Alvia
Switches between high-speed and conventional track to reach cities without a full AVE line.
Route guide
San Sebastian → Madrid
Until the Basque Y high-speed line opens, this is Alvia territory: comfortable, unhurried, and routed through Vitoria and Burgos. Note the Madrid terminus — Chamartín, not Atocha.
Journey time5 h 10 min – 5 h 45 min
Tickets from€25.00
Frequency3–4 per day
Distance450 km
Who runs this route
Check live times & fares
Compare every operator on this route in one search. Advance fares climb as seats sell.
Timetable at a glance
Services run 3–4 per day, with the first departure around 07:00 and the last around 18:15. Times shift with the seasonal timetable, so treat these as planning anchors and confirm the day before you travel.
Buying tickets: when and where
Fares on this route are largely fixed, so there is little advantage in booking months ahead. Buy the day before or on the day in the operator's app, or at a station machine. Reserved seats still apply on long-distance services, so a sold-out train is sold out.
Tickets are digital: show the QR code in the operator app or a printout. High-speed and long-distance tickets are tied to a specific train and seat; regional tickets are more flexible but do not guarantee you a place.
The stations
Departure
Donostia-San Sebastián
Renfe's station sits across the river from the old town; the separate Euskotren station serves the Basque coast.
Arrival
Madrid Puerta de Atocha
Madrid has two long-distance stations. Atocha serves the south, east and Barcelona; Chamartín serves the north and northwest. They are 25 minutes apart on Cercanías line C-1 — check your ticket twice.
Alternatives, honestly compared
Coach: ALSA and FlixBus link San Sebastian and Madrid for less money and roughly double the time — the budget backstop rather than a real rival. Driving: about 450 km of autopista, plus fuel, tolls and the problem of parking in a historic centre. Flying wins on raw hours here, but only if the airport transfers at both ends fall kindly. Compare door-to-door, not gate-to-gate.
Common questions
How long is the train from San Sebastian to Madrid?
Typically 5 h 10 min – 5 h 45 min, with services running 3–4 per day.
How much does the San Sebastian to Madrid train cost?
Tickets start at €25.00 and prices on this route barely move, so there is no need to book far ahead.
Which stations do San Sebastian–Madrid trains use?
Departures leave from Donostia-San Sebastián and arrive at Madrid Puerta de Atocha.
Do I need to book in advance?
Fares on this route are largely fixed, so there is little advantage in booking months ahead. Buy the day before or on the day in the operator's app, or at a station machine. Reserved seats still apply on long-distance services, so a sold-out train is sold out.
What are the first and last departures?
Roughly 07:00 and 18:15, varying by day of the week and season — confirm before you travel.