How to get from San Sebastián-Donostia to Madrid
On Routavio you can compare the ways from San Sebastián-Donostia to Madrid by price and travel time.
- 353 km as the crow flies
- Fastest: bus, 5h 10m
- 9 bus departures a day with ALSA
Compare the train, bus and flight options. Then check them for your own date.
At a glance
Fastest
5h 10m
direct
Bus
€21
Calculated by Routavio, refreshed 19 Oct 2026
Start with the whole journey.
We compared the ways to travel from San Sebastián-Donostia to Madrid. The most useful door-to-door route takes 5h 10m by bus with no transfer. The two cities are about 353 km apart in a straight line. The price and operators below come from a real route search.
This is the lowest fare we have recorded for this route in the last 14 days.
353 km
Which way suits you?
| Transport | Observed fare | Duration and scope | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | €37Older observation | 4h 46m1 transfer | See Flight details |
| Train | €5Omio catalogue, Oct 20 | 5h 35mdirect | See Train details |
| Bus | €34Omio catalogue, Oct 20 | 5h 10mdirect | See Bus details |
- Flight€37Older observation4h 46m · 1 transferSee Flight details
- Train€5Omio catalogue, Oct 205h 35m · directSee Train details
- Bus€34Omio catalogue, Oct 205h 10m · directSee Bus details
These figures were observed on different days. This table is not a live price ranking for your date.
San Sebastián-Donostia to Madrid: cheapest or fastest?
All from the same recent search. Pick a tab: the legs, the timing and the difference from the others all change with it.
- 1San Sebastián-Donostia → Madrid BarajasbusALSA·5h 10m
The best balance of price and time we found on this route.
Which date should you go?
The amounts on each day are fares seen earlier, not live offers. A day with no figure is one we have not priced, not one without a service.
Departures from San Sebastián-Donostia to Madrid
ALSA runs 9 scheduled departures a day, the first at 02:30 and the last at 20:30.
| Operator | Departures a day | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALSAbus | 9 | 02:30 | 20:30 |
| Renfetrain | 5 | 05:15 | 16:45 |
All departuresALSA
- 02:30
- 10:30
- 10:45
- 12:00
- 13:30
- 15:00
- 16:30
- 18:00
- 20:30
All departuresRenfe
- 05:15
- 08:36
- 10:59
- 13:55
- 16:45
Departure times come from operator timetables and are local time at the origin. Where a row shows no times, the frequency is the operator's own and the timetable is not published to us. Times can change on holidays and at short notice; confirm with the operator before you travel.
Departure and arrival
Ticket prices on this route
What each way of travelling costs, as the operator publishes it. These describe the route rather than a date you pick, and they refresh once a day. Booking opens at our partner Omio.
Omio last refreshed these on Tue, Oct 20
Operators seen on these journeys
IberiaSan Sebastián Airport-Madrid–BarajasSee live options and dates →
RenfeSan Sebastián-Donostia-MadridBook →On this route you travel with ALSA, Regional connection, Iberia, Renfe; Routavio does not add a booking fee.
How the trip from San Sebastián-Donostia to Madrid works
Start with a ALSA bus from San Sebastián-Donostia to Madrid Barajas, about 5h 10m. In total it's roughly €21 over 5h 10m, direct, no transfers.
San Sebastián-Donostia to Madrid: common questions
How long does it take to get from San Sebastián-Donostia to Madrid?
The most useful route takes about 5h 10m by bus, with no transfer.
When is the first bus from San Sebastián-Donostia to Madrid?
The first bus with ALSA leaves at 02:30 and the last at 20:30, according to the published timetable.
How many bus departures a day are there from San Sebastián-Donostia to Madrid?
9 a day with ALSA, between 02:30 and 20:30.
When is the first train from San Sebastián-Donostia to Madrid?
The first train with Renfe leaves at 05:15 and the last at 16:45, according to the published timetable.
How many train departures a day are there from San Sebastián-Donostia to Madrid?
5 a day with Renfe, between 05:15 and 16:45.
How far is Madrid from San Sebastián-Donostia?
About 353 km in a straight line. The real route on the ground or in the air is longer.
How much does San Sebastián-Donostia to Madrid cost?
Our latest search put the route we recommend at €21. Other options on this page can cost less, and the exact fare depends on your travel date.
Which operators run San Sebastián-Donostia to Madrid?
On this route you travel with ALSA, Regional connection, Iberia, Renfe.
Can you get from San Sebastián-Donostia to Madrid without flying?
Yes. A ground route by bus takes about 4h 20m.
What is the cheapest way to get from San Sebastián-Donostia to Madrid?
Usually a flexible date, or leaving from a nearby airport. A live search puts every option for your dates side by side.
Can I book directly?
Yes. Routavio sends you straight to the operator or an independent third-party provider. We never add a booking fee. The final fare and availability are confirmed by that provider.
Other ways people search San Sebastián-Donostia to Madrid
- how to get from San Sebastián-Donostia to Madrid
- San Sebastián-Donostia to Madrid travel time
- San Sebastián-Donostia to Madrid distance
- cheapest way from San Sebastián-Donostia to Madrid
- San Sebastián-Donostia to Madrid by bus
Sources and method
Routes are calculated by Routavio's multimodal engine from operator timetables and flight data. Durations come from timetables, and prices are the most recent observation, not a guarantee.
Operators: ALSA
Route calculated: 19 Oct 2026