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Vacations By Rail · Luxury Train Journey

Al Andalus Express – Madrid to Seville

Nine-day luxury train journey Madrid to Seville with six nights aboard

Illustration of Al Andalus Express – Madrid to Seville

Vacations By Rail's Al Andalus Express is a 9-day luxury train journey that departs Madrid and concludes in Seville, traveling through central and southern Spain. You spend six nights in a Gran Class Cabin aboard the Al Andalus Express, sleeping and dining on the train as it moves between destinations, and two additional nights in 4-star hotels in Madrid and Seville. The itinerary is independent rather than group-escorted; you follow a well-planned routing with guided tours at key stops and unscheduled time to explore. Days unfold as off-train excursions to historic cities (Toledo's Gothic cathedral and medieval quarters, Córdoba's Mezquita, Cádiz's ancient streets, Seville's cathedral and Santa Cruz neighborhood), countryside experiences (La Mancha's windmills and cheese factory, a sherry tasting and equestrian performance in Jerez), and UNESCO-listed sites in Cáceres and Mérida. All meals aboard the train and at included stops are covered. This journey suits travellers who value cultural immersion and historical discovery, appreciate the luxury of a private cabin combined with rail travel, and prefer a structured yet independent pace of exploration.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights are not included in the from-price; add international and domestic airfare to Madrid and from Seville
  • Hotel choices in Madrid and Seville are listed as options; final accommodations depend on availability and tier selected
  • Cancellation and travel insurance must be arranged separately

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Madrid (hotel)

    Arrival in Madrid

    Your adventure begins as you land in Madrid and are transferred to your hotel to relax or begin exploring independently. Choose from a selection of 4-Star and 5-Star hotels on a B&B basis.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Train (Aranjuez)

    Boarding Al Andalus in Aranjuez

    A panoramic tour of Madrid unveils the capital's main sights, followed by lunch. A transfer takes you to Aranjuez, where the train awaits; visit the Royal Palace of Aranjuez and its UNESCO-listed gardens, then board Al Andalus for your first dinner aboard.

    Meals: Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Train (Alcázar de San Juan)

    The imperial city of Toledo

    An off-train excursion to Toledo reveals its Gothic cathedral, 10th-century mosque and synagogues including Santa María la Blanca and El Tránsito. Lunch is served in the city before free time, then dinner aboard as Al Andalus rolls across La Mancha to Alcázar de San Juan.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Train (en route to Cáceres)

    La Mancha and Cervantes' windmills

    Visits to an artisanal cheese factory and a wine cellar uncover La Mancha's wine and Manchego cheese traditions, followed by a trip to the windmills of Campo de Criptana that inspired Don Quixote. Dinner is served as Al Andalus continues to Cáceres.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Train (en route to Jerez)

    Cáceres and Mérida

    A tour of UNESCO-listed Cáceres reveals its medieval streets and grand palaces. Al Andalus continues to Mérida, where sightseeing reveals the Roman remains of Emerita Augusta, before dining on the train as it heads south to Jerez de la Frontera.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Train

    Jerez de la Frontera

    An equestrian ballet, 'How the Andalucían Horses Dance', opens the day, followed by lunch in a local restaurant and a visit to a prestigious Jerez winery with a sherry tasting.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Train

    Andalucían gems in Cádiz and Córdoba

    A guided tour of Cádiz, the 'Silver Cup' and one of the oldest cities in the western world, is followed by lunch aboard and arrival in Córdoba to tour the Mezquita mosque-cathedral.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Seville (hotel)

    Disembarking in Seville

    You arrive in Seville during breakfast and disembark Al Andalus. A tour of the historic capital of Andalucía takes in the cathedral and Giralda, and the Barrio de Santa Cruz. After lunch at a local restaurant, private transfer to your choice of hotel for the evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  9. Day 9

    Traveling home

    Awaking in your hotel, your once-in-a-lifetime adventure comes to an end as you are transferred to Seville airport for your flight home.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Board the Al Andalus Express in Aranjuez after touring the Royal Palace and its UNESCO-listed gardens, then enjoy your first dinner aboard
  • Day 3Excursion to Toledo reveals a Gothic cathedral, 10th-century mosque, and historic synagogues including Santa María la Blanca and El Tránsito
  • Day 4Visit the windmills of Campo de Criptana that inspired Cervantes' Don Quixote, and tour an artisanal cheese factory and wine cellar in La Mancha
  • Day 6Watch an equestrian ballet titled 'How the Andalucían Horses Dance' in Jerez de la Frontera, then taste sherry at a prestigious winery
  • Day 8Disembark in Seville for a tour of the cathedral and Giralda tower, and the historic Barrio de Santa Cruz neighborhood

Included

  • 2 nights in 4-Star hotels on a bed & breakfast basis
  • 6 nights on the Al Andalus Express luxury train in a Gran Class Cabin
  • Private transfers from & to the airport

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes six nights aboard the Al Andalus Express in a Gran Class Cabin with meals, plus private airport transfers
Which train is used?
The Al Andalus Express, a luxury train that departs from Aranjuez and travels via Toledo, La Mancha, Cáceres, Mérida, Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, and Córdoba to Seville
What meals are included?
All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners throughout the journey aboard the train and at included excursion stops are covered in the package
Is the trip guided or independent?
It is independent travel following a well-planned itinerary. Off-train excursions are guided; other time allows you to explore at your own pace
What is not included?
International and domestic flights, cancellation and travel insurance, and optional extras such as a private flamenco dinner or tapas tour in Seville
How many nights are in hotels versus on the train?
Two nights in 4-star hotels in Madrid and Seville on a bed and breakfast basis; six nights aboard the Al Andalus Express

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