- Must visit
San Telmo Museoa
The city's leading museum, housed in a 16th-century convent with a modern extension. It explores Basque society, art, and history and is one of the most important cultural visits in Donostia-San San7
Cheapest price
$61
Average price
$107
Fastest journey
5 h
Average duration
5 h 24 m
Trains per day
33
Distance
352 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Madrid 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 Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian will cost around $107 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $61.
Of the 33 trains that leave Madrid for Donostia-San Sebastian on Sun, May 31, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, May 31 the direct trains cover the 352 km distance in an average of 5 h 24 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h .
On Sun, May 31 the slowest trains will take 5 h 52 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.
18061
18063
04167
04087
08109+
18061
04257
04167
05817+
04257
04087
08179+
04167Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $24. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 7m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $24, and a flight costs an average of $55.
Distance: 218 miles (352 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$57 Average price Cheapest | $83 Average price | $367 Average price | $93 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 41m Average total duration 5h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 51m Average total duration 6h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 7m Average total duration Fastest 3h 7m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 40m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions | 1.1 - 2.1kg 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 Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian:
A train is $26 (€21) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian costing on average $83 (€67).
A train is $310 (€249) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian costing on average $367 (€295).
Other travel options to Donostia-San Sebastian take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 11m.
Bus takes on average 6h 21m.
Tickets start at around {cheapestPrice} compared to roughly {drivingPriceInCents} in fuel and tolls — a saving of about {savingsAmount}. The journey takes {durationInMinutes} versus {drivingDurationInMinutes} 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.
Direct services run with Renfe ALVIA, Renfe INTERCITY, Renfe MD, Renfe Viajeros.
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 Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian trains for today, Saturday, May 30. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
04687+ 18061 | On time 8:40 AM Madrid Chamartín | 8h06 | 4:46 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 transfer | |
04687+ 18063 | On time 8:40 AM Madrid Chamartín | 11h48 | 8:28 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 transfer | |
18061 | On time 9:06 AM Madrid Príncipe Pío | 7h40 | 4:46 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 0 transfersDirect | |
05763+ 18063 | On time 9:25 AM Madrid Chamartín | 11h03 | 8:28 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 transfer | |
05763+ 18061 | On time 9:25 AM Madrid Chamartín | 7h21 | 4:46 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 transfer | |
05071+ 04167 | Delayed 7:56 AM 9:56 AMMadrid Chamartín | 12h56 | 8:52 PM 8:52 PMDonostia-San Sebastián | 1 transfer | |
05071+ 18061 | Delayed 7:56 AM 9:56 AMMadrid Chamartín | 6h50 | 4:46 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 transfer | |
05071+ 18063 | Delayed 7:56 AM 9:56 AMMadrid Chamartín | 10h32 | 8:28 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 transfer | |
08109+ 04167 | Delayed 10:15 AM Madrid Chamartín | 12h37 | 8:52 PM 8:52 PMDonostia-San Sebastián | 1 transfer | |
08109+ 18061 | On time 10:15 AM Madrid Chamartín | 6h31 | 4:46 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 transfer | |
08109+ 18063 | On time 10:15 AM Madrid Chamartín | 10h13 | 8:28 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 transfer | |
04121+ 04167 | Delayed 11:23 AM Madrid Chamartín | 11h29 | 8:52 PM 8:52 PMDonostia-San Sebastián | 1 transfer | |
04121+ 18063 | On time 11:23 AM Madrid Chamartín | 9h05 | 8:28 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 transfer | |
08129+ 04167 | Delayed 12:05 PM Madrid Chamartín | 10h47 | 8:52 PM 8:52 PMDonostia-San Sebastián | 1 transfer | |
08129+ 18063 | On time 12:05 PM Madrid Chamartín | 8h23 | 8:28 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 transfer | |
18063 | On time 12:25 PM Madrid Príncipe Pío | 8h03 | 8:28 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 0 transfersDirect | |
05817+ 04167 | Delayed 2:23 PM Madrid Chamartín | 8h29 | 8:52 PM 8:52 PMDonostia-San Sebastián | 1 transfer | |
04151+ 04167 | Delayed 2:59 PM Madrid Chamartín | 7h53 | 8:52 PM 8:52 PMDonostia-San Sebastián | 1 transfer | |
08359+ 04167 | Delayed 3:40 PM Madrid Chamartín | 7h12 | 8:52 PM 8:52 PMDonostia-San Sebastián | 1 transfer | |
08179+ 04167 | Delayed 5:00 PM Madrid Chamartín | 5h52 | 8:52 PM 8:52 PMDonostia-San Sebastián | 1 transfer | |
04167 | Delayed 5:37 PM Madrid Chamartín | 5h15 | 8:52 PM 8:52 PMDonostia-San Sebastián | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Sunday, May 31 | |||||
04087+ 04257 | 7:20 AM Madrid Chamartín | 12h26 | 7:46 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 transfer | |
04087 | 7:20 AM Madrid Chamartín | 5h30 | 12:50 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 0 transfersDirect | |
04087+ 18063 | 7:20 AM Madrid Chamartín | 13h03 | 8:23 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 transfer | |
04087+ 18061 | 7:20 AM Madrid Chamartín | 9h26 | 4:46 PM Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 transfer | |
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 Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian run on average 4 times per day, taking around 5h 11m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $24 (€19) if you book in advance.
There are 4 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:45, the last at 17:37. The fastest train covers the 218 miles (352 km) distance in 5h 0m.
Distance 218 miles (352 km) |
Average train duration 5h 11m |
Cheapest ticket price $24 (€19) |
Trains per day 4 |
Direct trains 4 |
Fastest train 5h 0m |
First train 4:45 AM |
Last train 5:37 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 77 days |
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.
The city's leading museum, housed in a 16th-century convent with a modern extension. It explores Basque society, art, and history and is one of the most important cultural visits in Donostia-San San7
A renowned open-air museum dedicated to sculptor Eduardo Chillida, combining large-scale works with gardens and a restored farmhouse. Worth the short trip from the city for art and architecture lovers