Barcelona to Santander train with Renfe ALVIA

Thu 28 May
+ Add return
Renfe ALVIA
AVE
iryo
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
2,000+ travel companies
Renfe ALVIA
AVE
iryo
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Barcelona to Santander

Showing times and prices for 28 May

Cheapest price

£57

Average price

£100

Fastest journey

8 h 38 m

Average duration

9 h 52 m

Trains per day

13

Distance

541 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Barcelona to Santander is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Barcelona to Santander will cost around £100 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £57.

Fast trains

To travel from Barcelona to Santander you need to make at least one change.

  • Renfe17501+AlsaNormal
    7:4417h31
    Barcelona Sants
    1:15Santander, Estación de Autobuses
    £571One-way
    1 change
  • Renfe17501+AlsaNormal
    7:4414h31
    Barcelona Sants
    22:15Santander, Estación de Autobuses
    £571One-way
    1 change
  • iryo06016+Renfe ALVIA04193
    8:4514h43
    Barcelona Sants
    23:28Santander station
    £991One-way
    1 change
  • iryo06016+Renfe ALVIA04143
    8:459h19
    Barcelona Sants
    18:04Santander station
    £991One-way
    1 change
  • iryo06080+Renfe ALVIA04193
    7:5015h38
    Barcelona Sants
    23:28Santander station
    £1021One-way
    1 change

Travel Information

Compare train, coach and flight for Barcelona to Santander

Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Barcelona to Santander among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £47. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 20m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the coach is your best bet as it emits only 0.5 - 1.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £47, and a flight costs an average of £32.

Distance: 541 km

Compare train with

Train
Most popular
Flight
Coach

£96

Average Price

£146

Average Price

£82

Average Price

Cheapest

7h 41m

Average total duration

7h 11m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

6h 20m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 20m

Onboard

+

3h 0m

Additional time*

11h 27m

Average total duration

10h 57m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

-

CO2 emissions

1.6 - 3.2kg

CO2 emissions

0.5 - 1.4kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest
Renfe ALVIA

Most popular train company

Vueling

Most popular airline

Alsa

Most popular bus company

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

Live departures

Barcelona to Santander train times

The table below shows live departures for Barcelona to Santander trains for tomorrow, Thursday 28 May. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
iryo06060+Renfe ALVIA04143
On time
5:45 Barcelona Sants
12h19
18:04 Santander station
1 change
iryo06070+Renfe ALVIA04143
On time
7:05 Barcelona Sants
10h59
18:04 Santander station
1 change
Renfe17501+AlsaNormal7:44 Barcelona Sants
17h31
1:15 Santander, Estación de Autobuses1 change
Renfe17501+AlsaNormal7:44 Barcelona Sants
14h31
22:15 Santander, Estación de Autobuses1 change
iryo06080+Renfe ALVIA04193
On time
7:50 Barcelona Sants
15h38
23:28 Santander station
1 change
iryo06080+Renfe ALVIA04143
On time
7:50 Barcelona Sants
10h14
18:04 Santander station
1 change
iryo06016+Renfe ALVIA041938:45 Barcelona Sants
14h43
23:28 Santander station1 change
iryo06016+Renfe ALVIA041438:45 Barcelona Sants
9h19
18:04 Santander station1 change
iryo06110+Renfe ALVIA0419310:45 Barcelona Sants
12h43
23:28 Santander station1 change
iryo06020+Renfe ALVIA0419311:25 Barcelona Sants
12h03
23:28 Santander station1 change
iryo06320+Renfe ALVIA0419312:14 Barcelona Sants
11h14
23:28 Santander station1 change
iryo06014+Renfe ALVIA0419313:20 Barcelona Sants
10h08
23:28 Santander station1 change
iryo06150+Renfe ALVIA0419314:50 Barcelona Sants
8h38
23:28 Santander station1 change

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Barcelona to Santander by train, coach or flight

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.

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28 May
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Why should you book Barcelona to Santander trains with Omio?

Renfe ALVIA as well as AVE or iryo offer trains services from Barcelona to Santander.
Omio is the only official third party seller for Renfe ALVIA tickets.

Why book with Omio vs Renfe ALVIA?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Renfe ALVIA, but also compare tickets for the likes of AVE or iryo to find the best option for your trip from Barcelona to Santander.
  • 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 Renfe ALVIA with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Barcelona to Santander.

How far in advance should I book train tickets from Barcelona to Santander?

The best time to book your train from Barcelona to Santander is 84 days before departure. See how prices for trains change on the Barcelona to Santander route.
Prices are for one-way tickets for one passenger from Barcelona to Santander per month. Insights are sourced from fares found by Omio users in the last 12 months. Current prices may differ as prices vary depending on the time of day, class or how far in advance you book your train from Barcelona to Santander.

Journey information

Overview: Train from Barcelona to Santander

SpainSpain
SpainSpain
Icon of train

Trains from Barcelona to Santander run on average 3 times per day, taking around 7h 11m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £92 but you can travel from only £32 by flight.

The earliest train runs at 02:30, the last at 21:07. The fastest train covers the 541 km distance in 8h 3m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Flight from £32
Distance
541 km
Average train duration
7h 11m
Cheapest ticket price
£92
Trains per day
3
Fastest train
8h 3m
First train
2:30
Last train
21:07
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Fri
Least Busy Day
Sat
Best time to book
63 days
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Flight from £32

Train companies: Renfe ALVIA, AVE, iryo from Barcelona to Santander trainsRenfe ALVIA, AVE, iryo trains will get you between Barcelona and Santander from £32. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Renfe ALVIA

About
Renfe Alvia are high-speed trains with top speeds of up to 250km/h operated by Renfe, Spain’s national railway company. Alvia trains cover most cities in Spain, including Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Valencia, Alicante, Zaragoza and Cadiz. They are somewhat slower than Renfe AVE and AVLO (high-speed and low cost) but cover more destinations and are a comfortable and effective way of travelling around Spain. Onboard facilities include free WIFI, bike storage and luggage allowance. Alvia trains have two seat classes – Estándar and Confort. Top routes for Renfe Alvia include Barcelona to Pamplona, Madrid to Cádiz and Alicante to Gijón.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Luggage included
1 piece of hand luggage and 3 pieces of luggage included
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, end of carriages, and designated luggage areas
Cancellation Policy
According to ticket conditions
Refund
Full refund if train is canceled by Renfe
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Cafeteria car with drinks, snacks, and hot meals. At-seat service in Preferente class
Seat reservation
Included in Preferente (First) class. Optional extra cost in Turista (Second) class
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces available, accessible toilets, and staff assistance for boarding/alighting
Pets
Small pets in carriers travel free. Dogs must be muzzled and leashed, require paid ticket. Guide dogs travel free
Quiet zone

AVE

About
Travel comfortably with AVE, Renfe’s high-speed trains. AVE connects major cities across Spain at speeds of up to 310 km/h (193 mph), offering a fast and smooth travel experience. Ticket options include Promo, Promo+, and Flexible fares to suit different budgets, along with discount cards such as the Gold Card and +Renfe Youth 50 Card for eligible travelers. AVE trains feature modern amenities including comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, power outlets, and onboard catering, making them a convenient and enjoyable way to travel across Spain.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
8h 3m
Cheapest Price
£92
AVE frequency
1 a day
Luggage included
1 piece of hand luggage and 3 pieces of luggage free of charge
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, end of carriages, and designated areas between seats
Cancellation Policy
Refund conditions depend on ticket type
Refund
Full refund if train is canceled
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Cafeteria car with hot and cold meals, snacks, and beverages. At-seat service in Preferente (First) Class
Seat reservation
Included in ticket price for all classes
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, and assistance services available
Pets
Small pets under 10kg in carriers allowed free. Larger dogs require paid ticket and muzzle. Guide dogs free.
Quiet zone

iryo

About
iryo is a new brand from railway operator ILSA operating in Spain since 2022. iryo uses Frecciarossa 1000 trains which are modern, can travel at up to 360km/h and have a minimal environmental impact. iryo’s Frecciarossa trains have different classes, all of which come with free unlimited WiFi, power sockets, toilets and an onboard entertainment portal where you can watch films and TV series. The main classes are: Infinita Class, Singular Café Class, Singular Class, Inicial Class. These new trains take 2 hours and 30 minutes to travel between Madrid and Barcelona. They depart from Madrid Atocha and Barcelona Sants stations, and stop in Zaragoza along the way. iryo services also cover Madrid, Cuenca, Valencia, Alicante, Córdoba, Seville and Málaga.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
8h 44m
Cheapest Price
£102
iryo frequency
1 a day
Luggage included
1 cabin bag (36x56x26cm) and 1 handbag (36x30x10cm)
Luggage storage
Overhead compartments and designated luggage areas
Cancellation Policy
According to fare conditions
Refund
Full refund provided
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Restaurant car with Mediterranean cuisine, at-seat service in both classes
Seat reservation
Included in ticket price
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces and assistance available
Pets
Small pets in carriers allowed free. Large dogs need paid ticket
Quiet zone

FAQs: Barcelona to Santander train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Barcelona to Santander by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Santander, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Barcelona to Santander can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £92, while the average price tends to be around £96.
The train journey from Barcelona to Santander covers a distance of 541 km and takes approximately 8h 3m. Trains run 3 per day.
The train distance from Barcelona to Santander is 541 km.
The first train from Barcelona to Santander leaves at 2:30.
The last train from Barcelona to Santander departs at 21:07.
Trains from Barcelona to Santander run approximately 3 times per day.
Yes, there is a high-speed train service from Barcelona to Santander.
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service currently available from Barcelona to Santander.
To get from Barcelona to Santander, you can choose from several travel options including train, coach and flight.
There is no night train service from Barcelona to Santander.
The cheapest way to get from Barcelona to Santander is by flight, costing approximately £32.
Booking trains from Barcelona to Santander in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train journey from Barcelona to Santander offers a scenic experience, showcasing diverse landscapes such as the rolling hills of Catalonia, the lush greenery of northern Spain, and picturesque views of the Cantabrian Mountains.
In Santander, you can explore the Santander Cathedral, known for its Gothic architecture and historical significance. Enjoy the scenic beauty of Parque de Mataleñas, ideal for hiking. Visit Mercado de la Esperanza to experience local culture and cuisine. Stroll along Paseo de Pereda, a picturesque waterfront promenade. Discover the Gran Casino del Sardinero for entertainment and a glimpse into the city's past. Don't miss Palacio de la Magdalena for stunning views and guided tours, Centro Botín for modern art, Playa del Sardinero's golden sands, the Museo Marítimo del Cantábrico for maritime history, and Jardines de Piquío for a peaceful retreat.
Three to four days in Santander should be sufficient to explore the city's cultural landmarks, enjoy its beaches, and experience the local cuisine.
Yes, you can take the train from Barcelona to Santander.

Most popular train connections to Santander

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