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Travelling from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia by train

Looking to travel from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia by train? You've come to the right place!

On average, it takes around 9 hours 44 minutes to travel from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia by train, the fastest services can get you there in as little as 5 hours 46 minutes though. You'll usually find 4 trains per day running along the 251 miles (403 km) route between these two destinations. Once you're onboard, you can sit back and relax, as you won’t need to make any changes on your way to San Sebastián-Donostia. This route is operated by Renfe, the Spanish national rail operator, who run long and medium distance trains across the country. During you journey you're likely to travel on one of their high-speed services – AVE, AV-City, Avant, Alvia or Avlo – or a regional Media Distancia, Regional or Express Regional train.

Plan your trip ahead of time and book early if you want to snap up the cheapest fares. Tickets from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia start from £30.64 when you book in advance, so use our Journey Planner to view the latest prices.

If you’re feeling ready to book, start looking for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information on the journey to San Sebastián-Donostia by train, including our timetable where you can view first and last train times.

Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia by train

It takes an average of 9h 44m to travel from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia by train, over a distance of around 251 miles (403 km). There are normally 4 trains per day travelling from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia and tickets for this journey start from £30.64 when you book in advance.

First train

09:05

Last train

21:00

Departure station

Barcelona

Arrival station

San Sebastián-Donostia

Journey time

From 5h 46m

Distance

251 miles (403 km)

Frequency

4 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £30.64

Train and bus operators

Renfe

Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia train times

Check out the next trains departing from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia for Tuesday 19th March 2024. For the full train timetable/schedule, or to search for a later time or date, click here.
DepartsArrivesTrainDuration
09:05 Barcelona Sants16:42 San Sebastián-DonostiaAlvia/Avant 626 Get tickets7h 37m, 1 change
11:00 Barcelona Sants19:59 San Sebastián-Donostiaave 3112 Get tickets8h 59m, 3 changes
15:30 Barcelona Sants21:16 San Sebastián-DonostiaAlvia/Avant 530 Get tickets5h 46m, direct
21:00 Barcelona Sants13:37 San Sebastián-Donostiaavlo 6310 Get tickets16h 37m, 2 changes
09:05 Barcelona Sants16:42 San Sebastián-DonostiaAlvia/Avant 622 Get tickets7h 37m, 1 change

Renfe and Alvia trains from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia

You can travel from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia on Renfe and Alvia 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.

Renfe's Alvia services combine high-speed tracks with lower speed sections, reaching speeds of up to 155 mph (250 km/h) on international lines and 125 mph (200 km/h) on conventional lines. These trains connect the cities of Madrid, Barcelona and Alicante with the other main Spanish cities. Alvia offers two types of classes – Turista (Second Class) and Preferente (First Class). The latter has wider seats, carriages with fewer seats, offers complimentary food and drinks, free newspapers, and access to parking and Club meeting rooms.

Alvia classes from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia

Compare the different travel classes offered by Alvia when travelling from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia.

Onboard services on Alvia

Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia.

LuggageLuggageLuggage

On Alvia trains you can take up to three pieces of luggage on board, provided that they are less than 290cm long and weigh less than 25kg in total. Pushchairs and instruments smaller than 30 x 120 x 38 cm are also classed as hand luggage.

RestaurantRestaurantFood and drink

Most Alvia trains have an onboard café-bar, as well as an at-seat trolley service with a wide selection of food and drinks.

WiFiWiFiEntertainment

On board Alvia services, you can connect to PlayRenfe, a platform offering free WiFi and hours of entertainment.

ChildPassengerChildPassengerTravel with children

Children under 4 travel free on Alvia services with a free child's ticket. Plus, passengers under 14 get a 40% discount on their chosen tariff.

ModeOfTransportBikeModeOfTransportBikeBikes

With Alvia, folded bicycles that are less than 180cm long and are stored in a case count as hand luggage. If your bike is larger than this, it will count as special luggage and must be no larger than 120 x 90 x 40 cm - you must also detach the pedals and rotate the handlebars 90 degrees.

PetPetPets

You can take your pet with you if they weigh less than 10kg, travel in a carrier no larger than 60 x 35 x 35 cm, and have a pet ticket. In Elige Confort a pet ticket is free, while in Básico a pet ticket costs 25% of the price of a ticket.

WheelchairWheelchairSpecial Assistance

Alvia has an assistance service for passengers with reduced mobility or a disability. To arrange assistance, you can call (+34) 900 400 555 (international calling charges may apply).

Cheap train tickets from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia

The price of train tickets from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia starts at £30.64 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 Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia 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.

Journey details

Want to know more about your journey from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How long does the train from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia take?

The average journey time by train between Barcelona and San Sebastián-Donostia is 9 hours and 44 minutes, with around 4 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

What's the fastest journey time between Barcelona and San Sebastián-Donostia by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia is 5 hours and 46 minutes.

How much does the train from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia cost?

Train ticket prices from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia can start from as little as £30.64 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.

Is there a direct train from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia?

Yes, it is possible to travel from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia without having to change trains. There is 1 direct train from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.

What time does the first train from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia leave?

The first train from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia leaves at 09:05. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia leave?

The last train from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia leaves at 21:00. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.

What's the distance between Barcelona and San Sebastián-Donostia by train?

Trains travelling from Barcelona to San Sebastián-Donostia cover a distance of around 251 miles (403 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from San Sebastián-Donostia to Barcelona.

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