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Madrid to San Sebastian by train
Two or three direct Renfe trains a day link Madrid Chamartín and Donostia-San Sebastián, taking about 5 to 5 hours 40 minutes.
- Typical duration
- 5 hours to 5h40
- Frequency
- 2 to 3 direct trains a day
- Changes
- Direct
- Origin
- Madrid
- Destination
- San Sebastian
- Main stations
- Madrid-Chamartín-Clara Campoamor to Donostia-San Sebastián
- Country
- Spain
Direct trains from Madrid Chamartín reach Donostia-San Sebastián in about 5 to 5 hours 40 minutes, but only two or three run each day.
Direct trains, but only a few a day
You don't need to change. Renfe runs two Alvia trains, one early in the morning and one in the early evening, plus an Intercity in the middle of the afternoon on most days. All three leave Madrid Chamartín Clara Campoamor and head north through Valladolid, Burgos and Vitoria-Gasteiz, then cross the Basque Country to San Sebastián. They carry on to Irun on the French border. Get off at San Sebastián.
With so few departures, choose your train first and plan the day around it. The evening Alvia arrives at around 23:00, which is late if your hotel has a small reception desk.
How long the journey takes
The Intercity is the quickest, at about 5 hours. The two Alvias take between about 5 hours 15 minutes and 5 hours 40 minutes, and the morning one waits at Miranda de Ebro for a while. Journeys with changes take 7 hours or more. They only make sense when the direct trains are full.
Stations at each end
In Madrid, every direct train leaves from Chamartín, in the north of the city, not Atocha. Your Renfe long-distance ticket includes a free Cercanías journey, the Combinado Cercanías, which covers the local train to Chamartín from elsewhere in Madrid.
In San Sebastián you arrive at Donostia-San Sebastián, the Renfe station on Paseo de Francia, with a taxi rank and bus connections outside. The station stays open until after the evening Alvia arrives.
Tickets, fares and Interrail
Book through Renfe. Every ticket comes with an assigned seat, and you can't board these trains without a reservation. For travel up to 25 January 2027, Renfe sells three main options:
| Option | Seat | If you cancel |
|---|---|---|
| Básico | Standard | No refund |
| Elige | Standard or XL Confort | 70% refund |
| Prémium | XL Confort | Refund of up to 100% |
The conditions and extras for these options change for journeys from 25 January 2027, so read them before paying for a later date. Prices move with demand and the date.
An Interrail pass covers Alvia and Intercity trains, but you still need a seat reservation. Book it through Interrail's reservation service or at a ticket desk in a Spanish long-distance station. With two or three trains a day, sort it out as soon as your dates are fixed.
Where to book
Train service
- Check times & prices
Renfe serves Spain with AVE, Avlo, Alvia and regional trains. AVE tickets are named and reserved, while Interrail and Eurail passes need reservations.
Official website
Find places to stay in San Sebastian
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Madrid to San Sebastián?
Yes. Renfe runs two or three direct trains a day from Madrid Chamartín to Donostia-San Sebastián: two Alvias and, on most days, an Intercity. None of them needs a change.
Is there a high-speed train from Madrid to San Sebastián?
The direct trains are Alvia and Intercity services rather than AVE. Even the quickest takes about 5 hours, so treat it as a half-day journey.
Which Madrid station do trains to San Sebastián leave from?
Madrid Chamartín Clara Campoamor, not Atocha. Your Renfe ticket includes a free Cercanías ride, which you can use to reach Chamartín.
Do I need to reserve a seat?
Yes. Reservation is compulsory on these trains and comes with every Renfe ticket. Interrail pass holders must book a separate seat reservation before boarding.
How much is the train from Madrid to San Sebastián?
It depends on the date and the option you choose. Básico is the cheapest and has no refund, Elige adds a 70% refund on cancellation, and Prémium gives an XL Confort seat and a refund of up to 100%.
More routes
