Trains in Portugal

Trains in Portugal make exploring the country even the more beautiful. Routes take you along the Atlantic coast and down to the golden beaches of the Algarve. Ride comfortable trains through the green hills of Braga, to thrilling cities Lisbon and Porto and get connected with Portugal's unique, rich and glorious history.

Train types 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.

Image of passenger walking in sheltered train station containing a red train

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.

Reservations for trains in Portugal

How can I make reservations for trains in Portugal?

At local railways stations in Portugal:
Extremely easy to do. Make them up to 60 days in advance, from any of the CP Ticket Offices.
Online:
International trains only
- For train connections to Spain and France you can use the Interrail Reservation Service.
- For Spanish night trains (Lusitania and Trenhotel) you can book via our Interrail Reservation Service or visit the RENFE website.

Where can I get help with reservations in Portugal?

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.

Domestic connections in Portugal

Here are approximate train times between Portugal's most popular cities by either high-speed or regional trains.

Route	High-speed	Regional
Lisbon to Braga	3hr 16min	7hr 50min
Lisbon to Coimbra	1hr 40min	3hr 30min
Lisbon to Faro	3hr 30min	-
Lisbon to Porto	2hr 35min	6hr 40min

map-popular-domestic-connections-portugal

If you wish to take a high-speed train, you usually have to reserve your seat in advance.

By travelling with slower regional trains you do not need to make reservations. You'll need to change trains on one or more occasions, which will lengthen your journey time.

International train connections to and from Portugal

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

Route	Which train?	Duration	Reservations
Lisbon to Hendaye (France) one way only*	Trenhotel	13 hours (overnight)	Required
Lisbon to Madrid (Spain)	Trenhotel	11 hours (overnight)	Required
Lisbon to San Sebastian (Spain)	Trenhotel	13 hours (overnight)	Required
Porto to Vigo (Spain)	Celta	2 hours 15 mins	Required

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

Portugal rail passes

Image of a yellow train crossing a high bridge over the Douro river and compact terracotta buildings of Porto

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 30 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 € 208

View Global Passes

Train stations in Portugal

Image of Porto train station with a yellow train parked next to a tunnel and railway platform

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

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 cities in Portugal

Example train route in Portugal

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

Faro: Meet friendly people on the magnificent beaches of the southern Algarve region.
Lisbon: Rich in history, this enchanting old city comes alive when the sun goes down.
Coimbra: A cultural highlight, its famous university dates back to 1290.
Porto: The second largest city of Portugal offers splendid views of the Douro river, best enjoyed with a glass of local port wine.
Braga: One of the oldest cities in Portugal, boasts architecture dating from the Roman Empire.