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How to travel from Santander to Bilbao by train
Want to find out more about taking the train from Santander to Bilbao? Look no further.
There are around 2 trains per day running between Santander and Bilbao, which usually take 14 hours 14 minutes to complete the 46 miles (74 km) journey. It can take as little as 8 hours 55 minutes on the fastest services though, if you want to get there as quickly as possible. Although there aren't any direct services on this line, it's still easy to travel to Bilbao from Santander, you'll just need to make 2 changes along the way. You can travel on this route with Renfe, which is the main train operator in Spain and has the widest network of high-speed trains in Europe. During your trip, you may travel on one of their high-speed or regional services, all of which offer comfort and air-conditioning as standard.
You can save money on train tickets from Santander to Bilbao if you book in advance, as tickets usually start from £7.87. Use our Journey Planner at the top of the page to compare ticket prices and get the cheapest fares.
Want to book your train tickets now? Just start a search with us today. If you want to find out more about the journey, read on for timetables (including first and last train times), FAQs and tips on how to book cheap train tickets.
Santander to Bilbao by train
It takes an average of 14h 14m to travel from Santander to Bilbao by train, over a distance of around 46 miles (74 km). There are normally 2 trains per day travelling from Santander to Bilbao and tickets for this journey start from £7.87 when you book in advance.
FAQs about the train journey from Santander to Bilbao
Want to know more about your journey from Santander to Bilbao? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
Are there direct trains from Santander to Bilbao?
What's the distance between Santander and Bilbao by train?
Who runs the trains from Santander to Bilbao?
Can you travel from Santander to Bilbao without taking a flight?
What is the best way to get to Bilbao from Santander?
What time is the first train from Santander to Bilbao?
What time is the last train from Santander to Bilbao?
How often do trains go from Santander to Bilbao?
Do you need to prebook train tickets from Santander to Bilbao?
Is there a return trip from Santander to Bilbao?
Renfe trains from Santander to Bilbao
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 Santander to Bilbao
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 Santander to Bilbao 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.