Costa Verde Express - New Luxury Train in Spain

What's Included

The Route

The Costa Verde Express traces Spain\'s northern Atlantic coast between Bilbao and Santiago de Compostela, passing through some of the country\'s most spectacular scenery. The route covers four distinct regions — the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias, and Galicia — each with its own character, cuisine, and cultural identity.

Key stops on the Bilbao to Santiago route include: Santander and its elegant marina, Santillana del Mar (a perfectly preserved medieval village), the replica Altamira cave with its prehistoric paintings, Llanes on the dramatic Asturian coast, the Picos de Europa National Park with its limestone peaks and Cabrales cheese country, Oviedo with its pre-Romanesque architecture, the fishing village of Luarca, Ribadeo and the ethnographic complex of Taramundi, Viveiro on the Galician coast, and finally Santiago de Compostela — endpoint of the Camino de Santiago and home to one of Europe\'s most celebrated cathedrals.

The reverse route (Santiago to Bilbao) covers the same destinations in opposite order with slight itinerary variations. Short 3-day routes are available between Santiago and Oviedo or Oviedo and Bilbao for travelers with less time.

Best Time to Travel

The Costa Verde Express operates from May through October, with the 2026 season running biweekly departures from both Bilbao and Santiago de Compostela. May and June offer mild spring weather with green landscapes at their most vibrant and fewer crowds. July provides the warmest weather and longest daylight hours. September and October bring comfortable temperatures, autumn colors, and harvest season — ideal for food and wine enthusiasts.

Northern Spain\'s Atlantic climate is milder and wetter than the Mediterranean south, with average temperatures of 18-25°C (64-77°F) in summer. Pack layers and a light jacket for cooler evenings. The train parks overnight in stations, so mornings can be crisp before the day warms up. Booking 6 months or more in advance is recommended, especially for May, June, and September departures which sell out fastest.

How to Choose

Spain offers three luxury trains, all operated by Renfe, and choosing between them depends on your preferred region, budget, and level of luxury. The Costa Verde Express covers northern Spain\'s Green Coast at EUR 5,000 per person for 6 days — it\'s the most accessible entry point to Spanish luxury rail. Its 24 Gran Clase suites are well-appointed though more compact than its sister train.

The El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo follows a similar northern route (San Sebastián to Santiago de Compostela) but with significantly larger suites featuring hydromassage showers and sauna, accommodating just 28 passengers in 14 suites. At EUR 9,300+ per person for 8 days, it\'s positioned as Spain\'s most exclusive rail experience. If maximum onboard luxury and privacy are your priority, the Gran Lujo justifies the premium.

The Al Andalus operates in southern Spain through Andalusia — Seville, Córdoba, Granada, Cádiz — with Belle Époque carriages originally built for the British Royal Family. At EUR 6,600 per person for 7 days, it offers Moorish architecture, flamenco heritage, and Mediterranean cuisine. Choose the Al Andalus if southern Spain\'s culture appeals more than the northern coast. Palace Tours books all three trains and can advise which best matches your travel style.

Booking Advice

The Costa Verde Express operates limited departures between May and October with only 24 suites per journey. We recommend booking at least 6 months in advance, particularly for May, June, and September departures which typically sell out first. July departures offer the best last-minute availability due to warmer weather preferences among European travelers.

Palace Tours is the official representative of Renfe luxury trains in the USA, offering instant online booking confirmation, exclusive add-on packages, and coupon codes for additional savings. For multi-train experiences, we can combine the Costa Verde Express with the Al Andalus or El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo, plus Douro River cruises from nearby Porto. Contact our luxury rail specialists at 786-408-0610 or travel@palacetours.com.