San Sebastian/Donostia to Madrid Trains

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24/7 Human Customer Support

Human support agents are available 24/7 by chat, email, or phone for questions about Donostia-San Sebastian station, Madrid-Chamartin arrivals, seat reservations, or ticket changes on this route.

Book Official Tickets Easily

Rail Monsters provides official tickets for the San Sebastian/Donostia to Madrid route on Renfe Alvia services. Select Donostia-San Sebastian as your departure station and Madrid-Chamartin Clara Campoamor as your arrival station when booking online.

Secure Payment Options

Pay for San Sebastian/Donostia to Madrid train tickets with major credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other supported digital payment methods. Payment checks use secure online verification for Spanish rail bookings.

Flexible Exchanges & Cancellations

Exchange and cancellation options depend on the Renfe fare selected for the San Sebastian/Donostia to Madrid Alvia. Flexible fares usually allow changes before departure, while the lowest advance fares are more restricted.

Receive Your Tickets Instantly

After checkout, San Sebastian/Donostia to Madrid e-tickets are sent by email. Present the ticket barcode on a phone or printed copy at the station access control before boarding the Alvia.

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San Sebastian/Donostia to Madrid Route Overview

This route links the Bay of Biscay with central Spain, leaving the green Gipuzkoa valleys before crossing the Castilian plateau through Burgos and Valladolid. Its distinctive feature is the Alvia train's gauge-changing operation, which lets the same train use Iberian-gauge conventional track in the Basque Country and standard-gauge high-speed infrastructure nearer Madrid. Seat reservation is standard on long-distance Renfe services, so passengers travel with an assigned coach and seat rather than an open non-reserved ticket. Choose a window seat on the early part of the route for views of the Urumea valley and inland Basque hills after leaving Donostia-San Sebastian.

Travel time

5h 29m

Train type

Renfe Alvia

Fastest trip

5h 12m

Longest trip

5h 55m

San Sebastian

San Sebastian, officially Donostia-San Sebastian, is a Basque coastal city known for La Concha bay, the Parte Vieja, and pintxo bars around Calle 31 de Agosto. Donostia-San Sebastian station sits by the Urumea River, a short walk from the city center and connected to local buses and Euskotren services nearby.

San Sebastian/Donostia

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

5h 29m

Madrid

Madrid is Spain's capital, with the Prado, Reina Sofia, Royal Palace, Retiro Park, and major business districts spread around the center. Long-distance trains from San Sebastian/Donostia arrive at Madrid-Chamartin Clara Campoamor, north of the center, with Metro, Cercanias, and onward high-speed rail connections.

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

Available Ticket Classes

Renfe Alvia trains on the San Sebastian/Donostia to Madrid route usually offer Standard and Comfort seating, sold through fare families such as Basico, Elige, Elige Confort, and Premium depending on availability. Basico is the lowest-price fare and normally has stricter change and refund rules. Elige adds more flexible ticket conditions and may allow seat preference or upgrades. Elige Confort and Premium use Comfort seats where available, with more space and additional fare benefits. Seat reservation is included on long-distance Alvia services.

from

$69

Economy Class

from

$102

Business class

Practical Information for Alvia Travelers

Renfe long-distance luggage rules apply on Alvia services between San Sebastian/Donostia and Madrid. Keep bags within the permitted size because station access controls may check large items.

Luggage Allowance

Passengers may take up to 3 pieces of luggage, with each item up to 25 kg and total combined dimensions up to 285 cm. The largest single item should not exceed 85 x 55 x 35 cm under standard Renfe long-distance rules.

Storage Facilities

Alvia trains have overhead racks for smaller bags and luggage shelves at the ends of coaches for larger suitcases. Keep valuables and documents at your seat, especially on the longer stops at Burgos, Valladolid, or Segovia.

Special Items

Folded bicycles, scooters, skis, golf bags, and musical instruments can travel if packed and within Renfe's special-item size rules. Fully assembled bicycles are not normally accepted on Alvia unless a specific permitted arrangement applies.

Average rating & reviews

4.7

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4.7

Among mobile stores and search platforms

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San Sebastian/Donostia to Madrid Map

The San Sebastian/Donostia to Madrid route starts at Donostia-San Sebastian station, runs inland through Gipuzkoa toward Zumarraga and Vitoria-Gasteiz, then continues via Miranda de Ebro and Burgos Rosa Manzano. South of Burgos and Valladolid, Alvia services use upgraded and high-speed sections toward Segovia Guiomar and Madrid-Chamartin Clara Campoamor. The line crosses Basque valleys, the Ebro area near Miranda, and the open Castilian plateau.

Rail vs Bus vs Plane

Train

Changes

Travel time

Price from

Departures

Rating

Train

ALVIA

Changes

Direct

Travel time

5h 31m

Price from

$26

Departures

Rating

Train

Intercit

Changes

Direct

Travel time

5h 18m

Price from

$33

Departures

Rating

The train runs from Donostia-San Sebastian station to Madrid-Chamartin, avoiding airport transfers at both ends. Buses between San Sebastian and Madrid usually take 5 hours 45 minutes to 7 hours, often using Madrid Avenida de America, with fewer onboard movement options than rail. Flights from San Sebastian Airport to Madrid-Barajas take about 1 hour 10 minutes in the air, but airport access, check-in, security, and baggage collection add substantial time. Rail also has a lower carbon footprint than flying on this domestic corridor.

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 29m

$26-$125

Bus

Apprx.

6h 15m

$25-$55

Flight

Apprx.

1h 10m

$55-$220

San Sebastian/Donostia to Madrid Bullet Train

The main direct service between San Sebastian/Donostia and Madrid is Renfe Alvia. Alvia trains are built for mixed networks and can reach up to 250 km/h (155 mph) on high-speed sections, while running at lower speeds on conventional track in the Basque Country. The fastest San Sebastian/Donostia to Madrid departures take about 5 hours 5 minutes with a limited stop pattern through Vitoria-Gasteiz, Burgos, Valladolid, and Segovia. Slower direct services make additional intermediate stops and can take around 6 hours 30 minutes. Classes are sold as Standard and Comfort seating through Renfe fare families such as Basico, Elige, Elige Confort, and Premium. Operator: Renfe.

Renfe Alvia

Renfe Alvia uses variable-gauge trains on long-distance routes across Spain.

Learn more

Cities at Both Ends

San Sebastian, or Donostia in Basque, faces La Concha bay and has a compact old town near the Urumea River; trains leave from Donostia-San Sebastian station. Madrid is Spain's capital, home to the Prado, Royal Palace, Gran Via, and Retiro Park; arrivals use Madrid-Chamartin Clara Campoamor with Metro and Cercanias links.

Madrid

Spain's principal rail hub, where high-speed, intercity, regional, and airport rail services converge.

FAQ about the San Sebastian/Donostia - Madrid Route

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

One-way fares start from about €25 ($27 USD) for advance Basico-style tickets and can rise to around €100 ($108 USD) for flexible or higher-class fares. Prices shown are starting from; final fares depend on class, time of booking, and availability.

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

The fastest direct Alvia trains take about 5 hours 5 minutes from Donostia-San Sebastian to Madrid-Chamartin Clara Campoamor. Slower direct departures take around 6 hours 30 minutes, depending on stops and the path used across northern Castile.

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

Book through Rail Monsters by entering Donostia-San Sebastian as the departure station, Madrid-Chamartin Clara Campoamor as the arrival station, and selecting your travel date. Choose an Alvia departure, review the fare conditions, and pay online. Rail Monsters accepts bookings 6 to 12 months ahead and offers iOS and Android apps for managing tickets.

Does a rail pass cover San Sebastian/Donostia to Madrid?

Eurail and Interrail passes are valid on Renfe long-distance trains in Spain, including Alvia services, but a paid seat reservation is required before boarding. Rail Monsters sells individual tickets for the San Sebastian/Donostia to Madrid route.

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

Renfe Alvia trains can reach up to 250 km/h (155 mph) on high-speed sections closer to Madrid. Speeds are lower on conventional parts of the route through the Basque Country and around some intermediate stops.

Learn more information at our

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