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Great Rail Journeys · Independent

El Transcantábrico, San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela

Ten-day luxury train journey across northern Spain from San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela

Illustration of El Transcantábrico, San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela

Great Rail Journeys operates this 10-day journey through northern Spain combining luxury train travel with hotel stays and guided excursions. You depart London, spend one night in San Sebastian, then board El Transcantabrico, a historic luxury train that carries you across unspoilt coastlines and through historic towns for seven nights. Days blend time aboard the train, where meals are served in vintage restaurant cars, with coach excursions to sites like the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Altamira Caves with their Upper Paleolithic art, Lake Enol in Picos de Europa National Park, and Playa de Las Catedrales on the Galician coast. You visit the medieval town of Santillana del Mar, guided tours of coastal villages such as Gijon and Luarca, and end in Santiago de Compostela with its historic cathedral. A final night in the Parador de Santiago, one of the world's oldest luxury hotels, concludes the tour before your return flight. This trip suits repeat rail travellers seeking immersive luxury train experiences, history lovers interested in medieval Spain and ancient sites, and food-and-wine enthusiasts who can add optional tastings and wine tours.

What to know before you look closer

  • The itinerary lists optional excursions (tapas tours, wine tastings, extended stays) available at additional cost beyond the from-price.
  • Day 0 is the outbound flight; the tour itself begins on Day 1 with arrival in Bilbao; Day 10 includes the return flight.
  • Great Rail Journeys describes this as an independent tour, though many days include guided visits to cities and attractions.

Day by day

  1. Day 0

    Outbound Travel – Getting to Bilbao

    Your journey begins today with your flight from London Gatwick to Bilbao airport.

  2. Day 1overnight: San Sebastian

    To San Sebastian

    On arrival in Bilbao, you'll be transferred to San Sebastian, where you can relax in your hotel. Extend your tour with a two-night stay in San Sebastian, and you can get to know the area better on one of our optional excursions available at a supplement.

  3. Day 2railovernight: Carranza (onboard train)

    El Transcantabrico

    Your rail adventure begins today when you leave your hotel, but first you'll spend some time taking a guided tour of San Sebastian. After a stroll around town, you'll enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants before leaving San Sebastian by coach to travel to Bilbao. At Bilbao station, the magnificent El Transcantabrico train waits for you. The crew onboard will welcome you with a drink as you become accustomed to your luxury surroundings. When the train sets off to Carranza you'll enjoy your first sumptuous dinner onboard in one of the retro dining cars, followed by evening entertainment in the entertainment car. The train will rest in the station at Carranza.

    Meals: Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 3railovernight: Santander (onboard train)

    Bilbao, the Guggenheim and Santander

    Your first morning aboard El Transcantabrico begins with an à la carte and buffet breakfast in one of the vintage restaurant cars. Then, you'll journey to Bilbao, where you'll visit the Guggenheim museum and discover the delights of this vibrant city. Before lunch you'll return to the train and your journey continues as you make your way to Santander. You'll enjoy lunch aboard the train, and on arrival in Santander you'll take a tour of the city. You'll then have some free time to explore Santander at your own pace. When you've enjoyed a luscious dinner, you can visit the Gran Casino de Santander, followed by a night onboard in the city's station.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 4overnight: Cabezón de la Sal (onboard train)

    Cantabria and the Hermida Gorge

    As you enjoy your breakfast onboard El Transcantabrico, you'll travel on to the town of Unquera. Once in Unquera, you'll take the coach and travel towards Potes, a charming village in Cantabria, crossing the stunningly beautiful Hermida Gorge, one of the natural wonders of the Picos de Europa, on the way. Next, you'll head to the hotel Balneario de la Hermida where you can take some time in the thermal spa. Following lunch you'll travel to Comillas, where you'll visit the mansion of El Capricho, the 19th century work by Antoni Gaudí. You'll then continue onto Cabezón de la Sal, where you'll enjoy dinner and spend the night.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 5railovernight: Llanes (onboard train)

    Medieval Spain & the Altamira Caves

    Today you will visit the ancient town of Santillana del Mar, which provides a window into what life was like here in medieval times. The centre of town is a perfectly preserved example of a medieval Spanish town. Next, visit the cave of Altamira where you can view the cave art of the Upper Paleolithic period. After lunch, you'll board the train again as you head to Llanes where you'll enjoy dinner and spend the night.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 6railovernight: Oviedo (onboard train)

    The Picos de Europa National Park

    Following your breakfast onboard, you'll take the coach to the Picos de Europa National Park, where you'll visit Lake Enol and the sanctuary of Covadonga, which is a sacred place for Asturians. At lunch time you'll return to the train, and as you enjoy a relaxed lunch onboard you'll travel on to Oviedo, the capital of Asturias. There'll be a guided tour of the city, and you'll also have free time to explore further on your own. Dinner is back onboard El Transcantabrico and you'll spend the night onboard in Oviedo.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 7railovernight: Luarca (onboard train)

    The Asturian Coast

    Your first stop today is at the coastal village of Gijon, which sits on the shores of the Cantabrian Sea. This charming seaside village has a small beach and a lovely marina. You'll enjoy lunch in the pretty village before continuing on to Luarca, a little way along the Asturian coast. Luarca has a fishing village feel and some stunning architecture. You'll be given a guided tour of the town before returning to the train for dinner and overnight in Luarca.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 8railovernight: Viveiro (onboard train)

    Galicia

    This morning you'll cross the border into Galicia and stop at the town of Ribadeo, which sits on the border between Galicia and Asturias. You'll take the coach along the coast to Lugo, where you'll visit Playa de Las Catedrales, one of the most photographed beaches in Spain. You'll then take a tour of Ribadeo where you'll also stop for a local lunch. After lunch, you'll board the train once more and head to Viveiro. Here, you'll have a guided tour of the town, and some free time to discover more on your own. Dinner will be served back onboard the train and you'll spend the night in Viveiro.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 9overnight: Santiago de Compostela

    Santiago de Compostela

    Enjoy your last breakfast aboard El Transcantabrico, while the beautiful scenery passes your window on your way to Ferrol, in A Coruña. On arrival, the coach will be waiting to take you to Santiago de Compostela. Here, you'll visit the historic centre of this incredible city, home to pilgrims for a thousand years, including its magnificent cathedral. After the visit, you'll head to the Parador de los Reyes Católicos. You may wish to extend your stay and spend two nights in Santiago de Compostela, taking advantage of optional excursions available at a supplement.

    Meals: Breakfast

  11. Day 10

    Santiago de Compostela to UK

    Your epic journey ends today when you are transferred from your hotel to Santiago airport. But first, you'll have some free time in Santiago to take a walk, do any last minute shopping, or to simply sit with a coffee and watch the locals go by. From Santiago airport you'll take your flight back home to London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided walking tour of San Sebastian followed by lunch at a local restaurant, then boarding El Transcantabrico at Bilbao station where the crew welcomes you with a drink.
  • Day 3Breakfast in the vintage restaurant car, then visit the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao before the train continues to Santander.
  • Day 4Coach excursion from Unquera through the Hermida Gorge to Potes, visiting the thermal spa at Balneario de la Hermida.
  • Day 5Explore the perfectly preserved medieval Spanish town of Santillana del Mar and view Upper Paleolithic cave art at Altamira Caves.
  • Day 6Coach to Picos de Europa National Park to visit Lake Enol and the sanctuary of Covadonga, with lunch aboard the train en route to Oviedo.
  • Day 8Coach excursion to Playa de Las Catedrales, one of Spain's most photographed beaches, followed by a guided tour of Ribadeo.

Included

  • 7 nights on the El Transcantabrico luxury train
  • 1 night in the Barcelo Costa Vasca, San Sebastian
  • 1 night in the Parador in Santiago de Compostela
  • Flight from London to Bilbao
  • Flight from Santiago de Compostela to London

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

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Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. Seven nights aboard El Transcantabrico luxury train are included, along with two hotel nights in San Sebastian and Santiago de Compostela, round-trip flights from London, and most meals.
Which trains are used?
El Transcantabrico, Spain's oldest and most luxurious train, runs from Bilbao to Ferrol via Carranza, Santander, Cabezón de la Sal, Llanes, Oviedo, Luarca, and Viveiro.
What is the itinerary outline?
The 10-day tour departs London for Bilbao, includes one night in San Sebastian, seven nights aboard the train with daily stops at Bilbao (Guggenheim visit), Santander, Picos de Europa National Park, Asturian coastal villages, and Galician towns, ending with one night in Santiago de Compostela before returning to London.
Is the tour escorted?
Great Rail Journeys describes it as independent, though many days include guided city tours, museum visits, and coach excursions led by tour staff.
How much walking is involved?
Days include guided walking tours of cities like San Sebastian, Bilbao, Oviedo, Gijon, Ribadeo, and Santiago de Compostela, plus coach-based excursions to villages and natural sites. No strenuous hikes are described.
What meals are included?
Breakfast and dinner are included daily aboard the train; lunch is included on most days. Optional dining-related excursions such as tapas tours and wine tastings are available at additional cost.

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