Search

railtour suisse · Luxury train journey

El Transcantabrico - Gran Lujo

Eight-day luxury train journey through northern Spain from Santiago to San Sebastián

Illustration of El Transcantabrico - Gran Lujo

El Transcantabrico, operated by railtour suisse, is an 8-day luxury hotel train journey through northern Spain, departing from Santiago de Compostela and arriving in San Sebastián. The train itself is your accommodation, with suites that move each night to new destinations: Viveiro, Oviedo, Llanes, Cabezón de la Sal, Santander, and Carranza. Each day combines train travel with coach excursions led by a multilingual guide. You will visit UNESCO sites including Santiago de Compostela's historic old town on Day 1, the Altamira Cave on Day 6, and the medieval village of Santillana del Mar. The itinerary also features the Picos de Europa National Park with its Sanctuary of Covadonga, Las Catedrales cliffs, and thermal baths. City visits to Oviedo, Gijón, Bilbao, and San Sebastián round out the cultural experience. All meals with drinks are provided on board or during excursions. This journey suits luxury-seeking travellers who prefer a guided, all-inclusive pace and those interested in Spain's green coast and cultural heritage.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of 10,890 CHF covers the train journey and package only; arrival and departure transport to Santiago de Compostela and from San Sebastián are not included.
  • Single occupancy supplement is substantial: 18,810 CHF compared to 10,890 CHF for double occupancy, more than doubling the per-person cost.
  • Bar car consumption is not included in the all-inclusive package price.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Viveiro

    Santiago de Compostela - Nursery

    Individual arrival in Santiago de Compostela and meeting at the Parador de los Reyes Católicos at 12.00. After the reception, tour of the old town, for almost a thousand years an important pilgrimage center with countless cultural treasures. After lunch, travel by coach to Ferrol, where the crew will be waiting for you on board the train. Travel towards Viveiro. Dinner and overnight stay in the historic town of Viveiro.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Oviedo

    Viveiro - Ribadeo - Luarca - Oviedo

    Train journey to Ribadeo on the border between Galicia and Asturias. From there you travel by bus along the coast of Lugo to Las Catedrales beach, one of the most spectacular beaches in the world. Panoramic tour of Ribadeo and lunch. The train then takes you to the Asturias region. Arrival and visit of Luarca, known as the "white city" of the green coast Costa Verde. Then return to the train and drive to Oviedo. Overnight stay in Oviedo.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Llanes

    Gijón - Oviedo - Llanes

    You start the day with a visit to Gijon, a city on the Bay of Biscay where there are many cultural events. You have lunch there. We you travel to Oviedo, the capital of the Principality of Asturias. Sightseeing, then return to the train. Dinner on board on the journey to Llanes, where you spend the night.

  4. Day 4overnight: Llanes

    Llanes - Picos de Europa - Llanes

    Today you travel to the Picos de Europa National Park and visit the sanctuary of Covadonga. Continue to Lake Enol and via Cangas de Onis, the first medieval capital of the Kingdom of Asturias. Lunch. Than back to Llanes, a charming coastal town in the east of Asturias. Sightseeing and free time. Dinner and overnight stay in Llanes.

  5. Day 5overnight: Cabezón de la Sal

    Llanes – Potes – Cabezón de la Sal

    After breakfast, you take the bus to Potes and cross the impressive Desfiladero de la Hermida gorge. After visiting this charming Cantabrian town, you can enjoy a thermal circuit in the La Hermida thermal baths. After lunch you visit El Capricho in Comillas, a wonderful 19th century villa designed by Antonio Gaudí. Dinner and overnight stay in Cabezón de la Sal.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Santander

    Cabezón de la Sal – Santillana del Mar – Santander

    The day begins with a visit to Santillana del Mar, whose remarkably well-preserved medieval historic centre is truly impressive, followed by the Altamira Cave, a faithful replica of one of the greatest masterpieces of Upper Palaeolithic rock art. After lunch, the journey continues by train to Santander, the elegant capital of Cantabria, where you enjoy a guided tour and some free time. Dinner and overnight stay in Santander.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Carranza

    Santander - Bilbao - Carranza

    Train journey to Bilbao, a city that has managed to transform itself into a lively metropolis worth seeing after its industrial decline. You will visit one of its highlights: the famous Guggenheim Museum. Free afternoon and return to the train. Dinner and overnight stay in Carranza.

  8. Day 8rail

    Carranza - San Sebastián

    After the last breakfast on board the train, you will return to Bilbao, where the coach to San Sebastian is already waiting. Visit San Sebastian, a city that shines with elegance and beauty. It is an important cultural meeting point. End of the trip around 13:00 after the visit to San Sebastian at the hotel Barcelo Costa Vasca. This trip can also be booked in reverse order.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Tour of Santiago de Compostela's old town, a major pilgrimage centre for nearly a thousand years, before boarding the train at Ferrol.
  • Day 2Visit to Las Catedrales beach near Ribadeo, one of the most spectacular beaches in the world, reached by coach from the train.
  • Day 4Excursion to Picos de Europa National Park and the Sanctuary of Covadonga, with a stop at Lake Enol.
  • Day 5Crossing of the Desfiladero de la Hermida gorge to Potes, followed by a thermal circuit at La Hermida thermal baths.
  • Day 6Visit to Santillana del Mar's medieval historic centre and the Altamira Cave, a replica of one of the greatest Upper Palaeolithic rock art sites.
  • Day 7Train journey to Bilbao to see the Guggenheim Museum, a symbol of the city's transformation from industrial decline.

Included

  • Journey from Santiago de Compostela to San Sebastian or v.v.
  • 8 days/7 nights in a comfortable hotel train, based on suite deluxe double occupancy
  • All meals including drinks
  • All excursions in the accompanying luxury coach
  • multilingual 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. El Transcantabrico is a luxury hotel train; you travel and sleep on board from Santiago de Compostela to San Sebastián. All meals and coach excursions are included.
Is this journey guided or independent?
It is guided. railtour suisse provides a multilingual tour guide throughout the 8 days.
What accommodation is provided?
You sleep in Suite Gran Lujo cabins aboard the train for all 7 nights. The train is your hotel, moving each night to a new location.
When does this trip run?
El Transcantabrico has 32 departures in 2026, running from March through October on various dates within those months.
What is the daily cost per person?
The from-price is 10,890 CHF (approximately USD 13,566) for the entire 8-day journey, or about USD 1,696 per day, based on double occupancy in Suite Gran Lujo.
What is not included?
Arrival and return travel to the train, bar car charges, gratuities, travel insurance, and additional hotel accommodation before or after the journey are not included.

Similar journeys