Getting There and Away

Beautiful medieval stone bridge over a flowing river in a historic Spanish town.
Paulino Acosta Santana, Pexels

Potes does not have a train station, with the nearest being in Unquera, approximately 30 kilometers away. The most convenient major transport hub is Santander, which features an airport (Santander Airport, SDR) and a bus station with direct connections to Potes.

By Air and Bus:

The nearest major airport is Santander Airport (SDR). From there, travelers can take a bus to Potes. Direct bus services from Santander to Potes are operated by Jimenez Movilidad or Autobuses Palomera, taking around 2 hours and 25 minutes with an indicative cost of €6-€10.

By Air and Car Rental:

For increased flexibility, flying into Santander Airport (SDR) and renting a car is a common choice. The drive from Santander to Potes typically takes about 1.5 to 2 hours (approximately 105 km). Car rental services are available at Santander Airport and within Potes itself.

By Bus from Major Cities:

Direct bus services connect Santander to Potes. For those arriving from other major Spanish cities like Bilbao, a bus journey to Santander is usually required, followed by a connecting bus to Potes. A bus journey from Bilbao to Potes, including transfers, can take around 6 hours and 14 minutes.

By Car:

Driving provides the most direct route to Potes. From Santander, the journey covers about 105 kilometers by road and typically takes between 1.5 to 2 hours. The route includes both highway and mountain roads through the Hermida Gorge.

By Train and Taxi:

While Potes lacks a train station, the closest one is in Unquera. From Unquera, a taxi ride to Potes takes approximately 30 minutes. A train and taxi option from Santander to Potes takes around 2 hours and 4 minutes, with an estimated cost of €143-€174.