- Must visit
Centro Botín
Major contemporary art center on Santander’s waterfront, known for international exhibitions, cultural programming, and its striking Renzo Piano design.
Cheapest price
$99
Average price
$99
Fastest journey
18 h 45 m
Average duration
18 h 45 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
541 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Barcelona to Santander is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Barcelona to Santander will cost around $99 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $99.
It's difficult to get from Barcelona to Santander without transferring at least 2 times.
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBusOmio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Barcelona to Santander among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $63. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 20m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the bus is your best bet as it emits only 0.5 - 1.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $63, and a flight costs an average of $43.
Distance: 336 miles (541 km)
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$109 Average price Cheapest | $196 Average price | $128 Average price | $137 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
11h 27m Average total duration 10h 57m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 20m Average total duration Fastest 3h 20m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 7h 41m Average total duration 7h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 52m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.5 - 1.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.6 - 3.2kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular train company | 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 Barcelona to Santander:
A bus is $19 (€16) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Barcelona to Santander costing on average $128 (€105).
A bus is $87 (€71) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Barcelona to Santander costing on average $196 (€161).
Other travel options to Santander take longer:
Train takes on average 7h 11m.
Bus takes on average 10h 57m.
Tickets start at around $109 (€90) compared to roughly $137 (€112) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $28 (€23). The journey takes 10h 57m versus 6h 52m 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 FlixBus | Departure Time 02:30AM | Arrival Time 09:20AM | Duration 30h50 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $146 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:30AM | Arrival Time 01:50PM | Duration 8h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 03:30PM | Duration 7h30 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:10AM | Arrival Time 03:50PM | Duration 7h40 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 08:30AM | Arrival Time 05:10PM | Duration 8h40 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $61 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:45AM | Arrival Time 10:15PM | Duration 10h30 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $84 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 01:40PM | Arrival Time 09:20PM | Duration 7h40 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:35PM | Arrival Time 09:20AM | Duration 18h45 | Departure days Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $91 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 11:00PM | Duration 8h00 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $70 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 01:15AM | Duration 10h15 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $84 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 12:50AM | Duration 7h50 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $62 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 02:30AM | Duration 8h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $39 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 11:00PM | Arrival Time 08:30AM | Duration 9h30 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $84 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:10PM | Arrival Time 09:20AM | Duration 34h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $143 |
The table below shows live departures for Barcelona to Santander buses for today, Friday, June 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:10 PM Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants | 34h10 | 9:20 AM Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 2 transfers | |
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 Barcelona to Santander run on average 4 times per day, taking around 10h 57m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $63 (€52) but you can travel from only $43 (€36) by flight.
There are 3 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 02:20, the last at 23:10. The fastest bus covers the 336 miles (541 km) distance in 8h 45m.
Distance 336 miles (541 km) |
Average bus duration 10h 57m |
Cheapest ticket price $63 (€52) |
Buses per day 4 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 8h 45m |
First bus 2:20 AM |
Last bus 11:10 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 91 days |
Discover the best of Santander — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Santander trip today.
Major contemporary art center on Santander’s waterfront, known for international exhibitions, cultural programming, and its striking Renzo Piano design.
Important archaeological museum presenting prehistoric cave culture, Roman material, and key finds from across Cantabria.
Leading maritime museum covering Cantabrian Sea ecology, fishing, naval history, and aquariums; a strong family-friendly cultural stop.
Scenic headland combining gardens, sea views, beaches, and the palace grounds; ideal for walking and one of the city’s top experiences.
Santander’s best-known beach area, famous for its elegant promenade, broad sands, and lively atmosphere in good weather.
Grand waterfront promenade lined with historic buildings, sculptures, and access to the bay; essential for a first walk through Santander.
Lightly battered and fried squid rings, one of Santander’s most iconic tapas, especially popular for aperitif time by the bay.
High-quality Cantabrian anchovies, usually served in olive oil on bread or as a tapa; a flagship product of the region.
White tuna from the Cantabrian Sea, prized for its delicate texture and often served grilled, stewed, or preserved in olive oil.
Michelin-starred restaurant known for contemporary tasting menus rooted in Cantabrian products, with polished service and elegant ambiance.
Well-known Santander restaurant and tapas bar, famous for refined Cantabrian cuisine, seafood, and a lively central atmosphere.
Historic and established dining room serving classic Cantabrian dishes in a traditional setting with strong local character.
Moderate by Spanish standards: tapas and set lunches are affordable, while waterfront dining and summer stays cost more.
Tipping is modest. Round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service. Small change in cafes is enough. Taxis are usually rounded up, and hotel tips are appreciated but not expected.
Official public transport app
Santander, Estación de Autobuses -> Santander Centro
The trip between the cities of Barcelona and Santander can be made by bus, as it offers a comfortable and easy journey. Barcelona Santander buses cover a distance of 541 kilometres, using an average of 9 to 11 hours. It is possible to find buses that cover this route all day long, every day of the week.
Barcelona Santander buses are managed by the company Alsa. Buses can be found throughout the day, although there is a higher frequency during the morning.
Barcelona Santander buses cover a distance of 541 kilometres, investing an average of between 9 and 11 hours. The length of this journey varies depending on whether changes are made during the journey. Some of these buses make a transfer in the bus station of Zaragoza.
Throughout the day it is possible to find up to 7 buses Barcelona Santander with departure times distributed throughout the day. There are buses that depart both in the morning and in the afternoon and even at night. The frequency of departure of the buses varies throughout the day: there are buses that depart every half hour and others with a time difference of up to 2 hours.
Barcelona Nord bus station and Barcelona-Sants station: the buses that cover this route leave from Barcelona Nord station and Barcelona-Sants station. Barcelona Nord station has several restaurants, bars and free wifi connection. The station of Barcelona-Sants is very well communicated with the center of the city of Barcelona being able to arrive to her of simple form in the lines V17 or H10 of bus, among others. Among the services offered are ticket sales, waiting room and invoicing.
Santander Station-Plaza Estaciones: has a ticket sales point, information desk, shopping area, bars and cafeteria and a small leisure area. It is located in the centre of the city of Santander, very close to the train station offering excellent communication for travellers. Bus lines such as L14 pass through it.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Barcelona 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 Barcelona to Santander buses use the Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord to Santander, Estación de Autobuses station pair. Use this guide to compare Barcelona and Santander bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord is 2 km from Barcelona city centre. Public transport options include:
Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord 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), Tapas 24 (0.4 km), Pizzeria Roma (0.6 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and inside the waiting area.
Ticket office support is available at Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord.
Available at Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Barcelona, Estació d'Autobusos Nord: Elevators, ramps.
Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants is 1 km from Barcelona city centre. Public transport options include:
Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants 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), Fast Food Corner (in the station), Local Cuisine Spot (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and in the waiting area.
Ticket office support is available at Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants.
Available at Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Barcelona, Estación de Autobuses de Sants: Elevators, ramps.
El Prat de Llobregat, Aeroport de Barcelona- El Prat (T2) is 11 km from Barcelona city centre. Public transport options include:
El Prat de Llobregat, Aeroport de Barcelona- El Prat (T2) 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), Fast Food Express (in the station), Local Cuisine Corner (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and food court.
Ticket office support is available at El Prat de Llobregat, Aeroport de Barcelona- El Prat (T2).
Available at El Prat de Llobregat, Aeroport de Barcelona- El Prat (T2): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at El Prat de Llobregat, Aeroport de Barcelona- El Prat (T2): Elevators, ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need