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Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia Trains

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Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia Trains

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Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia Train Tickets & Timetable

Direct Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia trains are usually Renfe Alvia services using high-speed tracks from Madrid before continuing over the conventional northern route into Gipuzkoa. Trains depart from Madrid Chamartin-Clara Campoamor and commonly call at Segovia Guiomar, Valladolid-Campo Grande, Burgos Rosa Manzano, Miranda de Ebro, Vitoria-Gasteiz, and Zumarraga before San Sebastian/Donostia. The rail distance is about 622 km, with the fastest direct trains taking around 5 hours 10 minutes and slower direct services taking about 5 hours 40 minutes. There are usually about 2 direct departures per day in each direction, with extra options possible by changing trains at Valladolid or Zaragoza depending on the date. One-way Alvia fares between Madrid and San Sebastian/Donostia start from about €25 ($27 USD) for advance Basico fares and can rise to around €100 ($108 USD) for flexible or higher-demand departures. Prices shown are starting from; final fares depend on class, time of booking, and availability. Rail Monsters accepts bookings 6 to 12 months ahead; book earlier for Easter Week, August holidays, Christmas/New Year, and Spanish long weekends.
5Aug
1
Seats
Madrid
San Sebastian

Each ticket has information about

Departure Time

Travel time

Arrival Time

Changes

Brand name / Train type

Ticket price

Morning trains

06:48
MadridMadrid Chamartín Clara Campoamor
6h 2m
12:50
San SebastianSan Sebastián/Donostia
Direct
High-speed
Renfe Alvia 04087
from
88 USD
1
6h 2m, Direct
06:48
MadridMadrid Chamartín Clara Campoamor
12:50
San SebastianSan Sebastián/Donostia
from
88 USD
1
Direct
High-speed
Renfe Alvia 04087

Day trains

14:43
MadridMadrid Chamartín Clara Campoamor
5h 32m
20:15
San SebastianSan Sebastián/Donostia
Direct
Intercit 04257
from
111 USD
1
5h 32m, Direct
14:43
MadridMadrid Chamartín Clara Campoamor
20:15
San SebastianSan Sebastián/Donostia
from
111 USD
1
Direct
Intercit 04257
17:41
MadridMadrid Chamartín Clara Campoamor
5h 39m
23:20
San SebastianSan Sebastián/Donostia
Direct
High-speed
Renfe Alvia 04167
from
88 USD
1
5h 39m, Direct
17:41
MadridMadrid Chamartín Clara Campoamor
23:20
San SebastianSan Sebastián/Donostia
from
88 USD
1
Direct
High-speed
Renfe Alvia 04167
day

First train

06:48
night

Last train

17:48
distance

Travel duration

5h 43m
daily-departure

Daily departures

3
departure-station

Departure station

Madrid
changes-type

Changes

direct
arrival-station

Arrival station

San Sebastian
ticket-price

Ticket price

$41
background

How to Book Train Tickets Online from Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia

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Flexible Exchanges & Cancellations
Exchange and cancellation conditions depend on the Renfe fare selected for the Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia Alvia. Flexible fares allow broader changes before departure, while lower advance fares may carry restrictions.
24/7 Human Customer Support
Human support is available 24/7 for Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia booking questions, timetable checks, seat selection help, and ticket change requests before travel.
Receive Your Tickets Instantly
After booking the Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia train, your ticket confirmation is sent by email. Most Renfe tickets are issued as e-tickets for presentation on a phone or printed copy.
Book Official Tickets Easily
Rail Monsters provides official tickets for the Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia train route on Renfe Alvia services. Select departures from Madrid Chamartin-Clara Campoamor to San Sebastian/Donostia station and confirm your seat online.
Secure Payment Options
Pay for Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia train tickets using major credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other supported digital payment methods. Online payments are processed with secure verification.

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

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Rail Monsters gives Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia travelers real-time train information, 24/7 human support, and mobile apps for iOS and Android. A single account can also manage train bookings in Spain and on other rail networks worldwide.

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Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia Route Overview

The Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia route links Spain's central plateau with the Basque coast, changing character after Burgos and Vitoria-Gasteiz as the line enters greener valleys and hill country. Alvia trains are built for mixed infrastructure, running at high speed on standard-gauge sections and then continuing on Iberian-gauge tracks after gauge-changing equipment. Seats on these trains are reserved, so every ticket is tied to a specific departure and coach. A useful route tip is to choose a daylight train for the approach through Gipuzkoa, where the line passes smaller Basque towns before reaching the coastal city.
time-s

Travel time

5h 43m

train-s

Train type

Renfe Alvia

fastest-s

Fastest trip

5h 11m

longest-s

Longest trip

6h 17m

Madrid

Madrid is Spain's capital and the main rail hub for long-distance services to northern Spain. Trains to San Sebastian/Donostia normally depart from Madrid Chamartin-Clara Campoamor, north of the city center and linked to Cercanias, Metro, taxis, and long-distance platforms.

Madrid Chamartin Clara Campoamor

Chamartín, Calle de Agustín de Foxá, Castilla, Chamartín, Madrid, Community of Madrid, 28036, Spain

Madrid Atocha

Estación del Arte, Paseo de la Infanta Isabel, Jerónimos, Retiro, Madrid, Community of Madrid, 28014, Spain

Madrid Principe Pio

Madrid-Príncipe Pío, Glorieta de San Vicente, Casa de Campo, Moncloa-Aravaca, Madrid, Community of Madrid, 28008, Spain

Madrid Cercanias (Atocha sub)

Atocha-Cercanías, Avenida de la Ciudad de Barcelona, Atocha, Arganzuela, Madrid, Community of Madrid, 28007, Spain

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5h 43m

San Sebastian

San Sebastian/Donostia is a Basque coastal city known for La Concha Bay, Parte Vieja pintxo bars, and the Kursaal area. San Sebastian/Donostia station sits beside the Urumea River, within walking distance of the city center and with local connections to nearby districts.

San Sebastian/Donostia

Donostia / San Sebastián, Frantzia pasealekua, Atotxa, Egia, Ipar-Ekialdea, San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Autonomous Community of the Basque Country, 20005, Spain

Available Ticket Classes

Renfe Alvia trains on the Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia route normally offer Standard class and Comfort class, both with reserved seating. Renfe fare families may include Basico, Elige, Elige Confort, and Premium depending on availability, with the fare family controlling change, cancellation, and seat-selection conditions. Standard class uses 2+2 seating, while Comfort class generally provides wider 2+1 seating on Alvia trainsets. This route is not an AVE-only high-speed corridor and is not served by Iryo or Ouigo Espana direct trains.
Economy Class
from
$69
Economy Class
Business class
from
$102
Business class

Practical Information for Alvia Travelers

Luggage icon
Renfe Alvia trains have defined luggage limits and onboard storage areas. Check suitcase size before traveling from Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia.
Luggage Allowance
Passengers may take up to 3 pieces of luggage, with each item weighing up to 25 kg. The combined dimensions of all pieces must not exceed 285 cm, measured as length + width + height.
Storage Facilities
Alvia coaches have overhead racks for smaller bags and suitcase areas near the ends of each coach. Keep tickets, passports, and valuables with you rather than in large cases placed away from your seat.
Special Items
Folded bicycles, skis, golf bags, and musical instruments can travel if packed and kept within Renfe size limits. Larger bicycles usually need to be folded or dismantled and carried in a protective bag.

Average rating & reviews

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Very kind and helpful staff who were very diligent and thorough in helping secure tickets for a sold out train. Thank you so much!
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Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia Map

The Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia rail route starts at Madrid Chamartin-Clara Campoamor, runs north through Segovia Guiomar and Valladolid-Campo Grande, then continues via Burgos Rosa Manzano, Miranda de Ebro, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Zumarraga, and Tolosa. Alvia trains use high-speed infrastructure south of Valladolid and conventional tracks through the Basque Country. The final section follows inland Gipuzkoa valleys before reaching San Sebastian/Donostia near the Urumea River.

Rail vs Bus vs Plane

Train

Changes

Travel time

Price from

Departures

Rating

Train

ALVIA

Changes

Direct

Travel time

5h 34m

Price from

$43

Departures

36

Rating

Train

Intercit

Changes

Direct

Travel time

5h 13m

Price from

$41

Departures

13

Rating

The train links Madrid Chamartin-Clara Campoamor with San Sebastian/Donostia station in about 5 hours 10 minutes on the fastest direct Alvia, avoiding airport transfers at both ends. Buses between Madrid and San Sebastian often take around 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours 30 minutes and may use Madrid Avenida de America or other coach terminals. Flights from Madrid to San Sebastian have a short airborne time, but access to Madrid-Barajas, check-in, security, and the transfer from San Sebastian Airport near Hondarribia add time. Rail also produces lower emissions than flying on this domestic route.
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 43m

$41-$125

Bus

Apprx.

6h 0m

$28-$60

Flight

Apprx.

1h 10m

$55-$220

Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia Train

Direct services between Madrid and San Sebastian/Donostia are mainly Renfe Alvia trains. Alvia trainsets can run up to 250 km/h (155 mph) on suitable high-speed sections, then continue on conventional northern lines at lower speeds. The fastest direct Alvia takes about 5 hours 10 minutes, while other direct departures take around 5 hours 40 minutes depending on stops and pathing. Some itineraries require a change, usually at Valladolid or Zaragoza, and may combine long-distance services with a connecting train. Standard and Comfort seating are available, with all seats reserved. Operator: Renfe.
Renfe Alvia
Renfe Alvia
Renfe Alvia uses variable-gauge trains on long-distance routes across Spain.
Learn more

Cities at Both Ends

Madrid combines royal sites such as the Palacio Real with the Prado, Retiro Park, and neighborhoods around Sol and Atocha, while northbound Alvia trains use Chamartin-Clara Campoamor. San Sebastian/Donostia faces La Concha Bay and is known for Parte Vieja, Monte Urgull, and its Basque food culture; trains arrive at San Sebastian/Donostia station beside the Urumea River.
Madrid
Madrid
Spain's principal rail hub, where high-speed, intercity, regional, and airport rail services converge.

FAQ about the Madrid - San Sebastian/Donostia Route

How do I book Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia train tickets?

Book Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia train tickets on Rail Monsters by entering your date, choosing a Renfe Alvia departure, selecting the available class and fare, and paying online. Rail Monsters accepts bookings 6 to 12 months ahead, and the iOS and Android apps can be used to manage the booking.

How much is the train from Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia?

One-way Renfe Alvia fares from Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia start from about €25 ($27 USD) for advance Basico fares and can rise to around €100 ($108 USD) for flexible or higher-demand departures. Prices shown are starting from; final fares depend on class, time of booking, and availability.

How fast is the Alvia from Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia?

Renfe Alvia trains can reach up to 250 km/h (155 mph) on high-speed sections used after leaving Madrid. Speeds are lower on the conventional northern line through Burgos, Vitoria-Gasteiz, and Gipuzkoa, which is why the full trip takes more than 5 hours.

Does Eurail cover Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia?

Eurail passes are valid on Renfe long-distance trains in Spain, including Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia Alvia services, but seat reservations are required and may carry a supplement. Rail Monsters sells individual tickets for this route.

How long is the Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia train?

The fastest direct Alvia train takes around 5 hours 10 minutes for the roughly 622 km trip from Madrid Chamartin-Clara Campoamor to San Sebastian/Donostia. Slower direct departures take about 5 hours 40 minutes, and connecting itineraries can take longer.
Learn more information at our
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