- Must visit
Museo de Prehistoria y Arqueología de Cantabria
Museum in a historic market building covering Santander’s prehistory, Roman past and medieval development through well-presented local finds.
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£7
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£9
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
1 h 15 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
1 h 24 m
Buses on 18 Sept
20
Distance
74 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Bilbao Airport to Santander is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bilbao Airport to Santander will cost around £9 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £7.
On Fri 18 Sept, we found 20 buses from Bilbao Airport to Santander, including 10 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 74 km distance in an average of 1 h 24 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 15 m .
The slowest buses will take 1 h 30 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.
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Supra Economy
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NormalOmio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Bilbao Airport to Santander among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £8 For those with little time, consider booking a coach, which has an average total journey time of 1h 46m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £8, while a coach costs an average of £8.
Distance: 74 km
Most popular Coach | Driving |
|---|---|
£8 Average Price Cheapest | £16 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 46m Average total duration Fastest 1h 16m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 16m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Tickets start at around £9 compared to roughly £16 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £7. The journey takes 1h 38m versus 1h 16m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by Alsa.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
The table below shows live departures for Bilbao Airport to Santander coaches for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Supra Economy | 16:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h05 | 17:05 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 17:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 18:30 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal · Normal | 17:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 2h15 | 19:15 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 1 change | |
Normal | 17:30 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h55 | 19:25 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal · Normal | 18:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 2h35 | 20:35 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 1 change | |
Normal | 18:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 19:30 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 19:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 20:30 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 19:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h05 | 20:05 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 19:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h20 | 20:20 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 22:20 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h40 | 0:00 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 23:45 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 1:15 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
| Friday 18 September | |||||
Supra Economy | 1:45 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h15 | 3:00 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 2:15 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 3:45 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 6:45 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h15 | 8:00 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal · Normal | 6:45 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 3h10 | 9:55 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 1 change | |
Normal · Normal | 6:45 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 2h30 | 9:15 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 1 change | |
Normal · Normal | 6:45 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 3h50 | 10:35 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 1 change | |
Normal | 9:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h40 | 10:40 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal · Normal | 9:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 2h55 | 11:55 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 1 change | |
Normal | 9:45 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h45 | 11:30 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal · Normal | 9:45 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 2h50 | 12:35 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 1 change | |
Normal · Normal | 9:45 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 3h30 | 13:15 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 1 change | |
Normal | 10:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h45 | 11:45 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 11:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 12:30 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal · Normal | 11:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 4h15 | 15:15 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 1 change | |
Normal · Normal | 11:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 2h15 | 13:15 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 1 change | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach 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.
Buses from Bilbao Airport to Santander run on average 49 times per day, taking around 1h 38m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £7 if you book in advance.
There are 27 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 07:45, the last at 18:45. The fastest coach covers the 74 km distance in 1h 5m.
Distance 74 km |
Average bus duration 1h 38m |
Cheapest ticket price £7 |
Buses per day 49 |
Direct buses 27 |
Fastest bus 1h 5m |
First bus 7:45 |
Last bus 18:45 |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 28 days |
Discover the best of Santander — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Santander trip today.
Museum in a historic market building covering Santander’s prehistory, Roman past and medieval development through well-presented local finds.
Large art centre on the waterfront with modern and contemporary exhibitions, a striking building and broad views over the bay.
Museum dedicated to Cantabrian maritime history, fishing and oceanography, with aquariums and displays suited to adults and children.
Historic gardens by the bay and Centro Botín, ideal for a gentle walk among monuments, flowerbeds and harbour views.
Headland park with the palace, coastal paths, beaches and sea views; one of Santander’s classic places for walking and photography.
Clifftop viewpoint and green space above the sea, popular for sunsets, dramatic waves and broad views of the Cantabrian coast.
Hearty Cantabrian bean stew with white beans, chorizo, morcilla and pork. A regional cold-weather classic closely tied to Santander and wider Cantabria.
Fresh anchovies from the Cantabrian Sea, often salted or preserved in olive oil. Santander is especially known for high-quality bocarte and anchovy traditions.
Bonito tuna cooked with onions, peppers and tomato. A beloved summer dish across Cantabria, showcasing local fishing and seasonal produce.
Established dining room specialising in fish and seafood rice dishes, offering polished service and a classic Santander feel.
Traditional seafood restaurant known for fresh fish, shellfish and classic Cantabrian cooking in a smart but approachable setting.
Popular traditional venue for rabas, seafood tapas and casual local eating, especially good for sampling classic Santander flavours.
Moderate for Spain: hotels and dining are fair, while local buses and casual meals stay reasonably priced for tourists.
Tipping is modest. Round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service; small change for cafés; round up taxi fares.
Official public transport app
Estación de Autobuses de Santander -> Plaza Porticada, Santander
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bilbao Airport to Santander by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Santander, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Bilbao Airport to Santander buses use the Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses to Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander station pair, with some services arriving at Santander, Estación de Autobuses. Use this guide to compare Bilbao Airport and Santander bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander is 4 km from Santander city centre. Public transport options include:
Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility and WC.
Food options include: Cafeteria (in the station), Fast-food outlet (in the station)
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance of the terminal.
Available at Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander: Elevators, ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need