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Intrepid Travel · Escorted small group tour

Paris to Madrid by Rail

Eight-day Paris to Madrid by train and public transport through France and Spain

Illustration of Paris to Madrid by Rail

Intrepid Travel's eight-day Paris to Madrid tour is a flight-free escorted journey through France and Spain using only trains and public buses. A local leader accompanies the group throughout, guiding included walking tours in Montmartre, Barcelona, and Madrid, and leading free time exploration in Nimes and beyond. The route begins with two nights in Paris, where you'll meet fellow travellers at a welcome dinner and visit the homes and studios of Van Gogh and Picasso. From there, fast trains carry the group to Nimes to see Roman monuments and make a day trip to the Pont du Gard aqueduct for swimming or kayaking. Barcelona follows with a tour of Antoni Gaudí's still-unfinished Sagrada Familia cathedral and time to explore Catalan Modernista architecture. The journey concludes in Madrid with an orientation walk covering Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, and stops for traditional churros. With seven included breakfasts and two group dinners featuring regional specialties, this tour suits first-time rail travellers, history enthusiasts, and food lovers seeking a structured, transport-focused introduction to Western Europe's major cities.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement is high: AUD $1,430 (over 38 percent of the double-occupancy price from AUD $3,728), making solo travel significantly more expensive.
  • Most lunches are not included; the itinerary lists free time to find lunch in Nimes and Barcelona, though a picnic is suggested for Pont du Gard.
  • Intrepid's published price is in AUD; USD equivalent is USD $2,587, and availability is limited to three departures in September and October 2026.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Paris

    Paris

    Welcome to Paris, the City of Lights. Your trip kicks off with a welcome meeting at your hotel at 6 pm. After meeting your fellow travellers and trip leader, head out for an included welcome dinner at one of the very special restaurants. Afterwards, explore the surrounding neighbourhoods. Optional: Uncommon Paris Urban Adventure (must be prebooked, EUR 55). Note: If travelling from the UK, you can add an optional Eurostar train from London to Paris. Attend the welcome meeting as insurance and emergency contact details will be collected.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Paris

    Paris

    After breakfast, hop on local transport to Montmartre for an included Hidden Montmartre Urban Adventure guided tour. Starting with a buttery croissant, your local guide takes you past the homes of Van Gogh and Picasso to a secret panoramic viewpoint, the Sacre-Coeur Basilica and the last remaining vineyard in Paris. Optional lunch at a typical French brasserie. Free time in the afternoon to explore Paris – consider visiting the Louvre, Eiffel Tower or other iconic sites.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: Nimes

    Nimes

    After breakfast, take a fast train (~4 hours) to Nimes in the south of France, known for its well-preserved Roman monuments. Enjoy free time to explore and find lunch, then join a leader-led walking tour. See the Arena of Nimes (Roman amphitheatre, 70 AD), Maison Carree (Roman temple), Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle, Nimes Cathedral, Jardins de la Fontaine and Place d'Assas.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Nimes

    Nimes

    After breakfast, take a day trip by public bus to Pont du Gard – a magnificent Roman aqueduct bridge spanning the Gardon River. Walk across the bridge, explore the museum, swim in the Gardon River (designated areas), and optionally rent a kayak (EUR 13). Bring a picnic or snacks to enjoy by the riverside. Return by bus to Nimes in the afternoon for free time.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: Barcelona

    Barcelona

    Take a fast train (~4 hours) to Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia. On arrival, head to a group dinner at a local tapas restaurant – enjoy an array of small plates including grilled chorizo, gazpacho and more, sharing dishes with your group and locals.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Barcelona

    Barcelona

    After breakfast, join a leader-led walking tour of Barcelona including a visit to Gaudí's La Sagrada Familia Cathedral (admission included). Explore Gaudí's Catalan Modernista architecture around the city. Optional afternoon visits to Guell Palace, Casa Batllo, Parc Guell and the Gaudi House Museum. Tonight, enjoy a glass of red wine from a porro – a traditional glass pitcher.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7railovernight: Madrid

    Madrid

    After breakfast, take a train (~3 hours) to Madrid. On arrival, join an orientation walk covering Puerta del Sol (symbolic centre of Madrid), the iconic Tio Pepe sign, the statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, Plaza Mayor, Mercado de San Miguel, the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral, and Gran Via. Try churros along the way. Tonight, ask your leader for the best dinner spots and join your group for a celebratory farewell dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 8rail

    Madrid

    No more activities planned. Your trip comes to an end after breakfast today. Consider extending your journey and taking a train to another Spanish destination.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: Hidden Montmartre guided tour with a local guide, starting with a buttery croissant and passing the homes of Van Gogh and Picasso to reach a secret panoramic viewpoint overlooking the Sacre-Coeur Basilica and the last remaining vineyard in Paris.
  • Day 4Day 4: Day trip by public bus to Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct bridge spanning the Gardon River. Walk across the bridge, explore the museum, and swim in designated areas of the river.
  • Day 6Day 6: Leader-led walking tour of Barcelona's Catalan Modernista architecture, including admission to Antoni Gaudí's La Sagrada Familia Cathedral.
  • Day 7Day 7: Orientation walk in Madrid covering Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral, Gran Via, and a stop for churros.

Included

  • 7 breakfasts
  • 2 dinners (welcome dinner Day 1, tapas dinner Day 5)
  • Hotel accommodation (7 nights)
  • Paris – Hidden Montmartre Urban Adventure (included guided tour)
  • Visit to Pont du Gard (museum, bridge, swimming time and free time for lunch)
  • Sagrada Familia admission
  • Churros stop in Madrid
  • Local leader throughout
  • All transport by train, public bus, metro and taxi as per itinerary

Not included

  • International flights
  • Optional Eurostar transfer from London to Paris
  • Single supplement (available on request, from AUD $1,430)
  • Optional activities and entrance fees
  • Lunches (except where noted as free time)
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas (where required)
  • Personal expenses

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price of AUD $3,728 includes all train travel (Paris to Nimes, Nimes to Barcelona, Barcelona to Madrid) and public bus, metro, and taxi transport as per the itinerary. International flights are not included.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Intrepid Travel provides a local leader throughout the eight days, included guided tours in Paris and Barcelona, and group dinners on Days 1 and 5.
Which trains are used?
Paris to Nimes is by TGV or a fast train (approximately four hours); Nimes to Barcelona is by fast train (approximately four hours); Barcelona to Madrid is by fast train (approximately three hours). An optional Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris is also available.
What hotels are included?
Hôtel André Latin in Paris for two nights; unspecified hotels in Nimes (two nights), Barcelona (two nights), and Madrid (one night) are confirmed, though the operator does not name all properties in advance.
When does the tour run?
Three departures are scheduled for September and October 2026, with prices ranging from AUD $3,728 to AUD $3,864.
What meals are included?
Seven breakfasts, a welcome dinner in Paris on Day 1, and a group tapas dinner in Barcelona on Day 5 are included. Lunches are not included, though the itinerary includes free time to find meals in most cities.

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