Portugal by Train: Tickets, Routes and Tips (2026)

Portugal’s trains are comfortable, scenic and good value, linking Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve and many towns in between. But the different train types, booking windows and promo fares confuse a lot of visitors. Here’s everything you need to know about travelling Portugal by train in 2026, from booking your seat to finding the right station.

Quick answer: book on cp.pt or the CP app, up to 60 days ahead. The fast Alfa Pendular and Intercidades include a reserved seat; book early for promo fares. Regional and suburban trains need no reservation. Lisbon to Porto takes about 2h50–3h15 (from about €36 standard, much less on promo). Watch for strikes, which are common.

Why take the train

Almost all trains in mainland Portugal are run by one company, CP (Comboios de Portugal). The main line links the big cities quickly, stations are usually central, and you avoid tolls, parking and city traffic. Some routes are also among the most beautiful journeys in the country, above all the Douro line east of Porto. Trains don’t reach everywhere, though: for the Alentejo villages, the west coast and much of the interior, you’ll need a bus or a car.

Train types

• Alfa Pendular (AP): the fastest trains, Lisbon–Porto–Braga/Guimarães and Lisbon–Faro. Two classes (Turística and Conforto), reserved seats, café car.
• Intercidades (IC): fast intercity trains on more routes (including Évora, Beja, Covilhã and Guarda). Reserved seats.
• Regional and InterRegional: slower trains stopping at smaller stations. No reservations; buy and board.
• Urbanos: suburban trains around Lisbon (to Sintra, Cascais and Setúbal) and Porto (to Braga, Guimarães and Aveiro). Pay with navegante (Lisbon) or Andante (Porto).

The Lisbon to Setúbal trains over the 25 de Abril bridge are run by a separate company, Fertagus, not CP.

Booking and fares

• Where: cp.pt or the CP app, or at station ticket machines and counters.
• When: tickets go on sale 60 days before travel, up to 15 minutes before departure.
• Promo fares: booking well ahead on AP and IC can save a lot, and CP runs flash sales: Lisbon–Porto was as low as €7.50 in May 2026 and again for travel in October 2026. Flash-sale tickets usually need booking at least 10 days ahead, and promo tickets can’t be refunded.
• Prices rose 2.26% in 2026, but trains remain great value. A standard Lisbon–Porto ticket is €35.70 on the AP (Turística) and €28.05 on the IC (2nd class).
• Discounts: there are reduced fares for children, young people aged 25 and under (25% off) and over-65s (up to 50% off Alfa Pendular and Intercidades, with ID). Check the conditions when you book. See Interrail in Portugal for rail passes.
• Rail passes: CP’s own Portugal Rail Pass gives unlimited travel on Alfa Pendular, Intercidades, regional and urban trains on 3 or 7 days within a month (€73 or €129 in 2nd class, children half price), for visitors who live outside Portugal. It’s sold at main stations. For most short trips, point-to-point tickets with promo fares are cheaper.
• Rail passes: the €20 monthly “Passe Ferroviário Verde” is for residents only. Visitors can use an Interrail Portugal pass, but you’ll pay a seat reservation fee (about €5) on Alfa Pendular and Intercidades trains. For most short trips, single tickets bought early work out cheaper than a pass.

Your ticket

An online ticket comes as a PDF or in the app with a QR code. You don’t need to print it, but carry the ID you booked with. On AP and IC trains, find your carriage (carruagem) and seat (lugar) on the ticket. On Urbanos you tap a card at the gate or reader before boarding, so don’t forget to validate.

Key routes and times

• Lisbon – Porto: AP about 2h50–3h15, IC about 3h15–3h30. See Lisbon to Porto by train.
• Lisbon – Coimbra: AP or IC to Coimbra-B, about 1h40–2h. Coimbra-A station closed in January 2025, so take the Metrobus into the centre (running since 10 September 2026). See Coimbra.
• Lisbon – Faro: AP about 3h, IC about 3h30. For Lagos, change at Tunes. See Lisbon to the Algarve.
• Lisbon – Évora: IC about 1h30.
• Lisbon – Sintra: Urbano from Rossio, about 40 minutes. See Lisbon to Sintra.
• Lisbon – Cascais: Urbano from Cais do Sodré, about 40 minutes along the coast. See Cascais.
• Lisbon – Tomar: Regional or InterRegional, about 2h. See Tomar.
• Porto – Braga: Urbano, about 55–70 minutes, around €3.60. See Braga and Guimarães.
• Porto – Pinhão (Douro): about 2h20, with stunning river views. See the Douro without a tour.
• Porto – Aveiro: Urbano about 1h10, or faster AP/IC. See Aveiro.

What’s new in 2026

• The Algarve line is fully electric since 19 July 2026, with roomier trains and more services. Many (not all) trains now run straight through between Lagos and Vila Real de Santo António, and a faster InterRegional runs twice a day. From Lisbon you still change at Tunes for Lagos.
• The Douro line reopened between Marco de Canaveses and Régua on 2 April 2026 after tunnel works; electrification there continues.
• The Oeste line is closed between Meleças and Caldas da Rainha after storm damage in January 2026, with replacement buses. Reopening is planned in stages from late 2026.
• The Beira Baixa line (Castelo Branco, Covilhã and Guarda) fully reopened on 20 September 2026 after storm repairs.
• The Cascais line has evening replacement buses between Caxias and Cascais during works.
• Porto to Vigo (Celta): buses replace the train between Valença and Vigo until 7 April 2027.
• Lisbon to Madrid: there’s still no direct train (it takes 10+ hours with changes), so most people fly or take the bus.

Stations to know

• Lisbon: AP and IC trains north leave from Santa Apolónia and Oriente. Trains south to the Algarve and Évora leave from Oriente, Entrecampos and Sete Rios. Sintra trains use Rossio (and Oriente), and Cascais trains use Cais do Sodré.
• Porto: long-distance trains use Campanhã, east of the centre. São Bento, the tiled station in the centre, is for suburban and regional trains, and it’s only a few minutes from Campanhã.
• Coimbra: Coimbra-B only for fast trains.

Tips

• Strikes happen fairly often. Check CP’s website the day before, and keep plans flexible.
• Sit on the right heading north from Lisbon for river views, and on the right heading east on the Douro line.
• Luggage: there’s space at the end of carriages and overhead; no extra charge.
• Arrive early. Platforms are often shown only 10–15 minutes before departure, and long trains need a walk to your carriage.
• Food: the AP has a café car; on other trains bring your own snacks and water.
• Train or car? Trains are great between cities; a car is better for the countryside. See our Portugal road trip.

FAQ

How far ahead can I book trains in Portugal?

Up to 60 days ahead. The cheapest promo fares go first, so book once your dates are fixed.

Do I need to print my train ticket?

No. Show the PDF or the QR code in the CP app, and carry the ID you booked with.

Can I take the train from Lisbon to Óbidos?

Not at the moment, as the Oeste line is closed. Take the Rodotejo Rápida Verde express bus from Campo Grande instead. See Óbidos.

Is there a train from Porto to Vigo?

The Celta runs twice a day each way, but until 7 April 2027 you switch to a bus at Valença for Vigo.

More: 7 days in Portugal and 10 days in Portugal.

See also: Portugal by bus, Portugal without a car and Porto to the Algarve.

Prices and details change, so please double-check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the groups.