Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian train with Renfe ALVIA

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The cheapest and fastest trains from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian

Showing times and prices for 09 Jul

Cheapest price

£86

Average price

£121

Fastest journey

4 h 55 m

Average duration

5 h 19 m

Trains per day

Distance

352 km

Cheap tickets

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 £121 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £86.

Fast trains

Of the 44 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 19 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 55 m .

The slowest trains will take 5 h 47 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.

18061

09:067h42

Madrid Príncipe Pío

16:48Donostia-San Sebastián

£861One-way

0 changes

18063

12:257h53

Madrid Príncipe Pío

20:18Donostia-San Sebastián

£861One-way

0 changes

04087

07:205h23

Madrid Chamartín

12:43Donostia-San Sebastián

£931One-way

0 changes

04257

14:464h55

Madrid Chamartín

19:41Donostia-San Sebastián

£981One-way

0 changes

04261+

18061

06:499h59

Madrid Chamartín

16:48Donostia-San Sebastián

£991One-way

1 change

Travel 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 train with prices starting from £24. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 44m. 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 train costs an average of £24, and a flight costs an average of £34.

Distance: 352 km

Compare train with

Most popular Train	Coach	Flight
£52 Average Price Cheapest	£69 Average Price	£276 Average Price
6h 9m Average total duration 5h 39m Onboard + 30m Additional time*	18h 10m Average total duration 17h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time*	4h 44m Average total duration Fastest 1h 44m 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

Showing trains for today, Tuesday 8 July

Last updated at 02:28

Provider	Departs	Duration	Arrives	Changes
08069+18063	On time 04:36 Madrid Chamartín	13h42	18:18 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
08069+18061	On time 04:36 Madrid Chamartín	10h12	14:48 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
04261+18061	04:49 Madrid Chamartín	9h59	14:48 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
04261+18063	04:49 Madrid Chamartín	13h29	18:18 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
04087+18061	On time 05:20 Madrid Chamartín	9h28	14:48 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
04187+18063	On time 05:20 Madrid Chamartín	12h58	18:18 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
04187+18061	On time 05:20 Madrid Chamartín	9h28	14:48 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
04073+18061	On time 05:45 Madrid Chamartín	9h03	14:48 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
08079+18061	On time 05:51 Madrid Chamartín	8h57	14:48 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
08079+18063	On time 05:51 Madrid Chamartín	12h27	18:18 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
04687+18061	On time 06:40 Madrid Chamartín	8h08	14:48 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
04687+18063	On time 06:40 Madrid Chamartín	11h38	18:18 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
04091+18063	07:00 Madrid Chamartín	11h18	18:18 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
04091+18061	07:00 Madrid Chamartín	7h48	14:48 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
18061	07:06 Madrid Príncipe Pío	7h42	14:48 Donostia-San Sebastián	0 changesdirect
05763+18063	On time 07:25 Madrid Chamartín	10h53	18:18 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
05763+18061	On time 07:25 Madrid Chamartín	7h23	14:48 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
08109+18061	On time 08:15 Madrid Chamartín	6h33	14:48 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
08109+18063	On time 08:15 Madrid Chamartín	10h03	18:18 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
08109+04167	On time 08:15 Madrid Chamartín	12h32	20:47 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
08129+18063	On time 10:05 Madrid Chamartín	8h13	18:18 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
08129+04167	On time 10:05 Madrid Chamartín	10h42	20:47 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
18063	10:25 Madrid Príncipe Pío	7h53	18:18 Donostia-San Sebastián	0 changesdirect
04121+04167	On time 11:00 Madrid Chamartín	9h47	20:47 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
04121+18063	11:00 Madrid Chamartín	7h18	18:18 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
05817+04167	On time 12:23 Madrid Chamartín	8h24	20:47 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
04257+04167	On time 12:46 Madrid Chamartín	8h01	20:47 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
05721+04167	On time 12:59 Madrid Chamartín	7h48	20:47 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
04161+04167	On time 14:49 Madrid Chamartín	5h58	20:47 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
08179+04167	On time 15:00 Madrid Chamartín	5h47	20:47 Donostia-San Sebastián	1 change
04167	On time 15:37 Madrid Chamartín	5h10	20:47 Donostia-San Sebastián	0 changesdirect
This is the last train of the day.

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Compare prices and tickets Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian by train, coach or flight

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28 Jul

How far in advance should I book train tickets from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian?

The best time to book your train from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian is 77 days before departure. See how prices for trains change on the Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian route.

Prices are for one-way tickets for one passenger from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian 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 Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian.

Trains

from £34

Coaches

from £39

Flights

from £79

Journey information

Overview: Train from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian

Spain

Trains from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian run on average 4 times per day, taking around 5h 39m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £24 if you book in advance.

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

Distance

352 km

Average train duration

5h 39m

Cheapest ticket price

£24

Trains per day

Direct trains

Fastest train

4h 55m

First train

04:50

Last train

17:38

Price information

Train providers: Renfe (3), Renfe and Renfe Intercity trains Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian

Buy your official Renfe (3), Renfe and Renfe Intercity train tickets to Donostia-San Sebastian from Madrid from £21 with Omio. Find train times and tickets for over 1000 travel companies to compare and book the most convenient trip.

Renfe is a Spanish train company that operates throughout the country including trains between Madrid and Donostia-San Sebastian. It offers a wide range of services, including high-speed AVE trains, regional trains, and night trains. The AVE trains are the fastest and most comfortable way to travel, with speeds of up to 300 km/h. Regional trains are slower but offer more stops and are ideal for shorter trips. Night trains are a great way to save money and time, as they allow you to travel overnight and arrive at your destination in the morning. Renfe offers several types of tickets, including single tickets, return tickets, and season tickets. Onboard facilities include comfortable seating, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and power outlets. The most popular routes for Renfe are Madrid-Barcelona, Madrid-Seville, and Madrid-Valencia. These routes offer travelers the chance to explore some of Spain's most beautiful cities in comfort and style.

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.

Train information from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian with Renfe ALVIA:

Average Duration: 4 h 54 min
Cheapest Price: £21

Renfe Intercity is a high-speed train service operated by the Spanish national railway company, Renfe. It operates throughout Spain, connecting major cities and towns with frequent departures throughout the day. The Intercity service offers a variety of train types, including the Alvia and Talgo, all of which offer comfortable seating and modern amenities. Alvia and Talgo offer fast trains but not as fast the high-speed trains like AVE, offering more stops. Passengers can choose from a range of ticket types, including Economy, Business, and First Class. Onboard facilities include Wi-Fi, power outlets, and a selection of snacks and drinks. The most popular routes for Renfe Intercity include Madrid to Barcelona, Madrid to Seville, and Barcelona to Valencia.

Train information from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian with Renfe Intercity:

Average Duration: 4 h 47 min
Cheapest Price: £28

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.

Renfe trains from Madrid to San Sebastián

Renfe is Spain's national train operator and connects the country's main points of interest. In addition, Renfe has the largest high-speed network in Europe with AVE and Alvia trains. Other Renfe train types are Altaria, Euromed and Talgo. All Renfe trains are equipped with an on-board bistro, toilets, air conditioning and many of them with Wi-Fi.

At Omio you can easily check the Renfe timetable for your trip and book cheap Renfe tickets from Madrid to San Sebastián. When booking, you can choose different classes (Tourist, Tourist Plus, Preferred and Club), the seat and the type of ticket you want (Promo, Promo+, Flexible or Round Trip). If you have a Renfe discount card, you can specify it when you buy your ticket at Omio and take advantage of many offers. For information on ticket cancellation, please visit our Help centre.

Renfe

More information

More information:	Trains in Spain
More information:	Renfe
More information:	Book your trains in Europe
More information:	Cheap train tickets
More information:	High speed trains in Europe

FAQs: Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian train

FAQs: Travel by train from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian.

Cheap train tickets from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian can start from as little as £4 when you book in advance. The average train ticket price for Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian is £43; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.

The average journey time by train from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian is 4 h 55 min to travel the 218 mile long trip, with around there are 4 trains per day. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays.

The first train from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian leaves at 04: 50. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.

The last train from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian leaves at 17: 38.

Yes, it is possible to travel from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian without having to change trains with Renfe ALVIA, Renfe Intercity or Renfe (13). There are 4 direct trains from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian each day. There may be fewer direct services available on weekends or holidays.

Take the Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian train with Renfe ALVIA, Renfe Intercity, Renfe (13) or AVE. However, it's always good to check out all possible train companies for the journey between Madrid and Donostia-San Sebastian as there might be differences in the amenities they offer.

Passengers board the train most frequently from Madrid Chamartín, which is located around 4.8 miles (7.8 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the train at Donostia-San Sebastián, located 1.9 miles (3 km) away from the city centre.

A trip to Donostia-San Sebastian from Madrid is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 4 h 55 min each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.

The cheapest month for a train from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian is September.

You have options as you can travel between Madrid and Donostia-San Sebastian 3 different ways: train, coach or flight.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Madrid and Donostia-San Sebastian

Madrid

Donostia-San Sebastian

The major train station for departures in Madrid is Madrid Chamartín. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Madrid Chamartín for your trip from Madrid to Donostia-San Sebastian.

Madrid Chamartín Parking