FAQs

El Transcantábrico is a luxury tourist train that travels through 'Green Spain' along the Cantabrian coast in the north of the country. The flagship El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo runs an 8-day, 7-night journey between San Sebastián and Santiago de Compostela, in both directions, passing through the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia.

2027 season fares for the 8-day Gran Lujo journey start from €11,100 per person in a double Deluxe Suite (€19,200 for single occupancy, a supplement of €8,100), all-inclusive. The price covers the suite, full board, all excursions, and onboard entertainment. 2027 departures run from late March to October. Contact our official reservations office for current pricing and availability.

The fare is all-inclusive: accommodation in a Deluxe Suite, all meals (full board, including gourmet dinners at restaurants along the route), all guided excursions and entrance fees, onboard drinks and entertainment, and a coach that follows the train to carry guests on excursions.

The journey runs along the north coast of Spain between San Sebastián and Santiago de Compostela. Travelling west, the days take in Bilbao, Santander, Potes and the Liébana valley, Comillas, Santillana del Mar, Llanes, the Picos de Europa, Oviedo, Gijón, Cudillero, Luarca, Ribadeo, the Playa de las Catedrales and Viveiro, with nights at Carranza, Santander, Cabezón de la Sal, Llanes, Oviedo, Luarca and Viveiro. The Picos de Europa are visited twice: once from the Cantabrian side around Potes, and once on a dedicated mountain day. The eastbound journey covers the same places in reverse. Cudillero and the Playa de las Catedrales are usually part of the programme, though they may be changed or cancelled because of scheduling, tides or weather.

The journey does, but the rail section runs between Bilbao and Ferrol. Westbound, guests meet in San Sebastián at midday, visit the city and have lunch, then travel by coach to Bilbao to board the train; on the last morning the train arrives in Ferrol and a coach continues to Santiago de Compostela for a guided visit. Eastbound, guests meet in Santiago, travel by coach to Ferrol to board, say farewell to the train in Bilbao on the last day and finish with a visit to San Sebastián. These coach transfers are part of the programme.

The train operates seasonally from early spring to autumn, roughly March through October, when the green north is at its most beautiful. Departures leave in both directions on selected dates each month.

Not as a separate train. The original 'classic' Transcantábrico has been retired; its shorter northern itineraries are now operated by the Costa Verde Express, which follows a different, shorter route. El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo continues as the flagship — the premium 8-day San Sebastián–Santiago journey, with the largest Deluxe Suites, full bathrooms with hydromassage, and the highest level of service and gastronomy.

The Gran Lujo carries a maximum of around 28 guests in 14 Deluxe Suites, ensuring an intimate, personal experience with a high ratio of crew to guests.

Generally no. The train travels during the day for the scenery and excursions, and is parked at quiet stations overnight so guests sleep without motion. Suites are private and fully en-suite.

Absolutely. We are the official authorized booking and information source, with English-speaking specialists, pricing guidance in your currency, and help coordinating flights and extra nights in San Sebastián or Santiago. Many of our guests travel from across North and South America.

Book through this official site or call our US toll-free line at 800-724-5120 (or +1 786-408-0610 internationally). As the authorized source, we confirm against live availability with no reseller markups.