Getting from Madrid to San Sebastian

[Luz de Luna]

Hello fellow pilgrims, we are starting the Norte on June 7. Any advice on the best way to get to San Sabastian from Madrid? Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[MassNative]

Looks like Planes, Trains and Bus are all options. Rome2Rio is your friend:

https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Madrid/Donostia-San-Sebasti%C3%A1n#trips

 

[trecile]

Rome2Rio.com says that the train is the best.

https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Madrid/Donostia-San-Sebasti%C3%A1n

You can buy tickets from Renfe.

Renfe - Inicio Compra

PAGINAS OFICIALES DE RENFE, HORARIOS, COMPRA, VENTA, BILLETES,

venta.renfe.com

 

[Luz de Luna]

Looks like Planes, Trains and Bus are all options. Rome2Rio is your friend:

https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Madrid/Donostia-San-Sebasti%C3%A1n#trips

Thank you.

 

[Luz de Luna]

Rome2Rio.com says that the train is the best.

https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Madrid/Donostia-San-Sebasti%C3%A1n

You can buy tickets from Renfe.

Renfe - Inicio Compra

PAGINAS OFICIALES DE RENFE, HORARIOS, COMPRA, VENTA, BILLETES,

venta.renfe.com

Thank you.

 

[BarbaraW]

Just done this journey today! I went by bus from Madrid as it was considerably cheaper than train when I booked. Alsa.es is the website, takes 5.5 - 6 hours, depending on which departure you book - there are many. There may be other companies doing this route eg Flixbus. Bus prices are static whereas the train fares can vary, like airlines.
On my slower bus there was a 30 minute rest stop in Lerma. There's a toilet on the bus, as well as a little tablet with films etc built in to the back of the seat in front. But I find it much less comfortable than the train. Spanish trains are really spacious and the long distance ones all have cafe bars.

 

[BarbaraW]

If you're flying into Madrid and not staying there some of the buses pick up at the airport, which may be easier. San Sebastian is lovely, compact with an interesting old quarter, good food and lots of places to stay. Cheaper than Madrid, though it may be different in high season.

 

[Luz de Luna]

If you're flying into Madrid and not staying there some of the buses pick up at the airport, which may be easier. San Sebastian is lovely, compact with an interesting old quarter, good food and lots of places to stay. Cheaper than Madrid, though it may be different in high season.

That is interesting, thank you for that information. Do you know how long to bus ride up to SanSabastian is? Also the site to see bus schedules and pre purchase tickets?

 

[trecile]

Do you know how long to bus ride up to SanSabastian is?

Click on the Rome2Rio link in post #2 - it will tell you how long the different transportation options take, and you can click through to the provider. Also, make sure that you spell San Sebastián correctly. There is an e in it. And its name in Basque is Donostia.

 

[BarbaraW]

Luz, as in my previous post the bus takes five and a half to six hours. It will be a bit less from the airport. The website for tickets is alsa.es

 

[ProGearKJ5]

Hello fellow pilgrims, we are starting the Norte on June 7. Any advice on the best way to get to San Sabastian from Madrid? Thank you in advance for your help.

I flew from Madrid to the San Sebastian/Irun Airport using Iberia airlines last year and it was relatively inexpensive and a very efficient connection. Obviously more than a bus or train but was worth it to me an at least worth checking out.

 

[ROjeda]

Hola from Puente la Reina. I took a flight from Iberia, cheap and worked just fine.