- To mark its 40th anniversary, luxury tourist train Al Ándalus is embarking on a new chapter. After announcing a new slow travel-themed train itinerary for 2026, the rail company is prepping for its first passengers.
- Starting from April, the Al Ándalus train will carry passengers between Seville and Madrid on a seven-day journey that stops at towns like Cordoba, Cadiz, Mérida, and Toledo.
- On board guests will stay in glamorous first-class rooms that recall the elegance of the roaring ’20s, complete with a full bathroom, Wi-Fi and panoramic views.
- Trains depart Seville on nine dates in 2026, from April to October. Prices start at €11,200 for a double occupancy in a Grand Class room.
The tourism industry has spoken; in 2026, slow travel is the new luxury. As we all start the slow trudge back to the office for another year, the lure of a lazy Euro-summer or Scandinavian slow-down growing ever stronger. Forget fast-paced itineraries jam-packed with destinations, activities and tours, the biggest travel trend of the upcoming season is all about slow-going, un-rushed exploration. Now, one of the best trains in the world is getting on board.
From April, the ritzy Al Ándalus train will carry passengers between Seville and Madrid on a seven-day celebration of slow travel. The new itinerary was announced last year but with the calendar now switching, the luxury tourist train is prepping for its first passengers. Across the week-long journey, passengers will stop at towns like Cordoba, Cadiz, Mérida, and Toledo, taking in breathtaking scenery and exploring some of the country’s most remarkable historical landmarks.
So, what does the ultimate slow travel experience on board one of the world’s most luxurious trains actually entail? Here is an overview of the new journey, unpacking the itinerary, accommodation and pricing for the Al Ándalus Seville to Madrid train voyage.
Al Ándalus Seville to Madrid Train Journey
Designed specifically as a slow route, the Al Ándalus Seville to Madrid train journey snakes its way through the Andalusian countryside, offering unimpeded views of the Spanish region. Much like Australia’s own luxury travel icon The Ghan, the new Al Ándalus itinerary makes a number of stops at historic landmarks and heritage sites.
Across seven stunning days and six unforgettable nights, the Al Ándalus train will visit cities such as Seville, Cordoba, Cadiz, Merida and Toledo. As they cross the Andalusian landscapes toward Jerez de la Frontera, passengers will have access to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, and experience other local activities and customs.
Itinerary
- Day 1 (Seville – Córdoba): Guests are welcomed in Seville with a guided introduction to its historic centre before boarding the Al Ándalus, where elegant suites, a welcome drink and onboard dinner set the tone as the train travels to Córdoba.
- Day 2 (Córdoba – Cádiz – Jerez): A morning visit to Córdoba’s Mosque-Cathedral is followed by lunch onboard and an afternoon exploring Cádiz, the Atlantic-facing city considered the oldest in Western Europe, before overnighting in Jerez.
- Day 3 (Jerez – Zafra): Highlights include the celebrated Andalusian horse ballet in Jerez, a visit to a historic sherry bodega, and a relaxed evening onboard en route to Extremadura, with overnight in Zafra.
- Day 4 (Zafra – Cáceres – Mérida): Medieval Cáceres offers a step back in time before the journey continues to Mérida for an immersive exploration of its remarkably preserved Roman theatre, temples and aqueducts.
- Day 5 (Mérida – Toledo): The Roman legacy of Mérida continues in the morning before the train heads north to Toledo, the legendary City of Three Cultures, for an evening among its historic streets.
- Day 6 (Toledo – Aranjuez): A guided tour of Toledo’s cathedral, synagogues and mosques precedes an afternoon visit to the Royal Palace and gardens of Aranjuez, with dinner and overnight onboard.
- Day 7 (Aranjuez – Madrid): The journey concludes with a final breakfast onboard and a midday arrival in Madrid, bringing a week of slow travel, cultural immersion and refined rail luxury to a close.
Accommodation
As beautiful as the outside landscapes might be, the Al Ándalus train itself is a serious work of art. For over 40 years, the 450-metre long luxury locomotive has transported guests across Spain and has recently been carefully restored to better cater to modern tastes. The Eurostar, this is not.
The Belle Epoque-inspired design harks back to the roaring ’20s, offering passengers an unforgettable luxury experience that fuses elegance with comfort. According to operator Renfe, travellers can choose between two types of accommodation: the Deluxe Suite or the Grand Class Room, both featuring private bathrooms.
- Grand Class Room: Featuring two single beds, this room houses a wardrobe, safe, luggage compartment, minibar, customisable air conditioning and a private bathroom with hairdryer, shower and welcome amenities. During the day, guests can fold the beds up, converting them into armchairs where they can sit and enjoy the incredible views from the comfort of their room.
- Deluxe Suite Room: A slightly bigger room, the Deluxe Suite offers a large double bed, spacious private bathroom with hydromassage shower, hairdryer and a welcome amenities set. This comes in addition to the same wardrobe, luggage compartment, safe, minibar and individually regulated air conditioning seen in the Grand Class Room. Similarly, the bed transforms into a comfortable sofa, where guests can enjoy the landscape in 360 degrees from the tranquility of a comfortable and luxurious private space.
All rooms are located in bed wagons, five of them original Wagon-Lits Company wagons from 1929. exquisitely renovated. All suites combine glamour with maximum comfort and feature 24-hour room service. There is also a luxury coach that accompanies the train along the entire route to facilitate excursions, and a multilingual guide is present throughout the journey.
Al Ándalus Pricing and Availability
The Al Ándalus Seville to Madrid journey is currently open for bookings, with tickets available through the train’s official website. Journeys depart Seville on nine dates across 2026, from April to October, with return journeys also up for grabs. The full list of dates is below:
- 5 April 2026 (Seville to Madrid)
- 12 April 2026 (Madrid to Seville)
- 19 April 2026 (Seville to Madrid)
- 26 April 2026 (Madrid to Seville)
- 3 May 2026 (Seville to Madrid)
- 10 May 2026 (Madrid to Seville)
- 17 May 2026 (Seville to Madrid)
- 24 May 2026 (Madrid to Seville)
- 7 June 2026 (Seville to Madrid)
- 14 June 2026 (Madrid to Seville)
- 21 June 2026 (Seville to Madrid)
- 28 June 2026 (Madrid to Seville)
- 6 September 2026 (Seville to Madrid)
- 13 September 2026 (Madrid to Seville)
- 20 September 2026 (Seville to Madrid)
- 27 September 2026 (Madrid to Seville)
- 4 October 2026 (Seville to Madrid)
- 11 October 2026 (Madrid to Seville)
Pricing for the rail journey starts at €11,200 for a double occupancy in a Grand Class room, or €13,800 for a Deluxe Suite with a queen bed. The fare covers all visits and stops, as well as tickets to museums, shows and all meals included; even those enjoyed off the train. Across all seven nights, passengers will have the opportunity to taste Iberian ham from Jabugo, olive oil and typical dishes of the famous Andalusian cuisine, paired with the best sherry wines, liqueurs and teas.
For more information or to book the Al Ándalus Seville to Madrid train journey, visit the luxury travel company’s official website. Additionally, as the train is operated by Spain’s national rail carrier, Renfe, you can also enquire through the carrier’s reservation line.
