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Transportation Options from Santander Airport to the City Centre

Santander in northern Spain is the capital of Cantabria and a great destination if you’re looking to get off the beaten track. The city offers some unique architectural sites but you can also enjoy Santander’s white sand beaches and the natural surroundings. The nearest airport is Santander International Airport, only 6.5 km south of the city centre. You can get from Santander Airport to the city centre by taxi or bus.

Taking an airport taxi is the most convenient transportation option as it will take you directly from the airport to your hotel or apartment. Taxi service is reliable and available 24/7 at the airport but you can also pre-book your transfer from Santander Airport to skip the line at the rank and save time. The average fare for a standard taxi is €15 for up to 4 passengers and the ride takes only 12 minutes in average traffic.

If you’re travelling on a tight budget and you’re not in a hurry, the least expensive option is to take the bus from Santander Airport to the city centre. Local buses don’t provide a convenient connection but you can take the Alsa Bus, which directly connects the airport to the city centre in only 15 minutes. The fare for the bus from Santander Airport to Santander is €3.20 per traveller, making it a great value-for-money option for one or two passengers. Keep in mind that you’ll need to navigate to your final destination upon arrival at the bus stop in the city, which can increase this journey’s cost.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Santander at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Taxi €15 12min 24/7
Bus €6.40 15min 07:20–22:30

How to get from Santander Airport to the city centre by taxi

A great way to get from Santander Airport to the city centre quickly and comfortably is with an airport taxi. You can take a taxi from the airport taxi rank or book your transfer in advance to skip the line and save time. You will enjoy a private ride and reach your accommodation in Santander directly in only 12 minutes in average traffic.

What's the cost of a taxi from Santander Airport to Santander?

Local taxi drivers in Santander use taximeters, so once you get in the vehicle make sure the taximeter is turned on and reset to the base fare. If you take an on-demand taxi from the airport rank, you can expect to pay an average of €15 for a standard Santander taxi that can accommodate up to 4 passengers. This is only an estimate as different tariffs apply depending on the time of day and day of the week.

Cost

€15

Trip Duration

12 Min.

*Prices may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Seve Ballesteros–Santander Airport (SDR).

Where do I get a taxi from?

You will find the airport taxi rank on the Ground Level in front of the Passenger Terminal and on your right as you exit the building. There are taxis lined up 24/7 offering on-demand services, so they should be easy to spot.

Convenience

If you value efficiency and comfort, taking an airport taxi from Santander Airport to the city centre is the best option to reach your hotel or apartment. You can enjoy a personalised, door-to-door service and avoid the hassle of waiting for the bus and carrying your luggage to your final destination. For the smoothest experience possible, I recommend pre-booking your Santander Airport taxi and having a driver waiting for you as soon as you touch down.

Editor’s Note

The low fare of an airport taxi from Santander Airport to Santander makes it a good option even if you're travelling on a budget. It's worth spending a few more euros to ensure direct transportation to your accommodation.

Useful Tips

Most Santander taxi drivers don’t speak English; make sure to write down anything important in Spanish.
Once you enter the taxi, make sure the taximeter is turned on and reset according to the applicable tariff.
Many Santander taxis accept card payments but you may still come across a taxi that accepts only cash payments.
Tipping your taxi driver isn't expected in Santander, but you might consider rounding up to the nearest euro for satisfactory service.

How to get from Santander Airport to the city centre by bus

For one or two people, a good value-for-money option to get from Santander Airport to the city centre is by taking the direct bus operated by Alsa Bus. With frequent departures from the Airport, the bus will take you to the bus station in the city in about 15 minutes. From there you can continue to your accommodation by taking a local bus, a taxi, or on foot.

How much is the fare for the bus from Santander Airport to the city centre?

A single ticket for the bus from Santander Airport to the city centre costs €3.20. You can purchase your ticket online through the company website or the ticket office inside the Passenger Terminal.

Cost

€3.20

Trip Duration

15 Min.

The Alsa Bus departs every 40 minutes from Santander Airport.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Alsa Buses run from 07:20 until 22:30 daily.

Where do I take the bus from?

The bus stop for Alsa Bus is located on the Ground Floor in front of the Passenger Terminal; look for the relevant signs guiding you there.

Convenience

The bus from Santander Airport to the city centre is the best value-for-money option for those travelling alone or with one other person. If you’re a group of 3 or more, however, a taxi should be the same price as 3 bus tickets and will offer a direct transfer. The bus is a convenient way to reach Santander quickly but keep in mind that you may still need to find additional transportation if your hotel or apartment is far from the bus station. If you’re carrying multiple pieces of luggage or are travelling with children, an airport taxi will be a more relaxed option.

Editor’s Note

Taking the bus from Santander Airport to the city centre is a great option for one or two travellers. If you're in a larger group, the total fare of your bus tickets will be the same cost as a taxi so it's not really worth it.

Useful Tips

You can purchase your ticket online on the Alsa website or from the ticket office at Santander Airport.
You can carry up to 30 kg of luggage free of charge on the bus.
Most Alsa Buses are fully accessible to wheelchair users.

Frequently asked questions

What is the nearest airport to Santander?

Santander International Airport is the nearest airport to the city centre, located only 6.5 km south. A ride from Santander Airport to the city centre should take around 12 minutes in average traffic.

How do I get from Santander Airport to the city centre?

You can easily get from Santander Airport to the city centre by taxi or bus. Airport taxis are available 24/7 at the airport or you can pre-book your ride to save time. The driving time is around 12 minutes and the average fare for up to 4 passengers is €15. Another option is to take the bus operated by Alsa Buses, with a single ticket at €3.20. Departures are scheduled daily and the ride to the bus station in the city takes only 15 minutes.

What’s the cost of a taxi from Santander Airport to the city centre of Santander?

Official local cabs in Santander calculate their fares with a taximeter. Traffic conditions, time of day, luggage, and other factors may affect the total fare. The average cost of a standard taxi from Santander Airport to Santander is around €15 for up to 4 passengers.

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