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Railbookers · Luxury train tour

El Expreso De La Robla - Leon to Bilbao

Vintage luxury train tour from Madrid through Leon to Bilbao

Illustration of El Expreso De La Robla - Leon to Bilbao

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 Leon for one night in its medieval city centre. The centerpiece is two nights aboard 'La Robla,' a vintage private train with en-suite cabins, traveling from Leon towards Bilbao with stops to see the Cave of Valporquero and the Roman Villa of La Olmeda's ancient mosaics, using a connecting coach on day 5. The trip continues with two nights in Bilbao, including a city tour and the Guggenheim Museum, plus a free day with the option of a wine-tasting trip to La Rioja. 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.

What to know before you look closer

  • Despite being framed as a train tour, day 5 includes a coach segment: a coach connects the route to the Roman Villa of La Olmeda before continuing to the Romanesque towns of Carrion de los Condes and Fromista.
  • 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: Leon

    Leon

    This morning takes 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 Leon. On arrival in the historic regional capital, check-in at your hotel for a one-night stay, then enjoy an evening stroll around the cobbled streets of its beautiful medieval city centre.

  4. Day 4railovernight: onboard

    La Robla Train, Leon to Cisterina

    Make your way to Leon FEVE station for a welcome reception and to meet your travelling companions for the next three days, then you will be transferred to the train itself to settle into your cabin. Lunch is served as you travel to Matallana for a visit of the Cave of Valporquero - famed for its otherworldly stalactites, stalagmites and the breath taking 100,000m3 underground space known as the Great Rotunda. From here it's a short ride to the railway village of Cistierna where you will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.

  5. Day 5railovernight: onboard

    La Robla Train, Cistierna to Espinosa De Los Monteros

    Breakfast is served en-route to Guardo, in the Palencia region, from where a coach will take you to the Roman Villa of La Olmeda with a magnificent collection of ancient mosaics. From here its on to the towns of Carrion de los Condes and Fromista, which both house some of the finest collections of Romanesque art in Europe. Following lunch, you pay a visit to the impressive San Martin temple and the Castilla Canal before getting back onto the train to Sotoscueva and the pretty village of Espinosa de los Monteros which is where you will dine this evening.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Bilbao

    La Robla Train, Espinosa De Los Monteros to Bilbao

    Enjoy the spectacular landscape of the Mena Valley from the comfort of the train today as you head into Bilbao. Bid farewell to the train as you are treated to a great city tour including a visit to the world-famous Guggenheim Museum, then make your way to your hotel for a two-night stay.

  7. Day 7overnight: Bilbao

    Bilbao

    Have a relaxing day today and explore this dynamic city. Spend more time in the Guggenheim Museum perhaps or take a day trip out to La Rioja for some delicious tastings. In the evening be sure to search out the Casco Viejo neighbourhood and its great selection of traditional Pintxos bars.

  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

    Your Journey Ends in 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 welcome reception at Leon's FEVE station, boarding La Robla, and visiting the Cave of Valporquero, with its 'breath taking 100,000m3 underground space known as the Great Rotunda.'
  • Day 5The Roman Villa of La Olmeda's ancient mosaics, followed by the Romanesque art of Carrion de los Condes and Fromista.
  • Day 6The 'spectacular landscape of the Mena Valley' en route to Bilbao, followed by a city tour and a visit to the Guggenheim Museum.
  • Day 7An optional day trip to La Rioja for wine tastings.

Included

  • Rail Travel as per the itinerary
  • 2-nights in a private cabin on board 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
  • 1 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Leon
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Bilbao
  • 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 Leon, two nights in a private cabin on the La Robla train from Leon to Bilbao (with a connecting coach segment on day 5), and a train from Bilbao back to Madrid.
Is it escorted or independent?
The evidence describes it as 'Independent, with guided excursions included.' The Prado Museum, the Guggenheim Museum and the onboard excursions with La Robla come with a guide, while day 7 in Bilbao is left at leisure.
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, Leon and Bilbao, 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 Leon, including the NH Collection Leon Plaza Mayor, and in Bilbao, including the Barcelo Bilbao Nervion.
How much walking is involved?
Mostly city walking and touring, such as Retiro Park, Leon's medieval streets and Bilbao's Casco Viejo; the evidence does not mention any hikes.
How much does it cost?
Prices start from 3,219 US dollars per person.

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