Trains in Portugal

You can travel all over Portugal on trains run by the national railway company CP (Comboios de Portugal). With pleasantly modern and hassle-free train services, it's an experience that leaves you with fond memories of the country. Times of Portuguese trains are always available in the Interrail timetable.

Regional and Intercity trains in Portugal

Regional (RE / TRN) and Inter-Regional (RE)

• Trains connecting larger cities such as Lisbon and Porto to smaller towns. They make frequent stops over short distances.

• No reservation required.

Intercity / Intercidades (IC)

• Faster trains connecting major towns and cities and making fewer stops along their routes.

• Reservations are required.

Urbanos (SUB)

• Suburban commuter trains operating in and around Lisbon and Porto.

• No reservation needed.

• You can take the following Urbanos lines:

  • Lisbon to Azambuja, Lisbon to Cascais, Lisbon to Sintra (a traveller favourite!) and Lisbon to Sado

  • Porto to Aveiro, Porto to Braga, Porto to Caíde/Marco de Canaveses and Porto to Guimarães

High-speed trains in Portugal

Celta (INT)

• International train linking Porto (Campanha) with Vigo (Guixar) in Spain.

• A cooperation between CP and RENFE of the Spanish railways.

• A reservation is required (no fee at the railway station).

Alfa Pendular (AP)

• Domestic high-speed train connecting Guimarães, Braga, Porto, Coimbra, Lisbon and Faro.

• Portugal's fastest train.

• A reservation is required.        

Night trains in Portugal

Trenhotel "Lusitania" (HOT)

• Night train connecting Portugal to Spain.

• The most efficient and fastest direct way to travel between Lisbon and Madrid.

• You need to reserve sleeping accommodation in advance. Do it as early as possible to avoid missing out.

Trenhotel "Sud Expresso" (HOT)

• International train connecting Lisbon to San Sebastian (Spain) and Hendaye (south of France).

• Reservations are obligatory. To ensure you get a place, it's best to make yours 2 or 3 months in advance.

How can I make reservations for trains in Portugal?

• At local railways stations in Portugal. This is extremely easy to do. Make them up to 60 days in advance, from any of the CP Ticket Offices.
• When you want to book a seat for an International train, this can only be done at an international train station.

If you require assistance, you can call CP on (+351) 707 210 220. You can also learn more about train reservations by reading our Reservation Guide.

The following cities in nearby countries have rail connections with Portugal:

*The return night train departs from Spanish town Irun, right next to Hendaye on the Spain-France border. 

Having a rail pass in Portugal enables you to explore splendid Portuguese cities such as Lisbon and Porto while taking day trips to gorgeous countryside villages. All without having to buy separate train tickets.

Interrail Pass options for Portugal

Interrail Portugal Pass

• Offers you extensive train travel in Portugal

• Youth, senior and families discounts

• Additional benefits including a 25% discount on tour buses in Porto, Braga, Coimbra and Lisbon

• Prices from € 80

View Portugal Passes

Interrail Global Pass

• Travel by train as much as you like in Portugal and 32 other European countries

• Youth, senior and families discounts

• Additional benefits including a 25% discount on tour buses in Porto, Braga, Coimbra and Lisbon

• Prices from € 185

View Global Passes

What are the main train stations in Portugal?

You can travel to all the main cities in Portugal as well as international destinations from the country's 2 hub stations:

• Lisbon train station, Santa Apolónia

• Porto train station, Campanha

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Which station in Portugal is the most beautiful?

If you get the opportunity, don't miss checking out this railway station, known for it's awesome interior decoration:

• São Bento train station in Porto

What are the facilities like?

Train stations in Portugal range from small, beautifully tiled rural stations to well-equipped city stations, which feature:

• Luggage lockers

• Cash machines, bureau de change and tourist info

• Restaurants or cafés

• Elevators, escalators and disabled access

Are there lounges at Portuguese train stations?

Yes, there's a CP lounge at Lisbon Oriente station. If you have a train reservation for an Alfa Pendular, Trenhotel or Lusitania train, you can access the lounge for free up to 2 hours before your departure.

Spelling of city names in Portugal

You'll usually find local spellings of Portuguese cities on trains in Portugal. Here's the name you'll probably need to know!

• Lisboa = Lisbon

An Interrail Portugal Pass makes it easy to travel from south to north covering all of Portugal's popular cities.

Route

Faro > Lisbon > Coimbra > Porto > Braga

1. Faro: Meet friendly people on the magnificent beaches of the southern Algarve region.

2. Lisbon: Rich in history, this enchanting old city comes alive when the sun goes down.

3. Coimbra: A cultural highlight, its famous university dates back to 1290.

4. Porto: The second largest city of Portugal offers splendid views of the Douro river, best enjoyed with a glass of local port wine.

5. Braga: One of the oldest cities in Portugal, boasts architecture dating from the Roman Empire.

Pass suggestion

• Interrail Portugal Pass

• Travel days needed: 4 days within 1 month

• Prices from € 80

View Interrail Portugal Passes