The Train Is the Best Way To See Portugal's Stunning Landscapes From Lisbon To Porto

25.09.2024 - 14:46 / matadornetwork.com

The two largest cities in Portugal, Lisbon and Porto, are both located on the Atlantic coast, 190 miles apart. The drive between the two cities is a scenic one, but it does mean you’ll have to rent a vehicle to make the three-hour trip. If you want to travel between Lisbon and Porto in comfort, for cheap, and without putting in too much effort, take the train instead. The Lisbon to Porto train is very frequent, takes just as long as driving, costs less than what you’d pay for a rental and gas, and the landscape out the window is equally gorgeous.

The Portuguese national railway company, Comboios de Portugal, runs multiple direct high-speed trains between Lisbon (Lisboa Oriente station) and Porto (Porto Campanha station) daily. On Comboios de Portugal’s online timetable and booking system, high-speed trains are marked “AP” meaning “Alfa Pendular”.

There are also direct intercity and regional trains that run between the two cities every day, from early morning to late at night. On Comboios de Portugal’s online timetable and booking system, intercity trains are marked “IC”, and regional trains are marked “R”.

The direct high-speed train “Alfa Pendular” is the fastest, making the journey between Lisbon and Porto in less than three hours (between two hours and 49 minutes and two hours and 56 minutes).

The direct Intercity train takes a little longer: three hours and 15 minutes.

The direct regional train takes the longest at about five hours.

Riding the direct high-speed train “Alfa Pendular” from Lisbon to Porto costs $48 (44.60 €) in First class and $34.35 (31.90 €) in Second class. Watch for promotions on Comboios de Portugal’s booking system — you can get a seat for just $29 (27 €) in First class or $21 (19.50 €) in Second class if you book five or more days early.

First class cars in the high-speed train “Alfa Pendular” are usually more spacious and include more comfortable seats, power outlets, and access to the first-class lounge at the Oriente station in Lisbon.

Watch the video below to see what First class (AKA Conforto) and Second class (AKA Turistica) cars look like on the high-speed train “Alfa Pendular”:

The journey between Lisbon and Porto on the direct intercity train costs $40.20 (37.35 €) in First class and $27.20 (25.25 €) in Second class. Promotions are also available for the direct intercity trains — keep an eye on Comboios de Portugal’s booking system and you may get a seat in First class for $24.25 (22.50 €) or in second class for $16.70 (15.50 €).

Compared to Second class cars, First class cars in the intercity train are quieter, have larger, adjustable seats, and have power sockets.

Taking the regional train between the two city takes the longest, but its standard price is the cheapest at