance to the 20th century. Its broad collection complements the Prado and Reina Sofía perfectly.
Madrid’s most famous park, ideal for walking, boating, and relaxing among monuments and formal gardens. A top city experience for nearly every visitor.
Madrid’s best-known avenue, lined with historic architecture, theaters, shops, and rooftop views. Energetic by day and night, it is one of the city’s defining walks.
The symbolic heart of Madrid and a major meeting point, home to the Kilómetro Cero marker and famous public celebrations. Constantly busy and central.
Madrid’s signature chickpea stew, traditionally served in stages with broth, vegetables, chickpeas, and assorted meats. It is one of the city’s most emblematic comfort dishes.
A classic Madrid sandwich of fried squid rings in crusty bread, especially associated with bars around Plaza Mayor. It is a simple local staple and iconic snack.
A rich traditional stew made with tripe, chorizo, and morcilla in a paprika-forward sauce. It is a historic tavern dish closely linked to Madrid cuisine.
Prestigious flamenco venue with acclaimed dining, known for refined Spanish cuisine in an intimate historic setting. It combines performance and high-end gastronomy.
Historic traditional restaurant famous for roast suckling pig and Castilian classics. It offers an old-world atmosphere and is one of Madrid’s most iconic dining rooms.
Well-known classic restaurant celebrated for huevos rotos and traditional Spanish cooking. It is a long-established spot with a lively, polished tavern feel.
Moderate for Western Europe. Museums and transport are reasonable, while central hotels and fine dining cost more.
Service is usually included. Locals often round up or leave EUR 1-2 in cafés and 5-10% at restaurants for very good service. Tipping is appreciated, not required.
Official public transport app
Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses -> Puerta del Sol, Madrid
Passengers can choose every day between numerous buses that cover the route Santiago de Compostela-Madrid. Most routes are direct, although there are also itineraries with transshipment in Lugo or Oporto. The route begins at the Santiago de Compostela bus station and ends at the Sur station, at terminal 4 at Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez airport or at Moncloa. The fastest buses complete their journey in less than 9 hours.
The Santiago de Compostela Madrid buses are programmed by the Spanish multinational Alsa, which operates the Normal and Supra Economy services for this route. Both offer state-of-the-art buses with toilet, Canal Ociobus with movies and series and free wifi connection.
The fastest Santiago de Compostela Madrid buses complete their journey in 8 hours and 55 minutes. While buses with 1 transfer have an estimated duration of 9 hours and 25 minutes.
There are 11 Santiago de Compostela Madrid buses available daily. All of them are direct except for 2, the one that makes the transfer in Lugo and the one that stops in Oporto. The number of buses decreases on weekends, with 9 buses on Saturdays and 7 on Sundays.
Bus station in Santiago de Compostela : it is located in the north of the city, very close to the buildings of the Xunta de Galicia. Travelers can travel from downtown Santiago to this station by taking bus #5. The journey takes about 12 minutes. This station offers different services, such as free wifi network, parcel service, cafeteria, restaurant, lockers and locker.
South bus station, Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez airport terminal 4 and Moncloa interchange : Sur station is part of the Méndez Álvaro station complex, south of Madrid. The city centre can be reached in 10 minutes by subway line 3. If the journey ends at Airport Terminal 4, travellers can take Metro Line 8 to get to the centre of Madrid in 15 minutes. For its part, the Moncloa Interchange is located in the centre of Madrid, and has ATMs, shops, cafeterias and kiosks.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid 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 Madrid, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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