Hi...we are considering doing some of our travelling in Spain via buses. I saw someone post a concern here regarding not having an eye on their luggage at all times being a problem. Is this a concern I should be worried about? For the few long bus rides I've been on in the U.S. it hasn't posed a problem, but I didn't know if it was a greater concern in Spain that my luggage might be under the bus rather than with me. Also..does anyone know if there are bathrooms on buses in Spain (like the Greyhounds here)? We're thinking of taking a bus from Barcelona to San Sebastian (as opposed to a train for cost reasons alone) so the trip will be LONG....Any information you have would be greatly appreciated...thanks!!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17432 posts
Jenny, when are you going? I don't know what the bus costs (can't get the Vibasa website to show fares), but if you buy far enough in advance you can get train tickets from Barcelona to San Sebastion (a 5.5 hour trip) for 37,75 on Renfe.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
Luggage is stored under the bus just like normal. You either hand your bag to the driver for stowage or put it in a pile or grouping. Not much chance of someone walking off with it. I belive the long haul busses have toilets. Or at least rest stops for longer trips.
Posted by
OP
Philadelphia
5 posts
@Lola: That sounds great but I can only find that price for the bus. For the train it's double..even though I'm going in July I looked several months from now and it's still listed as the same price...any ideas?
@Douglas: Thank you! Good to know
Posted by
US
157 posts
I was in Spain in April and took the bus all over and did not have any problem with my luggage (stored underneath the bus). I paid attention to my luggage whenever possible but I was not paranoid about it. I kept all my valuables & stuff I could not live without with me. The buses do not have WCs but they do make stops every two to three hours at rest areas (restaurant w/ WCs).
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17432 posts
Jenny, I do not know where you are looking for train prices, but on Renfe ( the official website for Spanish trains) I see tickets available at the 37 euro price for most days in July starting July 17. Before that date they are full price, 62,90 euros. To see that actual prices available for each day on Renfe go to Purchase (click on the shopping cart), not the general Fares and Schedules area.
Posted by
Bend, OR, United States
1167 posts
The buses I was on last year all had toilets.
Posted by
Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
11 posts
Hello, just arriving to this post at the last days before July, so maybe it will be late for Jenny, but I wanted to contribute so that fellow posters can find the answer from a local point of view. Please, note that buses are relatively safe, and although the luggage is underneath, you should not have problems. However, it is not a bad idea to look after your bag in the stops (normally the bus driver opens a different door depending on the destination of the traveller). On regard toilet, in most of the buses on the line from Barcelona to San Sebastian there is toilet, you should not have a problem for that. Besides, they stop half way so that you can go to a bar for a drink and to go to the toilet. However, I would think about making the travel in train, as it is quite long journey and in my opinion much more comfortable in a train where you can stand up, go to the toilet or to the bar, speak with other travellers from other parts of the train (this happens a lot in the bar of the train (specially if I meet you in that wagoon hehe). Even you can check planes, that sometimes get cheaper, but that way you will miss the nice nature change you can see travelling by train or bus... Hope that you really enjoy both Barcelona and San Sebastian. Aitor Delgado
Your Basque Host