Trains Portugal Tickets, Timetables & Prices

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Best train itineraries in Portugal

Lisbon

Portugal Itinerary 5 Days: Historic Cities & Coastal Charms

Embark on a 5-day journey through Portugal's vibrant cities, starting in Lisbon and travelling by train to Porto. Discover ancient districts, grand monuments, and riverside beauty, experiencing the unique culture of each destination.

  1. 1Lisbon
  2. 2Porto
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Lisbon

Portugal Itinerary 8 Days: Lisbon, Coimbra & Porto by Train

This 8-day train journey takes you through Portugal's vibrant cities, starting in the capital Lisbon, moving to the historic university city of Coimbra, and concluding in the charming northern city of Porto. Experience diverse culture, stunning architecture, and scenic rail travel.

  1. 1Lisbon
  2. 2Coimbra
  3. 3Porto
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Lisbon

Portugal 4-Day Itinerary: Lisbon & Porto's Historic Charms

Discover the vibrant cities of Lisbon and Porto on this 4-day journey. Begin in Lisbon, exploring its ancient streets and grand monuments, before taking a scenic train trip north to Porto to experience its riverside charm and iconic landmarks.

  1. 1Lisbon
  2. 2Porto
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Portugal by trainExperience Portugal by Train: From Cities to the Douro Valley

By Leandro Hoop

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Leandro HoopTravel Blogger - Content Creator
Leandro Hoop
Leandro Hoop is a travel blogger and content creator with over 13 years of experience exploring destinations around the world, particularly across Europe. Through his blog and YouTube channel, he shares practical tips and honest insights to help others travel smarter and enjoy each journey to the fullest.

On my first visit to the country last year, I spent 15 days in December travelling solo around Portugal. Trains took me between Porto, Braga, Coimbra and Lisbon, as well as on shorter day trips and into the Douro Valley. I found the rail network easy to use, but what stayed with me most was the variety of the journeys themselves, from busy urban services to quiet stretches beside the Douro. By the end of the trip, travelling by train had become a memorable part of how I experienced Portugal.

At Lisbon Oriente Station

At Lisbon Oriente Station

Routes Overview

I started my trip in Porto and gradually travelled south by train, stopping in Coimbra before continuing to Lisbon. Rather than changing accommodation for every place I wanted to see, I used Porto for a day trip to Braga and Lisbon for Sintra. This gave my 15-day trip a natural rhythm: longer train journeys when I changed cities and shorter local services for day trips. For a first visit to Portugal, I found this much easier than trying to fit every destination into a separate overnight stay. Popular connections such as Porto to Lisbon, Lisbon to Porto and Lisbon to Faro are also easy to book.

Coimbra from Santa Clara Bridge

Coimbra from Santa Clara Bridge

Onboard Experience

Taking the train in Portugal was surprisingly simple. In most cases, I received my ticket as a QR code and could head to the platform without the airport-style security or luggage checks. The trains I used were mostly punctual, although I had a few short delays of 10 to 15 minutes. I also noticed how different the experience could be depending on the service. On the urban train to Braga, I simply found an available seat, while on longer-distance trains I travelled with an assigned carriage and seat.

View from the train in Porto

View from the train in Porto

Station Tips

On my first days in Porto, I quickly learned not to assume that São Bento would always be my departure station just because it was the one I saw most often in the city centre. Some of my longer journeys required me to use Campanhã instead, so checking the station on my ticket became part of my routine. São Bento was still my favourite station to walk into, especially because of its hall covered in blue-and-white tiles, but it wasn’t necessarily where my next train would leave from.

Best Time to Travel

Travelling by train in Portugal made daylight an important part of planning my December 2025 trip. It was getting dark at around 5 pm, so I started early, especially when the scenery was part of the experience. In the Douro Valley, I decided to spend two to three hours in Pinhão rather than also trying to fit in Peso da Régua. With limited daylight, focusing on one stop felt much better than rushing between both places before sunset.

Things to Know Before Traveling

One point of friction I experienced happened while travelling to Portugal from Madrid, so this was a cross-border arrival rather than a domestic Portugal train journey. In Vigo, I arrived at Vigo-Urzáiz station but had to continue from Vigo-Guixar, around a 15-minute walk away. My train from Madrid arrived about 25 minutes late, but fortunately I still had enough time to make the connection. I also had to keep Portugal’s one-hour time difference in mind, as it can make connection times a little confusing when checking the journey details.

Scenic Routes

I’d choose the Linha do Douro when I have enough time to make the journey itself part of the day, not simply get from one place to another. If I could repeat one train journey in Portugal, this would be it. I travelled early in the morning from Porto towards Pocinho, when mist was still floating above the Douro River and low clouds seemed trapped between the hills. In December, the vineyards had autumn colours with very few tourists, so I could easily find a seat facing the river on the right-hand side of the train. I travelled all the way to Pocinho for the scenery, while Pinhão was the place I chose to get off and explore.

Booking Tips

I usually bought my train tickets online before travelling rather than waiting until I reached the station. I noticed that booking several days in advance often gave me access to better fares, especially for longer journeys, while the cheaper promotional tickets could disappear as the travel date approached. Planning the longer journeys ahead worked well for me because I already knew when I would be changing cities. I could then keep shorter trips, such as Porto to Braga, more flexible.

Travel Tips

For the Douro Valley journey from Porto towards Pocinho, I’d try to get a window seat on the right-hand side for the best river views. One detail I particularly appreciated on the InterRegional was being able to open the windows, which made taking photos of the river and vineyards much easier without reflections from the glass. I’d also start early in winter to make the most of the limited daylight and check whether your Porto train leaves from São Bento or Campanhã before setting off.

Conclusion

After 15 days travelling around Portugal, I came away feeling that trains suited the way I like to explore a country. I could base myself in Porto and Lisbon for shorter trips while travelling south through Coimbra without needing a car. Moving between cities and heading out on spontaneous day trips both felt manageable, even though I was travelling alone. If I returned to Portugal, I would definitely use the railway again and leave time to discover some of the routes I missed on my first visit.

Train passing through Covelinhas

Train passing through Covelinhas

Lisbon to Porto
Lisbon to Porto
Lisbon
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Lisbon to Faro
Lisbon to Faro
Lisbon
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Porto to Coimbra
Porto to Coimbra
Porto
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Overview of Trains in Portugal

Portugal's national railway company, Comboios de Portugal (CP), operates a well-developed network connecting major cities and regions across the country. The high-speed Alfa Pendular trains are the fastest way to travel between Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra and Faro, offering a comfortable and efficient journey.

Beyond the Alfa Pendular, CP also operates Intercidades (intercity trains) which serve a broader range of destinations, as well as regional and urban services including Urbanos (commuter trains) around Lisbon and Porto. Portuguese trains are known for their comfort and often provide amenities like Wi-Fi and power outlets on longer routes. Booking your tickets in advance through Omio is highly recommended, especially for Alfa Pendular and Intercidades services, to secure the best fares and ensure availability.

Explore Spain by Train
Explore Spain by Train
Spain
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Journey to France by Train
Journey to France by Train
France
Book tickets to France
Connect with Germany by Train
Connect with Germany by Train
Germany
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Popular Train Providers in Portugal

Deals for Trains in Portugal

There’s a range of deals and discounts available if you book in bulk, or belong to a particular demographic. Here’s a quick overview of the options.

  • Eurail Portugal One Country Pass: For non-European residents, it offers unlimited train travel for a set number of days within Portugal. Options include consecutive or flexible travel days (e.g. 3, 4, 5, 6, or 8 days within 1 month).
  • Interrail Portugal One Country Pass: Designed for European citizens, providing the same benefits as the Eurail pass for exploring Portugal by train.
  • Youth and Senior Discounts: Eurail and Interrail passes offer discounted rates for youth (ages 12-27) and seniors (60+). Children under 4 travel for free without a pass, and children aged 4-11 can travel for free with a Child Pass when accompanied by an adult. Additionally, Comboios de Portugal (CP) often offers its own domestic discounts for various age groups and families.

Travelling by Train in Portugal FAQs

Booking Questions

The best way to buy train tickets in Portugal, especially to save money and ensure a seat, is by booking online in advance through Omio. Omio allows you to easily compare options, select your destination, travel details, and preferred ticket class, making it convenient to plan your journey with Comboios de Portugal (CP).

CP's Alfa Pendular and Intercidades trains typically offer different ticket types and classes, such as Conforto (First Class) and Turística (Standard Class), with varying levels of comfort and services. Advance purchase often yields cheaper "Promo" fares, while "Normal" fares offer more flexibility. You can find options for all these ticket types and classes when booking through Omio.

Yes, for high-speed Alfa Pendular and long-distance Intercidades trains in Portugal, seat reservations are compulsory and usually incur an additional fee, even with a rail pass. It's highly recommended to book these in advance, especially for popular routes, as pass holder seats are limited. It's easy to make these reservations through Omio.

On-Board Questions

Comboios de Portugal (CP) generally allows passengers to carry a reasonable amount of luggage, typically including a few pieces of standard size. Larger items can usually be stored in designated luggage areas at the end of each carriage, while smaller bags can be placed in overhead racks. There are generally no strict weight limits for standard luggage.

No, smoking is strictly forbidden aboard all trains and within train stations in Portugal, including on platforms.

On high-speed Alfa Pendular and Intercidades trains, you can typically expect comfortable seating, air conditioning, power outlets, and a bar/cafe car offering drinks and snacks. Free Wi-Fi is available on Alfa Pendular services. Regional trains offer more basic amenities.

Ticket Collection & Check-In

For e-tickets (e.g. for Alfa Pendular or Intercidades) booked via Omio validation is usually not required as they are validated upon issue. For some regional or urban (e.g. Urbanos) services, you might need to tap a reusable card or scan a ticket at turnstiles to access platforms.

It's advisable to arrive at least 15-20 minutes before your scheduled departure for long-distance and high-speed trains. This allows time to locate your platform, which is usually displayed on departure boards ("Partidas") around 10-15 minutes in advance. Always double-check your train's unique number.

Electronic tickets (e-tickets) are the most common for high-speed and long-distance trains when booking through Omio; you receive an email confirmation and can often use your phone as a ticket, eliminating the need for physical collection or validation. Paper tickets, typically for some regional or urban services, may need to be printed and/or scanned at the station.

Most popular train connections

Train Lisbon - Porto
Train Porto - Lisbon
Train Lisboa - Santa Apolonia - Porto - Campanhã
Train Lisbon - Oriente - Porto - Campanhã
Train Porto - Campanhã - Lisboa - Santa Apolonia
Train Lisbon - Lagos
Train Porto - Campanhã - Lisbon - Oriente
Train Lisbon - Faro
Train Faro - Lisbon
Train Lisbon - Albufeira
Train Lisboa - Santa Apolonia - Porto - Sao Bento
Train Lagos - Lisbon
Train Albufeira - Lisbon
Train Porto - Pinhão
Train Lagos - Faro
Train Faro - Lagos
Train Lisbon - Oriente - Faro station
Train Lisbon - Oriente - Lagos station
Train Porto - Lagos
Train Porto - Faro
Train Lisbon - Oriente - Porto - Sao Bento
Train Lisbon - Coimbra
Train Porto - Sao Bento - Lisboa - Santa Apolonia
Train Lisbon - Oriente - Albufeira - Ferreiras
Train Faro - Porto
Train Lisbon - Braga
Train Coimbra - Lisbon
Train Loule - Lisbon
Train Braga - Lisbon
Train Porto - Aveiro

Favourite train companies

Comboios De Portugal
AVE
Renfe
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