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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

San Sebastian by First Class rail

London to San Sebastian via Paris and Bordeaux in First Class rail

Illustration of San Sebastian by First Class rail

Planet Rail offers a seven-day first-class rail holiday from London to San Sebastian and back, routing through Paris and Bordeaux. You depart London St. Pancras on Eurostar in Standard Premier Class, spend one night in Paris at Hotel Le Six, then travel south on the TGV through France to Hendaye before switching to a regional train that hugs the Bay of Biscay coastline into Spain. San Sebastian, set between the Pyrenees and the sea, becomes your base for four nights at Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra, where you can explore the Parte Vieja old town, relax on Playa de la Concha, visit museums, and dine at the city's Michelin-starred restaurants. Your journey home takes you from San Sebastian back to Hendaye, then by high-speed train to Bordeaux for one night at Best Western Premier Bayonne Etche-Ona before the final Eurostar to London. The trip suits couples, repeat rail travellers, and food enthusiasts who value first-class comfort and the independence to shape their own days in each city.

What to know before you look closer

  • Dinners are not included except for light meals on Eurostar; you arrange and pay for all other evening meals.
  • Days 2 through 5 are unguided: you make your own way between stations and hotels, and choose your own activities in Paris, San Sebastian, and Bordeaux.
  • The optional Paris tour on Day 2 is self-directed; you navigate to the attractions and station independently.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Paris

    London to Paris

    Your holiday starts at St. Pancras International station. Join the Eurostar service for the high-speed journey to Paris in little over two hours in Standard Premier Class (First Class for leisure travellers) with a light meal and drinks. On arrival in Paris a private taxi transfer takes you to Hotel Le Six (4 star). This evening find a cosy bistro or gourmet restaurant for dinner.

    Meals: Light meal on Eurostar

  2. Day 2railovernight: San Sebastian

    Paris to San Sebastian

    After breakfast, optionally make a whistle-stop tour of Paris' top attractions including the Louvre, the River Seine, Left Bank and Arc de Triomphe, before making your own way to Paris Gare Montparnasse. Travel south on the TGV through France to Hendaye on the Spanish border, then change trains and continue into Spain along the Bay of Biscay coast to San Sebastian. On arrival make your own way to Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra (4 star) on La Concha bay.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3overnight: San Sebastian

    Exploring San Sebastian

    Enjoy a full day in the Basque Country. Visit the lovely Parte Vieja (old town), stroll along the Playa de la Concha promenade, explore the Centro Romántico shopping district, relax on Playa de Gros, walk the Paseo Nuevo, visit El Museo de San Telmo, see the famous sculptures by Eduardo Chillida, or take a cable car to the top of El Monte Igueldo for spectacular views.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: San Sebastian

    Exploring San Sebastian

    Another full day at leisure in San Sebastian and the Basque Country. Explore at your own pace.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5overnight: San Sebastian

    Exploring San Sebastian

    Final full day in San Sebastian. Continue to explore the city's beaches, old town, restaurants and attractions.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6railovernight: Bordeaux

    San Sebastian to Bordeaux

    Some time for last-minute shopping or a pleasant stroll before returning to the station and taking the train back into France. Connect at Hendaye with the high-speed service to Bordeaux. On arrival make your own way to Best Western Premier Bayonne Etche-Ona (4 star). Free to explore Bordeaux at your own pace.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7rail

    Bordeaux to London – homeward bound

    Morning to discover Bordeaux, including the UNESCO World Heritage old town and a stroll along the Riverfront to the Pont de Pierre. Then make your way to the station to join the train to Paris. On arrival at Paris Gare Montparnasse, a private taxi transfers you to Gare du Nord for the Eurostar back to London St. Pancras International in Standard Premier Class with a light meal and drinks.

    Meals: Breakfast, Light meal on Eurostar

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Depart London St. Pancras on Eurostar in Standard Premier Class with a light meal and drinks, arriving in Paris just over two hours later.
  • Day 2Travel south on the TGV through France to Hendaye, then change to a regional train along the Bay of Biscay coast into Spain and San Sebastian.
  • Day 3Explore San Sebastian's Parte Vieja old town, stroll the Playa de la Concha promenade, or take a cable car to El Monte Igueldo for views over the city and coast.
  • Day 6Return to France on the high-speed service from Hendaye to Bordeaux, arriving in the UNESCO-listed city for an evening at leisure.
  • Day 7Explore Bordeaux's UNESCO World Heritage old town and Pont de Pierre before boarding the final Eurostar to London in Standard Premier Class.

Included

  • First Class rail travel from London to San Sebastian via Paris and return via Bordeaux
  • Standard Premier service on Eurostar journeys with a light meal and drinks
  • 6 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast each day
  • 1 night in Paris (Hotel Le Six, 4 star)
  • 4 nights in San Sebastian (Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra, 4 star)
  • 1 night in Bordeaux (Best Western Premier Bayonne Etche-Ona, 4 star)
  • 2 x private taxi transfers between stations in Paris

Not included

  • Dinners (except light meal on Eurostar)
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Optional excursions

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included?
Yes. Planet Rail includes First Class rail from London to San Sebastian via Paris (Eurostar, TGV, and regional train) and return via Bordeaux (train, Eurostar). Standard Premier Class is used on Eurostar with a light meal and drinks.
What hotels are included?
Hotel Le Six (4 star) in Paris for 1 night, Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra (4 star) in San Sebastian for 4 nights, and Best Western Premier Bayonne Etche-Ona (4 star) in Bordeaux for 1 night. All include breakfast each day.
Is the tour escorted or independent?
Independent. Planet Rail provides private taxi transfers between stations in Paris and includes rail tickets and hotel accommodation, but you arrange your own meals (except Eurostar light meals), manage your own arrival and departure from hotels, and choose your own activities.
How much walking is involved?
Moderate. Days include city walking in Paris, San Sebastian, and Bordeaux to see attractions, museums, shops, and waterfront areas. A cable car is available to reach El Monte Igueldo for views.
What is not included?
Dinners (except light meals on Eurostar), personal expenses, travel insurance, optional excursions, and any activities beyond the included hotels and rail journeys.

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