Going from Bilbao to San Sebastián is very simple, and totally recommendable! Do not miss the opportunity to visit these two cities in the Basque Country on the same trip, since they are only about 100 kilometers apart. In San Sebastián -also known as Donostia– you have to walk through the famous La Concha beachenjoy the views from the top of the Mount Igueldovisit the cathedral of the good shepherd and the Wind Comb Monument and of course try a lot of pintxos delicious typical of the Basque Country.
We share all the transport options to go from Bilbao to San Sebastián (or vice versa) so you can choose the most comfortable for you. We also give you a lot of tips for the journey like, for example, where to leave your bags in Bilbao and San Sebastián while you are exploring the cities.
HOW TO GO FROM BILBAO TO SAN SEBASTIAN
1. Bus, the most comfortable means of transport to go from Bilbao to San Sebastián
⏱️ 1 hour 20 minutes
💰 8€
The bus is the most practical transport option to get to San Sebastián. Hay frequent departures from early morning until late at night with the company Alsa. The journey takes around 1 hour 20 minutes, with some journeys slightly longer depending on the departure time you choose. In any case, it passes immediately since there are no intermediate stops.
Book your bus tickets online
The buses leave from the Bilbao intermodal station, which is located next to the San Mamés train station. Arrival is at Donostia bus stationto touch the center of the city.
Where to leave your suitcases in Bilbao and San Sebastián
Upon arrival in San Sebastián, you can store all your luggage comfortably and safely in lockers while you explore the city. The LockHereNow lockers are super practical because they are next to La Concha beach. Therefore, You will not have to carry your luggage if your accommodation is not yet ready or you are simply in the city passing through before leaving for your next destination. Can book your luggage storage in San Sebastián onlinethey have sizes for backpacks, hand luggage or larger luggage.
Similarly, you can book luggage storage in downtown Bilbao if you need a place to leave your luggage before leaving the city. Are next to the famous Guggenheim museum in Bilbao and with good connections by public transport, better location impossible!
Another big advantage is that Both in Bilbao and San Sebastián, they have unlimited access. Once you book your locker, you can open and close it as many times as you want during the period of time you have paid 🙂 They also have 24-hour video surveillance and insurance that covers losses due to theft.
2. Train, the cheapest transport to go from Bilbao to Donostia
⏱️ 2 hours 40 minutes
💰 6,50€
If you are looking for the cheapest transport to get to San Sebastián, the train will be your ally. The ticket only costs €6.50. Of course, the travel time is considerably higher: it takes 2 hours 40 minutes to go from Bilbao to San Sebastian by train. The line E1 of Euskotren it covers the route with a lot of intermediate stops, hence the journey is so long. There is a departure every hour from 5:55 a.m. to 7:55 p.m. Can see detailed timetables and buy tickets on the Euskotren website.
The trains leave from the Matiko station in Bilbao and arrive at the Amara Donostia station. The train makes a few other stops in Bilbao, including the old town, as well as many other intermediate cities before reaching San Sebastian. Can consult online the complete map of the line with all seasons.
3. Car, a practical means of transport to make a route through the north of Spain
⏱️ 1 hour 10 minutes
💰 €15.30 of tolls + combustible
Bilbao is an excellent place to start a road trip through the north of Spain. Of course, San Sebastián is an obligatory stop. To take the fastest route, use the AP-8 highway. Keep in mind that, in addition to the cost of fuel, you will have to pay €15.30 of tolls.
Although there are only 100 kilometers between the two cities, you can make lots of interesting stops along the way if you decide to take the long route and go explore the Basque coast. In fact, you could spend a whole week traveling between Bilbao and San Sebastián visiting incredible coastal towns! Here we leave you a few places that are very worthwhile:
- San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
- Be sure
- Lekeitio
- Zumaia
- Getaria
In case you decide to take the coastal highway, the trip takes more than three hours. We recommend you take it easy and dedicate at least a whole day to it. So you can make stops to visit all the places on the list and admire the incredible landscapes.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS TO GO FROM BILBAO TO DONOSTIA
What is the best transport to go to San Sebastian from Bilbao?
The bus is the most practical means of transport to get to San Sebastián if you don’t have a car. It takes just over an hour and is very affordable.
If you have a vehicle, time and desire for adventure, we recommend making the trip from Bilbao to Donostia by car. You can go making several stops along the route and exploring beautiful places on the Basque coast such as San Juan de Gaztelugatxe or Zumaia.
How much does the bus cost to go from Bilbao to San Sebastian?
The bus ticket costs €8, although some departures with “premium” vehicles go up to €13. You can see the detailed schedules and book your ticket online here.
How long is the bus ride from Bilbao to San Sebastian?
It depends on the transport you choose, the trip from Bilbao to San Sebastián lasts between 1 hour and 3 hours. Here we leave you the approximate travel times:
- Bus: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Train: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Car: 1 hour 10 minutes
What is the cheapest way to get to San Sebastián from Bilbao?
The train is the cheapest way to go from Bilbao to San Sebastian. The ticket only costs 6,50€. As a negative point, it is the slowest transport with 2 hours 40 minutes of travel. Therefore, we recommend the bus, which costs €8 but only takes 1 hour 20 minutes.
Are there tolls on the Bilbao-San Sebastián route?
Yes, there are tolls to go from Bilbao to San Sebastián by car with a total price of 15,30€. The Zarautz toll costs €12.70, while at the Zarautz-Este toll you will have to pay €2.60.
SUMMARY OF ALL THE TRANSPORTS TO GO FROM BILBAO TO SAN SEBASTIÁN
Contents of this article
Source: https://lostraveleros.com/como-ir-de-bilbao-a-san-sebastian/
