THE REVERSE POLAR EXPRESS

MANCHESTER → HELSINKI → STOCKHOLM → HAMBURG → KARLSRUHE → STRASBOURG → NÎMES → BARCELONA → ALICANTE → MANCHESTER

4–16 DECEMBER 2026

the challenge

4–11 December 2026 · Eight days. Six countries. One race...

PHILL - 4 DECEMBER

Taking the long way from to Spain via Scandinavia

Manchester → Helsinki → Stockholm → Hamburg → Karlsruhe → Strasbourg → Nîmes → Barcelona → Alicante

✈ Plane · ⛴ Ferry · 🌙 Sleeper · 🚄 Rail

Versus

CAT - 11 DECEMBER

Taking the easy (normal) route

Manchester → Alicante

One evening ✈ Direct flight . Around 3 hours.

THE FINISH LINE: ALICANTE ELCHE AIRPORT
Who gets there first?

Follow the journey, dig into the planning or explore the places along the way.

The route from Manchester to Alicante.

The cities and countries along the way.

Tickets, reservations, costs and contingency plans.

Follow the adventure from planning to Alicante.