The cheapest and fastest coaches from Santander to Bilbao
Cheapest price
£5
Average price
£10
Fastest journey
1 h
Average duration
1 h 7 m
Buses per day
28
Distance
75 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Santander to Bilbao is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Santander to Bilbao will cost around £10 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £5.
Of the 28 buses that leave Santander for Bilbao every day 28 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct buses cover the 75 km distance in an average of 1 h 7 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h .
The slowest buses will take 1 h 15 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.









NormalTravel Information
Compare train and coach for Santander to Bilbao
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Santander to Bilbao among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £7. For those with little time consider booking a coach which can get you there in 1h 45m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £7, and a train costs an average of £8.
Distance: 75 km
Compare bus with
Most popular Coach | Train |
|---|---|
£8 Average Price Cheapest | £9 Average Price |
2h 15m Average total duration Fastest 1h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 0m Average total duration 2h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Santander to Bilbao bus times
The table below shows live departures for Santander to Bilbao coaches for today, Sunday 1 March. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Normal | 14:00 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h40 | 15:40 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 14:00 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 15:30 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal · Normal | 14:20 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 3h10 | 17:30 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal · Normal | 14:20 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 3h40 | 18:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal · Normal | 15:00 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 2h30 | 17:30 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal · Normal | 15:00 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 3h00 | 18:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal · Normal | 15:00 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 3h30 | 18:30 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal · Normal | 15:40 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 2h20 | 18:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal · Normal | 15:40 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 2h50 | 18:30 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal · Normal | 16:20 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 3h00 | 19:20 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal · Normal | 17:00 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 2h45 | 19:45 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal · Normal | 17:40 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 3h20 | 21:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal · Normal | 18:20 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 2h30 | 20:50 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal · Normal | 19:00 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 2h15 | 21:15 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal · Normal | 19:00 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 3h15 | 22:15 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal · Normal | 19:40 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 2h35 | 22:15 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal | 20:45 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 22:15 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
| Monday 2 March | |||||
Normal | 01:30 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h45 | 03:15 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 05:00 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 06:30 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 06:00 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h40 | 07:40 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 06:00 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 07:30 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 07:00 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h40 | 08:40 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 07:05 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h15 | 08:20 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 08:00 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 09:30 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 08:30 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 10:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Supra Economy | 09:00 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 10:30 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 11:00 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h40 | 12:40 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Supra Economy | 11:30 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h15 | 12:45 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 12:00 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h45 | 13:45 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 13:00 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 14:30 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Santander to Bilbao by train or coach
Compare train and 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.
02 Mar
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Why should you book Santander to Bilbao coaches with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Alsa?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Alsa, but also compare tickets for the likes of Alsa Supra, Infobus or FlixBus to find the best option for your trip from Santander to Bilbao.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Alsa with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Santander to Bilbao.
Why book with Omio over Checkmybus, Rome2rio or Busbud?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Alsa Supra, Infobus or FlixBus to find the best option for your trip from Santander to Bilbao.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Santander to Bilbao.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Santander to Bilbao
Buses from Santander to Bilbao run on average 45 times per day, taking around 1h 45m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £7 if you book in advance.
There are 26 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:45, the last at 23:45. The fastest coach covers the 75 km distance in 1h 15m.
Distance 75 km |
Average bus duration 1h 45m |
Cheapest ticket price £7 |
Buses per day 45 |
Direct buses 26 |
Fastest bus 1h 15m |
First bus 00:45 |
Last bus 23:45 |
Bus providers: Alsa, Alsa Supra, BlaBlaCar, Infobus, FlixBus from Santander to BilbaoYou can travel by bus between Santander to Bilbao with Alsa, Alsa Supra, BlaBlaCar, Infobus, FlixBus for as low as £7. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
Alsa
Alsa Supra
Infobus
FlixBus
BlaBlaCar
Coaches from Santander to Bilbao
Reaching the centre of Spain's Basque Region is easy, thanks to regular, rapid coaches from Santader to Bilbao. Every day, five direct buses leave from Santander Airport, running to the heart of Bilbao. The journey time isn't generally too long but ranges from one hour 20 minutes to two hours 10 minutes.
Which coach companies travel from Santander to Bilbao?
There's only one choice available to travellers when heading by coach from Santander to Bilbao. Alsa runs a direct, daily service on the route, offering connections all year round.
How long is the coach from Santander to Bilbao?
Coaches from Santander to Bilbao vary in journey duration. The fastest buses will reach Bilbao in just one hour 20 minutes, while the slowest take as long as two hours 10 minutes, so it helps to check schedules carefully when making a reservation.
How many coaches are there from Santander to Bilbao?
Coaches leave Santander for Bilbao every day of the week, every week of the year. Travellers can choose from five direct buses every day. Departures tend to start around midday, concluding before 9:00 p.m.
What are the departure and arrival stations for coaches from Santander to Bilbao?
Departure bus station: Coaches from Santander to Bilbao will depart from Aeropuerto Santander, not the city centre. Alsa shuttles run every 30 minutes from the city's main bus station, taking just 15 minutes to get to the airport, so transfers shouldn't take very long. Taxis are the best option for those coming from the coast or regional towns, as there's no railway station at the airport. Before boarding buses to Bilbao, all travellers can take advantage of free internet connectivity.
Arrival bus station: Coaches to Bilbao from Santander will arrive at Bilbao's main bus station, also known as Termibus. Termibus is located in the centre of town, not far from San Mames Metro station, and taking the Metro is probably the best way to reach attractions like the Guggenheim Museum or the city's port. Arrivals can also catch bus services from Termibus to Bilbao Airport if required. A3247 Shuttles leave the bus station every 15 minutes. Finally, travellers can also walk to Bilbao Station in around 15 minutes, which offers rail links to San Sebastian, Pamplona and other regional destinations.
FAQs: Santander to Bilbao coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santander to Bilbao 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 Bilbao, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- Alsa
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Accessible seating.
- Infobus
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Transport for wheelchairs and mobility aids.
- Alsa Supra
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Accessible restrooms.
- Alsa
- You can cancel your ticket up to 48 hours before departure for a partial refund. Changes allowed for a fee.
- Infobus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a partial refund. Cancellations within 24 hours may incur a fee.
- Alsa Supra
- You can cancel your ticket up to 48 hours before departure for a partial refund. Within 48 hours, a fee applies.
- Alsa
- One carry-on bag up to 10kg and one checked bag up to 25kg.
- Infobus
- One carry-on bag up to 5kg (40x20x25) and one checked bag up to 20kg (50x30x80).
- Alsa Supra
- One carry-on bag up to 10kg and one checked bag up to 25kg.
- Alsa
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- Infobus
- 10€ per additional bag.
- Alsa Supra
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- Alsa
- Small pets allowed in carriers
- larger pets must travel in the hold.
- Infobus
- Small pets allowed in carriers
- larger pets may require a separate ticket.
- Alsa Supra
- Small pets allowed in carriers
- guide dogs travel for free.
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in Santander and Bilbao
- Free Wi-Fi
- Cafeteria (in the station)
- Fast-food outlet (in the station)
- Available outside the terminal.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 13, 23 Train: FEVE
- 06:00-22:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- Café de la Estación (in the station)
- Fast Food Express (in the station).
- Available outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 58, 62, 77 Metro: L1, L2 Train: C1, C2
Most popular bus connections from Santander
More options for your journey from Santander to Bilbao
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