Train Bilbao to San Sebastián

[onlyconnect]

I have looked online and found that there's a train that takes 1 hr 30 and that there's one that takes 2 hrs 40. When I put the journey into The Trainline it comes up with over 6 hours!
Does anyone know anything about this please? I'd like to take the train but not if it's 6 hours

Have a look at Man in Seat 61, he has all the practical info.

You can also get a bus from Bilbao to SS.

Have a look on rome2rio.com too. I've been on public transport quite a bit in Spain and it's not always easy to find out what's available.

Also look at Alsa.es, aka Spanish National Express. There's a few coaches a day that take 1 hr 20 minutes and is very cheap but excellent.

The main train from Bilbao to San Sebastián cannot be booked in advance, as far as I’m aware, so that’s probably why Trainline is pulling up such a long route. You just turn up when you want to go and pay at the station - there’s usually a departure once an hour.

This - it's a really useful website https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-spain.htm

I wanted to book a train ticket for Spain (different route to you) and only slow journeys were showing.. from this website I found out that the faster train tickets didn't go on sale til nearer the time so set a reminder and went back on trainline.com to book when they came out - sorted.

cherryassam if this is a definite, I'll just rock up. Thank you everyone

I did that journey on the bus. Very reasonable, quick and the bus was actually a lovely coach, caught the bus in Bilboa bus station and got off in San Sebastian bus station .

I also used the bus last year - took about 1.5 hours. We paid onboard, but you can also buy tickets at the machine in the airport. We bought our return tickets at the machine at SS bus station.
It is a comfortable coach, and luggage is stowed underneath.

A bus is cheaper and easier

Another vote for the bus. Very comfortable, air con and luggage in the hold. AFAIR there were no stops en route, straight through.

Yes, I've just had a look at ALSA website. Direct journey. 1hr20mins for the grand sum of €7.75. Can't beat that really! The trains in Spain are great but often make multiple stops if not on a fast route.

Checkout - Alsa

Thank you everyone. We may end up taking the bus but if we can get a train I'd prefer to.

If you need a place for breakfast in Bilbao, stop in at the Monaco cafe on Calle Alameda de Recalde. Take one of their huge amazing cookies away for second breakfast too.

I did this on an Alsa coach yesterday. Very clean and pleasant coach. Cheap and takes an hour and 25ish minutes.

cherryassam
Thanks for the reply about the train from Bilbao to San Sebastián.
Despite endless googling I can't find anything about these trains.
Can I ask if you're sure that there are frequent trains from Bilbao to San Sebastián that don't take five hours?
I'm a bit nervous about just rocking up.
We would much prefer to take the train but know there's a coach if we need it.

They are Euskotren trains - see the timetables here: https://www.euskotren.eus/en/tren/schedules

Thank you Cherryassam

I had a look on Google Maps - it's the E1 that runs between San Sebastián (Donostia) and Bilbao, it takes 3 hours as it's a local service.

I'm pretty sure the bus is (unusually) faster, cheaper and easier. We are normally train takers but my family members definitely got the coach when they went from San Sebastian to Bilbao so I don't think the train can have been a convenient option at all.

They also found out that an "open return" isn't exactly what you'd expect - you still have to confirm which coach you want to take, just you can do it (I think) up to 24 hours in advance.

Following, for a trip later this year. I was also looking at using the bus as it looked faster.

One clue as to why the bus is faster is the terrain - there's a 2km elevation gain on the route, very difficult for a train.

Hello! I live in San Sebastián.

There isn’t really a train from Bilbao to San Sebastián, it’s the “topo” which is the metro (extended) which goes round pottering through every single little fishing village on the way so takes hours and hours. They are building a high speed line but it will not be ready for a few years. It’s very mountainous and gorge-y so not an easy job.

You need to go by coach/bus - as PP have said the company is ALSA. It is just over an hour. If you’re going from the airport you should take cash as the ticket machine was broken last time I was there. From San Sebastián there’s a ticket office.

I have to say, the TripAdvisor reviews for Alsa are terrible. But this is a relatively short journey and the reviews on this thread are much more positive.

I have decided to take the coach.

I've been on the San Sebastian - Bilbao line although not all the way - it would be a long trip but does go through some lovely countryside.

If you're looking for a quick day trip from San Sebastian have a think about going to Aia-Orio on the Euskotren - it's a beautiful small town and the Tourist Office has a leaflet with some lovely surrounding walks.

@onlyconnect it's very easy to get the bus I have done it many times
@HPFA that is a trip I shall try next time