Portugal by Train
Trains - Tickets - RoutesA Travel Guide For Train Travel In Portugal.
Here you will find information for Portugal about trains, routes, tours, connections, where to buy train tickets, and more.
Useful Information
Population: 10.3 million
Currency: Euro
Language: Portuguese
Capital: Lisbon
Country Code: +351
Time Zone: Western Europe Time
Train Companies
Most of the country’s trains are operated by Comboios de Portugal (CP); however, there is an abundance of smaller, private train operators around Portugal. Some other well-known companies are listed below:
- Fertagus
- Lisbon Metro
- Porto Metro
Copyright: RAILWAYHERO
Train Tickets
Buy your train tickets for Portugal online on the Comboios de Portugal (CP) official homepage.
Buy your train tickets online at OMIO and compare trains, buses & flights.
Rail Passes
Interrail / Eurail Pass
Do you want to travel throughout Europe flexibly and comfortably? Then the Interrail Pass is perfect for you. With the Interrail Pass, you can visit 40,000 destinations in 33 countries in Europe. You can travel for up to 3 months by train.
TrAIN tYPES
Regional Trains
Regional (RE / TRN) and Inter-Regional (RE) Trains linking bigger cities such as Porto and Lisbon to smaller towns, with frequent stops.
- Only offering 2nd Class
- No reservations required.
Intercity / Intercidades (IC) High-speed trains linking cities to popular towns, making few stops.
- 1st and 2nd Classes offered
- Most trains are equipped with wifi, air conditioning, a bistro car serving refreshments, and small snacks.
- Reservations required
Urbanos (SUB) Commuter trains connecting the suburbs of Porto and Lisbon to the city centers.
- Only offering 2nd Class
- No reservations required
Alfa Pendular (AP) High-speed train linking the following major cities together: Faro, Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto, Braga, and Guimarães.
- 1st Class (Conforto): Rows of three seats (2+1)
- 2nd Class (Turistica): Rows of four seats (2+2)
- Reservations required
- Reservation cost:
- 1st Class (Conforto): €5
- 2nd Class (Turistica): €5
- Most trains are equipped with air conditioning, WiFi, power sockets, and a bistro car.
Celta (INT) Intercity trains that connect Porto to Vigo, Spain daily.
- Only offering 2nd Class
- Reservations required
Trenhotel is a comfortable night train offering seats and sleeping cabins.
- Routes:
- Lisbon – Madrid, Spain
- Lisbon – San Sebastian, Spain
- Lisbon – Hendaye, France
- Reservations required for beds and seats
- Sleeping Carriage:
- Grand Class Berth includes your own bed (single or twin), shower, toilet, and washbasin. Club lounge access, full entertainment selection, and a newspaper are included in the ticket. All rooms are equipped with electrical plug-ins and request a wake-up call anytime.
- First Class Berth includes your own bed (single or twin), and a washbasin. Club lounge access and a newspaper are included in the ticket.
- Standard Class Berth includes four beds to a cabin and a washbasin. Cabins/Berths separated by male and female. Tickets for family and groups include the whole 4 berth compartment.
- Sitting Carriage:
- Air conditioning, electrical plug-ins, and entertainment system are included in all classes.
- 1st and 2nd Classes offered
- 1st Class: Rows of three seats (2+1)
- 2nd Class: Rows of four seats (2+2)
- Toilets are located in the coach carriage
- Dining car available, offering a range of food and drinks
Vouga Historical Train
Douro Historical Train
Routes
Frequently Travelled Routes In Portugal
National
| From > To |
Duration (h) |
Changes | Transport |
| Lisbon to Braga | 3:37 | Direct | Train (IC) |
| Lisbon to Porto | 2:46 | Direct | Train (IC) |
| Lisbon to Coimbra | 1:57 | Direct | Train (IC) |
| Lisbon to Faro | 3:20 | Direct | Train (IC) |
| Porto to Coimbra | 1:09 | Direct | Train (IC) |
| Porto to Braga | 1:11 | Direct | Train |
International
| From > To |
Duration (h) | Changes | Transport |
| Porto to Vigo, Spain | 2:22 | Direct | Train (IC) |
| Porto to Madrid, Spain | 8:30 | 1 | Train (IC, ALV) |
| Porto to Bilbao, Spain | 14:19 | 2 | Train (IC, ALV) |
| Faro to Sevilla, Spain | 3:47 | 1 | Train (RE) & Bus |
| Lisbon to Madrid, Spain | 10:10 | 1 | Train (Trenhotel, ALV) |
| Lisbon to San Sebastian, Spain | 12:30 | Direct | Train (Trenhotel) |
| Lisbon to Hendaye, France* | 12:58 | Direct | Train (Trenhotel) via Irun, Spain |
* walk across border to Hendaye, France, return train to Lisbon departs from Spanish town Irun.
Portugal travel routes
Portugal: Porto, Lisbon and Albufeira
Main Train Stations
- Lisboa Oriente / Lisbon
- Porto Campanha
- Coimbra
- Braga
Train Tours in Portugal
Good to know
Best Time To Travel To Portugal
You can travel to Portugal all year round, as there are climatically different regions. On the north coast, the summer months of July and August are particularly suitable for this. In south Portugal, the bathing season lasts until October.
The Algarve in the south has the most beautiful beaches and it is very hot in summer, but at the same time there is usually a light wind blowing, so the summer months are a good time to travel in this region. For city tours, we recommend traveling in Spring or autumn.
- High Season: June – September
- Low Season: October to March
Accommodation In Portugal
Booking
The best place to find cheap hotels for is to book by www.booking.com. There you will find a large selection of cheap hotels, hostels, and apartments. > BOOK HERE
Hostelworld
If you are looking for a low budget accommodation, then go on www.hostelworld.com. They have the best choice of cheap hostels for backpackers and low budget travelers. > BOOK HERE
Guidebooks For Portugal
Travel with a guidebook ease your journey to find best sights and things to do. Buy it on Amazon.
Travel Insurance
We highly recommend not to travel without insurance. Don't fret! World Nomads offers many different travel insurance coverage plans to suit your trip best. > BUY HERE
