How much does it cost?

From £2,295 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,100 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included throughout?

Train travel is central to the itinerary throughout: Eurostar and TGV from London to Barcelona, Spain's AVE high-speed network to Oviedo, and named rail legs on to Santander, Bilbao, Logroño, Zaragoza and back through Paris to London. The tour is branded 'by First Class Rail'.

Is this trip escorted or independent?

It is an independent rail holiday with free days built into Oviedo, Santander, Bilbao, Logroño and Zaragoza for travelers to explore at their own pace.

What hotels are used?

Named hotels include the Abba Sants (Barcelona), Eurostars Hotel de La Reconquista (Oviedo), Hotel Bahía (Santander), the 5-star Hotel Carlton (Bilbao), the 4-star Sercotel Calle Mayor (Logroño), the 5-star Hotel Palafox (Zaragoza), and the Holiday Inn Bastille (Paris).

What optional excursions are available?

A vineyard excursion and wine tasting in La Rioja, an excursion to San Sebastián from Bilbao, and a boat trip around Santander bay.

Planet Rail · Independent rail holiday

Atlantic Spain & Rioja by First Class Rail

Independent first-class rail tour across northern Spain's Atlantic coast and Rioja

Planet Rail operates this 13-day independent rail holiday connecting London to Zaragoza through northern Spain, using Eurostar, TGV and Spain's AVE high-speed network throughout. After an evening arrival in Barcelona on Day 1, the route heads north-west to Oviedo for two nights in Asturias, then east along the Atlantic coast to Santander and on to Bilbao in the Basque Country, each with free days to explore on foot or add optional excursions such as a Picos de Europa outing, a Santander bay boat trip, or a trip to San Sebastián. The journey continues south into La Rioja for wine tastings in Logroño, then to Zaragoza before returning north through Paris to London. Hotels include 5-star properties in Bilbao and Zaragoza and a 4-star stay in Logroño. With mostly 2-night stays and no group escort, the pace suits independent travelers drawn to regional food and wine, from Asturian cider houses to Basque pintxos bars.

Price history

Across 2 checks, this price has held at £2,295 every time.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 2 of 2 points are a live read of the operator's page.

What to know before you look closer

The evidence for this trip lists no separate inclusions or exclusions beyond named hotels and trains; meals and transfers are not confirmed either way, so check what is included directly with Planet Rail before booking.
Optional excursions, the La Rioja vineyard and wine tasting, the San Sebastián excursion, and the Santander bay boat trip, are extras rather than part of the from-price.
Star ratings are given for only 3 of the 7 hotels (5-star Hotel Carlton in Bilbao, 4-star Sercotel Calle Mayor in Logroño, 5-star Hotel Palafox in Zaragoza); the rest are unrated in the evidence.
No current departure dates are listed; confirm timing directly with Planet Rail before booking.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Barcelona
Barcelona
Board the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, transfer between stations, then continue south aboard the high speed TGV through the French countryside into Spain, arriving in Barcelona in the evening.
Day 2overnight: Oviedo
Barcelona to Oviedo
Travel north-west via Madrid on Spain's AVE high-speed network into the green landscapes of Asturias, arriving into Oviedo in the evening.
Day 3overnight: Oviedo
Oviedo
Free day to explore Oviedo's old town, architecture and museums, or venture into the Picos de Europa mountains.
Day 4railovernight: Santander
Oviedo to Santander
Continue east along Spain's northern coastline by rail, arriving into the coastal city of Santander.
Day 5overnight: Santander
Santander & the Cantabrian Coast
Full day at leisure in Santander, with the option to visit the Magdalena Palace, relax on Sardinero Beach, or take a boat trip around the bay.
Day 6overnight: Bilbao
Santander to Bilbao
Travel east into the Basque Country and the city of Bilbao, with the option to visit the Guggenheim Museum and the Casco Viejo.
Day 7overnight: Bilbao
Bilbao
Full day to explore Bilbao's galleries and markets, or take an optional excursion to San Sebastián.
Day 8overnight: Logroño
Bilbao to Logroño
Travel south into Spain's Rioja wine region, arriving into Logroño; evening along Calle Laurel, one of Spain's famous tapas streets.
Day 9overnight: Logroño
Logroño
Optional vineyard excursion and wine tasting in La Rioja, or a relaxed day in Logroño's cafés, plazas and markets.
Day 10railovernight: Zaragoza
Logroño to Zaragoza
Continue by rail to Zaragoza, exploring highlights including the Basilica del Pilar and the Aljafería Palace.
Day 11overnight: Zaragoza
Zaragoza
Full additional day at leisure in Zaragoza, exploring the old quarter and Roman ruins.
Day 12railovernight: Paris
Zaragoza to Paris
Board the high speed rail service north into France, arriving into Paris in the evening.
Day 13rail
Home
Travel to Paris Gare du Nord for the Eurostar journey back to London St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, then the high-speed TGV south through the French countryside into Spain, arriving in Barcelona.
Day 2Travel north-west via Madrid on Spain's AVE high-speed network into the green landscapes of Asturias, arriving in Oviedo.
Day 8Rail travel south into Spain's Rioja wine region, arriving in Logroño, with an evening along Calle Laurel, one of Spain's famous tapas streets.
Day 10Rail journey on to Zaragoza, exploring highlights including the Basilica del Pilar and the Aljafería Palace.

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £2,295 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,100 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included throughout?: Train travel is central to the itinerary throughout: Eurostar and TGV from London to Barcelona, Spain's AVE high-speed network to Oviedo, and named rail legs on to Santander, Bilbao, Logroño, Zaragoza and back through Paris to London. The tour is branded 'by First Class Rail'.
Is this trip escorted or independent?: It is an independent rail holiday with free days built into Oviedo, Santander, Bilbao, Logroño and Zaragoza for travelers to explore at their own pace.
What hotels are used?: Named hotels include the Abba Sants (Barcelona), Eurostars Hotel de La Reconquista (Oviedo), Hotel Bahía (Santander), the 5-star Hotel Carlton (Bilbao), the 4-star Sercotel Calle Mayor (Logroño), the 5-star Hotel Palafox (Zaragoza), and the Holiday Inn Bastille (Paris).
What optional excursions are available?: A vineyard excursion and wine tasting in La Rioja, an excursion to San Sebastián from Bilbao, and a boat trip around Santander bay.