Hi Maribel,
We are only 2-I booked Legazpi's last room: the Family Suite with 2 beds-it was their lowest price room, so my expectations are low. Impossible for me to judge how noisy it is...garbage pickup everywhere is a thorn (I recall staying at the Plaza in NYC decades ago and being barraged by garbage trucks at 5:00am! When we stayed outside Amalfi, one of the ubiquitous European holiday celebrations continued on for 3 nights in a row...until close to 3 am. My stories go on and on.)
I've already booked it and I try to avoid 'looking under every rock' for the perfect place. The clerk I spoke to at Legazpi said the buses don't run at night (but probably in the morning yes?). Anyway its only for 2 nights w/the only purpose being dining. Regardless of what my husband says, I'm frugal to a fault, unless I know the accommodation...my upbringing I suppose.
Thank you for all the options...as we are staying 4 nights on arrival in Las Letras, is there another neighborhood you find worth exploring and straight-forward to the airport? With the exception of France and Paris we rarely decide to return to a region/city we've stayed in.
Congratulations on settling in the EU-a dream I've had for many years!

Maribel,
Here's a stumper for you. Looking at my calendar, I have 2-3 extra days before returning to Madrid. Problem: scheduled to drop the car before SS stay, then thought we'd bus it back to Madrid, but then we have a full 5 days in Madrid (we will have already spent 4 days In Madrid at the onset of our trip) before returning to SFO. Hmmm alot off time hanging in Madrid.
Any suggestions on another short hop after SS, perhaps on the way south to Madrid? I realize I may need to reschedule the car drop off...and find a good departure city by bus to Madrid. Perhaps there's an excursion you recommend just outside SS???..seems wholly inconvenient but another 5 days in Madrid could be too much, yes?
???

But I didn't say that garbage pick in the early morning hours would be a thorn at the Legazpi. I simply mentioned that it is a common complaint of visitors at some Spain hotels if they happen to have a lower floor room.

Yes, it's best not to look under every rock for the perfect place.
I'm very picky regarding hotels these days, as I can now finally afford nicer ones, and I did just book the Arbaso for Tamborrada in Jan. because the price was far more reasonable.

But again, I'm inured to the noise issue as I live here once again. My stories also go on and on, as in addition to the Tamborrada, 24-hour drumming and music, sometimes right below our hotel window at 2 am, and the 8-day madness of Fiesta de San Fermín, we also attend other festivals here such as the Fallas in Valencia, the noisiest festival in all of Spain, (if not Europe??) with constant shooting off of fireworks, day and night (google it!).

No, the buses don't run late at night. The first morning bus E 21 to Hondarribia departs at 6:30 am and the last bus from Hondarribia arrives at 10:20.
I probably shouldn't have mentioned buses at all, since it's not a huge noise factor, at least not for me.

And I didn't indicate that the bus noise would be an issue for you at the Legazpi or the Roommate Gorka across the square. I just don't have any idea whatsoever whether this would seriously impact your stay at allat the Legazpi. The Suites entrance is actually around the corner on Calle Legazpi (thus the name) not on the square itself.

In addition, San Sebastián actually isn't a "late night" town, as the pintxos bars in the Old Quarter and elsewhere tend to close at 11. Not at all like Madrid, a huge nightlife capital.

Hi pepperment,
Sorry, I didn't see your most recent post while composing mine.

I would have suggested Bilbao, but you're arriving via bus to Bilbao from Madrid, correct? And staying there for a night or two?

9 days in Madrid would be alot for the first timer, however, there are multiple excursion options: to magnificent Toledo with one of Spain's finest Gothic catedrals, El Greco museum, Military Museum, and on and on (like an intense art history course in one day), to see the monumental aqueduct and the Alcázar castle in Segovia, one of my favorite Castilian cities, to San Lorenzo de El Escorial (but not on Mon. when the monument is closed), to Cuenca if you have any interest in abstract art, to Aranjuez to visit the "Spanish Versailles" etc.

These excursions require either a bus or train ride, but they're easy.

hmmm. from San Sebastián sans car, in September, you could train either to Vitoria in Alava (the Basque Country capital) or Burgos with its stunning Gothic cathedral and burial place of El Cid and Museum of the History of the Evolution of Man, or to Segovia, my favorite Castilian provincial capital. The 8:52 am ALVIA direct train arrives in Vitoria at 10:41, to Burgos at 12:06 and to Segovia at 13:26.

From Segovia you could take the local bus (quick ride) for a morning trip to the Palace of La Granja, the Bourbon dynasty summer palace surrounded by lovely gardens and multiple fountains and the center of glass making.

And from Segovia it's only a 30-minute fast train ride to Madrid, departing from the Segovia-Guiomar AVE station (outside of town but serviced by local bus or taxi) arriving at Madrid's northern rail station of Chamartín.
Or there is a bus as well, operated by AVANZA which takes 1 hr. 20 minutes direct, departing from the Segovia bus station in town and arrives at Moncloa bus station (wi-fi and toilet on board).

I love, love Segovia. We spent a wonderful weekend there recently, once again. Great dining at Restaurante José María, and owner has a terrific winery in the Ribera del Duero. And my favorite place to stay there sans car is the Aurea Convento Capuchinos by Eurostars. When we go with our car we stay at the Parador with sit out terrace with magical views of the city, 2 km away, but from the Parador getting into the center requires a taxi. But it´s only a 10-12 euro ride.

Maribel,
As always, expert advise and creative ideas! I will review, likely return for clarification on transportation , and shoot for Segovia as a side trip!
Your post earlier re. hotels, noise and other local shenanigans echoes my experience too. I appreciate your emphasis on one's subjective experience: you have acclimated to the European obsession with festivals and holidays...including the noise which we staid Americans aren't use to. I completely understand, if I were decades younger I would likely be alongside the revelers dancing in the streets!
Warmly,
pm

Already a question!...train service preferable to Segovia, but with your cautions about the unreliable advantage scheduling from Renfe, I guess one would need to book these while in SS or earlier, perhaps via the hotel concierge (if concierge are available in Spanish hotels).
Would that be your approach? Or would you opt for a ticket on Alsa?
pm

Hi pepperment,
The advantage of the 8:52 Alvia from SS to points south is that the Alvia, when booking an Elige Confort fare, this will put you in a "preferente" car, with a 2 + 1 seat configuration and XL seats. Thus, more leg room, a quieter ride and the ability to walk around.
And it's a shorter ride to those 2 cities on route to Madrid, either Burgos or Segovia, on this Alvia. Nope, still not "bullet speed" yet, but bearable.
The Alvia also has a bar/cafeteria car and offers a rolling beverage cart, or when purchasing an online ticket you can add a Menu Box meal to be served at your seat.

Right now I see it bookable but you may have to wait a while for the fares to be loaded for your dates. Or book through your hotel concierge while in SS.

Unlike an Alsa bus ride to Burgos the Alvia doesn't make dozens of stops. There isn't a direct bus connection between SS and Segovia.

Both Burgos and Segovia have enough to enjoy for 2 days each monument wise, they have very nice dining options (even with Repsol suns) and pleasant lodging, not luxury, but fine.
In Burgos we've stayed at the 4-stars, AC by Marriott and the NH Collection Palacio de Burgos. Very reasonably priced.
And in both one can enjoy the excellent Ribera del Duero wines---the acclaimed Ribera del Duero D.O. (appellation) spans the provinces of Valladolid, Burgos, Soria and includes a couple of wineries in he Segovia province.

Hi Maribel,
Segovia is a great option! But no buses serve SS - Segovia, so I'm again goofing with Renfe. The app seems more cooperative, but it's very wobbly, I can game it a bit, and find bookings which don't appear previously. So I see a booking page for 9/19 SS-Segovia available, with the following service alert, what does this mean?
Con motivo de las obras en la infraestructura este tren inicia su recorridoen en San Sebastian. Los viajeros origen Irún realizran en trenes de cercaiias el viaje hasta San Sebastian desde donde continuaran en trenhasta destino.
Due to the infrastructure works, this train begins its journey in San Sebastian. Travelers from Irun will make the trip to San Sebastian on local trains from where they will continue by train to their destination.
1. From the app, I attempted to book SS-Segovia on 9/19---only to get "fare error"...obviously their IT is so miserable it's just best to stay away. Keep hearing your written words: "...have had to wait til the day before to book a train". I could not find a bus to Segovia.
2. Oddly MAD-Bilbao on 9/7 won't load after 7/22, response is "temporarily unavailable"--in Renfe world what does this mean?

The Renfe system is quite nerve-racking.

Hi pepperment,
The Alvia train departing at 8:52 is the one that stops in Burgos, Valladolid and Segovia.
But..... if you're searching for it for your September date, the 19th, alas, you won't find it yet. It's too early for that train fare to be loaded. I see it on www.renfe.com until July 19.
Just. remember that the Alvia train fares are some of the last to be loaded on the website.
Unfortunately, that's why I have to check back every day.
Again, for September 19, it's far too early to book.

No you don't have to wait until the day before to book the train. It will appear eventually, and there will be seats.

"Temporarily unavailable" means the fares haven't been loaded yet. Believe me, I see this notice all the time! Because...Renfe gets around to loading fares when it feels like it, not in any logical way.

And remember that the Alvia isn't a "bullet train" like Renfe's AVE that runs on other routes, on which they have competition now with France's Ouigo and/or Italy's Iryo. On these high-speed highly competitive routes (Madrid-Barcelona, Madrid-Sevilla, Madrid-Málaga, Madrid-Valencia, you will find fares loaded many months in advance to keep up with the competition.

I don't use the app. I just check with www.renfe.com on a daily basis. It's my "lovely day job"!

That message has nothing to do with your journey. It means that that particular train, which has in the past started in Irún at the border, during current construction works, starts instead in San Sebastián.

Sorry this is so frustrating, but it's equally frustrating for me.

Thank you! I did find an Alsa route to Segovia, competitive duration with Renfe. I am committed to avoiding the train. Usually I avoid the apps but I found a ray of hope yesterday when searching---a short-lived one however.
So vastly appreciate again for your support!

Please read my other post. I don't know where you found an Alsa bus to the city of Segovia, but I'm dying to know why it doesn't appear on www.alsa.es. Was it on the app?
Are you sure the app doesn't list a few towns that Alsa serves in the province of Segovia?

I'm confused.

Busbud.com and omio.com do not list a SS to Segovia direct bus.

I also checked all the routes on the SS bus station web site and can't find a route to the city of Segovia.
https://estaciondonostia.com/en/station/routes/

A direct bus from Donostia-San Sebastian to Segovia is not a logical connection, it does not make sense. I would take the bus (preferable) or the train from D-SS to Madrid and then a bus or train to Segovia. Otherwise it´s too much hassle and weird connections, in my opinion.

Thanks, mikelg.
The connection simply does not exist, as I've tried to explain!

pepperment,
If you go directly to Madrid by train, then you would take a train (a quite slow train) from SS to Madrid's Chamartín rail station (where it ends) and there, then you switch to a high speed AVANT train, (30 minutes) directly, non-stop to Segovia, which makes no sense because that you have a train, the Alvia at 8:52, that departs SS and stops in Segovia-Guiomar before reaching its final destination, Madrid Chamartin.

The Alvia 8:52 train from SS to Segovia on 9-19 leaves you at the purpose-built high speed rail station, Segovia-Guiomar, outside of the city, where you can get on a city bus (buses are timed to the train arrivals) that leaves you at the bus stop below the Aqueduct. From there, taxi to your hotel

Or, alternatively,,, if you are absolutely committed to taking a bus, take the Alsa bus all the way to Madrid to the Estación Sur de Autobuses, then switch to an Avanza bus to Segovia, which departs from a different bus station, the Intercambiador de Moncloa, because Alsa does not serve Segovia.

Again, the Madrid to Segovia bus departs from the Intercambiador de Moncloa not from the final Alsa bus station destination at the Estación de Autobuses, for which you'll need to take a taxi. I was just at this bus station this afternoon.

This travel by bus from SS to Segovia via Madrid with bus company change (Alsa to Avanza) and bus station change (Estación Sur de Autobuses to Intercambiador de Moncloa) in Madrid, will constitute an entire day of travel, which is why I suggested the more simple route of the 8:52 Alvia train (for which tickets are not available yet for 9/19) from SS rail that stops in Vitoria, Burgos, Valladolid and finally Segovia, where you would get off, before continuing on the Madrid's Chamartín rail station.

The ride, again, from SS to Segovia on the Alvia at 8:52 will take 4 hours, 34 minutes. This is simply the quickest way to travel from SS to Segovia.