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railtour suisse · Luxury train journey

Costa Verde Express

Luxury train through Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia

Illustration of Costa Verde Express

The Costa Verde Express, operated by Railtour Suisse, is a 6-day, 5-night luxury train journey through the green coast of northern Spain. You board in Bilbao and travel to Santiago de Compostela (or in reverse), spending five nights in a recently renovated Suite Gran Clase compartment that becomes your mobile hotel. The itinerary weaves through the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia, mixing rail travel with guided coach excursions. Day 1 includes a visit to Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum and the Portugalete suspension bridge; Day 2 takes you to the medieval town of Santillana del Mar and the Neocueva de Altamira; Day 3 covers the Picos de Europa National Park and Arenas de Cabrales, home to the famous Cabrales cheese. All meals, drinks and the German-speaking guide are included. This trip suits luxury travellers seeking the romance of sleeper trains, history enthusiasts drawn to UNESCO sites, and food-and-wine lovers interested in Spanish gastronomy.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is high: 9,900 CHF (approximately double the per-person double rate of 5,500 CHF).
  • Arrival and return travel to Bilbao or Santiago de Compostela is not included; you arrange and pay for your own flights or trains to the departure point.
  • Bar car consumption and gratuities are extra.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Santander

    Bilbao - Santander

    Reception at the Concordia train station in Bilbao at 10:00, introduction of the crew and accommodation on board. Guided tour of Bilbao, a dynamic city that has managed to reinvent itself after the decline of its traditional heavy industry, including entry to the Guggenheim Museum and a visit to the "Portugalete" suspension bridge. Lunch on board while reaching Santander. Sightseeing tour, free time and dinner.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Llanes

    Santander - Santillana - Llanes

    During breakfast, arrival at Cabezón de la Sal; coach visit to Santillana del Mar's medieval historic centre and the Neocueva de Altamira (Upper Palaeolithic cave-art reproduction). After lunch, the train continues to Llanes in Asturias for sightseeing. Dinner on board and overnight in Llanes.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Oviedo

    Llanes - Picos de Europa - Oviedo

    After breakfast, coach excursion to the Picos de Europa National Park and Arenas de Cabrales (birthplace of the cheese of the same name). The train continues to Oviedo during lunch; city visit. Dinner and overnight in Oviedo.

  4. Day 4overnight: Luarca

    Oviedo - Gijón - Luarca

    After breakfast, tour of Gijón, a dynamic city open to the sea, with free time and lunch. In the afternoon, travel to Luarca for sightseeing. Dinner on board and overnight in Luarca.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Viveiro

    Luarca - Ribadeo - Viveiro

    During breakfast, arrival in Ribadeo; coach transfer to Taramundi to visit the ethnographic complex "Os Teixois". Lunch. In the afternoon, the train continues to Viveiro for a guided tour. Dinner on board and overnight in Viveiro.

  6. Day 6

    Viveiro - Santiago de Compostela

    During breakfast, drive to Ferrol, where an escort bus continues to Santiago de Compostela. City tour and lunch in a restaurant. Trip ends at approximately 16:00. This trip can also be booked in reverse order.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Guided tour of Bilbao includes entry to the Guggenheim Museum and the Portugalete suspension bridge, with lunch served on board as the train reaches Santander.
  • Day 2Coach visit to the medieval town of Santillana del Mar and the Neocueva de Altamira, a reproduction of Upper Palaeolithic cave art.
  • Day 3Coach excursion to Picos de Europa National Park and Arenas de Cabrales, where the famous Cabrales cheese is made; city visit to Oviedo.
  • Day 5Visit to the ethnographic complex Os Teixois in Taramundi, followed by a guided tour of Viveiro.

Included

  • Journey from Santiago de Compostela to Bilbao or vice versa
  • 6 days/5 nights in a comfortable hotel train, Suite Gran Clase compartment, double occupancy
  • All meals including drinks
  • All excursions in the accompanying luxury coach
  • German-speaking tour guide

Not included

  • Arrival and return journey by train or flight to the departure point of the train
  • Consumption in the bar car
  • Gratuities and personal expenses
  • Additional hotel accommodation on arrival and departure
  • Cancellation costs and travel insurance

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. Your accommodation is on board the Costa Verde Express for all 5 nights, and the train carries you from Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela (or reverse). All meals and drinks are included.
Is this tour guided?
Yes. Railtour Suisse provides a German-speaking tour guide for the entire journey. All excursions use an accompanying luxury coach.
What are the Suite Gran Clase cabins like?
The suites were renovated in 2025. You have a comfortable compartment on board the train, which serves as your hotel for all 5 nights.
When does the trip depart?
Departures run in May, June, July, September and October 2026. There are 18 departures across those months.
What is not included in the price?
Your own arrival and return travel to Bilbao or Santiago de Compostela, bar car purchases, gratuities, personal expenses, additional hotel accommodation before or after the trip, and cancellation or travel insurance.
What will I see?
UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Santiago de Compostela, Oviedo Cathedral and Altamira; the Picos de Europa National Park; the coast of Asturias and Galicia; medieval towns like Santillana del Mar; and cities including Bilbao, Gijón, Oviedo and Santander.

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