How much does it cost?

From £1,299 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,755 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris in Standard Class, TGV rail from Paris to Dax, and return rail from Hendaye to Paris and London. The Petit Train de la Rhune mountain railway is also included.

Is this an escorted tour?

Yes. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group from the start in London through the end in London. Guided walking tours are included in San Sebastián and Bilbao.

When does the tour run?

The pack does not list published departures. Contact Great Rail Journeys to confirm available dates.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Simply Basque Country

Basque coast and culture from Hondarribia with mountain railway and Guggenheim

Great Rail Journeys operates this eight-day escorted tour exploring the Basque coast of Spain and France. The journey begins with Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, continues by TGV to Dax, and finishes by coach into Hondarribia, a characterful coastal town with medieval walls and a 16th-century castle. You stay at Hotel Jauregui for all seven nights, providing a stable base from which to take daily excursions. Days include a guided walking tour of San Sebastián, celebrated for its food culture and La Concha Bay; free time to explore Hondarribia's port, old town, and pintxo bars; an afternoon aboard the Petit Train de la Rhune, a 1920s vintage rack railway climbing to 905 metres with views of the Pyrenees and Atlantic; and a visit to Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum with entry included. Great Rail Journeys provides a Tour Manager throughout, daily breakfast, four dinners, all rail and coach travel, and guided tours. This trip suits repeat rail travellers and food enthusiasts; the extended stay in one town and mixture of guided and free days also appeals to couples seeking relaxed coastal exploration.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has risen £100 since 4 Jul, to £1,299.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

The group maximum is 40 people, making this a larger escorted tour.
Only four dinners are included across seven nights; most other meals are at your own expense.
Hondarribia is the single base hotel for all seven nights; daily excursions are by coach to other destinations.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Hondarribia
From London to Hondarribia
We meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar to Paris, continuing by rail to Hendaye, then by coach across the border to our base for seven nights, Hondarribia.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2overnight: Hondarribia
At leisure to explore Hondarribia
A free day to discover Hondarribia at your own pace, including the medieval old town, the 16th-century castle, and the La Marina neighbourhood's pintxo bars.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3overnight: Hondarribia
Excursion to San Sebastián
A guided walking tour of San Sebastián around La Concha Bay, passing the coastal mountain Jaizkibel, with free time to explore the city's gastronomy and the San Telmo Museum.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4overnight: Hondarribia
Free time in Hondarribia
A day at leisure to explore Hondarribia's beach, Old Town, and local pintxo bars.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5railovernight: Hondarribia
St Jean de la Luz and the Petit Train de la Rhune
We cross into France to the fishing port of St Jean de la Luz, then board the vintage 1920s rack railway, the Petit Train de la Rhune, from Col de St Ignace to the summit of La Rhune for panoramic views of the Pyrenees and Atlantic coast.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6overnight: Hondarribia
Discovering Hondarribia at your own pace
A free day, with options including a walk along the Butrón Boardwalk, the Bay Path to Hendaye, or a ferry across the Bidasoa River.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7overnight: Hondarribia
Exploring Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum
A coach trip to Bilbao with included entry to the Guggenheim Museum, followed by free time to explore the Old Town or Doña Casilda Iturrizar Park.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8rail
Homeward bound
After breakfast, we travel by coach to Hendaye then by rail to Paris, joining the Eurostar back to London St Pancras.
Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

Day 5Board the Petit Train de la Rhune, a 1920s vintage rack railway, for a climb from Col de St Ignace to the 905-metre summit of La Rhune, with panoramic views across the Pyrenees and Atlantic Ocean.
Day 3Guided walking tour of San Sebastián's historic sights, including the coastal mountain Jaizkibel and the beaches around La Concha Bay.
Day 7Included entry to Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Gehry, followed by free time to explore the Old Town and Basque tapas restaurants.

Included

Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
7 nights’ 3-Star hotel accommodation
Eurostar Standard, Standard Class rail travel - all rail and coach travel throughout your tour
Breakfast each day, 4 dinners
All guided tours and excursions

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £1,299 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,755 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris in Standard Class, TGV rail from Paris to Dax, and return rail from Hendaye to Paris and London. The Petit Train de la Rhune mountain railway is also included.
Is this an escorted tour?: Yes. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group from the start in London through the end in London. Guided walking tours are included in San Sebastián and Bilbao.
When does the tour run?: The pack does not list published departures. Contact Great Rail Journeys to confirm available dates.