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London to San Sebastián by train
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First train05:40
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Last train20:31
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Avg changes2
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Fastest journey9hr 37m
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Distance923 kilometres
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Trains per day13
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Avg. journey time28hr 45m
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Train operators
Travelling from London to San Sebastián by train
Want to know how to get from London to San Sebastián by train? We have gathered for you all the useful information about this trip!
The fastest trains from London to San Sebastián take around 9 hours and 37 minutes, covering a distance of approximately 923 kilometres.
On weekdays, the first train leaving London is scheduled to depart at around 05:40. The last departure is usually at around 20:31 . On Saturdays and Sundays, trains leave London at around 06:18, with the last train leaving at around 20:31. There are frequent services on this particular rail route. On average, there are about 13 trains per day travelling between the two cities. They leave approximately every 57 minutes.
Prices for a single ticket between the two cities start from US$221.12.
We think any time is a great time to visit San Sebastián, as each season has its own unique charm. Nevertheless, please make sure you check the local weather and average seasonal temperatures at destination before deciding on your holiday.
For more tips to help you plan your journey, check out our help articles, or read our guide to San Sebastián.
Is there a direct train from London to San Sebastián?
The journey between London and San Sebastián usually involves changes of train.
We usually find around departures on this route every weekday, counting only those that leave enough time to change trains without waiting around for longer than necessary.
There are typically fewer trains leaving at weekends, when we found around departures.
How long does it take to travel from London to San Sebastián?
The London to San Sebastián train travel takes about 9 hours and 37 minutes, no matter when you leave.
What are the London to San Sebastián train times and schedule?
If you're travelling on a weekday, you'll find the earliest train to San Sebastián leaving London at around 05:40 and the last train leaving at around 20:31 . At weekends, the first train of the day leaves London at around 06:18, with the final departure at 20:31.
Other journeys to San Sebastián/Donostia View all journeys to San Sebastián/Donostia
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From Madrid to San Sebastián/Donostia From US$8.00
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From Hendaye to San Sebastián/Donostia From US$6.70
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From Barcelona to San Sebastián/Donostia From US$8.00
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From Irun to San Sebastián/Donostia From US$12.00
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From Vitoria/Gasteiz to San Sebastián/Donostia From US$8.00
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From Bordeaux to San Sebastián/Donostia From US$173.00
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From Burgos Rosa de Lima to San Sebastián/Donostia From US$16.00
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From Zaragoza to San Sebastián/Donostia From US$16.00
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From Palencia to San Sebastián/Donostia From US$36.00
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From Pamplona/Iruña to San Sebastián/Donostia From US$15.50
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From Paris to San Sebastián/Donostia From US$230.50
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From Valladolid to San Sebastián/Donostia From US$44.50
Other journeys from San Sebastián/Donostia
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From San Sebastián/Donostia to Barcelona From US$63.00
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From San Sebastián/Donostia to Madrid From US$8.00
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From San Sebastián/Donostia to Hendaye From US$12.06
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From San Sebastián/Donostia to Vitoria/Gasteiz From US$8.00
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From San Sebastián/Donostia to Palencia From US$29.00
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From San Sebastián/Donostia to Zaragoza From US$8.00
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From San Sebastián/Donostia to Valladolid From US$16.00
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From San Sebastián/Donostia to Burgos Rosa de Lima From US$20.50
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From San Sebastián/Donostia to Miranda de Ebro From US$13.00
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From San Sebastián/Donostia to Irun From US$3.00
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From San Sebastián/Donostia to Pamplona/Iruña From US$15.50
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From San Sebastián/Donostia to Bilbao-Abando From US$26.00
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Night train via Irun
The overnight train, known as La Palombe Bleue, from Paris to Hendaye and Irun (on the French-Spanish border) was withdrawn in early July 2017. The cancellation of this train coincided with the introduction of very much faster day trains on the line from Paris to the Spanish border, thanks to the opening of a new high-speed line to Bordeaux.
We therefore recommend that passengers travelling from London to Irun use daytime options. If you cannot find a through service to Irun, just book to Hendaye, from where it is just a few minutes on the regular tram link to Irun. Onward connections from Irun are available to San Sebastian and destinations across Spain.
London to Paris
The first part of the journey from London sweeps through Thameside landscapes and rural Kent to reach the Channel Tunnel. Little more than an hour after leaving London you'll already be in northern France, tracking south through Flanders fields towards Paris.
Remember to factor in at least half an hour for Eurostar's airline-style baggage check prior to boarding your train. There is a luggage and body scan and you'll be asked to show your passport. There are no restrictions on taking liquids on board Eurostar trains.
Paris interchange: Paris Nord to Paris Austerlitz
When you get off the train at Paris Gare du Nord, look for the Métro on the lower level, which can be accessed via stairs or lift. Follow signs to Metro line 5 and take a train in the direction of Place d'Italie. There are 9 stops between Gare du Nord and Gare d'Austerlitz, which usually takes around 30 minutes so we recommend you leave at least an hour for your transfer.
If you arrive at Gare du Nord from London, bear in mind that you can buy Paris Métro tickets at the Eurostar terminal at St. Pancras and on board the Eurostar train. Similarly, passengers arriving at the Gare du Nord on Thalys trains from Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands can buy Métro tickets on the train (at the Thalys Bar). Although universally referred to as Métro tickets, they are in fact valid on RER trains too.
Paris to Irun (night train)
*** TAKE NOTE ***
The overnight train, known as La Palombe Bleue, from Paris to Hendaye and Irun (on the French-Spanish border) was withdrawn in early July 2017. The cancellation of this train coincided with the introduction of very much faster day trains on the line from Paris to the Spanish border, thanks to the opening of a new high-speed line to Bordeaux.
We therefore recommend that passengers travelling from London to Irun use daytime options. If you cannot find a through service to Irun, just book to Hendaye, from where it is just a few minutes on the regular tram link to Irun. Onward connections from Irun are available to San Sebastian and destinations across Spain.
Irun to San Sebastián/Donostia
To reach San Sebastián from Irun, take a frequent local Cercanías train on route C-1 for the 22-min journey. Both local trains and mainline trains use the same station at Irun. Don’t forget to purchase a ticket, which will cost just a couple of euros, before boarding the Cercanías train.
Alternatively, you can take the tram to San Sebastián, which leaves from near Irun station and is operated by Metro Donostialdea. It takes 33 mins to San Sebastián. There are also fast mainline trains which operate between Irun and San Sebastián. They are, however, not very frequent so it's worth taking the Cercanías train.
Eurostar & TGV
Travelling by train from London to San Sebastián is very simple and can be done in a day. The journey starts by taking a Eurostar to Paris, where you’ll need to change stations. You’ll arrive at the Gare du Nord and leave from Paris Montparnasse. It’s a very hassle-free journey between the two Paris stations.
The journey from Paris to Irun is on a high-speed French TGV train. Upon arrival in Irun, take a local train (called Cercanías) for the short onward journey to San Sebastián. The fare is paid locally, so book your ticket on Loco2 just as far as Irun.
Additional options for travellers bound for San Sebastián from London and Paris are available by booking just to Hendaye. That’s the last station in France, just on the opposite bank of the river from Irun. From Hendaye, you can take the Metro Donostialdea tram to San Sebastián.
London to Paris
The first part of the journey from London sweeps through Thameside landscapes and rural Kent to reach the Channel Tunnel. Little more than an hour after leaving London you'll already be in northern France, tracking south through Flanders fields towards Paris.
Remember to factor in at least half an hour for Eurostar's airline-style baggage check prior to boarding your train. There is a luggage and body scan and you'll be asked to show your passport. There are no restrictions on taking liquids on board Eurostar trains.
Paris interchange: Paris Nord to Paris Austerlitz
When you get off the train at Paris Gare du Nord, look for the Métro on the lower level, which can be accessed via stairs or lift. Follow signs to Metro line 5 and take a train in the direction of Place d'Italie. There are 9 stops between Gare du Nord and Gare d'Austerlitz, which usually takes around 30 minutes so we recommend you leave at least an hour for your transfer.
If you arrive at Gare du Nord from London, bear in mind that you can buy Paris Métro tickets at the Eurostar terminal at St. Pancras and on board the Eurostar train. Similarly, passengers arriving at the Gare du Nord on Thalys trains from Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands can buy Métro tickets on the train (at the Thalys Bar). Although universally referred to as Métro tickets, they are in fact valid on RER trains too.
Paris to Irun
The TGV high-speed train from Paris to Irun departs from Paris Montparnasse station. The journey starts with a very fast non-stop run from Paris to Bordeaux. Thereafter the pace slows. Beyond Bordeaux the train traverses the forested landscapes of Landes, eventually reaching the Atlantic coast at Biarritz. There are occasional glimpses of the sea (to the right) in the final 20 minutes of the journey to Hendaye.
After the last stop in France at Hendaye, the train crosses the border into Spain to terminate in Irun, the first station in Spain. Additional train services run from Paris to Hendaye, from where a frequent light-rail service (part of the Basque Metro Donostialdea network) makes the four-minute journey across the bridge to Irun.
Irun to San Sebastián/Donostia
To reach San Sebastián from Irun, take a frequent local Cercanías train on route C-1 for the 22-min journey. Both local trains and mainline trains use the same station at Irun. Don’t forget to purchase a ticket, which will cost just a couple of euros, before boarding the Cercanías train.
Alternatively, you can take the tram to San Sebastián, which leaves from near Irun station and is operated by Metro Donostialdea. It takes 33 mins to San Sebastián. There are also fast mainline trains which operate between Irun and San Sebastián. They are, however, not very frequent so it's worth taking the Cercanías train.