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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Madrid, Valencia & Barcelona by First Class Rail

First-class rail loop from London through Marseille, Madrid, Valencia to Barcelona

Illustration of Madrid, Valencia & Barcelona by First Class Rail

Planet Rail's 11-day independent rail holiday connects London to Barcelona via first-class trains, with stops in Marseille, Madrid, and Valencia. You depart London St Pancras on Eurostar in Standard Premier, cross to Paris, and board the high-speed train south to Marseille for an overnight at the four-star Grand Hotel Beauvau near the Vieux Port. From there, trains carry you through Spain: three nights in Madrid exploring the Prado and Royal Palace; three nights in Valencia wandering the Old Town and Mediterranean beaches; three nights in Barcelona visiting the Sagrada Familia and Picasso Museum. Throughout, Planet Rail books first-class rail travel, centrally located four-star hotels, and private transfers in Paris. This is a self-guided itinerary where you set the pace in each city, with the operator handling the logistics of trains and accommodation.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of £1,645 is for low season and assumes two passengers sharing a room; mid-season and high-season prices reach £2,395 per person.
  • This is a self-guided holiday with no group escort; you navigate each city independently after arrival.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Marseille

    London to Marseille

    Depart from London St. Pancras International by Eurostar in Standard Premier (Eurostar's 1st class for leisure travellers) with a light meal and drinks served on board, travelling at up to 186mph to Paris Gare du Nord. A private taxi transfers you to the Gare de Lyon for the high-speed journey south to Marseille. Overnight at the Grand Hotel Beauvau (4 star), just off the Vieux Port.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Madrid

    Marseille to Madrid

    Return to the station and take the train into Spain, bound for Madrid. On arrival make your way to the elegant Hotel Liabeny (4 star), ideally situated in the heart of the Spanish capital, for a three-night stay. This evening perhaps sample one of Madrid's fine restaurants.

  3. Day 3overnight: Madrid

    Exploring Madrid

    A full day to explore Madrid. Visit the golden triangle of art: the Prado Museum (best for El Greco), the more intimate Reina Sofia Museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, all within striking distance of each other on the Paseo del Arte.

  4. Day 4overnight: Madrid

    Exploring Madrid

    A second full day in Madrid. Perhaps head down the Carrera de San Jeronimo, past the Parliament and onto Sol, then take Calle Mayor to the Plaza Mayor and the old Madrid of the Asturias, capped by the opulent Royal Palace.

  5. Day 5overnight: Valencia

    Onward to Valencia

    After breakfast, board your regional service south towards the coast, arriving in Valencia. Make your way to the highly rated Soho Boutique Turia (4 star) for a three-night stay. Spend the afternoon getting to know your surroundings and finish with dinner at a local tapas bar.

  6. Day 6overnight: Valencia

    Valencia

    Explore the Old Town and the Central Market, a display of Valencia's modernist architecture dating back to 1914 with colourful ceramic tiles, and the Plaza de la Virgin. Valencia is perfect to discover on foot.

  7. Day 7overnight: Valencia

    Valencia

    Visit the Plaza de la Reina with the Cathedral and the Miguelete tower (climb the 207 steps for beautiful views), and the Silk Exchange, a World Heritage Site with its Patio de los Naranjos courtyard full of orange trees. Or stroll to the sea front with miles of golden sands, and enjoy fresh seafood and traditional Paella at a shoreside restaurant.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Barcelona

    Valencia to Barcelona

    Board your regional train from Valencia, skirting alongside the Mediterranean to the Catalan capital. From Barcelona Sants station make your way to the comfortable and welcoming H10 Urquinaona Plaza Hotel for a three-night stay.

  9. Day 9overnight: Barcelona

    Barcelona

    Soak up the city, from the lively Ramblas to the smart shops of Passeig de Gracia. Don't miss the Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudi's unfinished masterpiece, or the Picasso Museum with its extensive collection.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Barcelona

    Barcelona

    Take the funicular up to Montjuic for commanding views over the city, or venture further afield to Montserrat, the jagged mountain crowned by its monastery, reached by rack railway or cable car. Back in Barcelona, plenty of dinner options from gastronomic restaurants to tapas bars.

  11. Day 11rail

    Barcelona to London - Homeward bound

    After breakfast, from Barcelona Sants travel north on the superfast TGV to Paris, where a private transfer takes you to the Gare du Nord. Join the Eurostar home with a light meal and drinks before arrival into London St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Depart London St Pancras on Eurostar in Standard Premier, reaching Paris Gare du Nord at up to 186 mph, then take a private taxi to Gare de Lyon for the high-speed train south to Marseille.
  • Day 3Explore Madrid's Golden Triangle of Art: the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofia Museum, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum along the Paseo del Arte.
  • Day 7Climb the 207 steps of the Miguelete tower at Valencia's Cathedral for views over the city, or stroll the Mediterranean shorefront to enjoy fresh seafood and traditional paella.
  • Day 10Take the funicular up Montjuic for commanding views over Barcelona, or venture to Montserrat monastery on a rack railway or cable car through jagged mountains.

Included

  • First class rail travel throughout
  • Highly-rated 4-star hotels throughout
  • Taxi transfers in Paris

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. First-class rail is included on all segments: Eurostar (Standard Premier) from London to Paris, high-speed and regional trains through Marseille, Madrid, Valencia, and Barcelona, and the return TGV and Eurostar to London.
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
Independent and self-guided. Planet Rail arranges the rail tickets, hotels, and private taxi transfers in Paris; you explore each city on your own schedule.
What hotels are included?
Four-star hotels in central locations: the Grand Hotel Beauvau in Marseille (1 night), Hotel Liabeny in Madrid (3 nights), Soho Boutique Turia in Valencia (3 nights), and H10 Urquinaona Plaza Hotel in Barcelona (3 nights).
How much walking is involved?
The itinerary describes city exploration on foot: the Paseo del Arte in Madrid, the Old Town and seafront in Valencia, and the Ramblas and Montjuic in Barcelona. No hiking or strenuous activity is mentioned.
What is not included?
Meals and attractions are not included, apart from light meals and drinks on Eurostar and the return TGV. You choose restaurants and museums independently.
When does it run?
Planet Rail offers low-season, mid-season, and high-season pricing, but no specific departure dates are listed; contact Planet Rail to confirm availability.

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