How to get from Santander Airport to City Center

One of the first things you search for when organizing a trip, after booking your hotel, is how to get from the airport to the city center. On this dedicated page, we will provide clear and updated guidance on how to get from Santander Airport (Spain) to Santander city center or other locations in Cantabria.

Remember that Santander airport has connections with different cities in Europe such as Paris, Dublin, London, Rome, Brussels, Edinburgh, Milan, Bucharest, Barcelona or Madrid. Airlines such as Ryanair, Vueling, Iberia, Volotea or Wizzair are flying from Santander.

IMPORTANT We recommend that you take a look at the official transportation options below. Many websites are acting as resellers, which can lead to issues and overpricing upon arrival in Santander.

All the information about Santander and Cantabria on this page and throughout the website is also available in the following languages (there is a language selector at the top right of each page):

How far is Santander Airport from the city center?

Santander Airport is only 6 km away from the center, and the ride takes just 10 minutes by car. It’s a relatively small airport, making it easy to navigate.

Upon leaving the arrivals terminal, which is just a few steps from the area where you collect your luggage, you will find yourself outdoors in the airport street.

There you have several transportation options: public bus, taxi, Cabify, and even the train. Let’s explore each option in more detail.

Bus from Santander Airport (SDR) to Santander Center

It is the best quality-price option, with the bus stop (S4 Line) located just inside the exit door of the arrivals building!

The bus offers a direct 15-minute route connecting the airport with the bus station in Santander, operated by ALSA.

The first bus from Santander Airport to Santander city center departs at 7:20 am, and the last one at 22:30, with a frequency that varies from 20 minutes to 40 minutes.

We recommend checking the exact bus times (including your return trip) on the ALSA website (this link). Simply select Santander Airport as the point of departure and Santander as the destination.

You can pay the driver directly when boarding the bus. If you have a Transportes de Cantabria card (which may apply a discount), you can use it. Alternatively, you have the option of purchasing the ticket in advance using the ALSA website.

The price per ticket is approximately 3.20 EUR per direction and per person; children under 4 years old travel for free.

IMPORTANT: The airport bus will drop you off at Plaza de las Estaciones. If you need to go somewhere else in Santander, you’ll need to take the urban bus (TUS), as explained in the ‘During Your Stay‘ section.

Taxi from Santander Airport to Santander or Cantabria

There is a taxi stand just as you exit the arrivals hall. The journey from Santander Airport to the center might vary from 17 EUR to 25 EUR, depending on your final destination and the traffic. Please ensure that the taxi has a taximeter (the machine indicating the price at any moment).

In case you encounter any issues with a taxi, remember that you have the right to ask for a ‘Hoja de reclamaciones,’ which is a legal standard document that the taxi driver must provide in case of any problems. It’s the legal way to file a complaint. If they refuse to provide it, feel free to call the police (091).

Don’t expect good communication in English.

Private transportation to Santander Center

Uber is available in Santander, making it a decent alternative for getting around the city but sometimes with very limited availability.

As an alternative, Cabify is a private hire driver service, similar to Uber. It operates in Santander and requires you to download the application and register. You can order your transport using your phone.

The price from the airport to the city center ranges from 12 to 18 EUR.

The cars are new and easy to spot as they are generally black with blue rear license plates.

You can use our Cabify referral code to receive a €3 discount on your next 3 trips (for new users only): CABIFY REGISTRATION

A good option is to hire your own private transportation, we recommend:

Train FEVE to Santander Center

You can travel by train (FEVE-Renfe) to Valle Real shopping mall, which is a 20-minute walk away.

This option is worth considering in case of an emergency or if you need to do some shopping before or after your flight.

While it may not be the best option, it is still possible.

Rental car in Santander Airport (SDR)

There are several options to rent a car at Santander Airport, with companies such as OK Mobility, Hertz, Europcar, Enterprise, Avis, Budget, and National available.

Are you planning to visit Santander or Cantabria?

Remember, HiCantabria is the ultimate website to help you plan your unforgettable trip to Santander and Cantabria. If you’re exploring this page, don’t miss out on these essential pages made by locals with the best restaurants, bars, and tips clicking the links below!

We also recommend the following activities (you can click for more info):

At HiCantabria, we have decided to partner with Civitatis because they are the leader in tours and excursions in Spain. It’s the easiest way to book a tour organized by locals with complete security and in your own language. Below, you can click to find out all the details, such as the detailed description, price, and availability! There are also many more activities!

Do you need more information?

In the HiCantabria blog, you will find all the information you need, such as:

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