- 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 on Oct 06
$69
Average ticket price on Oct 06
$92
Fastest journey on Oct 06
6 h 44 m
Average journey duration on Oct 06
10 h 25 m
Trains on Oct 06
15
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 $92 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $69.
On Tue, Oct 06, we found 15 trains from Barcelona to Donostia-San Sebastian, including 1 direct services.
On Tue, Oct 06 the direct trains cover the 401 km distance in an average of 10 h 25 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 6 h 44 m .
On Tue, Oct 06 the slowest trains will take 12 h 2 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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18021Trains from Barcelona to Donostia-San Sebastian run on average 7 times per day, taking around 6h 54m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $8 (€6) if you book in advance.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:44, the last at 21:07. The fastest train covers the 249 miles (401 km) distance in 6h 17m.
Distance 249 miles (401 km) |
Average train duration 6h 54m |
Cheapest ticket price $8 (€6) |
Trains per day 7 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 6h 17m |
First train 4:44 AM |
Last train 9:07 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 35 days |
The table below shows live departures for Barcelona to Donostia-San Sebastian trains for today, Monday, October 5. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
06060+ 18021+ 00632+ 04167 | On time 5:45 AM Barcelona Sants | 17h35 | 11:20 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 3 transfers | |
06060+ 00622+ 18021+ 04257 | On time 5:45 AM Barcelona Sants | 14h30 | 8:15 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 3 transfers | |
06060+ 00622+ 18021+ 18063 | On time 5:45 AM Barcelona Sants | 14h38 | 8:23 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 3 transfers | |
07410+ 18021+ 00632+ 04167 | 7:35 AM Barcelona Sants | 15h45 | 11:20 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 3 transfers | |
07410+ 00622+ 18021+ 04257 | 7:35 AM Barcelona Sants | 12h40 | 8:15 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 3 transfers | |
06410+ 00622+ 18021+ 04257 | On time 7:35 AM Barcelona Sants | 12h40 | 8:15 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 3 transfers | |
06080+ 18021+ 00632+ 04167 | On time 7:50 AM Barcelona Sants | 15h30 | 11:20 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 3 transfers | |
06080+ 00622+ 18021+ 04257 | On time 7:50 AM Barcelona Sants | 12h25 | 8:15 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 3 transfers | |
06080+ 00622+ 18021+ 18063 | On time 7:50 AM Barcelona Sants | 12h33 | 8:23 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 3 transfers | |
06012+ 18021+ 00632+ 04167 | On time 9:12 AM Barcelona Sants | 14h08 | 11:20 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 3 transfers | |
06012+ 00622+ 18021+ 04257 | On time 9:12 AM Barcelona Sants | 11h03 | 8:15 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 3 transfers | |
06012+ 00622+ 18021+ 18063 | On time 9:12 AM Barcelona Sants | 11h11 | 8:23 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 3 transfers | |
06500+ 18021+ 00632+ 04167 | On time 10:40 AM Barcelona Sants | 12h40 | 11:20 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 3 transfers | |
06020+ 18021+ 00632+ 04167 | On time 11:18 AM Barcelona Sants | 12h02 | 11:20 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 3 transfers | |
00530 | 2:32 PM Barcelona Sants | 6h44 | 9:16 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 0 transfersDirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.

Most Barcelona to Donostia-San Sebastian trains use the Barcelona Sants to Donostia-San Sebastián station pair. Use this guide to compare Barcelona and Donostia-San Sebastian train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Barcelona Sants is 1 km from Barcelona city centre. Public transport options include:
Barcelona Sants 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, and Information Desk.
Food options include: 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
Hotspots in and near restaurants. ATMs are in the central part of the station.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sun: 06:00 - 22:00. Information desks are located in various locations inside the station.
Luggage storage is staffed and automatic. Open daily from 05:30 to 21:00. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Barcelona Sants: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Barcelona Sants: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Barcelona Sants: All areas of the station have full disability access facilities.
Nearby hotels include Apartments Eixample, Apartment Guell, Sweet Inn Callao.
Donostia-San Sebastián has practical services for this route, including Accessibility, WC, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, and Information Desk.
Ticket office support is available at Donostia-San Sebastián. Information desks are available at Donostia-San Sebastián.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Donostia-San Sebastián: WC.
Available at Donostia-San Sebastián: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Donostia-San Sebastián.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need