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Luxury Train Club · Luxury rail journey

El Expreso de la Robla

Three-day narrow-gauge vintage train journey from Bilbao to Leon, Spain

Illustration of El Expreso de la Robla

El Expreso de la Robla, operated by Luxury Train Club, is a 3-day, 2-night journey on a narrow-gauge vintage train through northern Spain between Bilbao and Leon. The train itself becomes your accommodation, with private cabin berths and en-suite bathrooms. The route meanders through Spanish countryside, stopping at Espinosa de los Monteros and Cistierna, where guided coach excursions venture to medieval towns like Frias, the Roman villa at La Olmeda with its mosaic collection, and Romanesque churches along Palencia's heritage route. Day 3 concludes with a tour of Leon's cathedral and old quarter. All meals, wine, coffee, entrance fees, and a multilingual tour guide are included throughout. This journey suits luxury seekers, history lovers, repeat rail travellers, and those seeking immersive food-and-wine experiences. The pace is relaxed despite the 3-day duration, with substantial time in each region rather than constant movement.

What to know before you look closer

  • Cabins have upper and lower berths; passengers over 6 feet tall may find beds short for their height
  • The group can number up to 54 passengers, so this is not an intimate small-group experience
  • Free time in Leon on Day 3 is limited; the tour ends around 14:00

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Espinosa de los Monteros

    Bilbao - Espinosa de los Monteros

    Baggage collection from 14:00/15:00hrs at La Concordia station, Bilbao. Welcome talk on board, then the train travels to Espinosa de Los Monteros; coach excursion to the town of Frias and the Tobera Waterfall. Dinner and overnight in Espinosa.

  2. Day 2overnight: Cistierna

    Espinosa de los Monteros - Cistierna

    Breakfast on board to Mataporquera, then coach to Palencia's Romanesque Route towns of Carrion de los Condes, Fromista and Saldana, with a visit to the Canal of Castile and Romanesque church of San Martin. Afternoon visit to the Roman town of La Olmeda. Dinner and overnight in Cistierna.

  3. Day 3rail

    Cistierna - Leon

    Breakfast as the train travels to San Feliz, then coach to Leon for a tour of the old town, San Isidoro and the Cathedral. Free time before the trip ends around 14:00hrs.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Coach excursion to the medieval town of Frias and the Tobera Waterfall after boarding the vintage narrow-gauge train at Bilbao
  • Day 2Visit to the Roman town of La Olmeda and its mosaic collection, followed by exploration of Romanesque Route churches in Carrion de los Condes, Fromista and Saldana
  • Day 3Guided tour of Leon's old town, Cathedral and San Isidoro before the journey concludes around 14:00

Included

  • Breakfasts with tea and coffee
  • Lunches and dinners with wine, coffee, tea and liqueurs
  • Tour guide on board
  • Organised excursions with entrance fees and multilingual guides
  • Daily newspapers and magazines
  • Free water
  • Coach transport at each stop
  • Bathrobes

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price of EUR 1,300 (USD 1,488) includes all three nights aboard El Expreso de la Robla, all meals with wine, coach excursions with entrance fees, and a tour guide.
Where do you sleep?
In private cabin berths aboard the train, each with an en-suite bathroom with hydro-massage shower. Cabins have upper and lower berths.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Luxury Train Club provides a tour guide on board and organises all coach excursions with multilingual guides.
Which route does the train follow?
El Expreso de la Robla runs between Bilbao and Leon (either direction) over 3 days and 2 nights, stopping at Espinosa de los Monteros, Cistierna, and Leon, with coach excursions to nearby Romanesque towns and Roman sites.
When does it run?
Departures are in June and September 2025, and June and September 2026. Prices range from EUR 1,150 to EUR 1,300.

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