Enchanted Landscapes: A Self-Launched Paris to Barcelona Grand Tour
15 days · France, Switzerland, Italy & Spain
Europamundo charges £2,100
No-markup version: ~£1,830 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched take on Europamundo's 15-day coach circuit from Paris to Barcelona, covering Paris, Beaune, Lyon, Geneva, Zurich, Grindelwald and Lucerne, Bellinzona, Como, Milan, Pisa, Rome, Madrid, Zaragoza, Poblet and Barcelona. Instead of a 4-star coach group of up to 72 people, you'll travel the identical route by high-speed train, regional rail and low-cost flight, staying in hostels and budget guesthouses, and booking the key sights (Eiffel Tower, Seine cruise, Vatican, Sagrada Família) yourself via GetYourGuide, Klook or official ticket sites. It's a fast-moving five-country loop — best suited to travellers who like big-hitting landmarks with the freedom to slow down or skip as they please. All costs are approximate backpacker/budget-traveller estimates in GBP and assume hostel dorms or budget private rooms, self-catering where possible, and advance-purchased rail tickets.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Paris
Paris, France
Land or arrive in Paris and settle into a hostel in the 11th–15th arrondissement for easy metro access. The original tour uses 4-star Mercure hotels; you'll swap in something like St Christopher's Canal, Generator Paris or a Montmartre guesthouse for a fraction of the price. Take a free evening wander down to the Seine and grab a cheap crepe or supermarket picnic for dinner. Buy a Navigo Easy card and top up with a carnet of metro tickets to keep local transport costs down.
🚌RER B from CDG (~£10) or metro from Gare du Nord (~£2.20)
🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse, 11th–15th arr. (~£30/night)
- →Evening walk along the Seine
- →Montmartre sunset wander
Paris landmarks and city panorama
Paris, France
Do the classic Paris circuit under your own steam: start at Notre-Dame and Île de la Cité, walk to the Louvre courtyard (book a ticket separately if you want to go inside), then wander the Tuileries to Place de la Concorde. In the afternoon join a free walking tour (tip-based, ~£5–10 tip) to get the historical context the coach guide would have given. Optional Versailles day trip by RER C (~£8 return plus ~£18 palace ticket) if you want the Europamundo 'optional' experience at a fraction of the price.
🚌Metro/RER, ~£6 day pass
🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse, 11th–15th arr. (~£30/night)
- →Notre-Dame & Île de la Cité walk
- →Louvre courtyard and Tuileries
- →Free tip-based walking tour
- →Optional: Palace of Versailles (RER C)
Eiffel Tower and Seine cruise
Paris, France
Book your Eiffel Tower second-floor ticket directly on toureiffel.paris about 60 days ahead (summit ~£30, second floor ~£19) — this replaces the operator's included second-floor visit. Afterwards, pick up a one-hour Seine river cruise from GetYourGuide or Vedettes de Paris (~£15) for the same stretch of river the tour covers. Spend the late afternoon in the Marais with a falafel or market lunch (~£8).
🚌Metro, ~£5
🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse, 11th–15th arr. (~£30/night)
- →Eiffel Tower second floor (pre-booked)
- →Seine river cruise (~1h)
- →Marais neighbourhood wander
Paris to Lyon via Beaune
Lyon, France
Take an early TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon to Dijon or Lyon (book on SNCF Connect 2–3 months ahead for ~£25–40). Break the journey in Beaune — hop off at Dijon and take a 20-minute regional TER train to Beaune (~£5) to see the famous Hospices de Beaune and the Burgundy wine country that the tour stops at. Continue to Lyon in the evening. In Lyon, ride the Funicular F2 up to Notre-Dame de Fourvière for the same basilica view the tour's cable car provides (~£2).
🚌TGV Paris–Dijon ~£30, TER Dijon–Beaune–Lyon ~£15
🛏Hostel or budget hotel near Perrache/Part-Dieu (~£30/night)
- →Beaune old town & Hospices
- →Fourvière funicular and basilica
- →Vieux Lyon evening walk
Lyon to Geneva, then Zurich
Zurich, Switzerland
Morning train Lyon–Geneva (~2h, from £20 if booked early via SNCF/Trenitalia). In Geneva walk to the Palace of Nations and the Jardin Anglais flower clock and Jet d'Eau — all free and self-guided; the lakefront bus/tram network is easy to use. In the late afternoon take the train Geneva–Zurich (~2h45, from £35 with Supersaver fares on sbb.ch) and check into a hostel near Zurich HB. Note Switzerland is the priciest leg — budget hostel dorms run ~£40–55/night.
🚌Lyon–Geneva train ~£22, Geneva–Zurich Supersaver ~£40
🛏Hostel dorm near Zurich HB (~£45/night)
- →Palace of Nations exterior
- →Jardin Anglais flower clock & Jet d'Eau
- →Lake Geneva waterfront walk
Zurich and Lake Zurich by boat and rail
Zurich, Switzerland
Self-guided old town walk: Bahnhofstrasse, Lindenhof viewpoint, Grossmünster towers (tower climb ~£5), Niederdorf lanes. In the afternoon replicate the tour's lake day: a ZVV/SBB boat from Zurich Bürkliplatz to Rapperswil (~£18 with a day pass, or covered by a Zurich Card at ~£22 for 24h including transport and museums), then return by train via the lakeside line. Buy picnic supplies at Coop or Migros to keep food costs sane.
🚌Zurich Card 24h ~£22 (boats, trams, museums)
🛏Hostel dorm near Zurich HB (~£45/night)
- →Zurich old town self-guided walk
- →Grossmünster tower climb
- →Lake Zurich boat to Rapperswil + rail return
Grindelwald and Lucerne day trip
Zurich / Grindelwald / Lucerne, Switzerland
Take the early train Zurich–Interlaken Ost then the Bernese Oberland line into Grindelwald (~2h45, ~£40 return with Supersaver). Ride the Firstbahn cable car (~£30) for the suspended cliff walk and mountain views — the DIY equivalent of the tour's included cable car and bridge walk. Bring your own mountain lunch instead of the included group lunch. On the way back, break in Lucerne for the Chapel Bridge and lakefront, then continue to Zurich. Optional Mount Titlis is possible but expensive (~£130+ self-booked) — skip if budget matters.
🚌Zurich–Grindelwald return ~£40, Firstbahn cable car ~£30
🛏Hostel dorm near Zurich HB (~£45/night)
- →Grindelwald First cable car & Cliff Walk
- →Lucerne Chapel Bridge and old town
- →Optional: Mount Titlis (extra cost)
Zurich to Milan via Bellinzona and Como
Milan, Italy
Train Zurich–Bellinzona (~2h, from £30 on sbb.ch), where the UNESCO medieval castles are free to view from outside and the Castelgrande courtyard is free to enter. Continue on the regional line to Como (~1h, ~£10) for the cathedral and lakeside gardens, then a 40-minute Trenord train into Milan (~£5). Stay near Porta Garibaldi or Lorenteggio hostels. Evening: free walk through Piazza del Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
🚌Zurich–Bellinzona ~£30, Bellinzona–Como ~£10, Como–Milan ~£5
🛏Hostel or budget hotel, Milan (~£32/night)
- →Bellinzona castles (Castelgrande courtyard free)
- →Como Cathedral and lakeside gardens
- →Piazza del Duomo & Galleria evening walk
Milan to Pisa and Rome
Rome, Italy
Morning Frecciarossa or Italo train Milan–Pisa (~3h, from £20 booked 2–3 months ahead). Walk 20 minutes from Pisa Centrale to Piazza dei Miracoli (the tour's little tourist train is unnecessary — it's a flat stroll) and see the Leaning Tower. If you want to climb, book the tower slot direct (~£20). Continue Pisa–Rome by regional or Frecciarossa train (~2h45, ~£20–35) and check into a hostel in Termini or Monti.
🚌Milan–Pisa ~£22, Pisa–Rome ~£25
🛏Hostel in Termini/Monti, Rome (~£28/night)
- →Piazza dei Miracoli & Leaning Tower
- →Optional: climb the Leaning Tower
Ancient Rome and Trastevere
Rome, Italy
Do Imperial Rome independently: Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine combined ticket from colosseo.it (~£16, book early — they sell out), then walk the Capitoline, Piazza Venezia and Pantheon. A free tip-based walking tour or a GetYourGuide Colosseum entry-with-audio option adds context. In the evening, take tram 8 to Trastevere for dinner and cobbled lanes — the same evening transfer the tour includes, but on a £1.50 bus ticket. Optional Vatican Museums ticket direct on museivaticani.va (~£18–22) instead of the operator's £60 optional.
🚌Metro/bus day ticket ~£6
🛏Hostel in Termini/Monti, Rome (~£28/night)
- →Colosseum, Forum & Palatine (combined ticket)
- →Pantheon and centro storico walk
- →Trastevere evening by tram
- →Optional: Vatican Museums direct booking
Fly Rome to Madrid
Madrid, Spain
Take the Leonardo Express (or a cheaper regional to Trastevere + metro) to Fiumicino and fly Ryanair or Vueling Rome–Madrid (~2h30, £35–70 booked 4–8 weeks ahead, cabin bag only). From Barajas take the Metro Line 8 into the centre (~£4.50) and check into a hostel around Sol, La Latina or Malasaña. Rome to Madrid overland is a 24h+ slog, so flying is the genuinely practical equivalent of the tour's included flight.
🚌Airport train ~£12 + flight ~£50 + Madrid metro ~£5
🛏Hostel dorm in Sol/La Latina, Madrid (~£25/night)
- →Malasaña evening tapas crawl
Madrid city highlights
Madrid, Spain
Walk the classic central axis yourself: Paseo del Prado, Plaza de Cibeles, Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de Colón and Plaza Mayor, then wander into Retiro Park to see the lake and Palacio de Cristal (both free). Book the Bernabéu Stadium tour direct via the Real Madrid site (~£28) or a GetYourGuide slot for the same experience. Optional flamenco: a tablao show such as Cardamomo or Casa Patas from ~£30 rather than the operator's £60 dinner show.
🚌Walkable centre, ~£3 metro top-up
🛏Hostel dorm in Sol/La Latina, Madrid (~£25/night)
- →Paseo del Prado & Cibeles walk
- →Retiro Park and Palacio de Cristal
- →Santiago Bernabéu Stadium tour
- →Optional: flamenco tablao
Madrid to Barcelona via Zaragoza and Poblet
Barcelona, Spain
Take an early AVE Madrid–Zaragoza (~1h20, from £25 on renfe.com with Promo fares). Visit the Basilica del Pilar (free entry) and the old town. To reach Poblet Abbey, take a regional train Zaragoza–Reus or Lleida and a local bus/taxi (~£12–15 total) — the abbey entry is ~£8 and guided visits run on the hour. Finish with a regional or AVE train into Barcelona (~£20) and check into a hostel in Gràcia, Poble Sec or Eixample.
🚌AVE Madrid–Zaragoza ~£25, regional to Poblet area ~£15, to Barcelona ~£20
🛏Hostel dorm, Gràcia/Eixample, Barcelona (~£28/night)
- →Basilica del Pilar, Zaragoza
- →Poblet Abbey visit
- →Evening in Gràcia
Barcelona: Gaudí and the old city
Barcelona, Spain
Self-guided Gothic Quarter and Ramblas walk, then the waterfront at Maremagnum. Book Sagrada Família direct on sagradafamilia.org (~£23, often cheaper than GetYourGuide) or a GetYourGuide priority-entry slot for a guide, plus Park Güell's monumental zone (~£10). In the evening, hit Barceloneta beach or a cheap menú del día in Poble Sec.
🚌T-casual 10 rides ~£10
🛏Hostel dorm, Gràcia/Eixample, Barcelona (~£28/night)
- →Gothic Quarter & Ramblas self-guided walk
- →Sagrada Família (pre-booked)
- →Park Güell monumental zone
- →Barceloneta waterfront
Depart Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain
Final morning for a coffee and a last wander through El Born or the Boqueria market, then take the Aerobús (~£6) or R2 Nord train (~£4) to El Prat for your flight home. If you have time, the Picasso Museum (~£12) or Montjuïc cable car are good low-cost fillers before departure.
🚌Aerobús or R2 train to airport ~£5
🛏None (departure day)
- →El Born / Boqueria market morning
- →Optional: Picasso Museum
Self-launched vs. Europamundo
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Europamundo | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,830 | £2,100 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £270 per person (13%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Europamundo-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,830
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
Customise with Tour BusterCreated by
Travel Crew
0 trips
Frequently asked questions
How much does Enchanted Landscapes: A Self-Launched Paris to Barcelona Grand Tour cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,830 per person for 15 days in France, Switzerland, Italy & Spain. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Europamundo?+
Yes — Europamundo charges around £2,100 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,830 — a saving of roughly £270 (13%) per person.
How long is the France, Switzerland, Italy & Spain trip?+
This itinerary runs 15 days, covering 15 day-by-day stops through France, Switzerland, Italy & Spain.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, city-breaks, hiking trip through France, Switzerland, Italy & Spain, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
No comments yet — be the first to share your take.
Sign in to leave a comment.