Luxury Trains Through Northern Spain: 2027 Options and Prices
If you want a luxury train through northern Spain in 2027, there are two choices, and both run the same spectacular coast between the Basque Country and Galicia: El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo, from €11,100 per person, and the Costa Verde Express, from €5,300 per person (double occupancy, all-inclusive). Both are operated by Renfe. The old "Transcantábrico Clásico" no longer runs under that name — it was relaunched in 2022 as the Costa Verde Express.
Here is how the two compare on the numbers that decide most bookings.
2027 at a glance
| El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo | Costa Verde Express | |
|---|---|---|
| Route | San Sebastián ⇄ Santiago de Compostela | Bilbao ⇄ Santiago de Compostela |
| Duration | 8 days · 7 nights | 6 days · 5 nights |
| Cabins | 14 Deluxe Suites, 12.82 m² | 23 Gran Clase Suites, about 6 m² |
| Guests | 28 maximum | 46 maximum |
| 2027 fare, double | €11,100 per person | €5,300 per person |
| 2027 fare, single | €19,200 | €9,550 |
| 2027 fare, triple | €9,200 per person | — |
| 2027 season | Late March to October | May to October |
Both fares are all-inclusive: your suite, every meal with wines (on board and at restaurants along the route), all guided excursions and entrance fees, onboard entertainment and a luxury coach that follows the train. Live departure dates for both trains are on our departure calendar.
El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo: space and time
The Gran Lujo is the more spacious and more leisurely of the two. Its fourteen Deluxe Suites are the largest cabins on any Spanish train, each with a sitting area and an en-suite bathroom, and with only 28 guests the train never feels busy. Eight days let it start in San Sebastián, add a day in the Picos de Europa and a spa afternoon at La Hermida, and still reach the Playa de las Catedrales and Santiago. It is our first suggestion for anniversaries and for anyone who values room to spread out.
Costa Verde Express: the same coast, shorter and simpler
The Costa Verde Express starts in Bilbao and distills the route into six days: the Guggenheim, Santillana del Mar and the Altamira Neocave, the Cabrales cheese caves, Oviedo, Gijón, Luarca, Taramundi and the Playa de las Catedrales, ending in Santiago. Its Gran Clase Suites are compact, with a 1.35 × 1.80 m double bed and a private shower room. At roughly half the Gran Lujo fare, it is the most accessible way into Spanish luxury rail.
Which should you choose?
- Choose the Gran Lujo if cabin space matters, you have eight days, or it is a special occasion.
- Choose the Costa Verde Express if you would rather spend less, have six days, or are combining the train with time in Bilbao, Madrid or Portugal.
- Want the south instead? Al Ándalus runs Seville ⇄ Madrid via Córdoba, Jerez, Cádiz, Mérida, Cáceres, Toledo and Aranjuez, from €7,700 per person in 2027. See all three side by side on our comparison page.
Still travelling in 2026?
The last 2026 departures are sold at 2026 rates: the Gran Lujo from €9,900 per person double (through 31 October 2026) and the Costa Verde Express from €5,000 per person double (through 24 October 2026). Check the calendar for what is still open.
How to book
Palace Tours is Renfe's authorized sales representative for its luxury trains for travelers in the Americas. You pay the season's published fare, in US dollars if you prefer; a 15% deposit confirms your suite and the balance is due 35 days before departure. The northern trains carry few guests, so popular summer and early-autumn dates go first — we suggest booking 6 to 12 months ahead. Ask a specialist or call 800-724-5120.
Quick answers
What luxury trains run through northern Spain?
Two: El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo (8 days, San Sebastián to Santiago de Compostela, 14 suites, 28 guests) and the Costa Verde Express (6 days, Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela, 23 suites, 46 guests). Both are operated by Renfe and both run in either direction.
How much does El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo cost in 2027?
2027 fares start from €11,100 per person in a double Deluxe Suite, €9,200 per person triple and €19,200 for single occupancy, all-inclusive.
How much does the Costa Verde Express cost in 2027?
2027 fares start from €5,300 per person in a double Gran Clase Suite and €9,550 for single occupancy, all-inclusive.
Is the Costa Verde Express the old Transcantábrico Clásico?
Yes. The train once sold as El Transcantábrico Clásico was relaunched in 2022 as the Costa Verde Express. El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo is a separate train.
How do I book a northern Spain luxury train from the United States?
Through Palace Tours, Renfe's authorized sales representative for its luxury trains in the Americas. A 15% deposit confirms the booking, the balance is due 35 days before departure, and you can pay in US dollars.
Published October 2, 2026 by the Spain Luxury Trains editorial desk — the official authorized booking source for Spain’s luxury trains. Questions? Ask a specialist or call 800-724-5120.
