How (And Why) You Should Take The Bus From Santander To Bilbao In 2024

If you’re planning a trip from Santander to Bilbao, taking the bus is a smart choice.

These two cities are located in the northern region of Spain – Santander in Cantabria and Bilbao in the Basque Country. Each offers a unique mix of culture, history, and stunning landscapes, worthy of a trip!

Recently, I took this bus journey and was impressed by how inexpensive it was to travel between these two cities and how much beauty I was able to experience right from the comfort of my coach seat.

In today’s post, I’ll cover all the reasons why traveling by bus from Santander to Bilbao is the best option while answering the top questions regarding when to buy your ticket, scoring inexpensive tickets, what the journey is like on this journey, and more!

Why Choose the Bus?

It’s less expensive than taking other public transportation

Taking the bus from Santander to Bilbao is one of the easiest ways to get between both cities, not to mention the least expensive way.

The ticket was 8 euros one way, and it can be easily purchased at one of the kiosks inside the Santander bus station.

You can buy the ticket the day of or a few days ahead of time, which is what I did to secure my seat ahead of time.

The beautiful scenic views

If you’re like me and want to experience and view a little bit more of the beautiful natural scenery that northern Spain is known for, the bus is a great choice!

The bus ride includes everything from crossing tall bridges to driving along the Basque coast and enjoying the lush greenery and gorgeous mountains unique to the Basque country.

The day I took the bus from Santander to Bilbao, the weather was a bit gray, but watching the clouds loom over the tall, green mountains made it seem like a scene from Twilight.

Flexibility in travel schedules

The bus frequently travels between Santander and Bilbao and vice versa, so it’s easy to pick any day and travel at different times throughout the day.

Getting to the Bus Station in Santander

Directions to the Santander bus station

The Santander bus station is fairly central in the city and easy to reach on foot from various points.

It’s a quick 12-15 minute walk from Santander city center to Santander bus station. It’s also the hub of most of the city’s public transportation, so if you are traveling with luggage to the station, you can hop on a bus and get off at the station.

There are two entrances to note. One is on Navas de Tolosa Street, and the other is on Atilano Rodríguez Street.

Santander bus station address: Pl. Estaciones, 39002 Santander, Cantabria, Spain

Tips on navigating the bus station

The bus station offers in-person ticket purchasing and kiosks. Both options are great, but if you don’t speak Spanish, I recommend the kiosk. They accept both card and cash payments.

There are plenty of waiting areas both in the upstairs and downstairs areas. The upstairs area, where both entrances are located, also has a cafe with plenty of space to sit inside.

Before heading downstairs, you’ll see a large screen showing all the bus arrivals and departures, as well as downstairs.

There are plenty of small shops and convenience stores, as well as seats downstairs, closer to the bus gates, where I recommend sitting and waiting for the bus.

💡Pro tip: The name of the destination on your ticket and what’s on the bus can be a bit confusing. Make sure to check with the bus driver to verify if you’re lining up for the right bus. I almost missed my bus by not asking the bus driver if my ticket corresponded with that specific bus. Turns out it was mine 🙃

Choosing Your Bus Company

Overview of major bus companies

The main bus that transports people from Santander to Bilbao is ALSA.

You’ll see the kiosks inside the Santander bus station are for the ALSA buses, and based on personal experience, I had a pleasant journey with them.

If you book your tickets ahead of time, you can score a really good price on your coach tickets, so make sure to browse a few days beforehand!

🚌 BROWSE ALSA bus tickets

Comparison of prices, comfort levels, and services offered

ALSA offers various tickets for different buses, and prices also vary depending on seat selection purchasing, direct or multi-stop journeys, extra luggage, and a few other add-ons you can choose from.

They have different buses with different seating options, including:

• Double-decker buses
• Regular bus

You’ll find some tickets labeled SUPRA, which is one of their premium buses. It includes single seats, Wi-Fi, and entertainment options onboard.

When I took the bus from Santander to Bilbao, I only purchased a one-way ticket. I did not purchase a seat. My ticket was 6-8 euros, which included my rolling carry-on and small backpack.

💡Pro Tip: When looking for your assigned seat on board, make sure to look above the seat, as that is where the seat numbers are. I, as well as other passengers, struggled to find the seating because of its location and because the numbers were small.

How to buy tickets: online vs. at the station

Purchasing your tickets online and in person is pretty easy, even if you don’t speak great Spanish.

I decided to purchase my tickets in person, just because I had a question about my luggage and I wanted to double check with someone.

I’ve purchased tickets online, in person, and at kiosks, and I haven’t experienced any issues, even using my American credit card.

When you purchase your ticket, you’ll receive your ticket, which will look like a receipt, in addition to your actual receipt, so don’t get confused and leave one or the other behind.

What to Expect on Your Journey

Duration of the bus ride and distance covered

The bus ride is around 1.5 hours long, and it’s full of scenic mountains, rugged beaches, and coastal beauty—even on a grey and cloudy day, it was quite beautiful.

Description of the bus interior (seating, amenities)

The bus itself was clean, the driver was helpful, and it was pretty quiet on board.

Overall, I had a pleasant bus trip between Santander and Bilbao.

On my bus, there was no on-board entertainment, but that’s because I didn’t get the SUPRA ticket. The seats are not super spacious, I will say that, especially if you and the person next to you have bags.

Insights into the route and scenery

I’ve been talking about how beautiful the scenery was, and for good reason. Northern Spain is the greenest region of the country due to the constant rain it receives.

The architecture, roads, bridges, coastal beaches, lush mountains, and interesting town names are all so cool to see.

It was also very cool to read the town and street names in Basque, the language spoken in the Basque Country region.

Some routes have stops, which, if you are looking forward to exploring more of the smaller Basque towns along the way, then you’ll definitely enjoy the journey.

Arriving in Bilbao

Navigating the Bilbao bus station: facilities and transportation links

The bus station you’ll be arriving at in Bilbao is called Bilbao Intermodal.

Though it’s quite central in the city, the bus station is not a walkable distance to the city center, including the historic district or the Guggenheim Museum.

Bilbao is a larger city than Santander (it’s the largest city in the Basque country) and has many public transportation options, including the metro, tram, RENFE commuter trains, local buses, and even the bus to the airport.

The metro station at Bilbao Intermodal is called San Mamés.

The metro was very easy to find (follow the signs) and also easy to purchase tickets and use. From San Mamés to my lodging, it was about 4-5 stops, and the ticket one way was about 3 euros.

Despite everything being Basque, it’s not too difficult to get around and navigate from the bus station to the city center.

Tips for a Smooth Trip

Best times to travel and why (considering traffic and weather)

Prices are pretty consistent no matter what time of day you decide to book your ticket for, and the same goes for the day, which is pretty great.

When it comes to weather, December to January seems to be the rainiest months, and the warmer weather days tend to happen around July and August. However, because it is northern Spain, don’t be surprised to get rain any time of the year.

In this case, be sure to pack an umbrella in your travel essentials, and you’ll be good to go!

I personally traveled from Santander to Bilbao in January, and though it was drizzling and mostly cloudy, it wasn’t very cold.

That could just be me being biased, as I am from the Midwest, where the colder months are much more intense.

What to pack for the bus ride (snacks, water, entertainment)

Unless you get tickets for the SUPRA bus with on-board entertainment, I recommend that you bring your own entertainment.

I like to bring a book, download a podcast, or listen to a Superhuman activation.

You could also download your favorite playlist from Spotify and listen to it as you look outside at the beauty of northern Spain, which I personally recommend.

Advice on securing valuables and travel etiquette

If you’re carrying larger luggage or more than a few pieces of luggage, you can put them underneath the bus.

If you have a smaller travel backpack, that’s allowed to come up with you.

If you are nervous about your luggage being mistakenly taken by someone else at one of the bus stops, I recommend getting an AirTag so you can track your bag and have peace of mind if it ends up getting lost.

How to take the bus from Santander to Bilbao – Q&A

• Is it easy to get from Santander to Bilbao?

Absolutely! I found it very easy and enjoyable to travel between these two cities, especially by bus.

Though you can travel by train or car, the bus is a great way to travel within Spain, including between Santander and Bilbao.

• How do I go to Santander from Bilbao?

You can take the bus from Santander to Bilbao any day of the week. The bus provides multiple departure times, making it a great option for travelers who want to fit in a weekend trip to Bilbao from Santander, or vice versa.

• Which is nicer, Bilbao or Santander?

Both cities are nice, it just depends on the experience you’re looking for.

Santander is quieter, relaxed, and beautiful. It is a great place to enjoy with a few visitors to absorb local Spanish culture in the Cantabria region.

If you’re looking for a slow pace destination, delicious food, and tons of natural beauty and history, Santander is great.

Bilbao is a bigger city in the Basque region, with even more things to do and more buzz in the streets. More people visit Bilbao, and it’s more well-known than Santander because of its museums and other attractions.

If you’re looking for a mix of locals and visitors and amazing food (pintxos), Bilbao may be more appealing.

• Is there a bus from Bilbao Airport to Santander?

Though there is no direct bus from Bilbao Airport to Santander, you can still plan a trip between both places.

The best way to get from Bilbao Airport to Santander is to take the 20-minute Bizkaibus shuttle from Bilbao Airport to Bilbao Intermodal and then hop on a bus to Santander.

The Wrap-Up: How (and why) you should take the bus from Santander to Bilbao in 2024

Traveling by bus from Santander to Bilbao offers a mix of convenience, affordability, and the opportunity to experience the breathtaking landscapes of northern Spain.

The comfort and reliability of the ALSA bus services make them a preferred choice for many, including myself. They provide a hassle-free journey through the scenic beauty of this route.

I highly recommend considering the bus for travel between these cities, not just for its ease and affordability but also for its scenic landscapes.

If you’ve taken this route or plan to soon, I’d love to hear about your experiences or any questions you might have in the comments!

To more travel moments like this,