Autumn is on its way, and with it comes the unique chance to travel a century-old train along the very same line that launched the railway age in Madrid more than 170 years ago. The Strawberry Train (Tren de la Fresa) isn’t just a means of transport: it’s a time machine on iron wheels that takes you straight back to 1851, when progress first began rolling along the rails in the heart of the Iberian Peninsula. And its tickets are now on sale!
A weekend to unwind (and reconnect) with history
Picture the scene: you climb aboard a train from the 1920s (yes, the last century!), with varnished wood panelling and wooden slatted seats, and as the Madrid countryside turns to ochre and gold, you feel the train’s rhythm settle into a slower, more human pace. In just over an hour, the bustle of the capital fades away and Aranjuez welcomes you with its gardens, its palace and that unmistakable air of a royal town where time seems to have stood still.
Choose your own Strawberry Train adventure
The best part of this journey is that you get to design your own experience, with several itineraries detailed on the train’s page:
- As a couple: ‘Fresas Reales’ (‘Royal Strawberries’), strolling through the Palace and finishing with a boat trip along the Tagus at sunset
- With children: ‘Fresas de la Huerta’ (‘Strawberries from the Orchard’), where kids pick their own pumpkin and discover where food really comes from
- In a group: ‘Fresas Ciclistas’ (‘Cycling Strawberries’) or ‘Fresas entre Piraguas’ (‘Strawberries among Canoes’), combining the train with outdoor activities
- Solo or for a romantic getaway: ‘Fresas con Música’ (‘Strawberries with Music’), enjoying the Early Music Festival while you travel
Just 13 chances this autumn
Here’s the catch: there are only 13 scheduled departures between 3 October and 8 November. That means every Saturday and Sunday opens a window of opportunity, but it also means seats sell out fast. With 385 seats per journey and historic carriages found nowhere else, the experience is exclusive by nature.
The price of a memory that lasts all year
Between 30 and 58 euros per adult (less for children) buys you an experience combining sustainable transport, UNESCO heritage, living history and a full day of activities in one of the most beautiful spots in Spain, and indeed the world. How many times have you spent that much on something you’d forgotten by the next day?
Your next social media post will thank you
Boarding a vintage train, crossing the bridge over the Tagus, strolling through the Jardines del Príncipe in the golden autumn light… these are images you won’t forget, and ones your followers will envy (in the best possible way).
Tickets are already on sale. All you need to do is choose your date, pick your itinerary, and let the train’s whistle mark the start of your autumn adventure.