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Say hello to Your Account
All your tickets and travel info, all in one place. Easy as that.
Got a question? Our support team are on hand 24/7.
Search. Book. Travel.
No more fumbling in your pockets
Digital tickets live neatly in our app, so you can just tap, scan and go.
All your tickets, all in the palm of your hand.
Search. Book. Travel.
Looking for a cheap price?
Look no further. Compare tickets easily with our price calendar.
We’ll find you the cheapest day to travel.
Search. Book. Travel.
Say hello to Your Account
All your tickets and travel info, all in one place. Easy as that.
Got a question? Our support team are on hand 24/7.
Search. Book. Travel.
No more fumbling in your pockets
Digital tickets live neatly in our app, so you can just tap, scan and go.
All your tickets, all in the palm of your hand.
Search. Book. Travel.
Looking for a cheap price?
Look no further. Compare tickets easily with our price calendar.
We’ll find you the cheapest day to travel.
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Travel from Bilbao to Santander by train in 10 hours 14 minutes
If you want to know more about the journey from Bilbao to Santander by train, look no further!
The average journey time from Bilbao to Santander by train is 17 hours 21 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 10 hours 14 minutes. You'll usually find 2 trains per day traveling the 74 km between these two destinations. You'll need to make 2 changes along the way as there are no direct services to Santander. This route is served by Renfe, Spain's main rail operator. You're likely to be traveling on one of their high-speed trains – AVE, Avlo, Avant, Alvia or AV-City – or a regional Media Distancia, Regional or Express Regional train during your journey.
Book train tickets from Bilbao to Santander in advance instead of buying them on the day and they can start from $10.57. We'll always highlight the cheapest prices when you search in our Journey Planner.
Ready to book? Start your search for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information, including our train schedule where you can view first and last train times, as well as tips on how to find cheap train tickets.
Bilbao to Santander by train
It takes an average of 17h 21m to travel from Bilbao to Santander by train, over a distance of around 46 miles (74 km). There are normally 2 trains per day traveling from Bilbao to Santander and tickets for this journey start from $10.57 when you book in advance.
FAQs about the train journey from Bilbao to Santander
Want to know more about your journey from Bilbao to Santander? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
Are there direct trains from Bilbao to Santander?
What's the distance between Bilbao and Santander by train?
Who runs the trains from Bilbao to Santander?
Can you travel from Bilbao to Santander without taking a flight?
What is the best way to get to Santander from Bilbao?
What time is the first train from Bilbao to Santander?
What time is the last train from Bilbao to Santander?
How often do trains go from Bilbao to Santander?
Do you need to prebook train tickets from Bilbao to Santander?
Is there a return trip from Bilbao to Santander?
Renfe trains from Bilbao to Santander
Renfe is the national train operator in Spain. It operates trains on the longest high-speed railway network in Europe, and the second-longest in the world. The country's major cities are linked up by the high-speed AVE and Avlo trains, while other long-distance routes are served by Altaria, Talgo, Alvia and Euromed trains. Renfe also operates cross-border services into neighbouring Portugal and France. Depending on which service you are travelling on, you'll usually find two classes on Renfe trains - Estándard (Standard Class) and Confort (First Class). Fare types range from the cheapest (but least flexible) Básico fare, to the more flexible Elige fares, to the Premium fare for seats in Confort carriages.
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Cheap train tickets from Bilbao to Santander
Book in advance
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Bilbao to Santander by booking early.§
Be flexible with your travel times
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
Choose a slower or connecting train
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Look out for special deals
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.
* Based on European average monthly visitors to Trainline’s app and website from 1.1.2023 to 10.31.2023 vs other independent retailers.