Tren de Felipe II, from Madrid to El Escorial in 1940s carriages

The Tren de Felipe II makes the journey from central Madrid to El Escorial through the Sierra de Guadarrama in about 50 minutes, but in 1940s carriages of the 5000 and 6000 series, divided into compartments of up to eight people. During the trip there is entertainment about Philip II and the history of the Royal Site. It is run by Alsa under its Trenes Turísticos brand.

When it runs

Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays in spring and autumn. In 2026 the spring season ran from 21 March to 20 June and the autumn one runs from 19 September to 12 December: the 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29 November and the 5, 6, 8 and 12 December remain. Spring 2027 has no published dates yet. The listing does not give the station or the departure time: they appear when you book.

The three packs

All include the return train.

• Travesía: with admission to the Royal Monastery, without a guide. €16.15 for an adult, €13.60 for a child.
• Leyendas: a theatrical tour of San Lorenzo, the gardens of the Casita del Infante and those of the monastery. €23.80 and €19.90.
• Imperial: a guided tour of the Royal Site and the monastery. €32 and €26.90.

The website warns that prices and dates depend on availability: on autumn weekends, buy in advance.

The day in San Lorenzo

For lunch in the village, the Mesón La Cueva occupies a former 18th-century inn; book if you go on a train weekend. If you have the afternoon to spare, the Friars' Garden lies below the south façade.

If it doesn't match

The Cercanías and the buses from Moncloa make the journey every day, without period carriages.