Planning a trip to Santander

Five to 10 daily flights from Madrid and Barcelona land at Ballesteros–Santander Airport (tel. 94-220-21-00), a little more than 6.5km (4 miles) from the town center. Taxis to the town center cost 25€, but regular bus service between the airport and the train station costs only 7€ one–way.

There are four to six trains daily from Madrid (trip time 4.5–6 hr.); a one–way fare costs 38€‒45€.

Buses are the best way to get to Santander from Bilbao or Oviedo. Buses arrive at Calle Navas de Tolosa (tel. 90-242-22-42). There are 22 connections a day to and from Bilbao (trip time 1.5 hr.); a one–way ticket costs 8€‒15€.

Brittany Ferries operates passenger and car ferry service to and from Plymouth and Portsmouth in the U.K. and to and from Cork in Ireland. One-way passenger-only service starts at 115€. Ferries come into the city center at Calle Muelles de Maliaño, 21–27 (tel. 94-236-06-11).

The tourist information office at Calle Hernán Cortés, 4 (tel. 942-203-000/1) is open October–mid–June Monday–Friday 9am–4pm, Saturday–Sunday 10am–2pm;  mid–June–September Monday–Friday 9am‒9pm, Saturday–Sunday 10am–5pm.

Special Events in Santander

The Festival Internacional de Santander in August is among the top music and dance events in Spain. This festival sometimes coincides with religious celebrations honoring St. James, Spain’s patron.