A platform I wasn't familiar with, and although it failed me the first time I paid for a train ticket and the tickets didn't arrive in my email, a very kind person called me in less than 12 hours and confirmed my problem and sent the tickets to my email. I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that I had a free ticket for a cultural activity for my visit to Almería. The second time I bought my ticket, I got another free ticket for a cultural activity on my return to Madrid. I'm very happy with their service, their kindness, and their speed in responding to an incident that I didn't even have time to call to complain about. They deserve my 5 stars, and they can't do any more.
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Train Route
Madrid-Santander trains: timetables, fares and offers
Madrid-Santander train in 4h 20min from €17. 4 departures a day, real timetables and stops. Check fares and book your trip.
From 17€
6 trains/day
Alvia · Intercity
4h 20'
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2026-09-02
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17€Minimum price
4h 20'Direct journey
6Daily trains
35%Early booking savings
Route summary
Quick summary of the Madrid-Santander route
The Madrid-Santander train covers 520 km in 4h 20min on the fastest Alvia, and up to 4h 53min on the services with more stops. There are 4 departures a day from Madrid-Chamartín to Santander, from €17 and averaging €41. Prices vary with the date, how far ahead you book and the fares on sale. Check the search box for your own trip.
| Distance | 520 km |
| Shortest journey | 4h 20min (Alvia) |
| Longest journey | 4h 53min |
| Departures a day | 4 trains |
| Train types | Alvia and Intercity |
| Lowest fare | €17 |
| Average fare | €41 |
| Highest fare | €89 |
| Cheapest time of day | before 9am |
| Best time to book | 22-30 days before travelling |
| Departure station | Madrid-Chamartín |
| Arrival station | Santander |
Schedules
Madrid-Santander train timetable
The first train leaves Madrid-Chamartín at 07:45 and the last one at 19:08. The fastest service is the Alvia at 19:08, arriving at 23:28 in 4h 20min. Prices vary with the date, how far ahead you book and the fares on sale. Check the search box for your own trip.
| Departure | Arrival | Duration | Type | Stops |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06:48 | 11:49 | 5h 01min | — | |
| 07:20 | 13:43 | 6h 23min | — | |
| 07:20 | 15:36 | 8h 16min | — | |
| 07:32 | 13:43 | 6h 11min | — | |
| 07:45 | 12:06 | 4h 21min | — | |
| 07:51 | 13:43 | 5h 52min | — | |
| 07:51 | 15:36 | 7h 45min | — | |
| 13:40 | 18:04 | 4h 24min | — | |
| 13:40 | 18:12 | 4h 32min | — | |
| 14:05 | 18:59 | 4h 54min | — | |
| 15:20 | 20:13 | 4h 53min | — | |
| 15:40 | 22:29 | 6h 49min | — | |
| 17:00 | 22:29 | 5h 29min | — | |
| 17:30 | 22:29 | 4h 59min | — | |
| 19:08 | 23:28 | 4h 20min | — | |
| 19:08 | 23:35 | 4h 27min | — |
Current timetable. Check your date's availability in the search box.
Prices
Madrid-Santander train fares
The Madrid-Santander train starts at €17.15 in Turista class, with an average fare of €41 across everything on sale. Preferente class can reach €89. Based on 455 real queries to the Renfe API.
| Type/class | From | Average fare | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALVIA Turista | €17.15 | €36.01 | €85.80 |
| ALVIA Preferente | €27.40 | €46.57 | €89.40 |
| Intercit Turista | €34.30 | €45.97 | €80.00 |
| AVANT Turista | €44.55 | €44.55 | €44.55 |
Journey time
How long does the Madrid-Santander train take?
The Alvia takes 4h 20min between Madrid-Chamartín and Santander. Services with more stops take up to 4h 53min. Prices vary with the date, how far ahead you book and the fares on sale. Check the search box for your own trip.
| Service | Duration | Departures a day |
|---|---|---|
| Alvia | 4h 20min – 4h 24min | 3 |
| Intercity | 4h 53min | 1 |
Stations
Stations on the Madrid-Santander route
Trains leave from Madrid-Chamartín and arrive at Santander. Prices vary with the date, how far ahead you book and the fares on sale. Check the search box for your own trip.
On board
On board the Madrid-Santander train
The route is served by Alvia and Intercity. What each train carries depends on the set assigned to the service, so it is worth checking when you book.
| Service | Duration | Departures a day | Classes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alvia | 4h 20min – 4h 24min | 3 | Turista and Preferente |
| Intercity | 4h 53min | 1 | Turista |
Savings
How to pay less on the Madrid-Santander train
To save on the Madrid-Santander train, book 22-30 days ahead (32% average saving). Tuesday is the cheapest day of the week, averaging €33. Data from 455 real queries to the Renfe API.
Book 22-30d ahead
31.5% cheaper than buying in the last 48 hours
Average fare booking this far ahead: €37
Travel on Tuesday
The cheapest day of the week, averaging €33
Tuesday: €33 on average vs Sunday: €59
Pick first thing in the morning trains
The cheapest time of day, averaging €28
€28 on average vs €51 at the most expensive time
Search with flexible dates
Moving the trip by ±2 days can bring the fare down a long way
Compare departure days in the ofertren.com search box
Search with flexible dates
Moving the trip by ±2 days can bring the fare down a long way
Compare departure days in the ofertren.com search box
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the Madrid-Santander train
How much does the Madrid-Santander train cost?
From €17 one way, averaging €41 and up to €89 on the busiest dates. The lowest fare on record is Alvia Turista, from €17.15.
How long does the train from Madrid to Santander take?
The Alvia takes 4h 20min between Madrid-Chamartín and Santander. Services with more stops take up to 4h 53min.
How many trains a day run from Madrid to Santander?
4 departures a day from Madrid-Chamartín, split between Alvia and Intercity.
Which station do trains to Santander leave from in Madrid?
From Madrid-Chamartín, where the 4 daily services on this route start.
Which station in Santander do trains from Madrid arrive at?
At Santander.
Does the Madrid-Santander train make intermediate stops?
The most frequent stops are Valladolid, Palencia, Torrelavega/Tanos, Reinosa and Aguilar de Campoo.
What time do the first and last trains to Santander leave?
The first leaves Madrid-Chamartín at 07:45 and arrives at 12:06. The last one leaves at 19:08 and arrives at 23:28.
When is the Madrid-Santander train cheapest?
Booking 22-30 days before travelling saves 31.5% on average. Tuesday is the cheapest day of the week, averaging €33. The first thing in the morning trains are the cheapest of the day, averaging €28.
Opiniones
Lo que dicen nuestros usuarios en Google
Ofertren's rating on Google Maps is 4.7/5 - Based on 95 real reviews published.
A perfect 10/10 experience, not a single problem, everything was perfect, easy and 100% recommended.
Ver en Google →It was a chair purchase, and I immediately received the vouchers for the trip. And above all, it was the best price I could find.
Ver en Google →Las reseñas proceden de Google Maps.
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