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railtour suisse · Panoramic train journey

Expreso de la Robla

Three-day train journey from Bilbao to León through Castile and León

Illustration of Expreso de la Robla

The Expreso de la Robla, operated by Railtour Suisse, is a 3-day, 2-night journey that departs from Bilbao and terminates in León, traveling through the heart of northern Spain's Castile and León region. Your accommodation moves with you; the train itself serves as your hotel, eliminating the need to pack and unpack at different locations. Days combine train travel with coach excursions: on Day 1, you board at La Concordia station, Bilbao's modernist Belle Époque landmark, and travel toward Espinosa de los Monteros, pausing to visit the town of Frías and the Tobera waterfall. Day 2 takes you through the Palencian Romanesque region, stopping at villages like Carrión de los Condes and Frómista, which hold among Europe's finest concentrations of medieval Romanesque churches. On Day 3, you reach León and tour its cathedral and San Isidoro. All meals, drinks, excursions, and a multilingual guide are included. This trip suits history enthusiasts, couples, and travelers who prefer guided comfort with meals provided throughout.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single occupancy costs 1,695 CHF more than double occupancy per person, representing a substantial supplement.
  • Arrival and return transport to the departure point in Bilbao are not included; you arrange your own journey to La Concordia station.
  • Bar car consumption and gratuities are separate costs beyond the package price.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Espinosa de los Monteros

    Bilbao - Espinosa de los Monteros

    Meeting point at 14:00 at La Concordia station in Bilbao, a unique modernist building from 1902 and one of Bilbao's most authentic heirlooms from the Belle Époque. At 15:00, the entire group will be welcomed on board the train. After settling in, El Expreso de La Robla will set off for Espinosa de Los Monteros. We will visit the town of Frías and the Tobera waterfall by bus. Dinner and overnight stay in Espinosa de los Monteros, a beautiful town in the province of Burgos in the Las Merindades region.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Cistierna

    Espinosa de los Monteros - Cistierna

    The day begins with your first breakfast on board, as the train arrives in Mataporquera. From there, your coach takes you into the splendid landscapes of the Palencian Romanesque region, an exceptionally rich concentration of Romanesque churches and villages in the province of Palencia, considered among the finest in Europe and located along the Camino de Santiago. You visit Carrión de los Condes, Frómista, and Saldaña. You explore the town and enjoy some free time before continuing to the Canal of Castile and the Romanesque church of San Martín. Free time and lunch. In the afternoon, you step even further back in time with a visit to the Roman Villa of La Olmeda, renowned for its magnificent collection of mosaics. Back on board, El Expreso de La Robla takes you to Cistierna, where you enjoy dinner and spend the night.

  3. Day 3

    Cistierna - León

    During breakfast on board, the Expreso La Robla will take you to San Feliz. From here you will visit the city of León by bus. Visit the historic center, San Isidoro and the cathedral. Free time and lunch. The tour ends at around 16:00 at the Hotel Real Colegiata de San Isidoro de León.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Boarding the Expreso de la Robla at La Concordia station in Bilbao, a modernist building from 1902, at 15:00 before the train departs for Espinosa de los Monteros.
  • Day 2Visiting villages and churches of the Palencian Romanesque region, including Carrión de los Condes and Frómista, traveling through landscapes rich in medieval heritage.
  • Day 3Touring León's historic center, the cathedral, and San Isidoro before the journey concludes at the Hotel Real Colegiata de San Isidoro de León.

Included

  • Journey from León to Bilbao or vice versa
  • 3 days/2 nights in a comfortable hotel train, based on standard compartment 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

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The 3-day journey aboard the Expreso de la Robla from Bilbao to León is included, along with all onboard accommodation in a standard cabin.
Is the tour guided?
Yes. A multilingual tour guide accompanies the group throughout the journey and excursions.
What meals are included?
All meals including drinks are included for the three days.
Are excursions included?
Yes. All excursions by luxury coach are included, including visits to Frías, the Tobera waterfall, villages in the Palencian Romanesque region, and León's historic sites.
When does this trip run?
Railtour Suisse offers departures in June and September 2026. There are four scheduled departures.
What is not included?
Arrival and return transport to Bilbao, bar car purchases, gratuities, personal expenses, additional hotel stays before or after the tour, cancellation costs, and travel insurance are not included.

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