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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, Malaga, and Madrid

11-day independent rail trip: Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, Malaga, Madrid

Illustration of Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, Malaga, and Madrid

Railbookers operates this 11-day independent rail vacation from Amsterdam to Madrid, spending two nights each in Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, Malaga, and Madrid. The trip opens with Amsterdam's canals and a 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus and boat tour, before a high-speed Thalys train reaches Paris for a sightseeing tour past the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre Dame. A TGV train crosses the Pyrenees into Barcelona, where a small group tour covers Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, then a morning train continues to Malaga for a hop-on hop-off tour taking in the Alcazaba fortress and the Picasso Museum. The final leg is a direct train to Madrid, closing with an authentic Flamenco show and tapas dinner. Because it is independent rather than escorted, this suits travelers who want the trains, hotels, and headline sights across five cities arranged in advance while still setting their own pace day to day.

What to know before you look closer

  • Railbookers pairs two hotel choices in Madrid, the Hospes Puerta De Alcala Madrid or the InterContinental Madrid, so the specific hotel depends on which one you select.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Amsterdam

    Your Journey Begins in Amsterdam

    Check into your hotel and explore Amsterdam's museums and canals.

  2. Day 2overnight: Amsterdam

    Amsterdam

    Included 24-hour hop-on, hop-off bus and boat tour; visit the 'I Amsterdam' letters.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Paris

    Amsterdam to Paris

    High-speed Thalys train to Paris; visit the Eiffel Tower and Champs-Élysées.

  4. Day 4overnight: Paris

    Paris

    24-hour hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour; visit the Louvre, Notre Dame, and Grand Palais.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Barcelona

    Paris to Barcelona

    High-speed TGV train through the Pyrenees to Barcelona; explore Parc Guell or ride the Montjuic cable car.

  6. Day 6overnight: Barcelona

    Barcelona

    Small group tour of the Sagrada Familia; wander Las Ramblas.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Malaga

    Barcelona to Malaga

    Morning train to Malaga, capital of Andalusia; check in and explore in the evening.

  8. Day 8overnight: Malaga

    Malaga

    24-hour hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour; visit the Alcazaba fortress, Malagueta beach, or the Picasso Museum.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Madrid

    Malaga to Madrid

    Direct train to Madrid; check in for a two-night stay and stroll Buen Retiro Park.

  10. Day 10overnight: Madrid

    Madrid

    Visit Plaza Mayor, Casa del Campo, and Plaza de Cibeles; enjoy an authentic Flamenco show and Tapas dinner.

  11. Day 11

    Your Journey Ends in Madrid

    Check out after breakfast and continue onward travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3A high-speed Thalys train reaches Paris in time to visit the Eiffel Tower and Champs-Elysees.
  • Day 5A high-speed TGV train crosses the Pyrenees on the way to Barcelona.
  • Day 6A small group tour of Gaudi's Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.
  • Day 8Malaga sightseeing options include the Alcazaba fortress, Malagueta beach, or the Picasso Museum.
  • Day 10An authentic Flamenco show and tapas dinner in Madrid.

Included

  • High-speed rail travel as per the itinerary
  • 2 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Amsterdam
  • 2 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Paris
  • 2 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Barcelona
  • 2 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Malaga
  • 2 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Madrid
  • Amsterdam 24-hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus and Boat Tour
  • Paris 24-hour Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
  • Small group tour of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona
  • Malaga City 24-hour Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour
  • Authentic Flamenco Show and Tapas dinner in Madrid

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. High-speed rail travel is included as per the itinerary, including a Thalys train to Paris and a TGV that crosses the Pyrenees to Barcelona.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation. Days are largely at your own pace, alongside included tours such as the Amsterdam hop-on hop-off bus and boat tour and the small group Sagrada Familia tour in Barcelona.
Which cities does the trip visit?
Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, Malaga, and Madrid, with two nights in each city.
What is included besides the train and hotels?
A 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus and boat tour in Amsterdam, a 24-hour hop-on hop-off tour in Paris, a small group Sagrada Familia tour in Barcelona, a 24-hour hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour in Malaga, and an authentic Flamenco show with tapas dinner in Madrid.
How long is the trip?
The package runs 11 days and 10 nights.
What does it cost?
Prices start from $1,769 per person, about $161 a day.

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