How to get from Santander to Bilbao
On Routavio you can compare the ways from Santander to Bilbao by price and travel time (route calculated on 27 October 2026).
- 73 km as the crow flies
- Fastest: bus, 1h 15m
- 20 bus departures a day with ALSA
- First bus at 04:30, last at 22:45
Compare the train, bus and flight options. Then check them for your own date.
At a glance
Fastest
1h 15m
direct
Bus
€7
Calculated by Routavio, refreshed 27 Oct 2026
Start with the whole journey.
We compared the ways to travel from Santander to Bilbao. The most useful door-to-door route takes 1h 15m by bus with no transfer. The two cities are about 73 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.
73 km
Which way suits you?
| Transport | Observed fare | Duration and scope | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | €11Reading date not recorded | 3h 30m1 transfer | See Train details |
| Bus | €8Omio catalogue, Oct 28 | 1h 15mdirect | See Bus details |
- Train€11Reading date not recorded3h 30m · 1 transferSee Train details
- Bus€8Omio catalogue, Oct 281h 15m · directSee Bus details
These figures were observed on different days. This table is not a live price ranking for your date.
Santander to Bilbao: 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.
- 1Santander → BilbaobusALSA·1h 15m
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.
Cheapest flight fare by month, Santander to Bilbao
| Month | Lowest fare seen | Seen on |
|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | €95 | |
| November 2026 | €34 | |
| December 2026 | €34 |
The lowest fare Routavio has seen for each departure month, with the day it was seen. Fares change, so check the price when you search.
Departures from Santander to Bilbao
ALSA runs 20 scheduled departures a day, the first at 04:30 and the last at 22:45.
| Operator | Departures a day | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALSAbus | 20 | 04:30 | 22:45 |
| Regional connectionbus | 12 | — | — |
All departures ALSA
- 04:30
- 08:00
- 09:00
- 10:00
- 10:05
- 11:00
- 11:30
- 13:00
- 13:40
- 14:15
- 15:00
- 16:00
- 17:00
- 17:15
- 18:00
- 19:00
- 20:40
- 21:30
- 22:20
- 22:45
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 Wed, Oct 28
Operators seen on these journeys
On this route you travel with ALSA, Renfe; Routavio does not add a booking fee.
How the trip from Santander to Bilbao works
Routavio built this route from its own route data on 27 October 2026. Start with a ALSA bus from Santander to Bilbao, about 1h 15m. In total it's roughly €7 over 1h 15m, direct, no transfers.
Where to stay
Stays in Bilbao on Booking.comRent a car
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Things to do in Bilbao
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Santander to Bilbao: common questions
How long does it take to get from Santander to Bilbao?
Routavio's route check on 27 October 2026 puts the most useful route at about 1h 15m by bus, with no transfer.
When is the first bus from Santander to Bilbao?
The first bus with ALSA leaves at 04:30 and the last at 22:45, according to the published timetable.
How many bus departures a day are there from Santander to Bilbao?
Routavio's timetable check shows 20 bus departures a day with ALSA, between 04:30 and 22:45.
How far is Bilbao from Santander?
About 73 km in a straight line. The real route on the ground or in the air is longer.
How much does Santander to Bilbao cost?
Routavio's price check puts the route we recommend at €7. Other options on this page can cost less, and the exact fare depends on your travel date.
Which operators run Santander to Bilbao?
According to Routavio's route data, on this route you travel with ALSA, Renfe.
Can you get from Santander to Bilbao without flying?
Yes. A ground route by bus takes about 40m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Santander to Bilbao?
Routavio's comparison usually points to 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 Santander to Bilbao
- how to get from Santander to Bilbao
- Santander to Bilbao travel time
- Santander to Bilbao distance
- cheapest way from Santander to Bilbao
- Santander to Bilbao 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.
Route calculated: 27 Oct 2026