In a major boost for sustainable travel, a breathtaking new train journey connecting London to Portugal's famed Douro Valley is set to launch in 2026. The 15-day, multi-country adventure, offered by flight-free platform Byway, promises an immersive 'slow tourism' experience with a significantly reduced carbon footprint.
The Rise of Rail: A Mindful Travel Trend
This new route taps directly into one of the defining travel trends for 2026: slow tourism. This mindful approach prioritises deep, sustainable experiences over frantic, itinerary-heavy trips. Research underscores the shift, revealing that approximately 73% of travellers now consider minimising their environmental impact while travelling to be important. Rail travel, emitting far less carbon than air travel, is emerging as the perfect antidote for the eco-conscious explorer.
The centrepiece of this epic journey is Portugal's legendary Douro Line, celebrated as one of Europe's most scenic railways. It winds through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Douro Valley, past ancient terraced vineyards and historic riverside towns. While travellers have traditionally flown to Porto to begin this route, the new offering creates a seamless, flight-free adventure starting from the heart of London.
The 15-Day Itinerary: From London St Pancras to Porto
The extended route is a carefully curated blend of city breaks and scenic travel. It begins at London St Pancras with a Eurostar service to Paris Gare du Nord, offering views of the British and French countryside from the carriage window.
The adventure then unfolds across three European nations:
- Paris to Nîmes (2 nights): A train to southern France for a stay in 'French Rome', home to impeccably preserved Roman monuments like the Arena.
- Nîmes to Madrid (2 nights): A six-and-a-half-hour journey to Spain's capital for culture, including the Royal Palace and the Prado museum.
- Madrid to Salamanca (2 nights): A short 90-minute trip to a vibrant university city with a UNESCO-listed historic centre and landmarks like the grand Plaza Mayor.
- Salamanca to Porto (3 nights): A bus transfer to Portugal's second city, a UNESCO site famed for its colourful riverside district and historic bookshop.
The Douro Line Highlight
The undisputed star of the trip is the journey from Porto to Pocinho on the Douro Line itself. This segment travels through the stunning, steep-sided valley that is the birthplace of Port wine, offering unparalleled views of a rural paradise.
The Return Journey & Environmental Credentials
The holiday continues on the return leg, which includes stops in Spain's vibrant port city of Vigo, the historic and gastronomic centre of Burgos, and the culinary heaven of San Sebastián for its famous pintxos. The route then passes through the French Basque coast at Hendaye before a final stop in the wine capital of Bordeaux.
Crucially, Byway promises that this entire 15-day package produces 71% lower emissions than an equivalent trip by air. Priced at £1,595 per person, the cost includes accommodation and train tickets for the three-country, eight-city itinerary, presenting a compelling case for value-conscious, sustainable travellers.
This new service helps fill a gap left by the pre-pandemic Sud Express sleeper service from Paris to Lisbon, which was suspended in 2020 and has yet to be revived. It represents a significant step forward for practical, long-distance, flight-free travel from the UK to southern Europe, marrying the romance of the rails with a commitment to protecting the planet.
