There are 4 ways to get from Santander to Bilbao by bus, train (Renfe), rideshare, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Santander to Bilbao by bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Santander to Bilbao is to rideshare which costs €4 - €9 and takes 1h 30m.
The fastest way to get from Santander to Bilbao is to drive which takes 1h 10m and costs €15 - €23.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Estación de autobuses de Santander and arriving at Bilbao Intermodal. Services depart hourly, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 1h 30m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Santander and arriving at Bilbao. Services depart three times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 3h 10m.
The distance between Santander and Bilbao is 100 km. The road distance is 101.5 km.
The best way to get from Santander to Bilbao without a car is to bus which takes 1h 30m and costs €8 - €14.
The bus from Estación de autobuses de Santander to Bilbao Intermodal takes 1h 30m including transfers and departs hourly.
Santander to Bilbao bus services, operated by ALSA, depart from Estación de autobuses de Santander station.
Santander to Bilbao train services, operated by Renfe Viajeros, depart from Santander station.
The best way to get from Santander to Bilbao is to bus which takes 1h 30m and costs €8 - €14. Alternatively, you can train, which costs €8 - €22 and takes 3h 10m.
What companies run services between Santander, Spain and Bilbao, Spain?
ALSA operates a bus from Estación de autobuses de Santander to Bilbao Intermodal hourly. Tickets cost €8–14 and the journey takes 1h 30m. FlixBus also services this route twice a week. Alternatively, Renfe Viajeros operates a train from Santander to Bilbao 3 times a day. Tickets cost €8–22 and the journey takes 3h 10m.
Rome2Rio's guide to Renfe Viajeros
Contact Details
- Phone
- +34 91 232 03 20
- Website
- Renfe Viajeros
Train from Santander to Bilbao
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 10m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- €8–22
- Website
- Renfe Viajeros
- Phone
- +34 910 207 007
- Website
- ALSA
Bus from Estación de autobuses de Santander to Bilbao Intermodal
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €8–14
- Website
- ALSA
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- [email protected]
- Website
- Flixbus
Bus from Estación de autobuses de Santander to Bilbao Intermodal
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- €9–14
- Website
- Flixbus
- Website
- BlaBlaCar.es
Rideshare from Santander to Bilbao
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €4–9
- Schedules at
- BlaBlaCar.es
Want to know more about travelling around Spain
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Related travel guides
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Booking & Getting There
Santander to Bilbao bus services, operated by ALSA, arrive at Bilbao Intermodal station.
Santander to Bilbao train services, operated by Renfe Viajeros, arrive at Bilbao station.
Yes, the driving distance between Santander to Bilbao is 101 km. It takes approximately 1h 10m to drive from Santander to Bilbao.
Book your Santander to Bilbao train tickets online with Omio.
Book your Santander to Bilbao bus tickets online with Omio, 12go.asia and FlixBus.
There are 1684+ hotels available in Bilbao.
Check out Blablacar's carpooling service for rideshare options between Santander and Bilbao. A great option if you don't have a driver's licence or want to avoid public transport.