- Must visit
Tabakalera
Major contemporary art center in a former tobacco factory. It hosts ambitious exhibitions, local culture, and one of the city’s strongest programs.
Cheapest price
€42
Average price
€44
Fastest journey
2 h 50 m
Average duration
3 h 3 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
162 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Arcachon to Donostia-San Sebastian is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Arcachon to Donostia-San Sebastian will cost around €44 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €42.
Of the 2 trains that leave Arcachon for Donostia-San Sebastian on Wed, Aug 05, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Aug 05 the direct trains cover the 162 km distance in an average of 3 h 3 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 50 m .
On Wed, Aug 05 the slowest trains will take 3 h 15 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 train as it is the most popular option from Arcachon to Donostia-San Sebastian among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from €39. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 29m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €39, and a train costs an average of €39.
Distance: 100 miles (162 km)
Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|
€41 Average price Cheapest | €57 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 59m Average total duration Fastest 2h 29m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 17m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Other travel options to Donostia-San Sebastian take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 29m.
Tickets start at around €41 compared to roughly €57 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €16. The journey takes 2h 29m versus 2h 17m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Arcachon to Donostia-San Sebastian trains for today, Tuesday, August 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 10:09 AM Arcachon | 3h38 | 1:47 PM Donostia-San Sebastian | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 4:09 PM Arcachon | 2h51 | 7:00 PM Donostia-San Sebastian | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 4:33 PM Arcachon | 2h50 | 7:23 PM Donostia-San Sebastian | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Wednesday, August 5 | |||||
![]() | 7:09 AM Arcachon | 3h15 | 10:24 AM Donostia-San Sebastian | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train 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.
Trains from Arcachon to Donostia-San Sebastian run on average 22 times per day, taking around 2h 29m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €39 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 00:30, the last at 21:12. The fastest train covers the 100 miles (162 km) distance in 2h 47m.
Distance 100 miles (162 km) |
Average train duration 2h 29m |
Cheapest ticket price €39 |
Trains per day 22 |
Fastest train 2h 47m |
First train 12:30 AM |
Last train 9:12 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Discover the best of Donostia-San Sebastian — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Donostia-San Sebastian trip today.
Major contemporary art center in a former tobacco factory. It hosts ambitious exhibitions, local culture, and one of the city’s strongest programs.
Fine arts museum in a historic building with Basque, Spanish, and international works. A compact stop for painting and sculpture lovers.
Aquarium with historic maritime displays and a famous underwater tunnel. It combines family appeal with local ocean and fishing context.
The city’s most famous beach promenade curves around La Concha Bay. Essential for classic views, elegant walks, and sunset atmosphere.
Historic Old Town of lively squares, churches, and traditional streets. It is the best area for atmosphere, architecture, and everyday city life.
Urban beach and neighborhood promenade popular with surfers and locals. Great for broad sea views, people-watching, and a more contemporary vibe.
Small bar snacks on bread or bites, central to local txikiteo culture. San Sebastián is famous for creative and classic pintxos in packed old-town bars.
Whole grilled turbot, prized on the Basque coast for its clean flavor and simple preparation with olive oil, garlic, and grill smoke.
Basque-style cod often cooked with garlic, olive oil, and peppers. It reflects the region’s deep seafood tradition and classic home cooking.
Celebrated fine-dining restaurant with innovative Basque cuisine and tasting menus in an elegant, destination setting above the city.
Refined modern Basque restaurant by the bay, known for seafood-focused tasting menus and a polished but welcoming dining room.
Well-known grill restaurant specializing in premium beef and Basque classics, with a smart, contemporary atmosphere near the center.
Moderate for Spain: lodging is pricier in peak season, but pintxos, set lunches, and local buses keep daily costs manageable for most tourists.
Tipping is optional. Round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service; small change is fine in cafes. Taxi tipping is usually just rounding up.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Arcachon to Donostia-San Sebastian by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Donostia-San Sebastian, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Arcachon to Donostia-San Sebastian trains use the Arcachon to Hendaye station pair. Use this guide to compare Arcachon and Donostia-San Sebastian train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Arcachon is 1 km from Arcachon city centre. Public transport options include:
Arcachon has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Chez Pierre, Restaurant Café de la Plage
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Arcachon. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Arcachon. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Arcachon: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Arcachon: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Arcachon: Elevators, ramps.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Le B d'Arcachon, Hôtel Point France, Grand Hôtel Richelieu.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need