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Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. The same itinerary is still sold by another operator, listed under Also sold by below.

Vacations By Rail · Luxury Train, Independent

La Costa Verde Express: Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela

Eight-day luxury train journey across Spain's green northern coast

Illustration of La Costa Verde Express: Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela

Vacations By Rail's La Costa Verde Express is an eight-day independent luxury train journey across northern Spain, departing from Bilbao and concluding in Santiago de Compostela. The heart of the trip is five nights aboard the historic Costa Verde Express, a nostalgia-laden train with restaurant car, cabin accommodations, and onboard entertainment. Days include a coach excursion to the Paleolithic Altamira Cave near the medieval village of Santillana del Mar (Day 3), a mountain crossing of the Picos de Europa to the Sanctuary of Covadonga and its lakes (Day 4), and free time to explore the coastal cities of Gijón and smaller Galician towns. You stay one night in a 4-star Bilbao hotel and one night in the luxurious 5-star Parador de Santiago. Most meals are included, and transfers from the airport bookend the journey. This suits luxury-focused independent travellers who appreciate slow rail travel, those interested in northern Spain's wine and culinary traditions, and repeat rail enthusiasts seeking a multi-night train experience without a group escort.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of USD 6,410 covers the package (train, hotels, most meals, transfers) but excludes flights to and from Spain
  • Two nights are hotel-based and five nights aboard the train; luggage handling and narrow cabin spaces are typical of train travel
  • No published departure dates or calendar in the evidence; confirm availability with Vacations By Rail before booking

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Bilbao

    Arrival in Bilbao

    On arrival in Bilbao, transfer to a handpicked 4-Star hotel on a B&B basis. Optional excursions available if extending to two nights in Bilbao.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Train

    Boarding La Costa Verde Express to Santander

    Transfer to Bilbao Concordia Station to board La Costa Verde Express and settle into a luxury cabin. A panoramic tour of Bilbao and a visit to the Guggenheim Museum, then lunch onboard heading towards Santander, free time to wander the city, and dinner at a local restaurant before the first night aboard the train.

    Meals: Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Train

    Santillana del Mar and Altamira Cave

    Breakfast in the restaurant car en route to Cabezón de la Sal, then a coach to the medieval village of Santillana del Mar and the Paleolithic cave of Altamira. Lunch in Santillana del Mar, then travel into Asturias, stopping in Llanes, with dinner served onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Train

    The Picos de Europa & Oviedo

    A coach transfer to Cangas de Onís and across the Picos de Europa mountains to the Sanctuary of Covadonga and Lake Enol and the Lakes of Covadonga. Return to the train for lunch en route to Oviedo, capital of Asturias, with dinner and entertainment onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Train

    Gijón & Luarca

    Free time to explore the coastal city of Gijón, with lunch in a traditional restaurant, before the train continues to Luarca near the Galician border, arriving in the evening with dinner onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Train

    Galician Coast

    A morning onboard traveling into Galicia, stopping at the coastal town of Ribadeo for lunch, then continuing to Viveiro in the A Mariña Lucense area, with dinner and the final night aboard the train.

    Meals: Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: Santiago de Compostela

    Santiago de Compostela

    Breakfast onboard traveling to Ferrol, then leave the train and travel by coach to Santiago de Compostela, the Galician capital, to see the famous cathedral. Dinner at Parador Reyes Católicos, then transfer to the hotel for the night. Optional excursions available if extending to two nights in Santiago de Compostela.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8

    Homeward bound

    The journey concludes with a private transfer to the airport for the flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Board the Costa Verde Express at Bilbao Concordia Station, settle into a luxury cabin, and enjoy a panoramic tour of Bilbao including the Guggenheim Museum before lunch onboard
  • Day 3Coach excursion to the medieval village of Santillana del Mar and the Paleolithic Altamira Cave, then continue by train into Asturias
  • Day 4Coach transfer across the Picos de Europa mountains to Covadonga, visiting the Sanctuary and Lakes of Covadonga before returning to the train
  • Day 7Arrive in Santiago de Compostela to view the famous cathedral, then dine at the historic Parador Reyes Católicos and overnight in the 5-star Parador de Santiago

Included

  • 1 night in the 4-Star Silken Indautxu in Bilbao
  • 1 night in the 5-Star Parador de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela
  • 5 nights on the Costa Verde Express
  • Transfers from & to the airport

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights

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. The package includes five nights aboard the Costa Verde Express, all meals onboard, and transfers to and from the airport. Flights are not included.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is independent travel following a well-planned itinerary. You travel on your own; the train and coach are organized and include some meals and excursions.
What accommodations are included?
One night at the 4-star Silken Indautxu in Bilbao, five nights in a luxury cabin on the Costa Verde Express, and one night at the 5-star Parador de Santiago in Santiago de Compostela.
What is included in meals?
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served onboard most days. Day 7 includes breakfast onboard and dinner at the Parador Reyes Católicos restaurant. Day 5 includes a lunch in a traditional restaurant in Gijón.
How much walking is involved?
Free time to explore cities like Gijón and Santiago de Compostela on foot; coach excursions to Altamira, Covadonga, and the Picos de Europa; no hiking is described as part of the itinerary.
Can I add optional activities?
Yes. Vacations By Rail offers optional extras including a Private Tapas Tour in Bilbao, a Rioja Wine Day-Trip, and a Rías Baixas wine route tour near Santiago, as well as two-night extensions in either city.

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