The cheapest and fastest trains from Donostia-San Sebastian to Madrid
Cheapest price
$61
Average price
$81
Fastest journey
5 h 5 m
Average duration
5 h 28 m
Trains per day
18
Distance
352 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Donostia-San Sebastian to Madrid is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Donostia-San Sebastian to Madrid will cost around $81 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only $61.
Of the 18 trains that leave Donostia-San Sebastian for Madrid every day 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 352 km distance in an average of 5 h 28 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 5 m .
The slowest trains will take 5 h 38 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
18012
18014
18014+
04170
18014+
04192
18012+
04170
04056
04176
04056 · 04088
04056+
34088
04176+
04190Travel Information
Compare train, coach and flight for Donostia-San Sebastian to Madrid
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Donostia-San Sebastian to Madrid among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $31. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 2m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $31, and a flight costs an average of $34.
Distance: 352 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight |
|---|---|---|
$55 Average Price Cheapest | $56 Average Price | $252 Average Price |
5h 41m Average total duration 5h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 2m Average total duration 6h 32m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 2m Average total duration Fastest 3h 2m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions | 1.1 - 2.1kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Donostia-San Sebastian to Madrid train times
The table below shows live departures for Donostia-San Sebastian to Madrid trains for today, Wednesday, 18 March. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
18014+ 04192 | On time 12:55 pm Donostia-San Sebastián | 9h29 | 10:24 pm Madrid Chamartín | 1 change | |
18014+ 04786 | On time 12:55 pm Donostia-San Sebastián | 6h20 | 7:15 pm Madrid Chamartín | 1 change | |
18014 | On time 12:55 pm Donostia-San Sebastián | 7h47 | 8:42 pm Madrid Príncipe Pío | 0 changesdirect | |
18014+ 04170 | On time 12:55 pm Donostia-San Sebastián | 7h17 | 8:12 pm Madrid Chamartín | 1 change | |
04176+ 04190 | On time 3:47 pm Donostia-San Sebastián | 5h38 | 9:25 pm Madrid Chamartín | 1 change | |
04176 · 04192 | On time 3:47 pm Donostia-San Sebastián | 6h37 | 10:24 pm Madrid Chamartín | 1 change | |
04176 | On time 3:47 pm Donostia-San Sebastián | 5h26 | 9:13 pm Madrid Chamartín | 0 changesdirect | |
| Thursday, 19 March | |||||
04056+ 34088 | On time 3:55 am Donostia-San Sebastián | 5h36 | 9:31 am Madrid Chamartín | 1 change | |
04056 | On time 3:55 am Donostia-San Sebastián | 5h05 | 9:00 am Madrid Chamartín | 0 changesdirect | |
04056 · 04088 | On time 3:55 am Donostia-San Sebastián | 5h36 | 9:31 am Madrid Chamartín | 1 change | |
04056+ 08118 | On time 3:55 am Donostia-San Sebastián | 7h40 | 11:35 am Madrid Chamartín | 1 change | |
04086+ 08148 | On time 7:40 am Donostia-San Sebastián | 6h35 | 2:15 pm Madrid Chamartín | 1 change | |
04086+ 05178 | On time 7:40 am Donostia-San Sebastián | 8h04 | 3:44 pm Madrid Chamartín | 1 change | |
04086+ 05750 | On time 7:40 am Donostia-San Sebastián | 6h20 | 2:00 pm Madrid Chamartín | 1 change | |
18012 | On time 10:01 am Donostia-San Sebastián | 7h54 | 5:55 pm Madrid Príncipe Pío | 0 changesdirect | |
18012+ 05170 | On time 10:01 am Donostia-San Sebastián | 6h11 | 4:12 pm Madrid Chamartín | 1 change | |
18012+ 04786 | On time 10:01 am Donostia-San Sebastián | 9h14 | 7:15 pm Madrid Chamartín | 1 change | |
18012+ 04170 | On time 10:01 am Donostia-San Sebastián | 10h11 | 8:12 pm Madrid Chamartín | 1 change | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Donostia-San Sebastian to Madrid by train, coach or flight
Compare train, coach and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
18 Mar
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23 Mar
24 Mar
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26 Mar
27 Mar
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31 Mar
01 Apr
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07 Apr
Why should you book Donostia-San Sebastian to Madrid trains with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Renfe ALVIA?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Renfe ALVIA, but also compare tickets for the likes of Renfe Intercity, Renfe (13) or Renfe Viajeros to find the best option for your trip from Donostia-San Sebastian to Madrid.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Renfe ALVIA with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Donostia-San Sebastian to Madrid.
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Donostia-San Sebastian to Madrid?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Donostia-San Sebastian to Madrid
Trains from Donostia-San Sebastian to Madrid run on average 4 times per day, taking around 5h 11m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $31 if you book in advance.
There are 4 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:50, the last at 17:37. The fastest train covers the 352 km distance in 5h 5m.
Distance 352 km |
Average train duration 5h 11m |
Cheapest ticket price $31 |
Trains per day 4 |
Direct trains 4 |
Fastest train 5h 5m |
First train 04:50 |
Last train 17:37 |
Train companies: Renfe ALVIA, Renfe Intercity, Renfe (13), Renfe Viajeros from Donostia-San Sebastian to Madrid trainsRenfe ALVIA, Renfe Intercity, Renfe (13), Renfe Viajeros trains will get you between Donostia-San Sebastian and Madrid from $31. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Renfe ALVIA
Renfe Intercity
Renfe (13)
Renfe Viajeros
FAQs: Donostia-San Sebastian to Madrid train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Donostia-San Sebastian to Madrid by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Madrid, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Donostia-San Sebastian and Madrid
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week, with special rates arranged by nearby hotels.
- Restaurant Casa Mingo
- Café de Oriente
- Noodles King
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps.
- €0.60
- Hotel Príncipe Pío
- Acta Madfor Hotel
- Hotel Exe Moncloa
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Europcar
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platforms for regional and Cercanías trains
- Hall 2: Metro connections
- Metro: Line 6, Line 10
- Bus: Several lines available
- Cercanías: Lines C1, C7, C10
Most popular train connections from Donostia-San Sebastian
More options for your journey from Donostia-San Sebastian to Madrid
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