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Railbookers · Luxury train tour

El Transcantabrico - Gran Lujo from Santiago de Compostela to San Sebastian

Luxury private sleeper train circuit across Northern Spain from Madrid

Illustration of El Transcantabrico - Gran Lujo from Santiago de Compostela to San Sebastian

Railbookers operates this 13-day, 12-night independent tour across Northern Spain, starting and finishing in Madrid with San Sebastian as the turnaround point. The trip opens with two nights in Madrid and a sightseeing pass, then a train to Santiago de Compostela for one night before the main event: seven nights aboard El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo, sleeping in a private Deluxe Suite as the train moves nightly through Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country. Each day brings a different excursion off the train, from the beach of Las Catedrales near Ribadeo to the cave art at Altamira and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Guided excursions are built into the train portion, while the Madrid, Santiago and San Sebastian nights are largely left to explore independently. It suits travellers who want a slow, scenic crossing of Northern Spain without changing hotels every night, with meals and sightseeing mostly arranged once aboard.

What to know before you look closer

  • The evidence lists several hotel options in Madrid, Santiago de Compostela and San Sebastian rather than one fixed property per city, so the final hotel depends on the tier booked.
  • Several of the daily excursions off the train run by coach rather than rail, including the trips into the Picos de Europa National Park and to Potes.
  • Railbookers describes the tour as independent with guided excursions included, so the Madrid, Santiago de Compostela and San Sebastian nights outside the train portion are largely self-guided.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Madrid

    Your Journey Begins in Madrid

    Welcome to Madrid! You will be met on arrival at the airport and driven to your hotel for a two-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

    Make use of your great sightseeing pass today, which gives you a choice of great activities and attractions to visit. Discover masterpieces by Valazquez, Goya and Bosch in the Prado perhaps, or maybe visit Las Ventras – the most important bullring in the world, or in the evening enjoy a traditional Flamenco show in Torres Bermejas.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Santiago de Compostela

    Madrid to Santiago De Compostela

    Head up to Madrid Chamartín station today for your train to the capital of Galicia. The city of Santiago de Compostela is a UNESCO World Heritage site and once you have checked in at your hotel head out to explore its narrow street maze with a great selection of tapas taverns and delicate squares.

  4. Day 4railovernight: onboard El Transcantabrico, Santiago de Compostela to Viveiro

    Overnight Onboard El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo

    Make your way to the Parador Hotel for a gala reception and to meet your travelling companions for the next 7 days. Follow in the footsteps of countless Pilgrims with a tour of the famous cathedral and resting place of St James before lunch then take a luxury coach to Ferrol where your train awaits! Settle into your private cabin then celebrate your departure with your travelling companions as the train heads for the pretty town of Viveiro for dinner.

  5. Day 5railovernight: onboard El Transcantabrico, Viveiro to Candás

    Overnight Onboard El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo

    Start the day as you will every day onboard with a delicious a la carte breakfast then enjoy a visit to historic Ribadeo and the beach of Las Catedrales, one of the world's most spectacular. Following lunch, it's back on the train as it crosses into Asturia and arrives in Luarca for a tour and visit to the beautiful Villa Blanca de la Costa Verde. Finally, it's back on board for the short ride to Candás and dinner.

  6. Day 6railovernight: onboard El Transcantabrico, Candás to Arriondas

    Overnight Onboard El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo

    First, today is a tour of the ancient seafaring town of Avilés, then it is on to Gijón to explore Roman archaeological sites, Romanesque churches, and 19th-century shipyards. After lunch you travel to the capital of the region Oviedo where you have some free time to discover its treasures such as San Julian de los Prados, then hop back onboard the train for dinner and your final destination of the day, Arriondas.

  7. Day 7overnight: onboard El Transcantabrico, Arriondas to Llanes

    Overnight Onboard El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo

    After breakfast, it's a coach ride deep into the Picos de Europa National Park, the heart of the Asturias region. Enjoy visiting mountain-framed lakes and spectacular Cantabrian views, then visit the spectacular Sanctuary of Covadonga, a sacred shrine tucked away in a cave high in the mountains. Then, visit Cangas de Onis for lunch, and admire its impressive Roman Bridge. Once back onboard follow the Sella River for a while before arriving in the wonderful fishing village of Llanes for a visit, some free time and dinner.

  8. Day 8railovernight: onboard El Transcantabrico, Llanes to Cabezón de la Sal

    Overnight Onboard El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo

    The train crosses into Cantabria this morning, and from Unquera it's a coach journey via the impressive Gorge of La Hermida to the charming village of Potes for some indulgence at the famous springs of the Hermida Spa. After lunch, you have the chance to visit the amazing El Capricho in Comillas, a wonderful 19th-century palace by Antonio Gaudi. Dinner is served once you have arrived in Cabezón de la Sal.

  9. Day 9railovernight: onboard El Transcantabrico, Cabezón de la Sal to Santander

    Overnight Onboard El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo

    Your first visit today is to the well-preserved medieval town of Santillana del Mar, then to Altamira and its breathtaking cave art, arguably the finest example of late Stone Age art known. After lunch, it's a train ride to Santander for a guided tour and some free time. Following dinner, you can visit El Gran Casino de Santander.

  10. Day 10railovernight: onboard El Transcantabrico, Santander to Carranza

    Overnight Onboard El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo

    El Transcantabrico heads for Bilbao today and your visit will include a tour of this wonderfully dynamic city, but also entrance to the famous Guggenheim Museum. Enjoy lunch and some free time to explore the old town before getting back onboard the train for dinner, bound for Carranza.

  11. Day 11railovernight: San Sebastian

    San Sebastian

    Your final morning onboard as the train returns to Bilbao where you disembark and ride the coach to San Sebastian. Bid farewell to your fellow passengers and check in at your hotel for a final night, then embark on a brilliant private tour of the very best bustling pintxos bars, where you can sample some of the best food and wine in the whole region.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Madrid

    San Sebastian to Madrid

    Make your way to the station for your train to the Spanish capital for your final night in Spain. Once checked in why not take a stroll to the enormous Royal Palace, then toast your holiday with a dink on Plaza Mayor?

  13. Day 13

    Your Journey Ends in Madrid

    Enjoy breakfast at your hotel then you will be met by your driver and taken to the airport for your flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4The group takes a coach to Ferrol to board El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo and settles into private cabins as the train departs Santiago de Compostela.
  • Day 5The tour visits the beach of Las Catedrales near Ribadeo, described as one of the world's most spectacular.
  • Day 7A coach excursion into the Picos de Europa National Park reaches the Sanctuary of Covadonga, a shrine set in a cave high in the mountains.
  • Day 9The day includes a visit to the cave art at Altamira, called arguably the finest example of late Stone Age art known.
  • Day 10El Transcantabrico reaches Bilbao for a guided city tour and entrance to the Guggenheim Museum.

Included

  • Rail Travel as per the itinerary
  • 7 nights accommodation in a Deluxe Suite onboard the El Transcantabrico train
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Madrid
  • 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Santiago de Compostela
  • 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast in San Sebastian
  • 1 Day Madrid Sightseeing Pass including the Prado Museum and Hop-on, Hop-off Tour
  • Private all-inclusive pintxos tour in San Sebastian
  • Private airport transfers in Madrid

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Rail travel is included per the itinerary, including 7 nights in a Deluxe Suite aboard El Transcantabrico and the train from Madrid to Santiago de Compostela.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
Railbookers runs it as an independent tour, with guided excursions included at each stop along the train route.
Which trains does the tour use?
A train from Madrid to Santiago de Compostela, then El Transcantabrico from Santiago de Compostela through Viveiro, Candas, Arriondas, Llanes, Cabezon de la Sal, Santander and Carranza to Bilbao.
What is included besides the train?
3 nights in Madrid, 1 night in Santiago de Compostela and 1 night in San Sebastian with breakfast, a Madrid sightseeing pass with Prado Museum entry, a private pintxos tour in San Sebastian, and private airport transfers in Madrid.
What hotels are used?
The evidence lists several hotel options per city in Madrid, Santiago de Compostela and San Sebastian rather than a single fixed hotel.
How much does the trip cost?
Prices start from $13,449 per person, about $1,035 per day.

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