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Railbookers · Luxury train tour

El Expreso De La Robla - Bilbao to Leon

Vintage luxury train tour from Madrid through Bilbao to Leon

Illustration of El Expreso De La Robla - Bilbao to Leon

Railbookers operates this 9-day, 8-night luxury train tour through Northern Spain, starting and ending in Madrid. After two nights in Madrid, including the Prado Museum and a traditional Flamenco show, a train carries travelers to Bilbao for two nights and a private tour of the Guggenheim Museum. The centerpiece is two nights aboard 'La Robla,' a vintage private train with en-suite cabins, traveling from Bilbao towards Leon with stops to see the Ojo Guareño karst complex and the Romanesque sites of the Camino de Santiago, using connecting coaches on the final legs each day. The trip continues with a night in historic Leon, including a tour of the Basilica de San Isidoro and cathedral, before a train returns travelers to Madrid for a final night. All meals, including wine, are included throughout. This suits travelers who want an immersive, guided rail journey through Northern Spain built around a genuinely vintage private train rather than modern high-speed rail.

What to know before you look closer

  • Despite being framed as a train tour, days 6 and 7 include real coach segments: a coach covers the Romanesque Palencia sightseeing beyond Mataporquera on day 6, and a coach carries travelers on from San Feliz into Leon on day 7.
  • The evidence lists no current departure dates for this trip; confirm availability and season with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Madrid

    Your Journey Begins in Madrid

    Welcome to Madrid! You will be met on arrival at the airport make your way to your hotel for a 2-night stay, then why not stretch your legs with a stroll around the beautiful Retiro park, then in the evening enjoy a drink and some tapas in the Puerta del Sol.

  2. Day 2overnight: Madrid

    Madrid

    Today enjoy exploring the Spanish capital city Madrid, making use of your great sightseeing pass. the Prado Museum is a must for all visitors, and if Sports of interest, why not visit the impressive home of Real Madrid. Admire the impressive architecture and hear the stories of the city with your Hop-on Hop-off pass, then in the evening why nor enjoy a traditional Flamenco show in Torres Bermejo.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Bilbao

    Bilbao

    This morning take a stroll around the gorgeous Retiro Park, or wander over to the huge Royal Palace, then in the afternoon head over to Madrid Chamartín station for your train to Bilbao. On arrival in the Basque capital, check-in at your hotel then venture out to the Casco Viejo neighbourhood for some great traditional Pinxtos.

  4. Day 4overnight: Bilbao

    Bilbao

    Following breakfast at your hotel, make your way to the unmistakable Guggenheim Museum for a private tour both inside and out. the Frank Gehry designed building is often quoted as the most beautiful contemporary building in the world and does not fail to impress all who visit.

  5. Day 5railovernight: onboard

    La Robla Train, Bilbao to Espinosa De Los Monteros

    After a leisurely morning make your way to the Bell Epoque La Concordia station where La Robla staff will welcome you and collection your luggage. Meet your fellow travelers and acclimatise to life onboard in your luxury private cabin as the train heads towards Sotoscueva where you visit the jaw-dropping Ojo Guareño karst complex - a cave network of more than 100km of galleries. Your final stop for today is Espinosa de los Monteros, a pretty village in the Burgos Merindades where you enjoy dinner.

  6. Day 6railovernight: onboard

    La Robla Train, Espinosa De Los Monteros to Cistierna

    Tuck into a buffet breakfast onboard before enjoying a packed day exploring the land of the ancient Camino. the train travels to Mataporquera from where a coach will take you through the breath-taking landscape of the Romanesque Palencia, Carrion de los Condes, and the many historical sites in the area. You have some free time before the tour continues following the Canal de Castilla to Fromista with its impressive Romanesque church of San Martin. Lunch is served here, before a visit to the Roman Villa of La Olmeda, then its back onboard the train to relax en-route to Cisterna for dinner and a good nights sleep.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Leon

    La Robla Train, Cistierna to Leon

    Enjoy breakfast on the move today whilst travelling to San Feliz. Bid farewell to the train here as a coach takes you on the final leg to the ancient city of Leon where you take a tour of the historical city centre including visits to the medieval Basilica de San Isidoro and the impressive cathedral. the tour ends at 14:00 at which time you can make your way to the hotel for a 1-night stay.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Madrid

    Madrid

    Have a relaxed morning strolling the cobbled streets of this beautiful city, before making your way to the station for a train to Madrid and your final night in Spain. Once checked in, why not toast your holiday with a glass of Cava and tapas near to Plaza Mayor?

  9. Day 9

    Madrid

    Following breakfast at your hotel your driver will collect you at whisk you to the airport for your flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Prado Museum and a traditional Flamenco show in Torres Bermejo.
  • Day 4A private tour of the Guggenheim Museum, the Frank Gehry building 'often quoted as the most beautiful contemporary building in the world.'
  • Day 5Boarding La Robla at the Belle Epoque La Concordia station and visiting the Ojo Guareño karst complex, a cave network of more than 100km of galleries.
  • Day 6A day through the Romanesque landscape of Palencia and Carrion de los Condes, following the Canal de Castilla to Fromista.
  • Day 7A tour of historic Leon, including the medieval Basilica de San Isidoro and the cathedral.

Included

  • Rail Travel as per the itinerary
  • 2 nights in a private cabin onboard the La Robla train including: Upper and lower berths, Air-conditioning, Private en-suite facilities
  • All meals, including wine and soft drinks
  • All guided excursions and entrance tickets as per the itinerary
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Madrid
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Bilbao
  • 1 night's hotel accommodation with breakfast in Leon
  • Skip-the-line Prado Museum entrance
  • Real Madrid Bernabeu Stadium Tour
  • Las Ventras tour in Madrid
  • Hop-on Hop-off Pass in Madrid
  • Private Skip-the-line tour of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao
  • Private airport transfers in Madrid

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Rail travel is included as per the itinerary: Renfe from Madrid to Bilbao, two nights in a private cabin on the La Robla train from Bilbao towards Leon (with connecting coach segments on days 6 and 7), and a train from Leon back to Madrid.
Is it escorted or independent?
The evidence describes it as 'Independent, with guided excursions included.' Most sightseeing, including the Prado Museum, the Guggenheim Museum and the Leon historic center tour, comes with a guide.
What is included in the price?
Rail travel, 2 nights in a private en-suite cabin on La Robla, all meals including wine and soft drinks, all guided excursions and entrance tickets, hotels with breakfast in Madrid, Bilbao and Leon, and named tours including the Prado Museum, the Real Madrid Bernabeu Stadium, Las Ventas and the Guggenheim Museum.
What hotels are included?
Named hotels in Madrid, including the Hospes Puerta de Alcala Madrid and the InterContinental Madrid, in Bilbao, including the Barcelo Bilbao Nervion, and in Leon, including the NH Collection Leon Plaza Mayor.
How much walking is involved?
Mostly city walking and touring, such as Retiro Park, Bilbao's Casco Viejo and Leon's cobbled streets, plus a Hop-on Hop-off pass in Madrid; the evidence does not mention any hikes.
How much does it cost?
Prices start from 3,539 US dollars per person.

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