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Planet Rail · Tailor-made escorted rail holiday

Porto & Lisbon by First Class Rail & return by air

London to Lisbon via First Class rail through France, Spain, and Portugal

Illustration of Porto & Lisbon by First Class Rail & return by air

Planet Rail operates this 10-day journey from London to Lisbon combining Eurostar, TGV, and First Class trains across France, Spain, and Portugal, returning by scheduled British Airways flight. Travellers board Eurostar at London St. Pancras in Standard Premier Class, enjoy a light meal and drinks, then transfer by private taxi across Paris to catch a TGV that runs through French and Spanish countryside to the Basque coast. From San Sebastian, First Class Spanish trains carry passengers south through Madrid to Vigo, then a Standard Class regional train crosses into Portugal and Porto. The package allocates three nights each to Porto and Lisbon, the two cities that anchor the trip, with single overnight stays in San Sebastian, Madrid, and Vigo along the way. Porto offers a UNESCO-listed medieval centre, cathedral terraces overlooking the Douro River, and historic wine cellars. Lisbon provides Gothic cathedrals, palaces, and districts to explore at leisure. All hotels are 4-star; most sightseeing and station-to-hotel transfers are unguided, giving independent travellers full control of their days.

What to know before you look closer

  • The local train from Hendaye to San Sebastian is not included and must be paid for locally
  • One train leg, Vigo to Porto, runs in Standard Class; all other included trains are First Class
  • Most stops are one night; Porto and Lisbon receive three nights each, so the overall pace is balanced but the first half moves quickly

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: San Sebastian

    By rail to Spain

    Your holiday begins at London St. Pancras station. Travel by Eurostar to Paris at speeds of up to 186mph, enjoying a light meal and drinks in Standard Premier Class. On arrival at Gare du Nord, a private taxi transfer takes you across Paris to Montparnasse station to continue by TGV through France and into Spain. Travel through the Spanish countryside to Hendaye, then take a local train (payable locally) to San Sebastian.

    Meals: Lunch/snacks on Eurostar

  2. Day 2railovernight: Madrid

    San Sebastian to Madrid

    After breakfast, return to the railway station for your First Class journey south from San Sebastian to Madrid. On arrival, make your own way to the Hotel Liabeny in the heart of the Spanish capital. This evening you may wish to sample one of Madrid's many fine restaurants.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: Vigo

    Madrid to Vigo

    After a leisurely breakfast you may have time to further explore Madrid. Then make your way to Madrid Chamartín railway station for your First Class journey west to Vigo. On arrival at Vigo Urzaiz railway station, make your own way to the NH Collection Hotel Vigo. You may choose to explore the port or sample one of the wonderful restaurants for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4railovernight: Porto

    Through Spain and into Portugal

    After an early breakfast, make your way to Vigo Guixar railway station for the short journey (standard class only) from Vigo to Porto. On arrival at Porto's Campanha railway station, make your own arrangements to Hotel Exe Almada. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5overnight: Porto

    Discovering Porto (Day 1)

    A full day to explore Porto. Perhaps visit the imposing Sé Cathedral and admire the panoramic view from its terrace over the Douro. Other popular options include the Pálacio de Cristal gardens, the striking Pálacio de Bolsa, and the many wine cellars in the city.

  6. Day 6overnight: Porto

    Discovering Porto (Day 2)

    Another full day to explore Porto at your leisure, with its UNESCO-listed medieval centre, wine cellars, gardens and historic palaces.

  7. Day 7overnight: Lisbon

    Onto Lisbon

    After a leisurely breakfast and time for some last minute sightseeing in Porto, return to the station for your short First Class journey to Lisbon. Make your own arrangements to the Hotel Britania Art Deco. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 8overnight: Lisbon

    Discovering Lisbon (Day 1)

    A full day to discover Lisbon. Stroll through the Baixa and Alfama districts, visit the Rossio and Praça do Comércio plazas, the imposing 12th-century Sé Cathedral and Lisbon castle. Alternatively, take a trip to the Belém district or tour the UNESCO World Heritage site Torre de Belem.

  9. Day 9overnight: Lisbon

    Discovering Lisbon (Day 2)

    Another full day to discover the delights of Lisbon at your leisure. In the evenings, choose from a range of restaurants Lisbon has to offer.

  10. Day 10

    Lisbon to London by air – Homeward bound

    After a final breakfast at your hotel and some last minute sightseeing, head to the airport and board your scheduled British Airways flight back to London.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar departs London St. Pancras at 186mph through the Channel, with light meal and drinks in Standard Premier Class, then TGV onward through French and Spanish countryside to Hendaye
  • Day 4Short regional train journey from Vigo into Portugal, arriving at Porto's Campanha station
  • Day 5Full day in Porto to explore the Sé Cathedral and terraces overlooking the Douro, Pálacio de Cristal gardens, Pálacio de Bolsa, and historic wine cellars
  • Day 7First Class Portuguese intercity train from Porto to Lisbon
  • Day 8Full day in Lisbon to visit the Rossio and Praça do Comércio plazas, 12th-century Sé Cathedral, Lisbon castle, Belém district, and Torre de Belem UNESCO World Heritage site

Included

  • Eurostar Standard Premier Class from London St. Pancras to Paris
  • Private taxi transfer across Paris from Gare du Nord to Montparnasse
  • TGV from Paris Montparnasse through France to Hendaye
  • First Class rail from San Sebastian to Madrid
  • First Class rail from Madrid to Vigo
  • Standard class rail from Vigo to Porto
  • First Class rail from Porto to Lisbon
  • 1 night 4-star accommodation in San Sebastian (Hotel Room Mate Gorka)
  • 1 night 4-star accommodation in Madrid (Hotel Liabeny)
  • 1 night 4-star accommodation in Vigo (NH Collection Hotel Vigo)
  • 3 nights 4-star accommodation in Porto (Hotel Exe Almada)
  • 3 nights 4-star accommodation in Lisbon (Hotel Britania Art Deco)
  • Scheduled British Airways flight from Lisbon to London
  • Light meal and drinks on board Eurostar

Not included

  • Local train from Hendaye to San Sebastian (payable locally)
  • Meals not specified in itinerary
  • Personal expenses
  • Optional excursions and activities

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included?
Eurostar Standard Premier Class (London to Paris), TGV First Class (Paris to Hendaye), Spanish Renfe First Class (San Sebastian to Madrid and Madrid to Vigo), Standard Class regional train (Vigo to Porto), and Portuguese CP First Class (Porto to Lisbon). The local train from Hendaye to San Sebastian is payable locally.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
Planet Rail describes it as a tailor-made escorted rail holiday. Rail travel is arranged; however, the itinerary states travellers make their own way between stations and hotels in each city, and sightseeing is unguided.
What hotels are included?
4-star hotels throughout: Hotel Room Mate Gorka (San Sebastian, 1 night), Hotel Liabeny (Madrid, 1 night), NH Collection Hotel Vigo (Vigo, 1 night), Hotel Exe Almada (Porto, 3 nights), and Hotel Britania Art Deco (Lisbon, 3 nights).
What is the starting price and what does it include?
From GBP 1695 (USD 2264). Included are all listed trains, hotels, Eurostar with light meal and drinks, a private taxi transfer across Paris, and the return British Airways flight from Lisbon to London.
How much walking and sightseeing is involved?
Each city day is unguided; the itinerary lists attractions such as cathedrals, palaces, and gardens. Travellers walk at their own pace and choose optional activities.
When does it depart?
Planet Rail offers departures throughout the year at the same price.

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