The journey from Biarritz to San Sebastian is one of the most enjoyable in the Basque Country. This guide compares all available options — bus, train, taxi private hire, rental car and rideshare — with real journey times, costs, advantages and practical tips for each.
Also prepare your visit with our San Sebastian guide.
How to Get from Biarritz to San Sebastian
Biarritz to San Sebastian: Quick Comparison of Options
Taxi or private hire (VTC): 45 min · from €130 · door-to-door, fixed fare, no timetable constraints
Rental car: 45 min · variable depending on the hire company + tolls (€20 return) + parking in San Sebastian
Rideshare: 45 min · €5-10 · economical, depends on availability
Bus: approx. 1 hour · from €7 · economical, fixed timetables, departs from the airport or coach station
Train: approx. 3 hours · €20-30 · one change at Hendaye, beautiful scenery
For a direct transfer with no hassle, Smart Moov handles your Biarritz to San Sebastian journey by private hire with a fixed fare.
Biarritz to San Sebastian: All Transport Options
Only 50 kilometres separate these two iconic cities of the Atlantic coast — a Franco-Spanish border that has been a mere formality for decades.
By car or taxi, the journey takes 45 minutes.
By bus or train, allow between one hour and three hours. Here is a complete comparison of all available options — bus, train, taxi private hire, rental car and rideshare — with real journey times, costs, advantages and points to watch out for.
Bus — the Budget Option
For budget-conscious travellers, the bus is the most accessible way to travel from Biarritz to San Sebastian. Several companies offer direct services or routes with few intermediate stops.
Bus Companies and Fares
FlixBus, ALSA and BlaBlaCar Bus operate direct services between Biarritz and San Sebastian. Tickets start from €7 depending on the period and operator — booking in advance in high season is recommended to secure the best fares. The journey takes approximately 1 hour depending on traffic and intermediate stops. Buses depart from Biarritz coach station or BIQ Airport. Arrival is at San Sebastian’s main coach station (Estación de Autobuses), conveniently located near the city centre, about 20 minutes on foot from the old town.
Taxi and Private Hire — Comfort with No Constraints
For the Biarritz to San Sebastian journey, a pre-booked taxi or private hire vehicle is the most direct and comfortable solution.
You are collected at your exact address — hotel, airport, station — and dropped at the heart of San Sebastian or any address of your choice, with no vehicle change, no timetable to check and no luggage to carry through public transport.
The journey takes approximately 45 minutes via the A63 motorway, crossing the Franco-Spanish border with no formalities.
The fare for a pre-booked private hire starts from €130 for a saloon (1 to 4 passengers) — fixed fare confirmed at booking, no surprise on arrival. For groups of 5 to 7 people, a van is available.
Smart Moov operates this route year-round, with flight tracking for departures from BIQ Airport. See our dedicated page for Biarritz to San Sebastian transfers for fares and online booking.
Train — the Scenic Route
The train offers a comfortable alternative for reaching San Sebastian from Biarritz, with views across the Basque countryside and Atlantic coastline. It does however require a change of train at the Franco-Spanish border.
Train Route: SNCF then Euskotren
From Biarritz, take a SNCF train to Hendaye — the last French town before the Spanish border.
At Hendaye, change onto the Euskotren, the Basque regional train, which takes you directly into San Sebastian.
The full journey takes approximately 3 hours. The total cost (SNCF + Euskotren) is around €20 to €30 depending on the timetable and season. This option suits travellers who want to avoid driving and enjoy the landscape at a relaxed pace.
Rental Car — Freedom to Explore
A rental car is the most flexible option for the journey from Biarritz to San Sebastian.
The 50 kilometres between the two cities take approximately 45 minutes via the A63 motorway, a well-maintained road that runs alongside the Atlantic coast with stunning ocean views.
Renting a Car from Biarritz
If you are not travelling in your own vehicle, renting a car is straightforward at BIQ Airport or in the city — Sixt and the other major hire companies are all represented at Biarritz Airport. Note that most car hire desks are located at the airport, outside the city centre — factor in extra time for pick-up.
Budget approximately €20 in tolls for the A63 return journey and plan for parking charges in San Sebastian, particularly if you are heading into the city centre. Be aware that San Sebastian introduced a restricted traffic zone in the city centre in 2025 — all vehicles must be registered with the local authorities before entering.
A rental car is ideal for those who want to explore the Basque Country at their own pace, with possible stops at Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Hendaye or along the scenic corniche basque.
Rideshare — the Social Option
Ridesharing is an increasingly popular option for the journey from Biarritz to San Sebastian.
It allows you to share costs while benefiting from a direct car journey. BlaBlaCar is the main platform for finding rideshares between the two cities — you will need to register on the platform first.
The journey time is the same as by car — approximately 45 minutes — and prices typically range from €5 to €10 depending on the driver.
This is both an economical and eco-friendly option, often appreciated for spontaneous trips outside peak season. In July and August, availability can be limited and advance booking is advisable.
From Biarritz Airport: Getting to San Sebastian on Arrival
On arrival at BIQ Airport, several options are available to reach San Sebastian directly from the terminal.
Bus stops are located on one side of the terminal; the taxi rank and car hire desks are on the other.
Biarritz train station is approximately 2 km from the airport with no safe pedestrian access from the terminal — it is best to take a taxi (approximately €10) to reach the station if you wish to travel by train.
The simplest solution from the airport is a pre-booked private hire with direct pick-up at the terminal. Smart Moov handles your Biarritz to San Sebastian transfer from BIQ Airport with flight tracking and meet-and-greet.
FAQ — Biarritz to San Sebastian
How long does it take to get from Biarritz to San Sebastian?
By car or private hire, the journey from Biarritz to San Sebastian takes approximately 45 minutes via the A63 motorway, outside peak traffic. By bus, allow approximately 1 hour. By train (with a change at Hendaye for the Euskotren), the total journey time is approximately 3 hours.
How much does a taxi from Biarritz to San Sebastian cost?
A taxi or private hire from Biarritz to San Sebastian costs approximately €130 for a saloon (1 to 4 passengers), with a fixed fare confirmed at booking. For a van (5 to 7 people), the fare is slightly higher. See our Biarritz to San Sebastian transfer page for updated fares.
How do I get from Biarritz Airport to San Sebastian?
From BIQ Airport, the options are: taxi or private hire with direct pick-up at the terminal (the simplest option, approximately €130 to San Sebastian), bus from the stop in front of the terminal (from €7), or rental car available on site. Biarritz train station is 2 km from the airport without safe pedestrian access — take a taxi to reach it if you wish to travel by train.
What is the cheapest way to get from Biarritz to San Sebastian?
The bus is the cheapest option, with tickets from €7 on FlixBus or BlaBlaCar Bus. Ridesharing via BlaBlaCar is also very affordable (€5-10). For a group of 4 to 7 people, private hire becomes very competitive on a per-person basis.
Do I need any documents to cross the border between Biarritz and San Sebastian?
No. The Franco-Spanish border is an internal Schengen border — no systematic checks are carried out. A European identity document is sufficient. Occasional checks may however take place depending on the geopolitical context.
Find our complete San Sebastian guide · our Biarritz to San Sebastian transfer page · and our guide to taxi prices in Biarritz.
