Great luxury train enthusiasts get ready. One of the most beautiful specimens of its kind will soon return to service. From March 31, the
Al Ándalus
gets back (literally) back on track to tour Andalusia. It will leave from the Seville - Santa Justa station to go to the Málaga-María Zambrano station. The train, operated by the Spanish company Renfe (the equivalent of SNCF in France), will alternate between the two stations every two weeks until November, for journeys of seven days and six nights. The train will pass through the cities of Cádiz, Granada, Jaén and Córdoba.
This announced departure constitutes a new chapter for this luxury train, which
“will sport [a] new look”
, announces Renfe in a press release. The latter
“is characterized by brighter tones, but still retains its chromatic identity, emblematic of luxury tourist trains”
. The colors are intended as nods to the great monuments of the cities crossed, such as the Alhambra of Granada or the great mosque of Cordoba. A “makeover” altogether suited to one of the most luxurious trains in the world. Because getting on board means letting yourself be transported to another era, that of the splendor of the interwar period, as we described in a previous report. The fifteen Belle Époque cars, five of which were built in France at the end of the 1920s, offer luxurious interiors, with marquetry, velvet armchairs and tables set in the Orient-Express style.
From €9,500 to €11,700 per individual cabin
The fifteen Belle Époque carriages offer luxurious interiors, with marquetry, velvet armchairs and tables set in Orient-Express style. Renfe
During the day, excursions are organized in each stopover city with guided tours of museums, cathedrals and natural sites. They adapt to all types of customers, with four languages available, including French. As a reminder, this train is the only one that can operate throughout the Iberian Peninsula thanks to standard rail gauge. To have such an experience, you will still have to pay a certain amount. Count on €9,500 for a Grande Classe single cabin, €11,200 for a double room, and €11,700 for an individual cabin in a Deluxe Suite.
In total, Renfe will put 81 luxury tourist trains into circulation this year, i.e. 3.8% more than in 2023. Further proof of a craze that is not abating for these exceptional trains. In addition to the
Al Ándalus
, the
Transcantábrico Gran Lujo
, which operates routes between San Sebastián and Santiago de Compostela, left on March 26. The
Costa Verde Express
(Bilbao - Santiago de Compostela) will make its first departure of the season on May 1st. The
Expreso de la Robla
(Bilbao - León) will make its first trip next July.