21 May Train Travel in Spain: Four Unforgettable Journeys
Updated May 2026
Spain is a joy to explore by rail. From sleek high-speed trains to nostalgic ‘hotels on wheels’, train travel in Spain lets you cover impressive distances in comfort, while soaking up landscapes you’d miss from the motorway. This is slow tourism at its best, allowing the journey to become part of the experience.
In this guide, we share four of the best train journeys in Spain, a mix of iconic luxury trains and flexible itineraries that use the country’s excellent AVE network. These unforgettable journeys show how richly you can experience the country when you travel through Spain by train.
Why Choose Train Travel in Spain?
Spain has one of the most extensive high-speed rail networks in Europe, connecting major cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Seville and Málaga in just a few hours. Trains are generally punctual and comfortable, which makes train travel in Spain far less stressful than internal flights or long drives. You can step off in the heart of each city, ready to walk straight into your next boutique hotel, tapas bar or museum.
Alongside Renfe’s flagship AVE and Alvia services, low-cost operators such as Avlo (operated by Renfe), Ouigo and Iryo have made train travel in Spain more affordable and flexible than ever. This makes it even easier to travel through Spain by train without renting a car. Combine high-speed links between cities with slower, scenic routes that meander into the mountains or trundle along northern Spain’s narrow-gauge coastal routes.
Four of the Best Train Journeys in Spain
From iconic ‘hotels on wheels’ to tailored itineraries, these four journeys showcase the magic of train travel in Spain.
1. El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo: Northern Spain’s Coastal ‘Hotel on Wheels’
If you’re looking for one of the best train journeys in Spain, El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo is hard to beat. This legendary train glides along Spain’s wild northern coast between San Sebastián and Santiago de Compostela, with the Bay of Biscay on one side and the green peaks of Asturias and Cantabria on the other. Its deluxe, first-class suites combine living room, bedroom and bathroom, while four salon cars, a restaurant and a dedicated crew make this a true ‘hotel on wheels’.
The classic itinerary runs for 8 days/7 nights in both directions, and includes a carefully curated programme of excursions. Along the way, you’ll visit Bilbao’s Guggenheim, the elegant bays of Santander and Gijón, medieval Santillana del Mar and Oviedo, the Picos de Europa, and the pilgrim city of Santiago de Compostela. You’ll eat well too, with meals on board focused on regional gastronomy paired with wines from northern Spain.
If you like this style of journey but prefer something slightly shorter, the Costa Verde Express runs a 6-day/5-night route between Bilbao and Santiago de Compostela (and vice versa). Formerly the Transcantábrico Clásico, it offers the same vintage charm and Green Spain scenery in a slightly more compact format.
El Transcantábrico and the Costa Verde Express operate between spring and autumn each year. Contact Just Explore for the latest dates, cabins and prices, and to discuss combining either journey with extra nights in Bilbao, San Sebastián or Galicia.
2. El Expreso de la Robla: Slow-Travel Charm in Green Spain
If you love the idea of vintage train travel in northern Spain but prefer a slightly gentler price point, La Robla Express offers a more relaxed, affordable alternative to the Transcantábrico. Guests stay in vintage cabins with fold-down beds and private bathrooms, while three lounge cars, a bar, restaurant and attentive crew create a laidback but comfortable journey.
La Robla offers three routes. Its primary offering is a 3-day/2-night journey running in both directions between Bilbao and León, threading together mountain scenery, Romanesque villages and historic towns. It also operates a 6-day/5-night Pilgrim’s Route, beginning and ending at Oviedo, following sections of the Camino de Santiago via Galicia’s Atlantic coast and Santiago de Compostela. Meals onboard are complemented by visits to local restaurants, and most nights are spent stationary in towns, so you can enjoy local nightlife and a peaceful night’s sleep.
This is one of the best train routes in Spain if you enjoy slow travel, cooler summer temperatures and a less touristy side of the country. You do need to get organised early, though. La Robla operates a limited number of departures between late spring and early autumn, and dates book up quickly.
3. Al Andalus: Belle Époque Elegance between Seville & Madrid
For a luxury train experience in southern Spain, the Al Andalus is in a class of its own. At around 450 metres, it’s the longest passenger train currently running in Spain and feels more like a moving palace than a hotel.
Oozing Belle Époque glamour, its historic carriages carried the English monarchy between Calais and the Côte d’Azur in the 1920s. Today they’ve been beautifully restored, with lounges, restaurants and bars that evoke the golden age of train travel, combining vintage charm with impressive comfort and spaciousness. Seven sleeping cars offer two categories of cabin, each with a private sitting area that converts into a double or twin bedroom with en-suite bathroom.
Today, the Al Andalus operates a 7-day/6-night route between Seville and Madrid, running in both directions on selected dates between spring and autumn. Along the way, you’ll discover the Andalucian icons of Seville, Córdoba, Jerez and Cádiz, explore UNESCO-listed Toledo and Cáceres, and visit Mérida’s Roman ruins and Alcázar de San Juan’s artisan cheese dairy and wine cellar.
This relaxed, all-inclusive journey is one of the best train routes in Spain, combining centuries of history with culture and gastronomy for a real flavour of the country. Speak to Just Explore about organising a tailor-made journey, blending a trip on Al Andalus with extra time in Madrid and Andalucia.
4. Tailor-Made Spain By Train Itineraries by Just Explore
Here at Just Explore, we can design a tailor-made itinerary that lets you travel through Spain by train on El Transcantábrico, the Costa Verde Express, La Robla Express or Al Andalus. We then extend those journeys with extra nights in carefully chosen cities or coastal towns.
If you prefer to travel independently or would like more flexibility in your departure dates and choice of accommodation, we also create bespoke trips. These blend high-speed trains between major cities with slower, scenic routes into smaller towns, countryside and along the coast.
You might, for example, travel by AVE from Barcelona to Madrid and then continue south to Córdoba and Seville. From there, regional trains can take you to famed white villages, such as Ronda and Jimena de la Frontera, which are among the hidden gems of Andalucia. Whatever shape your train travel in Spain takes, we handle all the logistics – tickets, hotel bookings and timings – so you can relax into the changing landscapes and pleasures of slow travel.
Travel Through Spain By Train with Just Explore
If you’re inspired to experience some of the best train journeys in Spain, we’ll help you choose the routes, refine the pace and match them with stays that fit your style. Share a few ideas, dates and preferences, and we’ll create a personalised way to travel through Spain by train that runs smoothly from your first departure to your final stop.
Contact Just Explore today to start planning your rail adventure in Spain.