- 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 Sep 17
$193
Average ticket price on Sep 17
$297
Fastest journey on Sep 17
7 h 32 m
Average journey duration on Sep 17
7 h 58 m
Trains on Sep 17
5
Distance
964 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Brussels 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 Brussels to Donostia-San Sebastian will cost around $297 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $193.
On Thu, Sep 17, we found 5 trains from Brussels to Donostia-San Sebastian, including 5 direct services.
On Thu, Sep 17 the direct trains cover the 964 km distance in an average of 7 h 58 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 7 h 32 m .
On Thu, Sep 17 the slowest trains will take 9 h 4 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 Brussels to Donostia-San Sebastian among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $107 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 5h 47m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the bus is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 1.0 - 2.4kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $107, while a flight costs an average of $543.
Distance: 599 miles (964 km)
| Train | Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$260 Average price | $107 Average price Cheapest | $543 Average price | $346 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 34m Average total duration 7h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 15h 48m Average total duration 15h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 47m Average total duration Fastest 3h 47m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 10h 51m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
- CO2 emissions | 1.0 - 2.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 2.9 - 5.8kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | 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 Brussels to Donostia-San Sebastian:
A bus is $152 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Brussels to Donostia-San Sebastian costing on average $260.
A bus is $436 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Brussels to Donostia-San Sebastian costing on average $543.
Other travel options to Donostia-San Sebastian take longer:
Train takes on average 7h 4m.
Bus takes on average 15h 18m.
The journey is about 3h 47m faster (7h 4m by train vs 10h 51m by car) and roughly $87 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($260 vs $346). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Brussels to Donostia-San Sebastian trains for tomorrow, Thursday, September 17. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 4:43 AM Brussels | 8h04 | 12:47 PM Donostia-San Sebastian | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:15 AM Brussels | 7h32 | 1:47 PM Donostia-San Sebastian | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 10:13 AM Brussels | 9h04 | 7:17 PM Donostia-San Sebastian | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train 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.
Trains from Brussels to Donostia-San Sebastian run on average 2 times per day, taking around 7h 4m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $109 but you can travel from only $23 by flight.
The earliest train runs at 05:53, the last at 16:55. The fastest train covers the 599 miles (964 km) distance in 5h 45m.
Distance 599 miles (964 km) |
Average train duration 7h 4m |
Cheapest ticket price $109 |
Trains per day 2 |
Fastest train 5h 45m |
First train 5:53 AM |
Last train 4:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Mon |
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 Brussels 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 Brussels to Donostia-San Sebastian trains use the Bruxelles-Midi to Hendaye station pair. Use this guide to compare Brussels and Donostia-San Sebastian train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Bruxelles-Midi has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Pullman Hotel Bar, Quick Gare du Midi, Subway, EXKi Zuid, Starbucks, Häagen-Dazs, Sbarro, The Coffee Club, The Belgian Chocolate House, PAUL, & many more
Wi-Fi is available for a fee. ATMs are available at Bruxelles-Midi.
Ticket office support is available at Bruxelles-Midi. Information desks are located in the main concourse and next to the international platforms.
Luggage storage is baggage storage facility is located across from the Thalys business lounge.
Available at Bruxelles-Midi: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Bruxelles-Midi: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bruxelles-Midi: Station has a wide range of facilities for passengers with reduced mobility: elevators and escalators to all platforms, wheelchair lifts and mobile ramps, disabled toilet and parking spaces. Additional assistance can be contacted via the SNCB Mobility Call Center.
Nearby hotels include Les Lofts De Styliste, Park Inn by Radisson Brussels Midi, Pullman Brussels Centre Midi.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need