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Madrid to San Sebastian Trains

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Madrid to San Sebastian Train Tickets & Timetable

The Madrid to San Sebastian route primarily utilizes Alvia trains, which operate on both high-speed and conventional lines. Departing from Madrid Chamartin station, the service reaches San Sebastian (Donostia) in about 4 hours 50 minutes. It is recommended to book tickets online to secure better prices, as ticket availability can be limited during summer months. The price range for a one-way ticket is approximately €35–95 (around $38–105 USD). Use our search page for accurate timetable information, daily departures, and current prices. Our online schedule provides real-time updates on Madrid to San Sebastian train times and class availability.
5Apr
1
Seats
Madrid
San Sebastian/Donostia

Each ticket has information about

Departure Time

Travel time

Arrival Time

Changes

Brand name / Train type

Ticket price

Morning trains

07:20
MadridMadrid-Chamartín-Clara Campoamor
Secondary station
5h 30m
12:50
San Sebastian/DonostiaStation
Direct
High-speed
Renfe ALVIA 04087
from
6869 USD
1
5h 30m, Direct
07:20
MadridMadrid-Chamartín-Clara Campoamor
Secondary station
12:50
San Sebastian/DonostiaStation
from
6869 USD
1
Direct
High-speed
Renfe ALVIA 04087

Day trains

14:46
MadridMadrid-Chamartín-Clara Campoamor
Secondary station
5h 0m
19:46
San Sebastian/DonostiaStation
Direct
Intercit 04257
from
10826 USD
1
5h 0m, Direct
14:46
MadridMadrid-Chamartín-Clara Campoamor
Secondary station
19:46
San Sebastian/DonostiaStation
from
10826 USD
1
Direct
Intercit 04257
17:37
MadridMadrid-Chamartín-Clara Campoamor
Secondary station
5h 15m
22:52
San Sebastian/DonostiaStation
Direct
High-speed
Renfe ALVIA 04167
from
10304 USD
1
5h 15m, Direct
17:37
MadridMadrid-Chamartín-Clara Campoamor
Secondary station
22:52
San Sebastian/DonostiaStation
from
10304 USD
1
Direct
High-speed
Renfe ALVIA 04167
day

First train

07:20
night

Last train

17:37
distance

Travel duration

5h 15m
daily-departure

Daily departures

3
departure-station

Departure station

Madrid
changes-type

Changes

direct
arrival-station

Arrival station

San Sebastian/Donostia
ticket-price

Ticket price

$37
background

How to Book Train Tickets Online from Madrid to San Sebastian

1

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2

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4

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Flexible Exchanges & Cancellations
We offer exchange and cancellation policies to help you manage travel plans. Modify your Madrid to San Sebastian train tickets based on fare conditions and seat availability through our reservations service.
Secure Payment Options
Our online booking system offers secure transactions when you buy Madrid to San Sebastian tickets. Use various payment options including credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay through our safe booking process.
Book Official Tickets Easily
Rail Monsters provides official tickets for the Madrid to San Sebastian route, providing a reliable and authorized booking experience. Confirm and purchase your tickets online to receive a digital PDF or QR code for your journey.
24/7 Human Customer Support
Our human support team is available 24/7 to assist with your online ticket booking. Get answers to your questions and ensure a straightforward experience while purchasing your Spain rail tickets.
All Travel Classes
All travel classes are supported for this route. You can choose between Turista (Standard) and Preferente (First Class) options offered by the rail operator during the selection process.

Why Book Madrid to San Sebastian Train Tickets with Rail Monsters?

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Madrid to San Sebastian Route Overview

The journey from Madrid to San Sebastian connects the center of Iberia with the Atlantic coast. Trains depart from Madrid Chamartin, passing through cities like Valladolid and Burgos. The Alvia trains are equipped with tilting technology to maintain speed on winding sections of the track. Riders can choose from Turista and Preferente classes, with most services offering a cafe car. This route is favored by those traveling to the Basque Country for its culinary scene and international film festival.
time-s

Travel time

5h 15m

train-s

Train type

fastest-s

Fastest trip

5h 0m

longest-s

Longest trip

5h 30m

Madrid

Madrid - Spain's central capital known for the Prado Museum and Retiro Park. Trains to the north typically depart from Madrid Chamartin Clara Campoamor Station.

Madrid-Chamartín-Clara Campoamor

StationStation

Madrid Atocha

StationStation

Madrid Príncipe Pio

StationStation

Madrid - Atocha Cercanías

StationStation
arrowarrow

5h 15m

San Sebastian/Donostia

San Sebastian - A coastal city in the Basque Country famous for its circular bay and world-class gastronomy. The main station, Donostia-San Sebastian, is centrally located.

San Sebastian/Donostia

StationStation

Available Ticket Classes

On the Madrid to San Sebastian route, Renfe typically offers Turista (Standard) and Turista Plus or Preferente (First Class). Preferente class provides wider seats and access to station lounges at departure. Seats are assigned at the time of booking for all classes.
Economy Class
from
$6869
Economy Class
Business class
from
$7610
Business class

Practical Information for Alvia Travelers

Luggage icon
Luggage Guidelines on Spanish Trains. Traveling from Madrid to San Sebastian involves specific rules for baggage. Below are key points for items brought aboard Alvia and Intercity services:
Luggage Allowance
Passengers may bring up to three pieces of hand luggage with a total weight limit of 25 kg. The largest item should not exceed dimensions of 85 x 55 x 35 cm, ensuring space for all passengers in the designated areas.
Storage Facilities
Alvia trains feature overhead racks for small bags and large luggage areas near the carriage doors for suitcases. It is recommended to keep valuables in smaller bags that fit within your sight at your seat.
Special Items
Bicycles must be folded or disassembled and placed in a carrying bag on these services. Musical instruments and sports equipment are permitted if they fit within the standard luggage dimensions and do not obstruct aisles.

Average rating & reviews

4.7
starstarstarstarstar
Among mobile stores and search platforms
4.7
starstarstarstarstar
Among mobile stores and search platforms
Easy purchase and process
We went from Tokyo station to Hiroshima for the first time. We bought our tickets online, printed the tickets and had no issues. Great experience
avatarDenise Harston
Thank you very much for your support
Even with very short time frame you suceeded to change our tickets. We are very gratefull. You are the best.
avatarMitja Bostner
Thank you, David!
Could not thank David from Rail Monsters enough, i made a couple of errors in my booking for japan and he fixed them asap with no hassle, customer service A1
avatarAlan
Local Guide
Wonderful trip from Tokyo to Kyoto. Excellent service.
avatarMarius-Adrian Nicoara
Very kind and helpful staff
Very kind and helpful staff who were very diligent and thorough in helping secure tickets for a sold out train. Thank you so much!
avatarAllison Makhoul

Madrid to San Sebastian Map

Plan your trip from Madrid to San Sebastian across the Spanish rail network. The route starts at Madrid Chamartin and travels north on the high-speed line towards Valladolid. It then transitions to conventional tracks through Burgos and Victoria-Gasteiz before reaching the Basque coast. Looking out the window, you will see the transition from the dry Castilian plains to the green, mountainous landscapes of northern Spain. This rail transport connection is the primary link between the capital and the province of Gipuzkoa.

Rail vs Bus vs Plane

Train

Changes

Travel time

Price from

Departures

Rating

Train

ALVIA

Changes

Direct

Travel time

5h 22m

Price from

$24

Departures

33

Rating

Train

Intercit

Changes

Direct

Travel time

5h 0m

Price from

$37

Departures

13

Rating

Taking the train from Madrid to San Sebastian offers a balance of speed and center-to-center travel, avoiding the long security lines of airports. While buses are a cheaper alternative, they take significantly longer to cross the northern plateaus. Flights to San Sebastian airport are fast but require additional travel time as the airport is located 20km from the city center. The train remains a practical middle ground for travelers.
Greener choice

Plus, it’s a greener choice, reducing your carbon footprint

Travel time

Price range

Travel time

Price range

Travel time

Price range

Winner

Train

Apprx.

5h 15m

$37-$105

Bus

Apprx.

6h 15m

$42-$65

Flight

Apprx.

1h 5m

$75-$180

Cities at Both Ends

Madrid, the heart of Spain, is famous for the Royal Palace and its world-class art triangle. From Chamartin Station, the train heads to San Sebastian, a city renowned for its shell-shaped La Concha Bay and its dense concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants. San Sebastian is a cultural hub of the Basque region, formerly serving as the summer residence for Spanish royalty. Your journey concludes at the Estacion del Norte, just a short walk from the city center.
Madrid
Madrid
The capital of Spain, known for its rich cultural heritage and historic landmarks.

FAQ about the Madrid - San Sebastian Route

How much is the train from Madrid to San Sebastian?

A one-way train ticket from Madrid to San Sebastian typically costs between 45 EUR and 120 EUR (48 USD - 128 USD) depending on how far in advance you book. Prices vary based on the class of service and the flexibility of the fare.

How fast is the train from Madrid to San Sebastian?

The Alvia trains on this route reach maximum speeds of 250 km/h (155 mph) on high-speed lines. The total journey time is usually just under 5 hours, making it faster than driving.

Which station does the train from Madrid to San Sebastian depart from?

Trains for this northern route depart from Madrid Chamartin Clara Campoamor Station. It is easily accessible via the Madrid Metro lines 1 and 10, or by Cercanias commuter trains from Atocha.

Is there a direct train from Madrid to San Sebastian?

Yes, there are several direct Alvia and Intercity daily services that do not require a change of trains. Some regional options may require a transfer in cities like Valladolid, but direct bookings are the standard choice.
Learn more information at our
Country Guide

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