- Must visit
Museo Guggenheim Bilbao
Globally known museum for contemporary art in a landmark riverside building. Go for the architecture, sculpture terraces and strong temporary shows.
Cheapest price on 30 Aug
£7
Average ticket price on 30 Aug
£9
Fastest journey on 30 Aug
1 h 15 m
Average journey duration on 30 Aug
1 h 15 m
Buses on 30 Aug
65
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 £9 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £7.
On Sun 30 Aug, we found 65 buses from Santander to Bilbao, including 38 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 75 km distance in an average of 1 h 15 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 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.
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NormalOmio 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 an average ticket price of £8 For those with little time, consider booking a coach, which has an average total journey time of 2h 21m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £8, while a train costs an average of £8.
Distance: 75 km
Most popular Coach | Train |
|---|---|
£8 Average Price Cheapest | £8 Average Price |
2h 21m Average total duration Fastest 1h 51m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 57m Average total duration 2h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
The table below shows live departures for Santander to Bilbao 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 | 6:45 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 8:15 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal · Normal | 7:20 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 2h25 | 9:45 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal | 7:30 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 9:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 8:15 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 9:45 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal · Normal | 8:40 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 2h20 | 11:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal | 9:30 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 11:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal · Normal | 12:40 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 2h50 | 15:30 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal · Normal | 13:20 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 2h55 | 16:15 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal · Normal | 14:00 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 2h15 | 16:15 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal · Normal | 14:40 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 3h00 | 17:40 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal | 15:00 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h15 | 16:15 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 15:15 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h15 | 16:30 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal · Normal | 15:20 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 3h40 | 19:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal | 16:00 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h40 | 17:40 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal · Normal | 16:00 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 3h00 | 19:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal · Normal | 16:40 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 2h20 | 19:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal | 17:00 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 1h30 | 18:30 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 17:00 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 18:30 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 17:30 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 19:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal · Normal | 18:00 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 3h30 | 21:30 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal · Normal | 18:40 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 2h50 | 21:30 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal · Normal | 19:20 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 2h40 | 22:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal · Normal | 19:20 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 2h45 | 22:05 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal | 20:00 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h30 | 21:30 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal · Normal | 20:00 Santander, Aeropuerto De Santander | 2h05 | 22:05 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 1 change | |
Normal | 20:20 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h40 | 22:00 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
Normal | 20:50 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h15 | 22:05 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
| Sunday 30 August | |||||
Normal | 2:30 Santander, Estación de Autobuses | 1h45 | 4:15 Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Buses from Santander to Bilbao run on average 45 times per day, taking around 1h 51m. 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 51m |
Cheapest ticket price £7 |
Buses per day 45 |
Direct buses 26 |
Fastest bus 1h 15m |
First bus 0:45 |
Last bus 23:45 |
Cheapest Month Sept |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 91 days |
Discover the best of Bilbao — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bilbao trip today.
Globally known museum for contemporary art in a landmark riverside building. Go for the architecture, sculpture terraces and strong temporary shows.
Fine arts museum with collections from medieval works to modern painting and sculpture. A strong choice for a broader art visit beyond the Guggenheim.
Museum on Basque archaeology, ethnography and maritime life in the old quarter. A clear introduction to regional history and identity.
Bilbao’s old town of narrow lanes, churches, shops and lively squares. Ideal for walking, local atmosphere and understanding the city’s historic core.
Hilltop viewpoint above the city reached by the Artxanda funicular. Worth it for broad views over Bilbao and the surrounding green hills.
Elegant central square with arcades, cafés around the edges and frequent city events. A convenient stop between the old and newer parts of Bilbao.
Salt cod cooked slowly with olive oil, garlic and chilli until it forms a silky sauce. A Basque classic closely linked with Bilbao’s taverns and home cooking.
Salt cod baked or simmered in a red pepper and tomato sauce, often with onion. A traditional Biscayan dish emblematic of local Basque cooking.
Baby eels sautéed with olive oil, garlic and chilli, usually served very hot in a clay dish. A classic celebratory pintxo in Bilbao.
Bustling pintxos bar in Casco Viejo with a wide counter selection and a lively, informal atmosphere popular with locals and visitors.
Well-known tavern for inventive and traditional pintxos near Plaza Nueva, with a busy bar scene and strong local following.
Historic Old Town restaurant known for classic Basque dishes and seafood in a traditional, polished setting.
Moderate for Spain: pintxos and transit are reasonable, but central hotels and dining cost more than in many inland Spanish cities.
Tipping is modest. Round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service; round up in taxis; small change in cafés is enough.
Official public transport app
Bilbao Intermodal -> Plaza Moyúa, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Most Santander to Bilbao buses use the Santander, Estación de Autobuses to Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses station pair. Use this guide to compare Santander and Bilbao 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.
Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses is 1 km from Bilbao city centre. Public transport options include:
Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Café de la Estación (in the station), Fast Food Express (in the station).
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses.
Available at Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses: Elevators, ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need