The cheapest and fastest trains from Barcelona to Donostia-San Sebastian
Cheapest price
$83
Average price
$117
Fastest journey
6 h 29 m
Average duration
11 h 2 m
Trains per day
13
Distance
401 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Barcelona 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 Barcelona to Donostia-San Sebastian will cost around $117 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $83.
Of the 13 trains that leave Barcelona for Donostia-San Sebastian on Sat, Jan 03, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jan 03 the direct trains cover the 401 km distance in an average of 11 h 2 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 6 h 29 m .
On Sat, Jan 03 the slowest trains will take 12 h 38 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.
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18063Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Barcelona to Donostia-San Sebastian
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Barcelona to Donostia-San Sebastian among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €40. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 54m. 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 bus costs an average of €40, and a flight costs an average of €60.
Distance: 249 miles (401 km)
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Bus | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€142 Average price | €79 Average price Cheapest | €205 Average price |
6h 0m Average total duration 5h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 25m Average total duration 7h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 54m Average total duration Fastest 1h 54m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 1.0kg CO2 emissions | 1.2 - 2.4kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Barcelona to Donostia-San Sebastian train times
The table below shows live departures for Barcelona to Donostia-San Sebastian trains for tomorrow, Saturday, January 3. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
06470+ 00626+ 18021+ 04167 | On time 5:25 AM Barcelona Sants | 16h27 | 9:52 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 3 transfers | |
06470+ 00626+ 18021+ 18063 | On time 5:25 AM Barcelona Sants | 14h03 | 7:28 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 3 transfers | |
06470+ 00632+ 18021+ 18063 | On time 5:25 AM Barcelona Sants | 14h03 | 7:28 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 3 transfers | |
06410+ 00632+ 18021+ 18063 | On time 6:35 AM Barcelona Sants | 12h53 | 7:28 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 3 transfers | |
06410+ 00626+ 18021+ 04167 | On time 6:35 AM Barcelona Sants | 15h17 | 9:52 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 3 transfers | |
06410+ 00626+ 18021+ 18063 | On time 6:35 AM Barcelona Sants | 12h53 | 7:28 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 3 transfers | |
06080+ 00626+ 18021+ 18063 | On time 6:50 AM Barcelona Sants | 12h38 | 7:28 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 3 transfers | |
06080+ 00626+ 18021+ 04167 | On time 6:50 AM Barcelona Sants | 15h02 | 9:52 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 3 transfers | |
06080+ 00632+ 18021+ 18063 | On time 6:50 AM Barcelona Sants | 12h38 | 7:28 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 3 transfers | |
06090+ 00632+ 18021+ 18063 | On time 7:45 AM Barcelona Sants | 11h43 | 7:28 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 3 transfers | |
06090+ 00626+ 18021+ 04167 | On time 7:45 AM Barcelona Sants | 14h07 | 9:52 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 3 transfers | |
06090+ 00626+ 18021+ 18063 | On time 7:45 AM Barcelona Sants | 11h43 | 7:28 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 3 transfers | |
00530 | On time 1:32 PM Barcelona Sants | 6h29 | 8:01 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Barcelona to Donostia-San Sebastian by train, bus, or flight
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.
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Why should you book Barcelona to Donostia-San Sebastian trains with Omio?
Renfe ALVIA as well as Renfe, Renfe (13) and SNCF Intercités offer trains services from Barcelona to Donostia-San Sebastian. Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Barcelona to Donostia-San Sebastian.
Why book with Omio vs Renfe ALVIA?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Renfe ALVIA, but also compare tickets for the likes of Renfe, Renfe (13) and SNCF Intercités to find the best option for your trip from Barcelona to Donostia-San Sebastian.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Renfe ALVIA with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Barcelona to Donostia-San Sebastian.
Why book with Omio over Trainline and Rail Europe?
- Multiple travel company options: While Renfe ALVIA tickets can be bought on Renfe ALVIA's website or third party sellers, Omio allows you to compare with the likes of Renfe, Renfe (13) and SNCF Intercités to help you choose the right option for your journey from Barcelona to Donostia-San Sebastian.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Barcelona to Donostia-San Sebastian.
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Barcelona to Donostia-San Sebastian?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Barcelona to Donostia-San Sebastian
Trains from Barcelona to Donostia-San Sebastian run on average 1 times per day, taking around 5h 30m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $87 (€70) but you can travel from only $49 (€40) by bus.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:45, the last at 21:07. The fastest train covers the 249 miles (401 km) distance in 6h 26m.
Distance 249 miles (401 km) |
Average train duration 5h 30m |
Cheapest ticket price $87 (€70) |
Trains per day 1 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 6h 26m |
First train 04:45 |
Last train 21:07 |
Train companies: Renfe ALVIA, Renfe, Renfe (13), SNCF Intercités, TGV INOUI, Ouigo, iryo, AVE, Renfe Viajeros from Barcelona to Donostia-San Sebastian trainsRenfe ALVIA, Renfe, Renfe (13), SNCF Intercités, TGV INOUI, Ouigo, iryo, AVE, Renfe Viajeros trains will get you between Barcelona and Donostia-San Sebastian from $49 (€40). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Renfe ALVIA
Renfe
Renfe (13)
SNCF Intercités
TGV INOUI
iryo
AVE
Ouigo
Renfe Viajeros
Trains from Barcelona to San Sebastian
When traveling in Spain, taking a train from Barcelona to San Sebastian is an affordable way to go. Travelers can pick any of the two trains traveling daily between the two cities. It takes around 5 hours and 36 minutes for a train from Barcelona to San Sebastian to complete the trip. However, the fastest trains cover 249 miles in 5 hours and 33 minutes. The longest train rides on the route are also reasonably fast, taking around 5 hours and 43 minutes.
Barcelona to San Sebastian train times: Daily departures
On average, two trains leave Barcelona for San Sebastian every day. In one week, around 14 trains travel from Barcelona to San Sebastian. The first train leaves Barcelona around 7:30 a.m. and arrives in San Sebastian shortly after 1:00 p.m. Travelers looking forward to an afternoon and pleasant evening in San Sebastian can pick the first train. The second train departs around 3:30 p.m. and arrives at around 9:10 p.m.
How long is the journey by train from Barcelona to San Sebastian?
A train from Barcelona to San Sebastian takes approximately 5 hours and 36 minutes. The fastest trains complete the trip in 5 hours and 33 minutes, while the longest trips last for 5 hours and 43 minutes. Fortunately, all the trains are direct, saving time for passengers.
What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Barcelona to San Sebastian?
Departure train station: To board a train from Barcelona to San Sebastian, travelers should head to Barcelona Sants (Plaça dels Països Catalans Barcelona), the international and national hub for trains in Barcelona. The station is west of the city, approximately 1.8 miles from the city center. Travelers can use trains, the metro, or taxis to travel to the center. The station has several facilities, such as ticket machines, an information desk, cash machines, a pharmacy, accessible toilets, and eateries.
Arrival train station: After more than 5 hours of travel, the trains from Barcelona stop at San Sebastian Railway Station, also known as Donostia-San Sebastián. It's the central train station in Spain's Basque Country and serves millions of travelers who come to enjoy the coastal city.
Which train companies travel from Barcelona to San Sebastian?
Renfe operates all the trains between Barcelona and San Sebastian. The state-owned railway company operates long-distance and high-speed trains throughout Spain. There are three types of trains: AVE, Avant, and Alvia, all traveling at high speeds. AVE trains usually travel across the country, while Avent and Alvia cover shorter journeys in Spain. There are three different tickets to choose from on most trains: Promo, Promo+, and Flexible. Passengers can choose between first and second class.
Renfe Barcelona to San Sebastian
Renfe provides two daily trains from Barcelona to San Sebastian. Early birds can catch the first train around 7:30 a.m., while the last trains leave Barcelona around 3:30 p.m. The trips are direct and take approximately 5 hours and 36 minutes. Most of the trains are high-speed, traveling over 124 mph. They also have first- and second-class cabins for travelers.
Barcelona to San Sebastian trains: Services on board
The trains are comfortable, with air conditioning and modern seats, in-seat meals, and snack carts. Passengers can request special meals to meet their nutritional needs. Entertainment may vary across different trains, with some offering headphones.
Travelers can transport up to three bags that don't exceed 25 kg. The trains also allow bicycles on board, but they need folding or disassembling and storage in a suitable case. Passengers can bring their small pets on board, as long as they maintain hygiene and have relevant documents. There are also charges for traveling with pets, and they vary depending on the train. As with most trains, guide dogs and assistance dogs can travel for free with their owners.
Renfe also provides trained assistants for people with disabilities. The assistants help with movement at the station, boarding, and alighting. The attendants can also make arrangements to secure a seat for people traveling in a wheelchair.
How to find cheap train tickets from Barcelona to San Sebastian
As with most means of travel, prices may increase as the dates draw closer for train journeys, and travelers can save money by booking train tickets months in advance. It's also wise to be flexible with travel dates. Ticket prices vary depending on the days, time, and season. Before purchasing a ticket, compare fares. Frequent travelers can also use Renfe cards to accumulate travel points and access exclusive offers and discounts. The points are useful for upgrades and access to first-class lounges when traveling.
FAQs: Trains from Barcelona to Donostia-San Sebastian
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Barcelona 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.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Barcelona to Donostia-San Sebastian
- Mon - Sun: 06:00 - 22:00
- Hotspots in and near restaurants.
- Staffed and automatic. Open daily from 05:30 to 21:00.
- McDonald’s
- Caffe di Fiore
- Ars Café
- Café de l'Estació
- Café de l’Estació Deli
- Lavazza
- Como
- Peter's
- Tutti Frutti
- Enrique Tomás
- & many more
- All areas of the station have full disability access facilities.
- Apartments Eixample
- Apartment Guell
- Sweet Inn Callao
- Mon - Sun: 06:00 - 22:00
- Located in various locations inside the station.
- Metro lines: L3, L5
- Bus lines: A1, A2
- Train lines: AVE, Alvia, Euromed, Talgo, Trenhotel, TGV, Avant, Intercity, R1, R2, R2 Nord, R2 Sud, R3, R4, RG1, R11, R12, R13, R14, R15, R16, R17
More options for your journey from Barcelona to Donostia-San Sebastian
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