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Taking the train from San Sebastián to Barcelona in 5 hours 38 minutes
Thinking about taking the train from San Sebastián to Barcelona? We’ve got you covered.
It usually takes around 6 hours 48 minutes to travel the 251 miles (404 km) from San Sebastián to Barcelona by train, although you can get there in as little as 5 hours 38 minutes on the fastest services. You’ll normally find around 3 trains per day running on this route. You won’t need to worry about making any changes along the way either as direct trains are available. This route is served by Renfe, Spain's main rail operator. You're likely to travel on one of their high-speed trains – AVE, Avlo, Avant, Alvia or AV-City – or a regional Media Distancia, Regional or Express Regional train during your journey.
Train tickets from San Sebastián to Barcelona start from £36.26 when you book in advance, which can be cheaper than buying them on the day. Start a search in our Journey Planner to check out the latest prices.
Keen to book your train tickets to Barcelona? No need to wait, start a search with us today! If you want to find out a bit more about the journey first, you can find our train timetable below, tips on booking cheap tickets and our FAQs, including first and last train times.
San Sebastián to Barcelona by train
It takes an average of 6h 48m to travel from San Sebastián to Barcelona by train, over a distance of around 251 miles (404 km). There are normally 3 trains per day travelling from San Sebastián to Barcelona and tickets for this journey start from £36.26 when you book in advance.
| First train | 07:28 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 14:04 | |
| Departure station | San Sebastián | |
| Arrival station | Barcelona | |
| Journey time | From 5h 38m | |
| Distance | 251 miles (404 km) | |
| Frequency | 3 trains per day | |
| Changes | Direct trains available | |
| Price | From £36.26 | |
| Train and bus operators |
Renfe and Alvia trains from San Sebastián to Barcelona
Renfe
Alvia
Renfe is the national train operator in Spain. It operates trains on the longest high-speed railway network in Europe, and the second-longest in the world. The country's major cities are linked up by the high-speed AVE and Avlo trains, while other long-distance routes are served by Altaria, Talgo, Alvia and Euromed trains. Renfe also operates cross-border services into neighbouring Portugal and France. Depending on which service you are travelling on, you'll usually find two classes on Renfe trains - Estándard (Standard Class) and Confort (First Class). Fare types range from the cheapest (but least flexible) Básico fare, to the more flexible Elige fares, to the Premium fare for seats in Confort carriages.
More information
Renfe's Alvia services combine high-speed tracks with lower speed sections, reaching speeds of up to 155 mph (250 km/h) on international lines and 125 mph (200 km/h) on conventional lines. These trains connect the cities of Madrid, Barcelona and Alicante with the other main Spanish cities. Alvia offers two types of classes – Turista (Second Class) and Preferente (First Class). The latter has wider seats, carriages with fewer seats, offers complimentary food and drinks, free newspapers, and access to parking and Club meeting rooms.
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Alvia classes from San Sebastián to Barcelona
Compare the different travel classes offered by Alvia when travelling from San Sebastián to Barcelona.
Estándar
Travel in Alvia's Estándar Class (Standard Class) and you'll enjoy many amenities, including air-conditioning, at-seat power sockets and footrests.
- Luggage storage
- Fold-down table
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- More legroom
Confort
Upgrade to Alvia's Confort Class (First Class) and enjoy comfier seats, more legroom, an at-seat catering service and access to Renfe's Club lounges.
- Luggage storage
- Fold-down table
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- More legroom
Onboard services on Alvia
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from San Sebastián to Barcelona.
On Alvia trains you can take up to three pieces of luggage on board, provided that they are less than 290cm long and weigh less than 25kg in total. Pushchairs and instruments smaller than 30 x 120 x 38 cm are also classed as hand luggage.
Most Alvia trains have an onboard café-bar, as well as an at-seat trolley service with a wide selection of food and drinks.
On board Alvia services, you can connect to PlayRenfe, a platform offering free WiFi and hours of entertainment.
Children under 4 travel free on Alvia services with a free child's ticket. Plus, passengers under 14 get a 40% discount on their chosen tariff.
With Alvia, folded bicycles that are less than 180cm long and are stored in a case count as hand luggage. If your bike is larger than this, it will count as special luggage and must be no larger than 120 x 90 x 40 cm - you must also detach the pedals and rotate the handlebars 90 degrees.
You can take your pet with you if they weigh less than 10kg, travel in a carrier no larger than 60 x 35 x 35 cm, and have a pet ticket. In Elige Confort a pet ticket is free, while in Básico a pet ticket costs 25% of the price of a ticket.
Alvia has an assistance service for passengers with reduced mobility or a disability. To arrange assistance, you can call (+34) 900 400 555 (international calling charges may apply).
Cheap train tickets from San Sebastián to Barcelona
Book in advance
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from San Sebastián to Barcelona by booking early.§
Be flexible with your travel times
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
Choose a slower or connecting train
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Look out for special deals
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.
Journey details
Want to know more about your journey from San Sebastián to Barcelona? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
How long does the train from San Sebastián to Barcelona take?
The average journey time by train between San Sebastián and Barcelona is 6 hours and 48 minutes, with around 3 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
What's the fastest journey time between San Sebastián and Barcelona by train?
The fastest journey time by train from San Sebastián to Barcelona is 5 hours and 38 minutes.
How much does the train from San Sebastián to Barcelona cost?
Train ticket prices from San Sebastián to Barcelona can start from as little as £36.26 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.
Is there a direct train from San Sebastián to Barcelona?
Yes, it is possible to travel from San Sebastián to Barcelona without having to change trains. There is 1 direct train from San Sebastián to Barcelona each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.
What time does the first train from San Sebastián to Barcelona leave?
The first train from San Sebastián to Barcelona leaves at 07:28. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from San Sebastián to Barcelona leave?
The last train from San Sebastián to Barcelona leaves at 14:04. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
What's the distance between San Sebastián and Barcelona by train?
Trains travelling from San Sebastián to Barcelona cover a distance of around 251 miles (404 km) during the journey.
Looking for more information?
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Barcelona to San Sebastián.