FlixBus San Sebastian to Porto Review 2026

Traveling from San Sebastián to Porto

An Honest FlixBus Overnight Bus Review

Not many travelers take this exact route, but if you find yourself planning a trip from the culinary heaven of San Sebastián in Northern Spain to the charming streets of Porto, Portugal, you might run into the same roadblock I did: there are no direct trains or flights.

As someone traveling in my 30s, I wanted to avoid overnight buses at all costs to save my back and energy. Unfortunately, there was simply no other viable option.

Even if you aren't doing this exact route, you can read this review to get a solid idea of what to expect on a long-distance FlixBus overnight journey in Europe.

So, what is the final verdict on the FlixBus night bus?

Honestly, it was totally doable.

It was much more comfortable than I had feared.

Here is my detailed review of the experience.

1. FlixBus Booking and Seat Selection

Booking is incredibly easy nowadays thanks to user-friendly apps. You can book on their website, but using the FlixBus app is much more convenient.

Plus, the app doubles as your digital ticket, which makes boarding seamless.

Note that selecting a specific seat will cost a small extra fee.

While it feels a bit like nickel-and-diming, it is highly recommended if you want peace of mind.

The front-row seats are labeled as "Panorama Seats" and cost slightly more.

Technically, you don't have to pay for seat selection, but we chose to pay the extra fee to ensure my husband and I could sit together and to avoid getting randomly assigned a seat right next to the onboard restroom.

Speaking of restrooms, access can vary. Some drivers allow passengers to use them, while others keep them locked. On our bus, it seemed the restroom was out of service (which didn't bother me since I prefer to avoid bus restrooms anyway!).

One thing to keep in mind: even though we booked a ticket from San Sebastián to Porto, this bus actually originated in France.

When we boarded, a couple of travelers were already sitting in our reserved seats. Luckily, when we politely showed them our tickets, they immediately moved without any issues.

2. San Sebastián Bus Terminal

Leaving the beautiful city of San Sebastián was bittersweet. It was such an incredible destination. If I had known how much I would miss it, I would have planned to stay there much longer!

Most modern bus terminals in Spain are built underground.

The elevator layout can be a bit confusing. The street level where you enter might feel like the second floor, but the actual underground bus terminal is marked as Floor 0. Make sure to follow the signs closely so you don't get lost.

Since our bus was scheduled to depart after 10:00 PM, all the shops and cafes in the terminal were already closed. Only a few travelers were scattered around the waiting area. It felt a bit basic and quiet compared to major transit hubs.

You can track your bus on the small overhead TV screens.

It was only after looking at this screen that I realized our bus didn't start in San Sebastián—it actually originated in Marseille, France! This isn't always obvious when you book on the app.

The screen displays a route number on the far right, which matches the number on your ticket. If you are confused about which bus is yours, just cross-reference that number.

Unfortunately, our bus was heavily delayed. We ended up waiting at the terminal for over an hour.

While FlixBus does send delay notifications via email and the app, they often arrive after you've already made your way to the station. Once you're there, all you can do is sit tight and wait.

3. Onboard the FlixBus Night Bus

We were quite worried about the legroom, but the seat pitch turned out to be surprisingly generous.

Plenty of legroom for my husband

There is a fold-down footrest attached to the seat in front, though I didn't find it particularly useful. On the bright side, the bus was clean, fresh, and completely free of any unpleasant odors.

One crucial tip: the driver blasted the air conditioning, making the cabin incredibly cold. Even if you are traveling in the peak of summer, definitely pack a warm sweater or cardigan in your carry-on.

There are USB charging ports available, but they are oddly located on the ceiling next to the reading lights. If you have a short charging cable, your phone will just be dangling in the air, so bring a longer cord!

We also made a brief stop at a rest area during the night.

It was a decent 24-hour service station. I chose to stay on the bus and sleep, but my husband went inside and mentioned that the facilities were clean and well-maintained.

After about 10 hours of driving, we crossed the border from Spain into Portugal.

The drivers swapped midway through the journey to ensure safety, which made us feel much more secure on such a long overnight trip.

Since Porto was the final destination, everyone got off to retrieve their luggage.

I actually slept surprisingly well and felt refreshed enough to start our sightseeing itinerary right away. Given how budget-friendly and clean the ride was, it is a fantastic option for budget travelers.

If I ever need to cover this route again, I would happily choose the FlixBus night bus.

Porto’s bus terminal is also underground, so you will need to head upstairs to exit. The station features clean restrooms and a bustling cafe area where many travelers were grabbing breakfast.

From the terminal, we easily caught a taxi straight to our hotel. There’s no need to hassle with ridesharing apps—just head directly to the designated taxi stand outside!