How to travel from San Sebastián to Bilbao, Spain

The distance between San Sebastián and Bilbao is around 98km (61 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take a taxi which takes around 1hr.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from San Sebastián to Bilbao by bus, train, taxi and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out BilbaoSan Sebastián if you're planning a return trip.

1
bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Bilboko Autobus Geltokia.

  • Duration1h 15m
  • Departsevery 30 mins
  • Typical cost
    €12($12)
Operated by

Lurraldebus Transportes Pesa S.A.

+ 4 others
💰 Cheapest
2
train
+

Train

Take the train to Zazpikaleak/Casco Viejo-Bilbao.

  • Duration2h 30m
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    €7($7)
Operated by

Euskotren

🚀 Fastest
3
taxi
+

Taxi

Take a taxi to Bilbao.

  • Duration1hr
  • Departson demand
  • Typical cost
    €160($160)
Operated by

Taxi Donosti

+ 1 others
4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Bilbao.

  • Duration1hr
  • Distance98km (61 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between San Sebastián and Bilbao

There are several options for getting from San Sebastián to Bilbao by bus, train, taxi and car. The cheapest option is to take the train which costs around €7 ($7) and will take around 2h 30m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take a taxi and arrive in approximately 1hr, though it is a bit more costly at approximately €160 ($160).

The distance between San Sebastián and Bilbao is around 98km (61 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 77km (48 miles)

It takes around 1h 15m to get from San Sebastián and Bilbao by bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1hr to drive there.

The quickest way to get from San Sebastián to Bilbao is to take a taxi which takes around 1hr and will set you back approx €160 ($160).

The cheapest way to travel between San Sebastián and Bilbao, if you exclude driving, is to take the train which will typically cost around €7 ($7) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between San Sebastián and Bilbao. It typically takes around 2h 30m and departs hourly.

Yes there is a direct train service that runs between San Sebastián and Bilbao with no changeovers required. The train runs hourly and takes 2h 30m.

Euskotren run train services between San Sebastián and Bilbao. Trains depart hourly and will take around 2h 30m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from San Sebastián and Bilbao. It typically takes around 1h 15m and departs hourly.

Yes there is a direct bus service that runs between San Sebastián and Bilbao with no changeovers required. The bus runs hourly and takes 1h 15m.

Lurraldebus Transportes Pesa S.A., FlixBus, Socibus and Blablabus run regular bus services between San Sebastián and Bilbao. Buses run hourly and take around 1h 15m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from San Sebastián to Bilbao. We recommend that you take the bus to Bilboko Autobus Geltokia. instead which will take 1h 15m.

The closest major airport to Bilbao is Bilbao Airport (BIO) (BIO) which is approximately 5km (3 miles) from Bilbao. Vitoria Airport (VIT) (VIT) and Santander Airport (SDR) (SDR) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from San Sebastián and Bilbao. The distance is around 98km (61 miles) by road and it will take around 1hr in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from San Sebastián to Bilbao is to take the bus which takes, on average, 1h 15m and will usually cost around €12 ($12).

How do I get from San Sebastián to Bilbao

Compare travel optionsbetween San Sebastián and Bilbao

Transport options from San Sebastián to Bilbao
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Bus
1h 15m
€12($12)
every 30 mins100km (62 miles)
Train
2h 30m
€7($7)
hourly104km (65 miles)
Taxi
1hr
€160($160)
on demand98km (61 miles)
Drive
1hr
€12($12)
on demand98km (61 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between San Sebastián and Bilbao

Bus companies

Train operators

Airports near Bilbao

The following major airports near Bilbao offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Spain and internationally.

BIO
Bilbao Airport (BIO)
International Airport
Distance
5km (3 miles) from Bilbao
VIT
Vitoria Airport (VIT)
Domestic Airport
Distance
46km (28 miles) from Bilbao
SDR
Santander Airport (SDR)
Domestic Airport
Distance
74km (46 miles) from Bilbao