Barcelona and Madrid by High-Speed Train
- 7 Days
- From £1,199
- Spain
- Whizz across France at speeds of nearly 200mph on TGV trains, covering ground in extraordinarily quick time
- Contrast the Castilian Spanish capital with the rebellious capital of Catalonia
- Ride on the Spanish AVE train between Barcelona and Madrid – one of the best high-speed trains in the world
- Decide when you would like to travel
- Adapt the route to suit your plans
- Upgrade hotels and rail journeys
- Add extra nights, destinations and/or tours
- Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations
- 6 nights’ handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Comprehensive directions to your hotels
- Clearly-presented wallets for your rail tickets, hotel vouchers and other documentation
- All credit card surcharges and complimentary delivery of your travel documents
Suggested Itinerary
Depart London St Pancras on board Eurostar and change in Paris for the direct TGV train to Barcelona. Watch the landscape change from arable farmland in central France, through to pine trees and olive groves of Provence, before cutting through the more mountainous region around the eastern Pyrenees. You will emerge from the new Tunnel de Perthus into Spain and zoom down to Barcelona via the well-known cities of Figueres and Girona.
On arrival, check in at the Colon Hotel (or similar) for a 3-night stay.
Enjoy two days at leisure in Barcelona, soaking up the sights and enjoying frequent stops for a caffé con churros or tapas.
Don’t miss Gaudi’s epic masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia, or a walk down Las Ramblas to the sea. Barcelona has nearly 3 miles of sandy beaches and a beautiful marina area, so you could easily take in some rest and relaxation by the Mediterranean.
Your 390-mile journey is covered in a staggering 2 hours 45 minutes aboard Spain’s famous AVE train. Enjoy spacious seating as you track your progress on one of the on-board information screens.
Check in to the Vincci Hotel Centrum (or similar) after you arrive at Madrid’s grand Atocha station. You have 2 nights here.
You have a full free day to explore Madrid. Discover some of the Western world’s best art at the ‘big three’ art galleries including the Prado and the Reina Sofia, or perhaps take a tour of the Royal Palace.
Madrid’s botanical gardens are among Spain’s most beautiful and were designed by Ferdinand VI in the 18th century and are a lovely place for an afternoon stroll. In the evening, the bars and restaurants of the Puerta del Sol area are a firm favourite with visitors and locals alike.
In the afternoon, take the once-daily direct train straight from the Spanish capital into French Catalonia, within a few miles of the Mediterranean.
Stay overnight in Perpignan at the very convenient Kyriad Prestige Centre del Mon (or similar) adjacent to the station and within easy reach of the fascinating historical centre.
Leave Perpignan at a civilised time this morning and head north to Paris by TGV train, reaching ultra-high speeds as you race through Languedoc, Provence and central France.
Arrive into the Gare de Lyon and then cross Paris on the rapid metro service (RER) for your check-in at the Eurostar terminal at the Gare du Nord. Alternatively, we can arrange a private car transfer across the city. You’ll arrive into London late this evening.
Typical hotels on this itinerary
Barcelona
Situated across the road from Barcelona Cathedral, in the Gothic Quarter of the city, the Colon Hotel offers easy access to all Barcelona’s attractions. The classically designed bedrooms come with all the facilities you would expect from a 4* hotel, and some have a view over the cathedral façade. There is also a rooftop pool and lounge as well as a Catalonian restaurant.
Madrid
The Vincci Centrum is a boutique hotel close to the main street of Gran Via and the Puerta del Sol. Stylish bedrooms feature air-conditioning, Wi-Fi internet access and flat-screen TVs. There is also an onsite restaurant and tapas bar, as well as a lounge bar with international newspapers.
Perpignan
The Hotel Kyriad Prestige Centre del Mon is a modern property, located next to Perpignan’s main station and just a 15 minute walk from the historic heart of the city. Rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. There is also a bar and an inviting patio.
Upgrade your accommodation
Barcelona
Hotel Arts Barcelona rises 44 stories above the seafront, making this Barcelona hotel’s façade of blue glass and exposed steel a true beacon of luxury. From a contemporary collection of art, to award-winning dining, this luxury Barcelona hotel provides guests with unparalleled access to all this vibrant destination has to offer.
Madrid
This converted 19th Century palace is a luxurious retreat from the bustle and heat of Madrid. Rooms are richly decorated whilst also providing a wide range of creature comforts including a safe, Wi-Fi and a pillow menu. The hotel offers guests three restaurants and two cocktail bars as well as a fitness centre, spa and a seasonal swimming pool overlooking the adjacent royal palace.
