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Tailor Made Rail · Tailor-made independent rail holiday

Barcelona and Madrid by High-Speed Train

Seven-day high-speed rail loop from London through Paris to Barcelona, Madrid, and Perpignan

Illustration of Barcelona and Madrid by High-Speed Train

Tailor Made Rail's Barcelona and Madrid by High-Speed Train is a 7-day independent rail holiday connecting London, Barcelona, Madrid, and Perpignan via three world-class train services. You depart London on Eurostar, arrive in Paris, and board the direct TGV to Barcelona via the eastern Pyrenees. After three nights exploring Barcelona's architecture and beaches, you travel south on Spain's AVE train, covering 390 miles to Madrid in 2 hours 45 minutes. A second city break follows with a free day to visit the Prado, Reina Sofia, or Royal Palace. Day 6 takes you overnight by direct train into French Catalonia to Perpignan, where you spend one night near the historic centre before returning to London via Paris and Eurostar. The package suits independent explorers comfortable with train changes and couples wanting two cities with unguided time. Standard Class accommodation and breakfast are included; optional First Class upgrades and hotel enhancements are available.

What to know before you look closer

  • This package includes Standard Class rail travel and does not offer First Class fares in the base price; First Class upgrades are available for a supplement of 200 GBP per person.
  • Hotel accommodation is offered as handpicked options; Barcelona, Madrid, and Perpignan hotel names are confirmed, but single supplements apply for sole occupancy.
  • The itinerary involves multiple train changes (London to Paris, Paris to Barcelona, Barcelona to Madrid, Madrid to Paris, Paris to London); connections are daily but not guaranteed without reservation.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Barcelona

    London to Barcelona

    Eurostar to Paris, changing onto the direct TGV to Barcelona via the eastern Pyrenees, Figueres and Girona. Check in for a 3-night stay.

  2. Day 2overnight: Barcelona

    Barcelona

    Explore Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, walk down Las Ramblas, or relax on Barcelona's beaches.

  3. Day 3overnight: Barcelona

    Barcelona

    Second free day in Barcelona.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Madrid

    Barcelona to Madrid

    390-mile journey in 2 hours 45 minutes aboard Spain's AVE train, arriving at Madrid's Atocha station. Check in for a 2-night stay.

  5. Day 5overnight: Madrid

    Madrid

    Free day to explore the Prado, the Reina Sofia, the Royal Palace, the botanical gardens or the Puerta del Sol area.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Perpignan

    Madrid to Perpignan

    Once-daily direct train from Madrid into French Catalonia, with an overnight stay in Perpignan near the historic centre.

  7. Day 7rail

    Perpignan to London

    TGV north to Paris via Languedoc and Provence, crossing Paris to the Eurostar terminal at Gare du Nord (private car transfer also available).

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Day 1: Eurostar departs London St Pancras for Paris, then board the direct TGV to Barcelona, passing through the eastern Pyrenees, Figueres, and Girona.
  • Day 4Day 4: The Spanish AVE train covers 390 miles from Barcelona to Madrid in 2 hours 45 minutes, arriving at Atocha station.
  • Day 6Day 6: An overnight direct train departs Madrid for Perpignan in French Catalonia, with a one-night stay in the historic centre.

Included

  • Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations
  • 6 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Comprehensive directions to your hotels
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email, post or collection from our London office

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations on Eurostar (London to Paris), TGV (Paris to Barcelona and Paris to Perpignan), and AVE (Barcelona to Madrid).
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
This is an independent rail holiday. You travel on your own between cities and have free days to explore Barcelona, Madrid, and surrounding areas. Tailor Made Rail provides travel documentation and directions to your hotels.
Which hotels are included?
The package includes 3 nights at Catalonia Born in Barcelona, 2 nights at Vincci Centrum Hotel in Madrid, and 1 night at Kyriad Prestige Centre del Mon in Perpignan. Upgrades to Hotel Arts Barcelona or Gran Melia Palacio de los Duques are available as optional extras.
When does this trip run?
The operator offers departures year-round. Low season (November to March) starts from 1,199 GBP per person; high season (April to October) from 1,399 GBP per person, both for two people sharing a room.
What is included in the price?
Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations, 6 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast, comprehensive directions to hotels, easy-to-follow travel documentation, and email or postal despatch of tickets.
What is not included?
Meals other than hotel breakfast, attractions and museum entry fees, transfers except a private car option across Paris (available as an optional extra), and any activities or excursions are not included.

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