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Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. The same itinerary is still sold by another operator, listed under Also sold by below.

Vacations By Rail · Luxury Train Journey

Al Andalus Express – Seville to Madrid

Nine-day luxury train journey from Seville to Madrid through Andalucía and Extremadura

Illustration of Al Andalus Express – Seville to Madrid

Vacations By Rail offers this nine-day luxury train journey aboard the Al Andalus Express, one of Spain's most celebrated heritage trains. You begin in Seville, the capital of Andalucía, and travel independently through some of Spain's most storied regions: Andalucía with its Moorish heritage, Extremadura with its medieval towns, and La Mancha with landscapes tied to Don Quixote. Six of your eight nights are spent in a Gran Class Cabin aboard the Al Andalus, and two nights in four-star hotels in Seville and Madrid. Each day combines guided tours of historic sites such as Córdoba's Mezquita mosque-cathedral, Toledo's Gothic cathedral and 10th-century mosque, and Cáceres' UNESCO-listed medieval quarter with leisurely rail travel and meals prepared aboard. Highlights include an equestrian ballet in Jerez, a sherry tasting at a prestigious winery, and visits to artisanal producers in La Mancha. This itinerary suits luxury seekers, history enthusiasts, and food-and-wine travelers who appreciate slower-paced discovery from a mobile base.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of USD 8,365 covers the package (train, hotels, meals, transfers, and tours); international flights are not included and must be booked separately
  • Hotel options in Seville and Madrid are presented as choices within the tier; your final property depends on availability and preference
  • The itinerary shows optional excursions available in Seville (flamenco performance and tapas tours) at additional cost, and a two-night Seville extension is available before boarding

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Seville (hotel)

    Arrival in Seville

    Your adventure begins as you land in Seville, a city of flamenco, sherry bars and quaint cobbled streets, and are transferred to your hotel to relax. Choose from a selection of hotels on a B&B basis; you may extend with a two-night stay, and optional excursions are available at a supplement.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Train (Córdoba)

    Boarding Al Andalus in Seville

    After lunch, a panoramic tour of Seville unveils the cathedral crowned by the Giralda and the Barrio de Santa Cruz. Boarding the luxurious Al Andalus, savor your first dinner aboard as the train begins its journey, arriving in Córdoba for the night.

    Meals: Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Train (en route to Jerez)

    Andalucían gems in Córdoba and Cádiz

    After breakfast, a guided tour of Córdoba visits the remarkable Mezquita mosque-cathedral. Lunch is served aboard as the train travels to Cádiz, the 'Silver Cup' and oldest city in the western world, for an afternoon guided tour. Dinner is served as the train continues to Jerez.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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

    Jerez de la Frontera and onwards to Zafra

    After breakfast, a famous equestrian ballet, 'How the Andalucían Horses Dance', opens the day. After lunch in a local restaurant, visit a prestigious Jerez winery for a sherry tasting. Dinner is served on board while travelling towards Zafra, a historic town known for its 15th-century castle.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Train (Mérida)

    Cáceres and Mérida

    While you have breakfast, the train reaches the Extremadura city of Cáceres for a tour of its UNESCO-listed medieval streets and palaces. Al Andalus continues to Mérida to view the Roman remains of Emerita Augusta, dining aboard that evening and resting for the night in Mérida.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Train (Alcázar de San Juan)

    La Mancha and Cervantes' windmills

    Breakfast on the train precedes arrival in Alcázar de San Juan, with visits to an artisanal cheese factory and a wine cellar. After lunch, a trip to the windmills of Campo de Criptana that inspired Don Quixote, then dinner back aboard the train.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Train

    Aranjuez and the imperial city of Toledo

    Arriving in Aranjuez after breakfast, you transfer to Toledo to see its Gothic cathedral, 10th-century mosque and synagogues. After lunch in the city, return to Aranjuez to explore the UNESCO-listed Royal Palace and its gardens.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  8. Day 8railovernight: Madrid (hotel)

    Disembarking in Madrid

    During breakfast, you arrive in Madrid and disembark the Al Andalus train. This afternoon, take a private transfer to your choice of 4 or 5-Star hotel for the evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  9. Day 9

    Traveling home

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

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Board the Al Andalus Express in Seville after a panoramic tour of the cathedral and Barrio de Santa Cruz; dinner aboard as the train departs for Córdoba
  • Day 3Guided tour of Córdoba's Mezquita, a mosque-cathedral, followed by travel to Cádiz for an afternoon tour of the oldest city in the western world
  • Day 4Morning equestrian ballet 'How the Andalucían Horses Dance' in Jerez, followed by a sherry tasting at a prestigious winery
  • Day 6Visit the windmills of Campo de Criptana that inspired Cervantes' Don Quixote, with stops at a cheese factory and wine cellar
  • Day 7Explore Toledo's Gothic cathedral, 10th-century mosque, and synagogues, then visit Aranjuez's UNESCO-listed Royal Palace and gardens

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. Six nights are spent aboard the Al Andalus Express in a Gran Class Cabin with all meals included. Two additional nights are in four-star hotels in Seville and Madrid.
Is this tour guided or independent?
You travel independently following a well-planned itinerary. Guided tours are included in major cities such as Córdoba, Cádiz, Toledo, Aranjuez, Cáceres, and Madrid.
What is included in the price?
The from-price of USD 8,365 includes six nights on the Al Andalus, two nights in four-star hotels, all meals aboard the train, breakfast in hotels, guided city tours, a sherry winery tasting, an equestrian ballet performance, and airport transfers. Flights and travel insurance are not included.
Which train operates this journey?
The Al Andalus Express, a luxury train with Gran Class Cabins, operates the route from Seville to Madrid via Córdoba, Cádiz, Jerez, Zafra, Cáceres, Mérida, and La Mancha.
How many days is the trip?
The journey is nine days and eight nights, running from arrival in Seville through to departure from Madrid.

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