In planning for my next trip to Spain I am in need of some sound advice. After my stay in Barcelona I will take the train to Madrid. Leaving Madrid I head to Bilbao, visit, rent a car, then tour the Basque Region ultimately ending in Pamplona to catch the train back to Barcelona. Am I better off going from Madrid to Bilbao by train or bus? And when should I purchase my ticket? Also, I am thinking about making San Sebastian a travel base? Any thoughts and/or recommended day trips from San Sebastian?
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
362 posts
I would fly to save time. Check Iberia.com. San Sebastian makes a good base, town has great ambiance, views & tapas. 1 hr by bus from Bilbao so you can rent the car there as an option. Bayonne or St.Jean de Luz in France can be reached by bus or drive.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
Direct, 5-hour trains run twice per day to Bilbao from Chamartin station, which would be my choice. I'm not aware of any benefits from taking a bus on this route, other than it may be cheaper. Train tickets are cheapest about two months in advance of the travel date at www.renfe.es.
Posted by
Port St Joe Florida
513 posts
Last October I travelled between Madrid and Bilbao by train (Chamartin station) and found it a pleasant trip. The Bilbao train station is very centrally located, just a short walk across a bridge from the Old Town. It is perhaps a five to ten minute walk there from there to the Guggenheim. If you are going to Bilbao for the Guggenheim, I can recommend the Hotel Conde Duque, right across the street from the pedestrian bridge over the river which leads to the museum. It is an excellent hotel, and has a good restaurant. Also, don't leave Bilbao without a visit to their Old Town.
I travelled between San Sebastian and Bilbao by bus because there isn't any RENFE service between the two cities. It took about 70 minutes and was a more comfortable ride than I had anticipated. I stayed in a small B and B in the Gros section of San Sebastian, near the Playa (beach) de Concha. They were still surfing at the beach in mid-October...
I was in Pamplona in October a couple of years ago, arriving by train from Burgos. I spent three nights there and enjoyed it a great deal - my previous visit was an ill advised two day trip in July (during San Fermin) several years back. I preferred the serenity and non-existent crowds of October to the madness of July...
From Pamplona I went to Barcelona, by train, with a three day stop over in between at Zaragoza. If you are not interested in seeing Zaragoza, there are several direct trains every day between San Sebastian and Barcelona and it is a very easy trip.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Take the train to Bilbao. Burgos is a potential stopover on the 5+ hour trip.
For your planned driving route i would follow ...
Bilbao >> Vitoria-Gasteiz >> Logrono/Laguardia >> Pamplona >> San Sebastián
Return your car in San Sebastián, spend a few days, then fly directly back to Barcelona.