Spectacular train journey that spans 3 European countries now starts in London

Ditch the stressful airport experience for a relaxing European train journey (Picture: Getty Images) Slow tourism is one of the biggest travel trends of 2026, a mindful approach that favours sustainability over militantly organised itineraries. In fact, new research reveals some 73% of travellers think it’s important to minimise their environmental impact while travelling — and rail travel is the perfect antidote. Perhaps the most exciting new train route launching in 2026 is Portugal’s Douro Line, one of Europe’s most scenic railways, which traces the Douro River through the UNESCO-listed Douro Valley, past terraced vineyards and historic towns. While tourists typically fly to Porto and board there, there’s a new adventure in town that starts in London (and as a bonus, takes you through France and Spain). The 15-day trip, with flight-free travel platform Byway, promises 71% lower emissions than flying. So, if you’re someone who loves to embrace the journey as much as the destination, here’s all you need to know about this breathtaking train adventure from the UK to Portugal. The Douro Line is one of the most scenic train routes in Europe (Picture: Metro) The extended Douro Line route Starting from London St Pancras, the trip includes Eurostar tickets to Paris Gare du Nord. This means that views start as soon as you leave the capital. From your carriage window, watch the British fields transform into French countryside. • Paris to Nîmes (2 nights) From Paris, take a connecting train to Nîmes. You’ll then spend two nights in the southern French city, also known as the ‘French Rome’ for its well-preserved Roman monuments like the Arena and Maison Carrée. • Nîmes to Madrid (2 nights) From Nîmes, it’s a six-and-a-half-hour train to Madrid, Spain’s capital. Over the course of the next two days, explore Europe’s largest palace and world-class art museums like the Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen. • Madrid to Salamanca (2 nights) Just 90 minutes down the track is Salamanca, one of Spain’s lively university cities, famed for its UNESCO World Heritage historic centre. Spend time in some of Spain’s lesser-explored cities (Picture: Getty Images) Spend another two days here, marvelling at landmarks such as the grand Plaza Mayor, the Romanesque Old Cathedral, the Gothic New Cathedral, and the Roman Bridge. • Salamanca to Porto (3 nights) From Salamanca, take the bus to Porto, Portugal’s second city, for three nights. The medieval centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and home to a beautiful waterfront lined with colourful houses. Oh, and for all you bookworms, Porto lays claim to the world’s prettiest bookstore. @elisetanriverdi If you’re planning a trip to Porto, stop scrolling and save this video to help you plan your trip! I’m showing you exactly how to spend 3 days here with my Porto itinerary 🙌🏼 Comment ‘GUIDE’ and I’ll send you my free Porto itinerary with everything written out; where to eat, what to book and where to stay. Day 1: Explore the colourful Ribeira area, see the gorgeous blue tiles at the Chapel of Souls and Church of Saint Ildefonso, pop into historic shop A Pérola do Bolhão, wander through Bolhão Market, and end with sunset at Jardim do Morro 🌞 Day 2: Visit the Sé Cathedral, tour the stunning Palácio da Bolsa, relax in the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal, and head back to Jardim do Morro for another dreamy sunset. Day 3: Keep it chill with a pastel de nata cooking class, lunch at the local food experience, and a boat trip along the Douro for the best views from the water. Want my free Porto guide with all my foodie picks, activities and photo spots? Comment ‘GUIDE’ or click the link in my bio 🤍 📍 Porto, Portugal #portugalitinerary #portoitinerary #portoguide #thingstodoinporto #porto ♬ original sound – Elise Tanriverdi 🧿 • Porto to Pocinho While the whole trip is a highlight, this is the star of the show. The Douro Line is considered to run from Porto to Pocinho, a village in northern Portugal, known for its stunning landscapes and world-renowned vineyards. It’s a rural paradise that runs through the steep Douro Valley, which is also the birthplace of Port wine. What about the way home? A train holiday doesn’t end until you are home. Though you might be sad to leave the breathtaking Douro region, your mood will lift as you travel through Spain and France back to London. Vigo beaches give Caribbean vibes (Picture: Getty Images) In Spain, the first stop is Vigo, a vibrant port city in Galicia in the northwest of the country. Also known as the ‘City of Olives’ thanks to the large olive trees in the city centre, a trip to Vigo blends a Spanish coastal getaway with a city break. Explore Vigo’s old quarter, tapas scene, and be sure to try the famous oysters at one of the many markets. From Vigo it’s on to Burgos in northern Spain. From its UNESCO World Heritage French Gothic Cathedral to its 2015 title of UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Burgos is also a key stop on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. Next up, it’s San Sebastián in the Basque Country. While rich in history and scenery, it’s also a foodie’s heaven: Enjoy the famous pintxo (bite-sized snacks served on a slice of bread and held together with a toothpick). The Basques take their food scene seriously: hop from bar to bar sampling this culinary genius. After Spain, it’s back on the train to France, specifically Hendaye in the French Basque Country. It’s one of the most popular coastal tourist resorts with a three-kilometre stretch of sandy beach. Hendaye is also a seven-minute drive from Pheasant Island, a unique tourist attraction that changes its nationality every six months. @dafneswiers New favourite French city unlocked 🇫🇷🍷🥐 #bordeaux #francetravel #traveltips #citybreak ♬ Carefree Days – Peaceful Reveries Finally, round off the trip (before heading back to Paris) in Bordeaux, a world-class wine-growing region. It has all the ingredients for a perfect city break, including a UNESCO World Heritage Site centre, 18th-century architecture, riverside charm, and a diverse culinary scene: treat yourself in one of the many Michelin-starred restaurants, or indulge at vibrant markets such as Marché des Capucins. How much does it cost? The Douro Line train trip costs £1,595 per person. Granted, this may sound pretty steep at first, but when you consider the package spans three countries and eight cities over 15 days, and includes accommodation and train tickets at almost every stop, it’s a bargain if you ask us. @elisetanriverdi Shall we spend the weekend in the Douro Valley? 🍇🍷🍃 📍 Douro Valley, Portugal #dourovalley #dourovalleyportugal #portugaltiktok #travelportugal ♬ оригинальный звук – ♕ʙᴀɢᴛᴀʟᴇ.ʀᴏᴍᴀ♕ ˢ Plus, you’ll also be doing your bit for the environment, so it’s a win-win, really. UK to Portugal train travel history Before the pandemic, travelling from the UK to Portugal by train was easy thanks to the iconic Sud Express sleeper service. Traditionally, the route linked Paris to Lisbon (meaning travellers could swap the Eurostar for the Sud Express), but then shifted from Hendaye to the Portuguese capital after 1994. During its operation, it also passed through Spanish cities like San Sebastian, Burgos, and Salamanca. Historically, the journey time was about 12 to 14 hours. However, the service was suspended in 2020 due to the outbreak of the pandemic, forcing passengers to take longer, multi-change journeys via Spain. While negotiations to revive the service took place in late 2024, nothing has happened since. You can also take the train from the UK to Lisbon (Picture: Getty Images) As well as Byway’s UK to Porto rail route, you can also reach other parts of Portugal by train from London, including Lisbon, Faro and the Algarve: Lisbon: The fastest route starts from London to Paris on the Eurostar, followed by a train from Paris to Barcelona, where you’ll have to stay overnight. From there, take a high-speed train to Madrid, before changing from Madrid Atocha to Lisbon Santa Apolonia. Faro and the Algarve: The fastest option includes the London to Paris Eurostar, followed by the same Paris to Barcelona train as above. The next day, take a high-speed train from Barcelona to Seville, and then a three-hour bus from Seville to Faro. Keep up with the latest rail news with Metro Looking to help the planet and travel sustainably? Here are the Metro Travel Team’s favourite rail journeys for 2026: I waited 20 long years to ride the ‘world’s greatest train’ — here’s the truth Spain launches unlimited travel pass for just £1.70 per day ‘Ryanair of trains’ launches new London to Scotland route — with tickets from £33 EasyJet of trains’ launches new Europe route for 2026 – with tickets less than £10 Direct Eurostar trains from UK to Germany look like they’ll skip one iconic city