- 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
$138
Average price
$149
Fastest journey
23h 0m
Average duration
24h 58m
Buses per day
3
Distance
345 km
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from London to Donostia-San Sebastian among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $49. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 12m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $49, and a train costs an average of $213.
Distance: 572 miles (922 km)
| Train | Most popular Bus | Flight | Ferry | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$425 Average price | $106 Average price Cheapest | $246 Average price | $202 Average price | $182 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 47m Average total duration 8h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 21h 16m Average total duration 20h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 12m Average total duration Fastest 2h 12m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 34h 50m Average total duration 33h 50m Onboard + 1h 0m Additional time* | 13h 17m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from London to Donostia-San Sebastian:
A bus is $96 (€79) less than a ferry for this route with tickets for a ferry from London to Donostia-San Sebastian costing on average $202 (€167).
A bus is $140 (€115) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from London to Donostia-San Sebastian costing on average $246 (€203).
A bus is $318 (€262) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from London to Donostia-San Sebastian costing on average $425 (€350).
Other travel options to Donostia-San Sebastian take longer:
Train takes on average 8h 17m.
Bus takes on average 20h 46m.
Ferry takes on average 33h 50m.
You'll arrive about 5h 0m sooner (8h 17m by train vs 13h 17m by car). Tickets start at around $425 (€350) compared to roughly $182 (€150) in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for London to Donostia-San Sebastian trains for today, Tuesday, July 14. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 12:31 PM London | 9h51 | 10:22 PM Donostia-San Sebastian | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 1:31 PM London | 8h20 | 9:51 PM Donostia-San Sebastian | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Wednesday, July 15 | |||||
![]() | 9:31 AM London | 8h46 | 6:17 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, flight, and ferry 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 London to Donostia-San Sebastian run on average 4 times per day, taking around 8h 17m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $213 (€175) but you can travel from only $28 (€23) by flight.
The earliest train runs at 06:00, the last at 11:06. The fastest train covers the 572 miles (922 km) distance in 7h 46m.
Distance 572 miles (922 km) |
Average train duration 8h 17m |
Cheapest ticket price $213 (€175) |
Trains per day 4 |
Fastest train 7h 46m |
First train 6:00 AM |
Last train 11:06 AM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Discover the best of Donostia-San Sebastián — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Donostia-San Sebastián 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 London 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 London to Donostia-San Sebastian trains use the London St Pancras International to Hendaye station pair. Use this guide to compare London and Donostia-San Sebastian train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
London St Pancras International has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, 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: The Betjeman Arms, AMT Coffee, The Booking Office, Carluccio’s, Chop’d, Greggs
Free, unlimited WiFi is available throughout the station. ATMs are located in the Circle area and inside the Arcade.
The ticket office is open Mon - Fri: 05:45 - 22:00, Sat: 06:00 - 21:00, Sun: 08:00 - 22:15. Information desks are located on the lower level in the main hall.
Luggage storage is luggage lockers are located on the lower concourse close to the Eurostar line. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at London St Pancras International: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at London St Pancras International: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at London St Pancras International: Wheelchair access, elevators, escalators, complimentary assistance for passengers with reduced mobility and other needs.
Nearby hotels include The Standard, Kimpton Fitzroy London, Alhambra Hotel.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need