- Must visit
Centro Botín
Leading modern and contemporary art center by Renzo Piano, renowned for exhibitions, architecture, and exceptional bay views.
Cheapest price on Sep 18
$48
Average ticket price on Sep 18
$57
Fastest journey on Sep 18
4 h 50 m
Average journey duration on Sep 18
5 h 20 m
Buses on Sep 18
4
Distance
390 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Santiago de Compostela to Santander 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 Santander will cost around $57 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $48.
On Fri, Sep 18, we found 4 buses from Santiago de Compostela to Santander, including 4 direct services.
On Fri, Sep 18 the direct buses cover the 390 km distance in an average of 5 h 20 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 50 m .
On Fri, Sep 18 the slowest buses will take 5 h 40 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 bus as it is the most popular option from Santiago de Compostela to Santander among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $52 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 43m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $52, while a flight costs an average of $491.
Distance: 242 miles (390 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$52 Average price Cheapest | $491 Average price | $97 Average price (fuel + tolls) | |
9h 19m Average total duration 8h 49m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 43m Average total duration Fastest 2h 43m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 4h 45m Average total duration (door-to-door) | |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Santiago de Compostela to Santander:
A bus is $439 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Santiago de Compostela to Santander costing on average $491.
Other travel options to Santander take longer:
Bus takes on average 8h 49m.
Tickets start at around $52 compared to roughly $97 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $45. The journey takes 8h 49m versus 4h 45m 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 05:40AM | Arrival Time 11:10AM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $62 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 03:45PM | Duration 8h45 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $77 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 04:45PM | Duration 8h45 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $78 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 03:20PM | Duration 5h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 04:10PM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:00AM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $65 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 11:50AM | Arrival Time 05:10PM | Duration 5h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 08:20PM | Duration 4h50 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 12:30AM | Duration 9h00 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $76 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:10PM | Arrival Time 09:40PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 01:30AM | Duration 9h00 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 10:10PM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $55 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 02:30AM | Duration 9h00 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $76 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:40PM | Arrival Time 12:40AM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Tue, Fri | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:10PM | Arrival Time 02:50AM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $53 |
The table below shows live departures for Santiago de Compostela to Santander buses for today, Thursday, September 17. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:00 AM Santiago de Compostela | 8h45 | 3:45 PM Santander | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:00 AM Santiago de Compostela | 8h45 | 4:45 PM Santander | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 3:30 PM Santiago de Compostela | 9h00 | 12:30 AM Santander | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 4:30 PM Santiago de Compostela | 9h00 | 1:30 AM Santander | 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 Santander run on average 3 times per day, taking around 8h 49m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $11 if you book in advance.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 03:00, the last at 17:45. The fastest bus covers the 242 miles (390 km) distance in 7h 15m.
Distance 242 miles (390 km) |
Average bus duration 8h 49m |
Cheapest ticket price $11 |
Buses per day 3 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 7h 15m |
First bus 3:00 AM |
Last bus 5:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 35 days |
Discover the best of Santander — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Santander trip today.
Leading modern and contemporary art center by Renzo Piano, renowned for exhibitions, architecture, and exceptional bay views.
Excellent maritime museum covering Cantabrian seafaring, ecology, fishing, and naval history with aquariums and family-friendly displays.
Art museum focused on Cantabrian and Spanish painting, offering a compact but rewarding overview in a central historic setting.
Iconic peninsula park with palace grounds, beaches, mini-zoo area, and scenic walking routes. One of Santander’s essential outings.
Elegant seafront promenade linking gardens, monuments, and bay views. Ideal for a first walk through central Santander.
Dramatic headland viewpoint with cliffs, lighthouse scenery, and walking trails. A favorite for sunsets and Atlantic panoramas.
Cantabrian anchovies cured in salt or olive oil. Santander is famous for high-quality bocarte landed on this coast and served as a prized tapa.
Fresh hake with green sauce, usually with garlic, parsley, fish stock, peas and clams. A classic northern coastal dish tied to local fishing traditions.
Mountain stew from Cantabria with white beans, collard greens and pork products. Hearty inland cooking that is iconic across the region.
Refined Michelin-starred dining focused on seasonal Cantabrian products. Elegant setting and creative tasting menus with strong local identity.
Well-known dining room specializing in grilled fish and Cantabrian seafood. Smart but relaxed atmosphere with a strong local reputation.
Established seafood restaurant known for fresh fish, shellfish and classic Santander cooking. Traditional atmosphere near the seafront.
Moderate for Spain. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than Madrid or Barcelona, while local transit and casual meals stay fairly affordable for tourists.
Tipping is modest. Round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service, small change in cafes, and round up taxi fares.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santiago de Compostela 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 Santiago de Compostela to Santander buses use the Santiago de Compostela, Estación de Autobuses to Santander, Estación de Autobuses station pair. Use this guide to compare Santiago de Compostela and Santander bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Santiago de Compostela, Aeropuerto de Santiago - Rosalía de Castro is 10 km from Santiago de Compostela city centre. Public transport options include:
Santiago de Compostela, Aeropuerto de Santiago - Rosalía de Castro has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Free WiFi is available within the station. ATMs are available at Santiago de Compostela, Aeropuerto de Santiago - Rosalía de Castro.
Ticket office support is available at Santiago de Compostela, Aeropuerto de Santiago - Rosalía de Castro.
Available at Santiago de Compostela, Aeropuerto de Santiago - Rosalía de Castro: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Santiago de Compostela, Aeropuerto de Santiago - Rosalía de Castro: The station is accessible for passengers with reduced mobility.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need