Explore Saint-Sébastien without flying: inspiration and itineraries

Want to explore the Basque Coast, its golden beaches, and its cuisine? That’s perfect—you can get to San Sebastián from France without a plane or a car.

How to reach San Sebastian by train?

To get to San Sebastián from France, there are two main options:

By train, take a direct TGV from Paris Montparnasse to Hendaye (about 4h45–5h37), then transfer to the local Eusko Tren “Topo” train, which takes you to San Sebastián in 35 minutes and runs every 30 minutes, for a total travel time of about 5 hours 30 minutes–6 hours and fares starting at 22€.
By bus, there are direct routes from Bordeaux (2h15–3h50, starting at 10€) and Toulouse (4h35–6h, starting at 9€) with companies such as FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus, while a direct bus from Paris is also available (starting at €17).

What to do by train in San Sebastian?

In San Sebastián, there’s no shortage of things to do: the coastline stretches from La Concha Beach to the Parte Vieja neighborhood, where the cobblestone streets are lined with pintxos bars. The city’s heritage is evident in the San Telmo Museum and the Vasco Museum. The atmosphere shifts between the effervescent rhythm bustling streets and the tranquility of the downtown cafés, creating a sensory experience that is both lively and serene. You can easily explore it all on foot or by public transportation.