The cheapest and fastest trains from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian
Cheapest price
£25
Average price
£52
Fastest journey
5 h
Average duration
5 h 23 m
Trains per day
49
Distance
352 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian will cost around £52 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £25.
Of the 49 trains that leave Madrid for Donostia-San Sebastian every day 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 352 km distance in an average of 5 h 23 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h .
The slowest trains will take 5 h 46 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.
04087
04257
04167
04687 · 04257
04187+
04257
04257
04167
05817+
04257
04087
04261 · 04087Travel Information
Compare train, coach and flight for Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £15. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 40m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £15, and a flight costs an average of £34.
Distance: 352 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£43 Average Price | £43 Average Price Cheapest | £196 Average Price |
6h 11m Average total duration 5h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 50m Average total duration 6h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 40m Average total duration Fastest 2h 40m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions | 1.1 - 2.1kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian train times
The table below shows live departures for Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian trains for today, Sunday 22 February. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
04087+ 18063 | On time 06:20 Madrid Chamartín | 13h03 | 19:23 Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 change | |
04087 | On time 06:20 Madrid Chamartín | 5h30 | 11:50 Donostia-San Sebastián | 0 changesdirect | |
04087+ 04257 | On time 06:20 Madrid Chamartín | 12h26 | 18:46 Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 change | |
04087+ 18061 | On time 06:20 Madrid Chamartín | 9h26 | 15:46 Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 change | |
18061 | On time 08:06 Madrid Príncipe Pío | 7h40 | 15:46 Donostia-San Sebastián | 0 changesdirect | |
04091+ 18061 | On time 08:15 Madrid Chamartín | 7h31 | 15:46 Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 change | |
04091+ 04257 | On time 08:15 Madrid Chamartín | 10h31 | 18:46 Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 change | |
04091+ 18063 | On time 08:15 Madrid Chamartín | 11h08 | 19:23 Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 change | |
08109+ 18063 | On time 09:15 Madrid Chamartín | 10h08 | 19:23 Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 change | |
08109+ 18061 | On time 09:15 Madrid Chamartín | 6h31 | 15:46 Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 change | |
08109+ 04257 | On time 09:15 Madrid Chamartín | 9h31 | 18:46 Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 change | |
08129+ 04167 | On time 11:05 Madrid Chamartín | 10h47 | 21:52 Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 change | |
08129+ 04257 | On time 11:05 Madrid Chamartín | 7h41 | 18:46 Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 change | |
08129+ 18063 | On time 11:05 Madrid Chamartín | 8h18 | 19:23 Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 change | |
18063 | On time 11:25 Madrid Príncipe Pío | 7h58 | 19:23 Donostia-San Sebastián | 0 changesdirect | |
05101+ 04257 | On time 12:03 Madrid Chamartín | 6h43 | 18:46 Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 change | |
34101+ 04257 | On time 12:03 Madrid Chamartín | 6h43 | 18:46 Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 change | |
34101+ 18063 | On time 12:03 Madrid Chamartín | 7h20 | 19:23 Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 change | |
04143+ 18063 | On time 12:40 Madrid Chamartín | 6h43 | 19:23 Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 change | |
04143 · 04167 | On time 12:40 Madrid Chamartín | 9h12 | 21:52 Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 change | |
04143+ 04257 | On time 12:40 Madrid Chamartín | 6h06 | 18:46 Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 change | |
05817+ 04257 | On time 13:23 Madrid Chamartín | 5h23 | 18:46 Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 change | |
05817+ 04167 | On time 13:23 Madrid Chamartín | 8h29 | 21:52 Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 change | |
04257+ 04167 | On time 13:46 Madrid Chamartín | 8h06 | 21:52 Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 change | |
05721+ 04167 | On time 13:59 Madrid Chamartín | 7h53 | 21:52 Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 change | |
08359+ 04167 | On time 14:40 Madrid Chamartín | 7h12 | 21:52 Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 change | |
04161+ 04167 | On time 15:37 Madrid Chamartín | 6h15 | 21:52 Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 change | |
08179+ 04167 | On time 16:00 Madrid Chamartín | 5h52 | 21:52 Donostia-San Sebastián | 1 change | |
04167 | On time 16:37 Madrid Chamartín | 5h15 | 21:52 Donostia-San Sebastián | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian 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.
22 Feb
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25 Feb
26 Feb
27 Feb
28 Feb
01 Mar
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03 Mar
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Why should you book Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian trains with Omio?
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 Renfe Intercity, Renfe (13), Renfe Viajeros or Ouigo to find the best option for your trip from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian.
- 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 Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian.
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian
Trains from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian run on average 4 times per day, taking around 5h 41m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £18 but you can travel from only £15 by coach.
There are 4 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:50, the last at 17:37. The fastest train covers the 352 km distance in 5h 0m.
Distance 352 km |
Average train duration 5h 41m |
Cheapest ticket price £18 |
Trains per day 4 |
Direct trains 4 |
Fastest train 5h 0m |
First train 04:50 |
Last train 17:37 |
Train companies: Renfe ALVIA, Renfe Intercity, Renfe (13), Renfe Viajeros, Ouigo from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian trainsRenfe ALVIA, Renfe Intercity, Renfe (13), Renfe Viajeros, Ouigo trains will get you between Madrid and Donostia-San Sebastian from £15. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Renfe ALVIA
Renfe Intercity
Renfe (13)
Renfe Viajeros
Ouigo
Trains from Madrid to San Sebastian
With between 9 and 12 departures a day, every day of the week, travelling by train from Madrid to San Sebastian is very straightforward. There are several direct routes, while some others require a connection, giving varied journey times from just under 5 hours to around 15 hours. The first train departs in the morning and service continues until early evening. All departures are from Madrid Chamartin with arrivals at San Sebastian Donostia Station.
Which train companies travel from Madrid to San Sebastian?
Trains to San Sebastian from Madrid are operated by Renfe, the national rail carrier of Spain. Onboard services include comfortable seating with spacious legroom, wifi, power sockets and a choice of buffet or trolley catering.
How long is the train from Madrid to San Sebastian?
Direct train journeys to San Sebastian from Madrid vary in time. The fastest direct route is just under 5.5. hours with longer routes taking up to 7 hours. Routes that involve a connection at Tudela De Navarra or Vitoria-Gasteiz can match the direct route, with others taking up 15 hours depending on the waiting time for connecting trains.
How many trains are there from Madrid to San Sebastian?
There are between 9 and 12 daily departures on routes from Madrid to San Sebastian. A similar service operates seven days a week, although the first departure is slightly later at weekends. Departure times are spread throughout the day, ending in the early evening.
What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Madrid to San Sebastian?
Departure station:All departures are from Madrid Chamartin located approximately 1.5 miles north of the city centre. Local trains, or Cercanias, as well as Metro services, buses and taxis link the station to central Madrid and onwards to Madrid Barajas Airport. Station facilities include parking, taxi ranks, wifi, toilets, ATMs, bars, restaurants and a left luggage office.
Arrival station:Trains from Madrid to San Sebastian arrive at Donostia station which is conveniently near the historic city centre. It is linked to the San Sebastian Metro and a narrow-gauge railway which runs along the Basque coastline to Bilbao. Station facilities include parking, a taxi rank, toilets and restaurants.
FAQs: Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian 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 Donostia-San Sebastian, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Madrid and Donostia-San Sebastian
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week, with special rates arranged by nearby hotels.
- Restaurant Casa Mingo
- Café de Oriente
- Noodles King
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps.
- €0.60
- Hotel Príncipe Pío
- Acta Madfor Hotel
- Hotel Exe Moncloa
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Europcar
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platforms for regional and Cercanías trains
- Hall 2: Metro connections
- Metro: Line 6, Line 10
- Bus: Several lines available
- Cercanías: Lines C1, C7, C10
More options for your journey from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian
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