THE SHORT VERSION
Madrid to San Sebastián at a glance.
- From
- Madrid
- To
- San Sebastián Donostia / San Sebastián
- Road distance
- About 453 km
- Straight line
- 353 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~5 h 15 min buses take longer
- Return route
- San Sebastián to Madrid →
Ready to travel from Madrid to San Sebastián?
Check live availability, fares and departure times with 12Go.
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Madrid
Madrid is the centre of Spain's coach network. Long-distance routes use either Estación Sur in the south or Avenida de América in the north, depending on direction.
- Estación Sur de Autobuses
Méndez Álvaro, 1 km south-east of Atocha. International routes and routes to the south and west, including Lisbon. - Avenida de América
2 km north-east of the centre. Routes to the north, such as Barcelona and Bilbao.
Arriving in San Sebastián
Ask the seller where the service ends in San Sebastián. A town-name stop can be a bus station some way from the centre, and the last stretch to your accommodation is usually up to you.
Keep the essentials offline
Save your ticket, the exact meeting point and the operator's phone number before you set off. Follow the check-in time on your confirmation.
KEEP GOING
From San Sebastián, the road continues.
Other ways to reach San Sebastián
More buses from Madrid
GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Madrid from San Sebastián by road?+
About 453 km by road (353 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Madrid to San Sebastián take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 5 h 15 min by car without stops; bus journeys are usually longer. Check the duration of your chosen departure on 12Go before booking.
Where does the bus leave from in Madrid?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Madrid include Estación Sur de Autobuses, Avenida de América, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from San Sebastián to Madrid?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our San Sebastián to Madrid guide.
Where does the bus from Madrid arrive in San Sebastián?+
It depends on the operator. Some services end at the local bus station, others at an office or a stop on the main road. Ask the seller for the drop-off address before you book.
What kind of bus runs from Madrid to San Sebastián?+
It varies by operator and departure. Routes in this region are served by a mix of sleeper buses, seated coaches and smaller limousine vans. Check the vehicle type, seat layout and luggage allowance for your departure on 12Go before you book.
Can I book the Madrid to San Sebastián bus online?+
Yes. 12Go lists departures on this route. You choose a date, compare operators and pay online, and the provider issues the ticket. BusConnects doesn't sell tickets itself.
Where can I go next from San Sebastián by bus?+
Direct buses from San Sebastián include Barcelona, Porto, Marseille, Lyon, Seville and more. See all connections on our San Sebastián bus page.
Still deciding? Check today's departures, then book your seat.
Book Madrid → San Sebastián on 12GoFOLLOW THE INFORMATION
Clear sources. Better decisions.
Route listed in 12Go's public route index (checked 2026-10-09). Distance: OpenStreetMap data via OSRM (approximate driving distance). Listings change and are not live inventory. Confirm the departure, pickup, price and conditions before paying.
12Go: Madrid to San Sebastián bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Madrid (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →