Lisbon to Coimbra: Train, Bus or Car (2026 Guide)

Coimbra, Portugal’s old university city, sits on the main line between Lisbon and Porto, so it’s an easy trip by train, bus or car. Here’s how each option works in 2026, with times, fares, the station you arrive at and how to get into the centre.

Quick answer: take the Alfa Pendular or Intercidades train from Santa Apolónia or Oriente to Coimbra-B: about 1h40 on the Alfa Pendular from Oriente (€27.10) or about 2 hours on the Intercidades (€22.20), at CP’s standard 2026 fares. From Coimbra-B, take the Metrobus or a taxi into the centre. Coaches take about 2h10 to 2h45 and are often cheaper. Driving takes about 2 hours on the A1, with about €16 in tolls.

Train, bus or car?

The train is the fastest and most comfortable, with departures through the day. The bus is often cheaper but slower. A car only pays off if you want to stop at Fátima, Tomar or Conímbriga on the way.

By train (best)

• From: most northbound trains start at Santa Apolónia (blue metro line) and stop at Oriente (red line) a few minutes later. Board at whichever is closer. See Lisbon public transport.
• Trains: the Alfa Pendular (AP) is the faster and more comfortable option, and the Intercidades (IC) is a little cheaper. Both run between Lisbon and Porto and stop at Coimbra-B, from early morning to evening.
• Time: about 1h40 on the Alfa Pendular from Oriente, a few minutes more from Santa Apolónia, and about 2 hours on the Intercidades.
• Fare: on the Alfa Pendular, €27.10 one way in Turística or €38.50 in Conforto, and €49 for a Turística return. On the Intercidades, €22.20 in second class or €28.05 in first. These are CP’s standard 2026 prices. Some travellers, such as over-65s with ID, pay half.
• Promo fares: booking well ahead can cut the price a lot, but promo seats are limited and usually non-refundable.
• Booking: on cp.pt or the CP app, up to 60 days ahead. A seat reservation is included in the ticket. Carry the ID you booked with.

Coimbra is also an easy stop between Lisbon and Porto: buy two tickets and break the journey. See Lisbon to Porto by train and the Portugal train guide.

From Coimbra-B to the centre

Fast trains stop only at Coimbra-B, on the edge of town. The short shuttle train to Coimbra-A, in the centre, stopped in January 2025, and its route was rebuilt for the Metrobus.

• Metrobus: since 10 September 2026, electric Metrobus buses have run from Coimbra-B into the centre, with a branch up to Praça da República, about 10 minutes’ walk from the university. At peak times they run about every five minutes. Check fares with Metro Mondego or SMTUC, the city bus company.
• Taxi: about 10 minutes to the centre, and the easiest choice with heavy bags, as the old town is steep and cobbled.

Start at the top: ride up to Praça da República or take a taxi to the university, then walk downhill. See the University of Coimbra guide.

By bus

• From: Rede Expressos leaves mainly from the Sete Rios bus terminal, by Jardim Zoológico metro, with some coaches from Oriente and the airport. FlixBus leaves mainly from Oriente.
• Time: about 2h10 to 2h45, depending on the stops.
• Fare: often cheaper than the train, especially booked ahead. Prices change with demand, so check the Rede Expressos and FlixBus websites.
• Arrival: Rede Expressos uses the bus terminal on Avenida Fernão de Magalhães, and FlixBus a coach park on Rua do Padrão. The Casa do Sal and Açude Metrobus stops are a few metres from the coach stops.

Friday and Sunday coaches fill up, so book online. See Lisbon to Porto by bus for how the two companies compare.

By car

• Route: the A1 north all the way, about 2 hours. The exits for the city are Coimbra Sul and Coimbra Norte.
• Tolls: about €16.25 for a normal car to the Coimbra Sul exit, or €16.80 to Coimbra Norte (2026 rates). Take a ticket when you join and pay at the exit by card or cash, or use the Via Verde lane if your hire car has a toll device. See Portugal’s tolls explained.
• Parking: the old town is steep and narrow, with little parking, so use a car park by the river and walk up.
• Car hire: see car rental in Portugal.

Stops on the way

Three detours fit between Lisbon and Coimbra. All are easiest by car.

• Fátima: the Catholic sanctuary is just off the A1, about 1h30 from Lisbon. There’s no train to the town, as Fátima station is about 20km away, but coaches link it with both Lisbon and Coimbra. See the Fátima day trip, or join a Fátima tour from Lisbon.
• Tomar: the Templar Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is about 1h30 from Lisbon by car on the A1 and the toll-free A23. By train, Tomar is the end of a branch line, about 1h55 from Lisbon, so carry on to Coimbra by changing at Entroncamento. See Tomar.
• Conímbriga: Portugal’s best-preserved Roman town is about 16km south of Coimbra, near Condeixa-a-Nova and close to the A1. The site and museum usually open daily from 10am to 6pm, and a ticket costs about €10. Without a car, take a taxi from Coimbra, about 20 minutes. See Conímbriga.

Day trip or overnight?

Coimbra works as a day trip. Leave Lisbon by about 9am and you can reach the university late in the morning. Book your Joanina Library slot first, as entry is by timed slot and slots sell out on busy days. See the Coimbra day trip for a route, or compare Coimbra day trips from Lisbon.

Stay the night to hear Coimbra fado in the evening, or to add Conímbriga without rushing. See where to stay in Coimbra.

Which option is right for you?

• Day trip without a car: the Alfa Pendular, booked ahead.
• Tight budget: a promo train fare or the bus.
• Fátima, Tomar or Conímbriga on the way: a car, or a tour.

Tips

• Book to Coimbra-B. Coimbra-A no longer has trains.
• Strikes: CP strikes happen a few times a year, so check CP’s website the day before.
• Views: heading north, sit on the right for the Tagus as you leave Lisbon.
• May: the Queima das Fitas student festival fills the city for about a week in mid to late May, so book trains and rooms early.

Plan it: Prefer it organised? See Coimbra tours. Driving? Compare car hire. Staying over? Find a place to stay in Coimbra.

FAQ

How long is the train from Lisbon to Coimbra?

About 1h40 on the Alfa Pendular from Oriente, a few minutes more from Santa Apolónia, and about 2 hours on the Intercidades. There’s no change.

How much is the train from Lisbon to Coimbra?

In 2026, €27.10 one way on the Alfa Pendular in Turística, or €22.20 on the Intercidades in second class. Promo fares booked ahead can be much cheaper.

Which station in Coimbra do trains from Lisbon use?

Coimbra-B, on the edge of town. Coimbra-A closed in January 2025, so take the Metrobus or a taxi into the centre.

Is the bus cheaper than the train to Coimbra?

Often, yes, especially booked ahead. It takes about 2h10 to 2h45, against about 1h40 on the fastest train.

Can you visit Coimbra as a day trip from Lisbon?

Yes. Take a morning train out and an evening one back, and you have time for the university, the Old Cathedral and the lower town.

More: the Coimbra guide and the best day trips from Lisbon.

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