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PTG Tours · Escorted tour

Catalonia by Special Train (Rail and Culture Tour)

Private charter train through Catalonia on 1960s carriages and heritage diesel locomotives

Illustration of Catalonia by Special Train (Rail and Culture Tour)

PTG Tours operates this 8-day escorted rail tour through Catalonia, a one-off private charter over historic and scenic sections of Spain's Iberian-gauge network. The journey departs Valencia, passes through coastal towns and freight-only branches normally closed to passengers, and returns to Valencia via Barcelona, Tarragona, Montserrat, and Zaragoza. Travellers spend five days aboard 1960s compartment carriages hauled by heritage diesel locomotives, with three nights in hotels, and alternate between rail enthusiast branches and cultural visits such as Montserrat Monastery (home of the Black Madonna) and vineyard tastings. A tour manager accompanies the group throughout. The itinerary suits repeat rail travellers fascinated by heritage routes, history lovers drawn to medieval cities and monasteries, and food-and-wine enthusiasts who will sample local cuisine in each stop. Days blend morning departures or arrivals with afternoons exploring city centres and landmarks; most days involve moderate city walking. The tour runs in October 2026 only, and flights are booked separately.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is a one-off departure in October 2026 only; no other dates are currently scheduled
  • Return flights are priced separately from GBP 200 and are not included in the ground-only package price
  • The itinerary offers culture and rail options by request on some days (notably Day 6 in Barcelona); confirm which option suits you when booking

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Valencia (2 nights)

    UK - Valencia

    Various flights or overland options to Valencia. Overland travel by rail from London St Pancras also available, with an overnight stay in Hendaye on the France/Spain border.

  2. Day 2overnight: Valencia

    Valencia

    Guided half-day tour of Valencia's Old Town, Central Market and Plaza de la Virgen, followed by a paella and tapas feast at an 11th-century landmark.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Tarragona

    Valencia - Tortosa - Tarragona by special train

    Board the private charter train (4 compartment carriages from the 1960s, hauled by two ALCo diesel locomotives). Route south to Gandia and the Platja de Gandia branch, then north via a freight line onto the Valencia-Tarragona line to Tortosa (with reversal at L'Aldea Tortosa Amposta). Time to explore Tortosa before an evening service train to Tarragona.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Barcelona (2 nights)

    Tarragona - Barcelona by special train

    Rejoin the special train on the coastal line via Sant Vicenc de Calders, Castellbisbal and L'Hospitalet de Llobregat to Barcelona Sants (optional stop for free time), then north to the French border at Portbou via Granollers-Centre and Macanet-Massanes, reversing before returning via the coastal route through Mataro to Barcelona Estacio de Franca.

  5. Day 5overnight: Barcelona

    Barcelona - Montserrat

    Visit Montserrat Monastery, home of the 'Black Madonna', followed by a guided visit to the vineyards of Oller del Mas, including a tasting of three wines, a tapas lunch and skip-the-line entry to the Basilica of Montserrat.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Zaragoza

    Barcelona - Zaragoza by special train

    Culture option: relaxed morning in Barcelona before rejoining the train at Barcelona Morrot. Rail option: covers the Barcelona Morrot Freight Branch via Bif. Glories-Clot, La Sagrera, Montcada and Cerdanyola Universitat, then the freight-only curve at Castellbisbal. Both groups continue via Martorell, Sant Vicenc de Calders, Tarragona, Reus and Lleida Pirineus towards Zaragoza Delicias.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Valencia

    Zaragoza - Valencia by special train

    Special train covers curve 284 onto the Zaragoza Avoiding Line, the Zaragoza Plaza branch curves and shunting yard, before running back to Valencia via Mora la Nova, Reus and Tarragona.

  8. Day 8

    Valencia - UK

    Morning transfer to the airport for Heathrow flight, or (for Stansted/extra night for Gatwick) a visit to the Caves of San Jose with an underground river boat cruise, before an afternoon transfer to Valencia airport.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided half-day tour of Valencia's Old Town and Central Market, followed by a paella and tapas feast at an 11th-century landmark
  • Day 3Board the private charter train and travel south to Gandia on the Platja de Gandia branch line, then north via a freight line and the reversal at L'Aldea Tortosa Amposta to Tortosa
  • Day 4The special train runs the coastal line to Barcelona, then north to the French border at Portbou via Granollers-Centre and Macanet-Massanes before reversing and returning via Mataro to Barcelona Estacio de Franca
  • Day 5Visit Montserrat Monastery, home of the Black Madonna, followed by a guided visit to Oller del Mas vineyards with a tasting of three wines and skip-the-line entry to the Basilica

Included

  • Accommodation includes breakfast except for the last night at the airport hotel

Not included

  • Return flights (priced separately, from £200)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. All travel on the private charter train is included. Return flights from UK airports are priced separately from GBP 200.
What kind of train is it?
A private charter train formed of 1960s compartment carriages with opening windows, hauled by two heritage ALCo diesel locomotives. Compartments are allocated to a maximum of four people.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. PTG Tours provides a tour manager throughout. The itinerary can mix rail enthusiast and culture options by request.
Which cities are included?
Valencia (2 nights), Tarragona (1 night), Barcelona (2 nights), Zaragoza (1 night), and Montserrat as a day excursion. The route also stops at Gandia and Tortosa.
What meals are included?
Accommodation includes breakfast each day except the last night. Specific dinners mentioned include a paella and tapas feast in Valencia, a vineyard tasting with tapas lunch, and various other meals; confirm full dining details with PTG Tours.
What is not included?
Return flights (priced separately from GBP 200), the last night's breakfast at the airport hotel, and any optional extras such as the Caves of San Jose visit or extra nights in Valencia.

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