- 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 30 Aug
£33
Average ticket price on 30 Aug
£46
Fastest journey on 30 Aug
5 h 15 m
Average journey duration on 30 Aug
5 h 27 m
Buses on 30 Aug
14
Distance
339 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Madrid to Santander is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Madrid to Santander will cost around £46 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £33.
On Sun 30 Aug, we found 14 buses from Madrid to Santander, including 13 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 339 km distance in an average of 5 h 27 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 15 m .
The slowest buses will take 5 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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Supra EconomyOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Madrid to Santander among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £42 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 36m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £42, while a flight costs an average of £258.
Distance: 339 km
| Coach | Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£42 Average Price Cheapest | £46 Average Price | £258 Average Price |
6h 24m Average total duration 5h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 51m Average total duration 4h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 36m Average total duration Fastest 2h 36m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* |
0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.0 - 2.0kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
The table below shows live departures for Madrid to Santander coaches for today, Saturday 29 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Normal | 10:30 Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 5h45 | 16:15 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 13:00 Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 5h30 | 18:30 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 13:15 Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 5h15 | 18:30 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Supra Economy | 15:00 Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 5h30 | 20:30 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 15:00 Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 5h30 | 20:30 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Supra Economy | 15:15 Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 5h15 | 20:30 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 16:30 Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 5h45 | 22:15 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 16:40 Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 16h40 | 9:20 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal | 16:45 Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 5h30 | 22:15 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 18:30 Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 5h30 | 0:00 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 18:45 Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 5h15 | 0:00 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 19:00 Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 5h45 | 0:45 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 23:00 Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 19h50 | 18:50 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 23:30 Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses | 19h20 | 18:50 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal | 23:30 Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 5h30 | 5:00 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Supra Economy | 0:30 Madrid, Intercambiador de Avenida de América | 6h00 | 6:30 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Supra Economy | 0:45 Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) | 5h45 | 6:30 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, coach and flight 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 Madrid to Santander run on average 15 times per day, taking around 5h 54m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £32 but you can travel from only £15 by train.
There are 14 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:30, the last at 23:35. The fastest coach covers the 339 km distance in 5h 30m.
Distance 339 km |
Average bus duration 5h 54m |
Cheapest ticket price £32 |
Buses per day 15 |
Direct buses 14 |
Fastest bus 5h 30m |
First bus 0:30 |
Last bus 23:35 |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 91 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 Madrid 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 Madrid to Santander buses use the Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) to Santander, Estación de Autobuses station pair. Use this guide to compare Madrid and Santander bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) is 12 km from Madrid city centre. Public transport options include:
Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) has practical services for this route, including Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Rodilla, Mahoudrid
ATMs are aTMs located throughout T4, major cards accepted .
Ticket office support is available at Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid).
Available at Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid): WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid): Step-free access, elevators, accessible toilets.
Madrid, Avenida de América is 3 km from Madrid city centre. Public transport options include:
Madrid, Avenida de América has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafetería de la estación (in the station), Restaurante El Rincón (0.5 km), La Vaca Argentina (0.7 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and on the second floor.
Ticket office support is available at Madrid, Avenida de América.
Available at Madrid, Avenida de América: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madrid, Avenida de América: Elevators, ramps.
Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses is 3 km from Madrid city centre. Public transport options include:
Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafetería de la estación (in the station), Restaurante El Brillante (0.5 km), La Taberna de Domínguez (0.7 km).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and in the waiting area.
Ticket office support is available at Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses.
Available at Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madrid, Estación Sur de Autobuses: Elevators, ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need