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Renfe
Renfe Avlo

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Each fare is the lowest adult economy ticket fare found by our customers on Trainline. Fares booked further in advance than the dates displayed may be cheaper. Prices are updated daily, subject to change and indicative of price last update. Limited availability. Discount cards and coach journeys excluded, prices exclusive of booking fee.

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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.

First train

09:20

Last train

16:27

Departure station

Santander

Arrival station

Bilbao

Journey time

From 8h 55m

Distance

46 miles (74 km)

Frequency

2 trains per day

Changes

2 changes

Price

From £7.87

Train and bus operators

Renfe, ALSA

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.

How do you get to Bilbao from Santander?

To travel to Bilbao from Santander, you can take the train - on average, the journey takes around 14 hours and 14 minutes, though the fastest trains can take 8 hours and 55 minutes. Alternatively, you can also take the bus from Santander to Bilbao. Use our Journey Planner to get more information.

How long is the train ride from Santander to Bilbao?

Trains from Santander to Bilbao take an average of 14 hours and 14 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 8 hours and 55 minutes. You'll usually find 2 trains per day on this route, so use our Journey Planner to check specific dates as times may vary.

How much does it cost to get from Santander to Bilbao by train?

Train tickets from Santander to Bilbao can start from £7.87 when booked in advance, but they’re usually more expensive if bought on the day of travel. Prices may also vary depending on the time of day, route, and class you choose.

What is the quickest journey time between Santander and Bilbao by train?

The quickest journey time between Santander and Bilbao by train is 8 hours and 55 minutes.

Santander to Bilbao train times

Check out the next trains departing from Santander to Bilbao for Sunday 23rd March 2025. For the full train timetable/schedule, or to search for a later time or date, click here.
DepartsArrivesDuration
07:14Santander Estación18:15Bilbao Abando11h 1m, 2 changes
16:27Santander Estación12:00Bilbao Abando19h 33m, 2 changes
09:20Santander Estación18:15Bilbao Abando8h 55m, 2 changes
09:20Santander Estación18:15Bilbao Abando8h 55m, 2 changes

Renfe trains from Santander to Bilbao

You can travel from Santander to Bilbao on Renfe trains. When you search for times and tickets, we might also show you some other options with multiple connections or operators if they’re available.

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.

Cheap train tickets from Santander to Bilbao

The price of train tickets from Santander to Bilbao starts at £7.87 one-way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. Booking on the day is usually more expensive and costs can vary depending on the time of day, route or class.

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.

§Some train companies may not offer any Advance ticket types or cheaper deals for early bookings. On rare occasions, train companies may choose to release special offers closer to the date on last-minute or late-release tickets. This is dependent on the individual train operating company you travel with.

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