- Must visit
Museo del Prado
World-class art museum with masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and Bosch; essential for Spanish and European painting.
Cheapest price
$60
Average price
$62
Fastest journey
7 h 55 m
Average duration
8 h 29 m
Buses per day
10
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 $62 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $60.
Of the 10 buses that leave Santiago de Compostela for Madrid on Mon, Jul 27, 9 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Jul 27 the direct buses cover the 487 km distance in an average of 8 h 29 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 7 h 55 m .
On Mon, Jul 27 the slowest buses will take 9 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.
Normal
Normal
Normal
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Supra Economy
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Supra Economy
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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 $19. 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 $19, and a flight costs an average of $21.
Distance: 302 miles (487 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$51 Average price | $43 Average price Cheapest | $217 Average price | $121 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 $8 (€8) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid costing on average $51 (€51).
A train is $174 (€174) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid costing on average $217 (€217).
Other travel options to Madrid take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 4m.
Bus takes on average 6h 21m.
Tickets start at around $51 (€51) compared to roughly $121 (€121) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $70 (€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 04:30AM | Arrival Time 10:50AM | Duration 6h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $64 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 05:45AM | Arrival Time 02:40PM | Duration 8h55 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $21 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 07:40AM | Arrival Time 02:10PM | Duration 6h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 01:50PM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 11h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $60 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:10AM | Arrival Time 02:50PM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 04:00PM | Duration 7h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 04:20PM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:45AM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 9h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:40AM | Arrival Time 06:40PM | Duration 7h00 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 01:05AM | Duration 11h35 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $76 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:40PM | Arrival Time 09:00PM | Duration 7h20 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 01:45PM | Arrival Time 11:05PM | Duration 9h20 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 02:00PM | Arrival Time 08:00PM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $38 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 02:15PM | Arrival Time 10:10PM | Duration 7h55 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 09:40PM | Duration 6h40 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 10:20PM | Duration 6h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $38 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:20PM | Arrival Time 10:20PM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $54 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 10:50PM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 04:15AM | Duration 11h15 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $76 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:30PM | Arrival Time 06:30AM | Duration 9h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:30PM | Arrival Time 06:30AM | Duration 8h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $44 |
The table below shows live departures for Santiago de Compostela to Madrid buses for today, Sunday, July 26. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Normal | 1:45 PM Santiago de Compostela, Estación de Autobuses | 9h20 | 11:05 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 1:45 PM Santiago de Compostela, Estación de Autobuses | 9h00 | 10:45 PM Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal · Normal | 5:00 PM Santiago de Compostela, Estación de Autobuses | 11h15 | 4:15 AM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 1 transfer | |
| Monday, July 27 | |||||
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 | |
Normal | 10:45 AM Santiago de Compostela, Estación de Autobuses | 9h30 | 8:15 PM Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa) | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 10:45 AM Santiago de Compostela, Estación de Autobuses | 9h45 | 8:30 PM Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal | 10:45 AM Santiago de Compostela, Estación de Autobuses | 10h15 | 9:00 PM Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 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 Santiago de Compostela to Madrid run on average 12 times per day, taking around 6h 21m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $19 (€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 $19 (€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.
World-class art museum with masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and Bosch; essential for Spanish and European painting.
Leading modern art museum best known for Picasso’s Guernica, plus major works by Dalí and Miró.
Celebrated collection of European masters from Van Eyck to Hopper in a refined palace setting.
Madrid’s most famous park offers gardens, a boating lake, monuments, and relaxed walks in the city center.
Lively grand avenue known for architecture, shopping, theaters, and nonstop energy from day to night.
Elegant boulevard linking major museums and landmarks, ideal for a classic central Madrid walk.
A hearty chickpea stew with meats, vegetables, and broth, especially traditional in Madrid and often served in stages.
Crisp fried squid rings served in a baguette roll. This iconic Madrid street food is especially linked to bars around Plaza Mayor.
Tripe stew with chorizo and morcilla in a rich sauce. A classic old Madrid tavern dish with deep local roots.
Refined two-Michelin-star dining focused on seasonal Spanish produce, with elegant modern cooking in a polished fine-dining room.
Traditional Madrid restaurant known for cocido madrileño served in stages, with an old-school dining room and loyal local following.
Historic century-old tavern famed for roast suckling pig and Castilian dishes in a classic, wood-lined setting near Plaza Mayor.
Moderate for Western Europe: hotels vary, dining is reasonable, and public transport is good value for tourists.
Tipping is modest: round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service. Taxis are usually rounded up. In cafés, small change is enough.
Official public transport app
Madrid Estación Sur de Autobuses -> Puerta del Sol
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.

Most Santiago de Compostela to Madrid buses use the Santiago de Compostela, Estación de Autobuses to Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses station pair, with some services arriving at Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa). Use this guide to compare Santiago de Compostela and Madrid bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses is 3 km from Madrid city centre. Public transport options include:
Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafetería de la estación (in the station), Restaurante El Brillante (0.5 km), La Taberna de Domínguez (0.7 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and in the waiting area.
Ticket office support is available at Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses.
Available at Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses: Elevators, ramps.
Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa) is 2 km from Madrid city centre. Public transport options include:
Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located inside the station.
Ticket office support is available at Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa).
Available at Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madrid, Calle de la Princesa / Paseo de Moret (Moncloa): Elevators, ramps.
Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) is 12 km from Madrid city centre. Public transport options include:
Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) has practical services for this route, including Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Rodilla, Mahoudrid
ATMs are aTMs located throughout T4, major cards accepted .
Ticket office support is available at Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid).
Available at Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid): WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid): Step-free access, elevators, accessible toilets.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need