4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Bilbao to Donostia-San Sebastian
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Bilbao to Donostia-San Sebastian among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $11 For those with little time, consider booking a bus, which has an average total journey time of 2h 1m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $11, while a bus costs an average of $12.
Distance: 47 miles (77 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$11 Average price Cheapest | $12 Average price | $20 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 39m Average total duration 4h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 1m Average total duration Fastest 1h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 11m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
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 Bilbao to Donostia-San Sebastian:
A train is $1 (€1) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Bilbao to Donostia-San Sebastian costing on average $12 (€10).
Other travel options to Donostia-San Sebastian take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 39m.
Tickets start at around $11 (€9) compared to roughly $20 (€16) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $9 (€7). The journey takes 4h 9m versus 1h 11m 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.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
Travel optionsfrom Bilbao to Donostia-San Sebastian
How to get from Bilbao to Donostia-San Sebastian by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Bilbao to Donostia-San Sebastian is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- Normal7:30 PM1h10Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses8:40 PMDonostia-San Sebastian, Estación de Autobuses$101One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- Normal7:30 PM1h10Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses8:40 PMDonostia-San Sebastian, Estación de Autobuses$101One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- Normal7:30 PM1h10Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses8:40 PMDonostia-San Sebastian, Estación de Autobuses$101One-way0 transfers
Other options
04186 · 040876:53 AM5h39Bilbao-Abando12:32 PMDonostia-San Sebastián$221One-way1 transfer- 04366 · 041675:12 PM6h08Bilbao-Abando11:20 PMDonostia-San Sebastián$221One-way1 transfer
- 00437+
042573:02 PM5h13Bilbao-Abando8:15 PMDonostia-San Sebastián$241One-way1 transfer
- Normal8:20 PM1h10Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses9:30 PMDonostia-San Sebastian, Estación de Autobuses$101One-way0 transfers
- Normal1:40 PM1h20Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses3:00 PMDonostia-San Sebastian, Estación de Autobuses$101One-way0 transfers
- Normal11:00 AM1h20Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses12:20 PMDonostia-San Sebastian, Estación de Autobuses$101One-way0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
Compare train and bus 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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How to Travel from Bilbao to San Sebastian
The journey from Bilbao to San Sebastian is popular with travelers in Spain. Direct journeys between Bilbao to San Sebastian are available by train and bus. Located approximately 100 kilometers apart, it is easiest to travel from Bilbao to San Sebastian by bus. Buses take just over an hour to arrive in San Sebastian, while trains take nearly 4 hours and require a transfer in Miranda de Ebro.
Buses from Bilbao to San Sebastian | Return trips from San Sebastian to Bilbao
Bilbao to San Sebastian Travel Comparison
Average Price |
Travel Time |
Cheapest Time to Book |
|---|---|---|
€7 |
1:10 h |
1 Day Ahead |
€27 |
3:49 h |
1 Week Ahead |
What is the best way to travel from Bilbao to San Sebastian?
Cheapest way to travel from Bilbao to San Sebastian
Taking the bus is the cheapest way to travel from Bilbao to San Sebastian. Alsa is the main bus company in Spain and operates all the buses from Bilbao to San Sebastian. Alsa's buses depart from Bilbao's bus station and take just over an hour to arrive at San Sebastian's Donostia bus station. Buses from Bilbao to San Sebastian depart 9 times per day with the first bus departing Bilbao at 5:15 a.m.
Fastest way to travel from Bilbao to San Sebastian
Taking the bus is the fastest way to travel from Bilbao to San Sebastian. Buses are approximately 2½ faster than traveling from Bilbao to San Sebastian by train. Traveling from Bilabo to San Sebastian by train also requires a transfer in Miranda de Ebro. All buses take under 2 hours to travel from Bilbao to San Sebastian. Trains remain a popular option for people who prefer to travel in the comfort of a train with 5 Renfe trains making the trip every day.
Most popular way to travel from Bilbao to San Sebastian
Taking the bus is the most popular way to travel from Bilbao to San Sebastian. Not only is the bus direct and significantly faster than taking the train, but traveling by bus is also €20 cheaper on average. ALSA buses also depart Bilbao more frequently than trains– 9 buses depart per day compared to 5 trains.
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FAQs: Travel from Bilbao to Donostia-San Sebastian
Travel to Donostia-San Sebastian easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Bilbao to Donostia-San Sebastian.
This is compared to other travel options from Bilbao to Donostia-San Sebastian:
A train is $1 (€1) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Bilbao to Donostia-San Sebastian costing on average $12 (€10).
Other travel options to Donostia-San Sebastian take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 39m.
- Around 12 buses per day.
- Around 8 trains per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Bilbao and Donostia-San Sebastian as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Bilbao-Abando and arrive in Donostia-San Sebastián.
- Buses mostly depart from Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses and arrive in Donostia-San Sebastian, Estación de Autobuses.
- Travel with Alsa, Alsa Supra, FlixBus to go to Donostia-San Sebastian by bus.
- Travel with Renfe MD, Renfe INTERCITY, Renfe ALVIA to go to Donostia-San Sebastian by train.
- 11 direct buses per day with Alsa, Alsa Supra.
Travelling from Bilbao to Donostia-San Sebastian: related information
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