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Costa Verde Express Luxury Train | Routes, Cabins & 2026 Dates

The Costa Verde Express is one of Spain’s classic luxury trains, forming part of our curated collection of luxury train journeys in Spain. Operating along the lush northern coast known as “Green Spain”, the train travels between Bilbao and Santiago de Compostela through Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia.

The Luxury Train Travel Company specialises exclusively in luxury rail journeys across Europe and worldwide and provides expert planning, confirmed departure dates, cabin guidance and tailored extensions for Costa Verde Express journeys. We work with travellers seeking a refined yet traditional rail experience, supported by specialist product knowledge and careful itinerary design.

Journeys aboard the Costa Verde Express are fully escorted and include accommodation in en-suite cabins, all meals and beverages on board, guided excursions with local experts and luggage handling throughout. The train travels mainly during daylight hours, allowing guests to enjoy Atlantic coastline, countryside landscapes and regional character from the comfort of the lounge and dining cars.

On this page you’ll find a clear overview of Costa Verde Express routes and itineraries, cabin categories and onboard experience, practical FAQs, and guidance on seasonal dates and indicative pricing.

The Costa Verde Express operates as a five-night journey between Bilbao and Santiago de Compostela, travelling mainly by daylight to showcase the dramatic Atlantic coastline and lush landscapes of northern Spain. With just 23 Gran Clase cabins accommodating a maximum of 46 guests, the atmosphere onboard is intimate and relaxed.

At a glance:
The Costa Verde Express is Spain’s most luxurious coastal train, offering multi-day journeys through northern Spain with en-suite cabins, fine dining, guided excursions, and all-inclusive service.

Costa Verde Express Dates & Pricing
Cabins & Onboard Experience
Routes & Itineraries
Practical FAQs
Why Book Costa Verde Express with LTTC

Costa Verde Express Dates & Pricing

Costa Verde Express journeys operate seasonally, typically between spring and early autumn, with departures running between Bilbao and Santiago de Compostela.

Pricing varies by departure date and is published in Euros. Indicative prices generally start from €5,000 per person, based on shared cabin accommodation and including all meals, beverages, excursions and guided visits.

For confirmed departure dates and availability, please view our Costa Verde Express train calendar or speak with a luxury rail specialist.

What’s included on the Costa Verde Express

● Accommodation in an en-suite Gran Clase cabin
● All meals on board, featuring regional cuisine from northern Spain
● Selected beverages and Spanish wines during meals
● Guided excursions and sightseeing with local experts
● Entrance fees to included attractions
● Luggage handling throughout the journey
● Onboard service and escort team for the duration of the trip

Specific inclusions may vary slightly by itinerary and departure date. Full details will be confirmed at the time of booking.

Note: The published prices for the tour below are in Euros. We can quote and take payment in GB Pounds, USD, Singaporean Dollars, Australian Dollars, Canadian Dollars and more. Contact us for a quote in your preferred currency.

● Please remember that booking as far ahead as you can in advance is essential for these trains ●

** Special Offers ** Contact us about current discounts and special offers on the Costa Verde Express


RFCVEBSC | 5 Nights | Bilbao ● Santander ● Santillana Del Mar ● Cabezón De La Sal ● Llanes ● Picos De Europa ● Llanes ● Gijón ● Oviedo ● Ribadeo ● Viveiro ● Ferrol ● Santiago De Compostela


Departs Bilbao on the following dates in 2026
9th May ● 23rd May ● 6th June ● 20th June ● 4th July ● 12th September ● 26th September ● 10th October ● 24th October.

Register with us to be the first to know 2027 dates.

2026 Prices in Euros. Contact us for a confirmed quote in your preferred currency.
★ Gran Clase Cabin | Twin bed | Euro 5,000 per person
★ Gran Clase Cabin | Single Occupancy | Euro 9,000

View Cabin Details.


RFCVESCB | 5 Nights | Santiago De Compostela ● Ferrol ● Viveiro ● Ribadeo ● Oviedo ● Gijón ● Llanes ● Picos De Europa ● Llanes ● Cabezón De La Sal ● Santillana Del Mar ● Santander ● Bilbao


Departs Santiago De Compostela on the following dates in 2026
16th May ● 30th May ● 13th June ● 27th June ● 11th July ● 5th September ● 19th September ● 3rd October ● 17th October.

Register with us to be the first to know 2027 dates.

2026 Prices in Euros. Contact us for a confirmed quote in your preferred currency.
★ Gran Clase Cabin | Twin bed | Euro 5,000 per person
★ Gran Clase Cabin | Single Occupancy | Euro 9,000

View Cabin Details.


  • This was our first rail holiday and has left us with an appetite for more. Although the trip covered a lot of ground there is something about travelling by train which is relaxing. We will certainly come back to you for our next trip.

    Joe & Sarah Smith
    Costa Verde Express
  • We are back and just wanted to say how much we enjoyed the trip on the Costa Verde. It packed a lot in and train was comfortable, staff friendly and food decent. Thanks so much for organising this – it all went smoothly.
    John & Farida Alton
    Costa Verde Express
  • We really enjoyed our rail trip across Northern Spain, not an area we had travelled through before. I’d highly recommend The Luxury Train Travel Company and the Costa Verde Express to explore this region.

    June & David
    Costa Verde Express

Cabins & Onboard Experience

The Costa Verde Express boasts 23 Gran Clase rooms, accommodating up to 46 guests. These cabins, reminiscent of a bygone era yet brimming with comfort, are adorned with exquisite décor, offering premier accommodations.

Accommodation aboard the Costa Verde Express is arranged in comfortable en-suite cabins designed to reflect the train’s classic heritage character. While more traditional in style than the Transcantábrico Gran Lujo, the Costa Verde Express offers a relaxed and welcoming onboard environment that complements other Spanish and European luxury trains.

Gran Class Cabins

FeatureGran Clase Cabin
Bed layoutLower double bed
BathroomPrivate en-suite
Daytime useSeating area when beds folded
StorageWardrobe and luggage space
Best forTravellers seeking a classic rail experience

The cabin size is 6 m² (≈ 64.6 ft²) in total (including the bathroom)
The standard double bed in each cabin is 1.35 m × 1.80 m (≈ 4 ft 5 in × 5 ft 11 in) in “night” mode.

While the cabins are more compact than those found on the Transcantábrico Gran Lujo, they are thoughtfully designed for comfort on a scenic coastal journey. The emphasis on daytime travel means guests typically spend much of their time enjoying the panoramic views from the lounge and dining cars, making the cabin a comfortable private retreat rather than the primary focus of the experience.

Costa Verde Express logo

Cabins are converted between daytime and nighttime configurations by the onboard team, allowing guests to enjoy comfortable seating during the day and a proper bed at night.

Photos and illustrations are for guidance only and may differ to your actual cabin.

Public Spaces & Dining

The Costa Verde Express features elegant lounge and dining cars, many dating from the early 20th century. These cars provide relaxed social spaces, panoramic windows and a traditional railway atmosphere that reflects Spain’s golden age of rail travel.

Meals on board highlight regional cuisine from northern Spain and are complemented by Spanish wines. Depending on the itinerary, lunches or dinners may also be enjoyed at carefully selected local restaurants during excursions.

Overall Atmosphere

The onboard atmosphere is informal, sociable and unhurried. The train generally travels during daylight hours, maximising scenic views, with evenings spent stationary or moving gently to the next destination. This makes the Costa Verde Express particularly appealing to travellers who enjoy scenery, heritage and a slower rhythm of travel.

Costa Verde Express Gallery

A selection of photos below give a flavour of life on board the Costa Verde Express Luxury Train.

Routes & Itineraries

Costa Verde Express itineraries follow Spain’s northern Atlantic coast, linking Bilbao and Santiago de Compostela. The route passes through Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia, offering a combination of seaside towns, rural landscapes and historic centres.

Costa verde express train tour route map

Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela

Travelling westwards, the journey begins in the Basque Country and continues through Santander, Llanes, Oviedo and Ribadeo before reaching Santiago de Compostela. Excursions explore coastal villages, regional capitals and natural landscapes, with a pace designed to balance guided visits and leisure.

Daily Rhythm

Travel takes place mainly during daylight hours, allowing guests to enjoy changing scenery from the train. Days typically include one or two guided excursions, with time to relax on board or explore independently. Evenings are spent dining and socialising before returning to the comfort of the train.

● Travel mainly during daylight to maximise coastal views
● One or two guided excursions each day
● Free time for independent exploration
● Evenings spent dining or socialising onboard

How Costa Verde Express Compares

Compared with the Transcantábrico Gran Lujo, the Costa Verde Express offers a more traditional, heritage-led rail experience, with a greater emphasis on classic carriages and scenic travel rather than suite space. It is an excellent choice for travellers who value atmosphere, history and landscape.

For travellers interested in culturally immersive rail journeys beyond Western Europe, the Danube Express luxury train offers an elegant alternative through Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans.

Who is the Costa Verde Express best suited for?

The Costa Verde Express is ideal for travellers seeking a relaxed introduction to luxury rail travel in Spain. With a five-night format and traditional heritage styling, it appeals to couples and independent-minded guests who prefer an informal yet well-organised journey.

It is particularly suited to those interested in Atlantic coastal scenery, historic towns and regional gastronomy, without the higher price point of Spain’s more exclusive trains. Guests who value cultural depth and scenic daytime travel over ultra-modern suite space often find the Costa Verde Express an excellent balance of comfort and value.

Explore Luxury Rail in Spain & Europe

The Costa Verde Express forms part of a broader collection of heritage and contemporary luxury trains operating across Spain and Europe. Travellers comparing journeys in northern Spain often also consider Transcantábrico Gran Lujo or Al Andalus in Andalucía, while wider European routes extend into Italy, France and Central Europe.

Luxury Train Journeys in Spain
European Luxury Rail Tours
Transcantábrico Gran Lujo
Al Andalus Luxury Train
Italy Luxury Rail
France Luxury Rail

Practical FAQs

Costa Verde Express journeys are designed to be largely all-inclusive. Fares typically include accommodation in a private en-suite Gran Clase cabin, all meals on board featuring regional northern Spanish cuisine, selected wines and beverages with lunch and dinner, guided excursions with professional local guides, entrance fees to monuments and attractions, luxury coach transfers for off-train sightseeing, and full luggage handling throughout the journey.
Breakfast and many dinners are served on board, while selected lunches may be taken in carefully chosen local restaurants to showcase the gastronomy of Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia. The onboard team, including an escort guide, remains with guests for the duration of the trip.
Personal purchases, premium drinks outside included selections, travel insurance and gratuities are typically not included.

Yes. The Costa Verde Express is well suited to mature travellers who enjoy cultural touring at a comfortable pace. The itinerary is structured and fully escorted, with organised transfers and guided visits, meaning guests do not need to navigate independently.
Cabins are compact but thoughtfully designed, and staff assist with boarding and luggage. Excursions involve walking through historic towns and heritage sites, so guests should be reasonably mobile, but the pace is generally moderate rather than strenuous. Many guests are couples aged 55+ seeking a refined but relaxed rail holiday in Spain.

Daily excursions typically involve guided walking tours through historic centres such as Santillana del Mar, Oviedo or Santiago de Compostela, along with visits to cultural landmarks and scenic viewpoints. Walking distances vary but are generally manageable for travellers in average health.
Some historic towns feature cobbled streets or uneven surfaces. Coach transfers are used for longer distances, and there are usually opportunities to rest during visits. Guests with specific mobility concerns should discuss requirements before booking so that expectations are clear.

No. The Costa Verde Express normally travels during daylight hours and is stationary overnight. This allows guests to sleep peacefully without track movement and ensures that the scenic coastal landscapes of “Green Spain” can be fully appreciated during the day.
The emphasis is on relaxed daytime travel along the Atlantic coastline, rather than long overnight rail stretches.

The dress code on the Costa Verde Express is smart-casual. During the day, comfortable attire suitable for sightseeing is appropriate. In the evenings, many guests choose smart casual wear for dinner, though formal black-tie dress is not required.
The atmosphere is refined but informal, reflecting the train’s heritage character rather than ultra-formal luxury.

Both trains operate through northern Spain between Bilbao and Santiago de Compostela, but they offer different levels of accommodation and exclusivity.
The Transcantábrico Gran Lujo features larger suites (including Superior Suites), more spacious bathrooms and a more luxurious onboard environment overall. The Costa Verde Express offers comfortable Gran Clase cabins with a slightly more traditional and compact layout at a lower price point.
Travellers seeking maximum suite space and a more premium ambience may prefer the Transcantábrico Gran Lujo, while those looking for a classic luxury rail experience in northern Spain with excellent value often choose the Costa Verde Express.

Yes, solo travellers are welcome on the Costa Verde Express. Single occupancy cabins are available, although a supplement applies due to the limited number of cabins on board.
The escorted nature of the journey, communal dining and shared excursions make it easy for solo guests to socialise, while still enjoying private cabin accommodation.

Yes. Special dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan and many medically necessary diets, can usually be accommodated with advance notice. As meals are an important part of the experience, it is recommended that guests inform us of any allergies or restrictions at the time of booking so arrangements can be confirmed with the train operator.

Absolutely. Many guests combine the Costa Verde Express with stays in cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Seville or San Sebastián before or after their rail journey. The route also pairs well with other Spanish luxury trains, including the Transcantábrico Gran Lujo or Al Andalus.
As a specialist luxury rail company, we regularly arrange tailored extensions, private transfers and hotel stays to create a seamless wider Spain itinerary.

Why Book Costa Verde Express with The Luxury Train Travel Company

The Luxury Train Travel Company specialises exclusively in premium and luxury rail journeys worldwide. We offer expert guidance across Spain’s leading luxury trains, including the Costa Verde Express, Transcantabrico Gran Lujo and Al Andalus as well as a whole range of luxury trains worldwide including Southern Africa’s Rovos Rail and Central Asia’s Golden Eagle Luxury Train.

Our team provides clear advice on how the Costa Verde Express compares with other Spanish luxury rail journeys such as the Al Andalus luxury train, helping you choose the experience that best matches your travel style, pace and interests. We also arrange tailored pre- and post-journey extensions, allowing you to create a seamless and personalised itinerary.

From initial planning through to departure, we offer confirmed departure dates, practical guidance and personal support, ensuring your Costa Verde Express journey is carefully planned and smoothly delivered.

Begin Your Costa Verde Express Journey

If you would like advice on departure dates, cabin availability or how the Costa Verde Express compares with Spain’s other luxury trains, our specialists will be pleased to help.

Please contact us to discuss your plans and begin shaping your Costa Verde Express journey.

We look forward to hearing from you and are happy to answer any questions you have – just email or call us or use the form below.

enquiry@theluxurytraintravelcompany.com

Tel: +44 (0)20 8191 0620