How much does it cost?

From £3,999 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $5,402 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is all train travel included?

Yes. The price includes Eurostar Plus Class, TGV First Class from Paris to Biarritz, regional and high-speed trains throughout Spain and Portugal, and the scenic Douro Line in First Class.

Is this an escorted tour?

Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from the start in London through the end in London. Guided tours are included in Salamanca, Porto, Guimarães, Lisbon, and Sintra; some days offer free time to explore independently.

What hotels are used?

Four-star hotels: Hotel Catalonia Plaza Mayor (Salamanca, 2 nights), Hotel Régua Douro (Peso da Régua, 2 nights), Hotel PortoBay Teatro (Porto, 3 nights), Hotel PortoBay Marqués or Lumen Hotel (Lisbon, 3 nights), Valladolid Recoletos Hotel (1 night), and NH Collection Aranzazu (San Sebastián, 2 nights).

When does the tour depart?

Great Rail Journeys operates nine departures from April 2026 through October 2027, with dates in April, May, June, August, September, and October.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Classic Portugal, Spain & the Douro

15-day escorted rail journey from London through Spain and Portugal's Douro Valley

Great Rail Journeys' 15-day Portugal, Spain and the Douro tour departs London and returns there after crossing four countries by Eurostar, TGV, regional trains, and scenic rail lines. The journey begins in Paris, moves through Spain's university cities of Salamanca and Valladolid, then enters Portugal's Douro Valley by the UNESCO-listed scenic Douro Line train, following the river through terraced vineyards and past port wine estates. Days 4 to 6 center on the valley: a boat cruise, a private dinner at Quinta da Casa Amarela wine estate, and an evening at Taylor's Port cellar with tasting and dinner. Porto and Lisbon anchor the Portuguese segment with guided tours, a vintage tram ride through old Alfama, and a day trip to Sintra's palaces and castle. The final leg carries you by First Class train north to San Sebastián in Basque Spain, known for pintxos and coastal charm, before returning by Eurostar. A UK Tour Manager accompanies throughout; 14 nights are in 4-star hotels with breakfast daily and eight dinners included.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has risen £700 since 4 Jul, to £3,999.

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 tour includes 8 dinners; other meals are at your own expense. Breakfast is daily, but most lunches are free time.
Single supplement from GBP 4,749 represents a significant premium over the half-share of the double rate.
The group size can be up to 30 travellers; specific group numbers vary by departure.
One Lisbon hotel option (Lumen Hotel & The Lisbon Light Show) is offered on specific April, May, June, and August dates; the Lisbon hotel may vary by departure date.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Biarritz
A French beginning in Biarritz
We meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar to Paris in Plus Class with a light meal, continuing by First Class rail to Biarritz in southwestern France. We check in to our hotel and walk to a local restaurant on the Grand Plage seafront for our first group dinner.
Day 2railovernight: Salamanca
Journeying by rail to the 'Golden City', Salamanca
After breakfast we transfer by coach over the Spanish border to San Sebastián, then join the local rail network to Salamanca via Valladolid Campo Grande, arriving in the early evening. We dine with the group at a traditional restaurant.
Day 3overnight: Salamanca
Discovering the sights of Salamanca
A morning tour of Salamanca, the UNESCO 'Golden City', taking in its two cathedrals, the Baroque city hall, the Monterrey Palace and Spain's oldest university with entrance included, plus the Casa de las Conchas. The afternoon and evening are free.
Day 4railovernight: Peso da Régua
Travelling into the Douro Valley by rail to Peso da Régua
We transfer by coach from Salamanca to Pocinho and join Portugal's scenic Douro Valley rail route to Peso da Régua, passing terraced vineyards and port 'quintas'. We check in for the first of two nights and dine at the onsite restaurant overlooking the Douro.
Day 5railovernight: Peso da Régua
Into the Douro Valley by train and an evening at a wine estate
A local train trip to Pinhão followed by a one-hour boat cruise past port wine estates. In the evening we visit the family-run Quinta da Casa Amarela for a guided walk and private dinner overlooking the vineyards, before returning to Peso da Régua.
Day 6railovernight: Porto
Arrival into the picturesque wine city of Porto
We join the train west along the Douro to Porto for a three-night stay. We explore the city's upper streets, Porto Cathedral with panoramic views, and the Palácio da Bolsa with entrance included, followed by dinner together.
Day 7overnight: Porto
Visiting Portugal's original capital, Guimarães, and Taylor's Port
A coach trip to Guimarães, Portugal's first capital, stopping at the shrine of Bom Jesus do Monte, then touring the medieval fortress and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza with entrance included. In the evening we visit Taylor's Port wine cellar for a tasting and dinner.
Day 8overnight: Porto
At leisure amongst the history and charms of Porto
A full free day to explore Porto independently, with suggestions including Livraria Lello bookshop, the old trams, and the riverfront at sunset.
Day 9railovernight: Lisbon
From Porto to captivating Lisbon by high-speed rail
We travel First Class on Portugal's high-speed rail network to Lisbon for a three-night stay, arriving mid-afternoon with the rest of the day free before dinner with the group. Note: the April 18th, May 23rd, June 6th & 20th and August 22nd departures stay at the Lumen Hotel instead.
Day 10overnight: Lisbon
Exclusive vintage tram tour and sightseeing in Lisbon
A unique city tour aboard a chartered vintage tram through Alfama and Bairro Alto, ending in Belém where we sample pastéis de nata. The afternoon and evening are free.
Day 11railovernight: Lisbon
A day in the forested hills of Sintra
We take the train to Sintra to see the Pena Palace, the Castle of the Moors and the Palacio Nacional, with shuttle bus access included, before returning to Lisbon by train for a free afternoon and evening.
Day 12railovernight: Valladolid
Back across the Spanish border to Valladolid
We travel by train from Lisbon to a station near the Spanish border, then continue by coach to Valladolid. The afternoon and evening are free to explore the historic university city.
Day 13railovernight: San Sebastián
To San Sebastián on the Basque coast
We walk to the station and board the direct First Class train north to San Sebastián, checking in for a two-night stay with the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 14overnight: San Sebastián
A free day in Basque country
A free day in San Sebastián to relax on the beach, explore the old town, or visit the San Telmo Museum. We reconvene for a final group dinner this evening.
Day 15rail
Homeward bound
We transfer by coach to Hendaye, board the direct First Class train to Paris, then join the Eurostar Plus service to London St Pancras with a light meal at our seats.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 4Board Portugal's most scenic rail route, the Douro Line from Pocinho to Peso da Régua, following the river past terraced vineyards and port wine quintas.
Day 5Local train to Pinhão, then a one-hour boat cruise on the Douro past port wine estates; evening private dinner at Quinta da Casa Amarela with views across the vineyards.
Day 10Travel by specially chartered vintage tram through Alfama and Bairro Alto to Belem; sample pastéis de Belém with coffee.
Day 11Train to Sintra and a day exploring Pena Palace, Castle of the Moors, and Palacio Nacional with included shuttle buses.
Day 13Board a direct First Class train from Valladolid to San Sebastián on the Basque coast; evening pintxos bar hopping in the old quarter.

Included

Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
14 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
Eurostar Plus First & Standard Class rail travel
All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout your tour
Eurostar Light Meals
Breakfast each day, 8 dinners
Group luggage transfers between hotels from Salamanca to San Sebastián
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 £3,999 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $5,402 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is all train travel included?: Yes. The price includes Eurostar Plus Class, TGV First Class from Paris to Biarritz, regional and high-speed trains throughout Spain and Portugal, and the scenic Douro Line in First Class.
Is this an escorted tour?: Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from the start in London through the end in London. Guided tours are included in Salamanca, Porto, Guimarães, Lisbon, and Sintra; some days offer free time to explore independently.
What hotels are used?: Four-star hotels: Hotel Catalonia Plaza Mayor (Salamanca, 2 nights), Hotel Régua Douro (Peso da Régua, 2 nights), Hotel PortoBay Teatro (Porto, 3 nights), Hotel PortoBay Marqués or Lumen Hotel (Lisbon, 3 nights), Valladolid Recoletos Hotel (1 night), and NH Collection Aranzazu (San Sebastián, 2 nights).
What meals are included?: Breakfast daily, 8 dinners, Eurostar light meals outbound and return, a one-hour Douro River boat cruise, a private dinner at Quinta da Casa Amarela, port wine tasting and dinner at Taylor's Port, and a pastéis de Belém tasting with coffee.
When does the tour depart?: Great Rail Journeys operates nine departures from April 2026 through October 2027, with dates in April, May, June, August, September, and October.