More than 30 years ago, the oldest tourist train in Spain was born: El Transcantábrico. What was then a risky commitment in a country that had never had a train with these kinds of features and services, is today a consolidated and internationally renowned presence.
The successive refits and improvements over its many years have made El Transcantábrico today a true five star hotel on the track, with services and amenities to satisfy the most demanding expectations. The charm of the evocative early 20th-century trains is perfectly intertwined with the latest in 21st-century comfort in its lounges and suites.
The gastronomy in both the train lounges and the renowned restaurants on the route is prepared by the best chefs in northern Spain - an area already known as one of the best in Europe for its quality professionals and produce.
The flavour of select cuisine is now a 'hallmark' for all tourist packages offered by Renfe – Trenes Turísticos (Renfe – Tourist Trains).
The Transcantábrico has two room types available to its customers.
As regards design, space, qualities and modern features, the Gran Lujo suites have nothing to envy the rooms of the most prestigious five-star accommodation. They feature:
A fully-equipped room where you can enjoy a comfortable stay on board. It has:
The Transcantábrico has the original Pullman sleeper cars from 1923, authentic jewels of historical and railway heritage, specially decorated for this luxury train.
These common areas are where the à la carte breakfasts and select gastronomy prepared by our chef for on-board suppers or lunches are served daily.
In addition, the bar car is permanently open for customers, who can also enjoy other spaces such as tea rooms, the panoramic car or the pub car, where there are parties, music or live performances every night.
The entire train, both rooms and common areas, is internally connected so that all passengers can move around freely.
The gastronomy in both the train lounges and the renowned restaurants on the route is prepared by the best chefs in northern Spain - an area already known as one of the best in Europe for its quality professionals and produce.
The journey is in itself a tour of the gastronomic identity of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country, where the different cultures that have inhabited the north of Spain have left their mark on the flavours of this land. A culinary tradition, renewed and reworked by internationally renowned chefs, that passengers can enjoy in the places the train passes through along the route.
The crew of our Trenes Turísticos de Lujo (Luxury Tourist Trains) consists of a selection of professionals at the service of the passenger, trained to provide excellent, personalised care in several languages.
The team is led by an Expedition Manager who, as the senior manager, will guide this rail cruise safely into port. He will be assisted in this feat by the rest of the crew members: the train driver, head waiter, chefs and waiters, entertainers, maintenance technicians, coach driver and security staff, who will ensure that all the passenger has to do is enjoy the journey.
The guide will become the group's inseparable companion, accompanying the passengers at all times and providing them with any information and advice they need. The different on-board social activities will, meanwhile, provide enjoyment and entertainment for the passengers, encouraging their active participation.
All of our crew, in coordination with the Expedition Manager, are available to the passenger twenty-four hours a day, guaranteeing the same level of high quality and personalised attention both on and off the train.