It is close from Bilbao to San Sebastian, but there are only a few travel choices. You can either take a bus or train or drive with a private car transfer service like Daytrip. The train is the cheapest option, but a private car is infinitely more comfortable and customizable.
Are there many things to do along the way from Bilbao to San Sebastian?
There are plenty of things a traveler can get up to when traveling between these two cities. For example, there are towns to visit, like Guernica and Durango, and attractions like the San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and the Sanctuary of Loyola to tour.
Is it better to stay in Bilbao or San Sebastian?
Whether you stay in Bilbao or San Sebastian will depend on your travel preferences and your budget. Bilbao is bigger and tends to be a more affordable city, especially during the summer, but San Sebastian is far more elegant and classy, which translates to higher prices.
How much would a taxi cost from Bilbao to San Sebastian?
Taxi fares vary depending on when you travel. If you travel during the day from Bilbao to San Sebastian, you can expect to pay an average of $170, while if you drive at night or on a weekend, this price can go as high as $200.
Is Bilbao a day trip from San Sebastian?
Bilbao is a day trip from San Sebastian, considering it is less than 100 miles between the two cities. It only takes an hour and 10 minutes to drive from Bilbao to San Sebastian, so you can easily visit San Sebastian for a few hours and travel back to your accommodation in Bilbao in the afternoon or evening.
How much does it cost to travel from Bilbao to San Sebastian with a private car service?
Private car transfer services can be pricey, but one of the most affordable is Daytrip. Traveling with Daytrip from Bilbao to San Sebastian can cost a traveler as little as $62 per person with loads of benefits like 24/7 customer service, luggage handling, customizable travel times, and sightseeing stops.
As you drive from Bilbao to San Sebastian with Daytrip, you'll leave behind sights like the iconic Guggenheim Museum, famous for its contemporary art collection and architecture, while looking forward to San Sebastian. This lively city in Spain is only a short distance from Bilbao, but there's much to do along the way.
Instead of a direct transfer, you can enrich your trip with sightseeing stops to experience more of the Basque Country's rich history and culture. Your first sightseeing destination should be San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, the medieval fortress that was "Dragonstone" in the hit series Game of Thrones.
After touring the home of the Targaryens, your professional English-speaking Daytrip driver will take you to the Sanctuary of Loyola, a beautiful Baroque complex that is a feast for the eyes. This complex was the birthplace of Saint Ignatius, and it is adorned with breathtaking sculptures and artworks that you can view during your visit.
But don't forget about Onati, Getaria, or Guernica when driving with Daytrip. Our drivers are happy to indulge your travel wishes before dropping you off in San Sebastian. World-class culinary delights, timeless beauty, Basque Country culture and history, and a small-town feel await you!
About San Sebastian
Your car trip from Bilbao will take you to San Sebastian, a beautiful city nestled along the idyllic northern coast of Spain in the Basque Country. San Sebastian's history dates back to 1180 when Sancho the Strong founded the city in what is now known as the Old Quarter. However, San Sebastian only became popular after Queen Isabel II's visit in 1845 on her doctor's advice. Her yearly visits helped the city become the resort city it is today.
Nowadays, most people visit San Sebastian for its beautiful beaches, particularly La Concha Beach, which perfectly balances urban lifestyle with natural beauty. Besides the beaches, the city is also famous for its mountains. Overlooking the Bay of Biscay, every corner of San Sebastian is postcard-worthy. Of course, the history, culture, and Michelin-starred restaurants (the 3rd most per capita in the world) also entice travelers looking for a luxurious getaway or unforgettable holiday in Europe.
So book a ride with Daytrip and prepare to be amazed by the city's quaint Old Town, lively pintxo bars, and architectural landmarks, which will have you taking another look. Depending on when you decide to visit, you can expect lots of cultural events where you can make memories that will last a lifetime. You also shouldn't miss out on visiting the city's incredible churches, museums, or mountaintop amusement parks.
From Bilbao to San Sebastian: travel tips
Traveling from Bilbao to San Sebastian is an exciting experience filled with numerous sightseeing opportunities, taste explorations, and local insights. However, the experience can be overshadowed by travel stress if you don't keep in mind the following travel tips.
You don't need to stay in expensive areas
San Sebastian is pretty small, so unless you really want a room overlooking the sea, you don't actually need to stay in the most expensive areas. For example, Parte Vieja is one of the most historic and popular places to visit but has incredibly high lodging rates. Accommodation just a few blocks away can be hundreds of dollars cheaper per night at the cost of a couple-minute walk!
### Walk rather than take public transport when sightseeing
We know you're excited to sightsee, but try to avoid public transportation when visiting a new town or city with Daytrip. Once you're dropped off, most of the time, you can walk around with many of the attractions in Spain located near each other, as is the case with many other European countries.
The same applies to getting to San Sebastian. Most of the top attractions are only a mile or so apart, making walking the easiest way to get around and avoid high taxi fares.
### Save your appetite for San Sebastian
The distance between Bilbao and San Sebastian is short enough that you won't work up too much of an appetite while driving or sightseeing. If you do, it's a good idea to save your appetite for when you get to the city. San Sebastian boasts some of the best food in the world, with Michelin-starred restaurants like Arzak, Mugaritz, and Akelarre offering premium cuisine worth waiting for.
How to get from Bilbao to San Sebastian
If you're ready to begin your San Sebastian adventure, you'll need to arrange transportation from Bilbao to San Sebastian, and this begins with learning your options. Below, we've discussed the easiest and most convenient options available, but you'll notice there is no flight option as there is no airport offering flights from Bilbao to San Sebastian.
From Biboa to San Sebastian by bus
Taking the bus is the second fastest way to get from Bilbao to San Sebastian, besides driving with a private car service like Daytrip or taking a taxi.
Typically, buses take about an hour and 15 minutes, and a ticket costs between $8 and $19. Unlike many other areas, this isn't the cheapest option---that distinction goes to the train. The cost of your ticket will depend on when you choose to travel and which bus line you book with. The most popular are ALSA and Flixbus.
You should also be aware that you likely won't have access to many amenities on the buses and will be unable to stop and sightsee.
### From Bilbao to San Sebastian by train
The train might be the slowest way to travel from Bilbao to San Sebastian, but it is one of the more scenic options. A train trip usually takes about two hours and 40 minutes, and the train line most people book with is Euskotren.
This train line offers trips every hour on average, and tickets cost between $5 and $9, making it the most affordable way to travel between the two cities.
### From Bilbao to San Sebastian by private car transfer service
Taking a taxi might be tempting, considering the short distance between the two cities, but it will be incredibly pricey. A better alternative is to book with a private car service like Daytrip.
A one-way trip starts at $62 (57 euros) per person, and if you travel directly, you'll be able to get to San Sebastian in only an hour and 10 minutes. Where Daytrip stands out is the guaranteed quality service.
You'll have an English-speaking driver who will handle your luggage when they meet you in Bilbao, and will happily share their insights on local culture on the drive to San Sebastian. They might not be a tour guide, but we can help educate you on the area and what to expect.
Even better, Daytrip lets you stop for sightseeing along the way, so you don't have to miss San Juan de Gaztelugatxe or Oñati as you cruise through Basque Country! So sit back and relax while we navigate the roads and you plan where to visit.
Things to do when you get to San Sebastian
Now that you know how to get from Bilbao to San Sebastian, you can begin planning where you will visit after you've been dropped off in the city. To help you with this portion of your planning, we've shared a few of the best things to do when you get to San Sebastian.
Visit the Old Town
It might be the most visited place in San Sebastian, but it's worth it. The Old Town is the second oldest part of the city. It lies on the foot of Mount Urgull and is surrounded by the River Urumea on one side and the sea on the other. Besides being a naturally beautiful neighborhood, you can also expect to find the Old Town to be the social hub of San Sebastian.
Several bars offer the best Pintxos in the city, and places like St Vincent's Church and the Basilica of St Mary can be toured. There are also shops and restaurants to visit.
### San Telmo Museum
If you love to explore museums, you'll want to stop at the San Telmo Museum. This 16th-century museum was once a Dominican convent and a military barracks before becoming a museum.
Nowadays, it holds important relics, artworks, sculptures, and knowledge about Basque citizenship and society. There is also a small cloister and ancient church at the museum that you can visit after you've learned more about San Sebastian and what makes it a culturally significant city.
### La Concha Beach
The jewel of San Sebastian is undoubtedly La Concha Beach. For years, it has been named the best beach in Spain and Europe, and it's not difficult to see why, given that it is located in the center of Santa Clara Island.
Besides its pristine shore and sparkling shallow blue waters, perfect for sunbathing and frolicking in the water, the beach also has a gorgeous promenade. You can stroll down the promenade or lean against its rails and take in the gorgeous view you won't find anywhere else in the world.
### Eat!
A cornerstone of Basque culture are pintxos bars. Pintxos, the Basque version of tapas, is a culinary delight, and hopping from bar to bar to sample these small dishes is a must. San Sebastian also has 11 different Michelin-starred restaurants (some with 3 stars!).
If you've never eaten at a Michelin restaurant this is a great opportunity! While a menu at 3-starred Arzak or Martin Berasateguiâs restaurant will set you back around $325 (not including a wine pairing), others, like Beti-Jai Berria or Bergara, are pintxos bars that won't break the bank!
When is the best time to visit San Sebastian?
Even though the trip from Bilbao to San Sebastian isn't far, you should still give some thought to when you're traveling. Typically, the best time to visit both Bilbao and San Sebastian is from late spring to early summer (May to June) or during early fall between September and October.
These months offer travelers pleasant weather, when it's warm enough to truly enjoy the city and all it has to offer, from beaches and museums to parks, church tours, and festivals. There's also fewer tourists, so you'll have a more authentic experience!
Although you can consider the summer months, this is peak tourist season, so there are more crowds, higher accommodation prices, and the reservation books for the best restaurants in San Sebastian are filled.
Visitez ces sites en chemin
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
This dramatically situated medieval hermitage gained international fame as "Dragonstone" in Game of Thrones. Here Be DragonsÂ
Guernica
Best known for the 1937 bombing that levelled the city and inspired Picassoâs seminal work, this Basque cultural center has become a symbol of peace. War and PeaceÂ
Durango
Like an egg in a basket, the golden cultural center of this medieval town is surrounded by some of the best nature trails in the nation. A Basquet Full of CultureÂ
Onati
Nestled quietly in a valley in the center of the Basque Country, this quaint countryside town dates back to the Medieval period. The Place of Many HillsÂ
Sanctuary of Loyola
This beautiful baroque complex is centered around the medieval birthplace of Saint Ignatius, founder of the Jesuits. Sumptuous SainthoodÂ
Getaria
Famous for being the birthplace of Juan SebastiĂĄn Elcano, the first man to circumnavigate the Earth, this medieval fishing village is quite the catch. Around the WorldÂ
