Portugal
General train travel information for PORTUGAL. Rail travel tours, accommodation, sightseeing.
Brief History
In 1856, the first railroad line was opened, connecting Lisbon and Carregada. In 1864, regular passenger transportation between Lisbon and Porto began. The railway network was nationalized in 1910, and in 1947 the state-owned Comboios de Portugal (CP) was created. In 1999, CP was partially privatized and competition from private companies emerged. In 2011, the Alfa Pendular high-speed railroad was launched. Urban infrastructure development continues, including the expansion of the Lisbon Metro in 2017. Rail is still an important means of transportation in Portugal.
General Information and Statistics
The main rail transportation operator in Portugal is Comboios de Portugal (CP). CP is Portugal's national railroad company, which provides passenger and freight rail services throughout the country.. As of 2019, Comboios de Portugal (CP) carried approximately 128 million passengers per year.
Portugal has a railway network spanning approximately 2527 kilometres. There are about 445 railroad stations in Portugal. These stations are located throughout the country and serve different cities, towns and regions.
1,791 kilometers of railroads are electrified (71%).
What connections to other countries there are.
You can get to neighboring Spain by train from Portugal.
Are trains fast in Portugal in general? How much time to cross the country?
The Portuguese Alfa Pendular train connects all major cities in Portugal. From the capital Lisbon you can comfortably travel to Coimbra, Porto and Braga in the north of the country, or to Faro in the far south. With speeds of up to 220 km/h, Alfa Pendular trains are the fastest way to get around Portugal. They also have great amenities such as free WiFi and snacks and drinks on board. The journey from Braga to Faro takes 8:03 hours and from Lisbon to Elvas 3:43 hours.
What railway companies are available?
In addition to CP, there are also other railway companies operating in Portugal, including:
Fertagus: Focused on commuter services, Fertagus operates the train line connecting Lisbon with the neighboring city of Setúbal.
Medway: Medway is a private freight rail transport company that operates freight services across Portugal, handling the transportation of goods and cargo.
Takargo: Takargo is another private freight rail operator in Portugal, specializing in the transportation of bulk cargo and goods.
What train types are available in Portugal
There are four different types of trains in Portugal:
Alpha Pendular: The fastest trains in Portugal. They are usually the newest and most comfortable trains, equipped with extra amenities such as audio channels and televisions. This type of train is the most expensive, but the difference between Alpha-Pendular and Intercidades is usually only 1-2 euros.
Intercidades: This train is a little slower than the Alpha-Pendular as it makes more stops, but overall the speed is slow. These trains are older, the bar is a little more basic, and they are a little less comfortable.
Regional (R) and Inter-Regional (IR): These trains run much shorter distances and have a simpler lineup. Tickets cannot be purchased in advance or online.
Urban (U): These trains are common in major cities such as Lisbon and Porto and, again, are fairly simple. They cannot be purchased in advance or online.
Are there high-speed-trains available?
The high-speed train service in Portugal is known as Alfa Pendular. Alfa Pendular trains operate on the main lines connecting major cities such as Lisbon, Porto, and Braga. These trains offer faster travel times and modern amenities, making them a convenient option for long-distance travel within the country.
Most important train stations / hubs.
The main railway hubs in Portugal are Lisbon, Porto, Braga, Coimbra, Faro, Guimarães, Aveiro, Viana do Castelo, Évora, Viseu.
Websites to buy train tickets for Portugal?
https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en, omio.com
Mobile apps to buy train tickets in Portugal?
CP has its own app called "Comboios de Portugal".
Possible to buy a ticket at a railway station in Portugal?
You can always buy a train ticket at any train station in Portugal. The quickest and easiest way to buy a train ticket is through ticket vending machines (all machines have an English language option).
You can also buy tickets at a ticket office, but the lines can be very long at busy times. Most ticket sellers speak passable English, but not always.
Can I buy my ticket by phone?
You can buy tickets via live chat on the website, but you cannot buy it by calling in.
Return the ticket.
For Alfa Pendular, Intercidades, Regional, and InterRegional train tickets in Portugal, the following refund policy applies:
Tickets can be refunded free of charge up to 15 minutes before the train's departure from the home station if the ticket has not been used.
Refund requests can be made at any CP ticket office or online through the "Your tickets" section on cp.pt.
Refund requests after the 15-minute deadline will not be accepted.
When requesting a refund at a CP ticket office, passengers must present the ticket (on paper, SMS, or CP app) and the original identification document mentioned on the ticket.
The refund amount will be reversed to the card used for the purchase.
However, it's important to note that some ticket types are non-refundable, including partially used return tickets, round trip tickets with one leg purchased under a Promo fare, and tickets purchased under the TrainSharing promotion.
For Coimbra Urban Trains, tickets are non-refundable.
Train ticket prices
What's most interesting about Portugal's rail service is how much it costs. Here are some approximate prices:
Porto - Lisbon: €14,80 for a single ticket
Vila Real de São Antonio - Valenca (715 km): €38,10 for a single ticket.
All these prices are for second-class tickets booked more than eight days before travel to take advantage of discounts. These include:
Up to 56% discount when tickets are purchased at least five days before travel
Up to 65% discount when tickets are purchased at least 8 days in advance.
Note: Discounts are not available on all tickets.
Discounted fares are valid for Intercidades (IC) and Alpha-Pendular (AP) trains. City trains (which cannot be booked in advance) are often even cheaper. These trains do not run everywhere in the country, but are particularly common around Lisbon and Porto.
Cheapest train to the closest nearby country?
In neighboring Spain, there is an opportunity to get very cheap, for example, a ticket from Elvas to Badajoz costs only 2 €.
Where to find timetables.
Find train schedules on https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/train-times
Buying tickets in advance or right before the train
If you buy your tickets more than 8 days before your trip, you get the maximum benefit.
Types of tickets.
There are few types of tickets, you can buy a one way ticket and a round trip ticket. The difference in tickets mainly depends on the train on which the tourist will be traveling. So there are also a large number of different discounts for different age groups and travel passes.
Interrail/Eurail Passes in Portugal
The Eurail and Interrail Pass is available for Portugal. The best option is to buy your Eurail or Interrail Pass on the official website using their app.
Saver price.
Train tickets in Portugal are usually available about 60 days before departure, so there's no point in trying to book well in advance.
Tickets for the Portuguese Alfa Pendular train are cheapest to buy a few weeks before departure, but it is usually enough to buy a ticket 5-8 days in advance.
For example, a ticket from Lisbon to Porto costs 16-20 euros if you buy it a week in advance, but sometimes there are very cheap promotional fares for 10 euros. If you buy a ticket at the last minute, however, you will pay €25-€35.
The popularity of the route can also affect the price, so popular departure times are often a little more expensive than less popular ones.
Is it cheaper to buy round-trip?
10% discount on return tickets
Buy your ticket in advance and get a 10% discount on long-distance travel.
The discount is valid for distances of 91 km or more, on trains of the same class and at departure and destination stations.
On Celta international flights, the discount is 20% for any distance.
Flexible tickets.
CP Flexipasse is a pass for unlimited travel on a predetermined route.
It is a more flexible alternative for those who frequently use any Intercidades, Regional and InterRegional trains on a specific route for commuting or regular travel.
They are valid for: 30, 60, 90 days
Young people under 25 years of age receive a 25% discount.
Prices vary according to distance, with the cheapest pass starting at 10.60 €.
Rules of boarding.
On board the train, you have to prove your identity using the ID document you mentioned when you bought your ticket.
Discounts for group travel.
There are discounts for groups of people, there are many different discounts for different needs, you can see the discounts on the official website https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/how-to-travel/In-group.
Age groups and discounts.
Children under three years of age (inclusive) accompanied by an adult are entitled to free travel provided they do not occupy a seat.
Between 4 and 12 years of age inclusive, they are entitled to a 50% discount on the regular fare (half ticket) with the right to a separate seat.
On Celta international flights, the discount is 40%.
Persons over the age of sixty-five can purchase tickets at half price with the appropriate identification document.
On Celta international flights, the discount is 25% for persons aged sixty and over.
25% off all train travel for young people under 25.
Age limitations for minors.
Children from the age of 12 can ride trains within the country unsupervised.
Handicapped passengers.
Reduced Mobility Customers requiring help while boarding and disembarking the train should consult the SIM – Integrated Mobility Service – Procedure Manual and the list of stations with SIM for Wheelchairs and Mobility Scooters. They should also make sure to book the SIM.
Seat reservations in trains in 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.
Comfort classes on the trains.
First-class tickets on Portuguese trains generally cost 50% more than “tourist” class (i.e. second-class) tickets. The main perks are more legroom and larger seats. You can also order food but that’s extra. Seats are arranged in a 2+1 configuration—one row has one seat the other row has two seats.
Otherwise, the tourist/second class is perfectly comfortable. Seats are arranged in a 2+2 configuration—both rows have two seats.
Food and drink in trains / train restaurant in Portugal.
IC trains only have a cafeteria car with sandwiches, hot and cold drinks, etc. There is no on-site service. Most passengers take their own food and drinks on board.
Meals on AP trains must be ordered in advance. In 1st class, meals are provided on site.
This page, in Portuguese only, lists those AP trains where meals are provided - https://www.cp.pt/StaticFiles/Passageiros/3_viajar/0_servicos/ap/alfa-pendular-servico-refeicao.pdf.
On other AP trains, meals are only available in the cafeteria.
Night trains in Portugal?
There is no separate category of night trains in Portugal at the moment. There are trains that depart late and arrive at night, but they do not have sleeping cars.
Important train routes in Portugal.
Lisbon – Braga /from 3:28 hours / from 26,75 EUR / every hour
Lisbon – Coimbra/ from 1:42 hour/ from 14,05 EUR / every half hour to an hour
Lisbon – Faro/ from 3:00 hour/ from 22,15 EUR / 5 trains a day
Lisbon – Porto/ from 2:49 hour/ from 18,35 EUR / every half hour to an hour
Porto – Coimbra / from 1:21 hour/ from 8,95 EUR / every hour
Porto – Braga/ from 0:37 hour/ from 5,70 EUR / every 1-2 hours
Porto – Faro/ from 5:51 hour/ from 43,30 EUR / 5 trains a day
International train routes.
From Portugal it is possible to get to neighboring Spain by train.
Tourist / scenic routes in Portugal.
Cross the bridge to Setubal
Setubal, a popular day trip destination for Lisboners, is about an hour from the Portuguese capital by train, and the journey is quick, cheap and scenic. You'll cross the Tagus on Ponte 25 de Abril, which offers views of Lisbon, Belém and other cities. Ponte 25 de Abril was built by the American Bridge Company, which also built the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge but, perhaps surprisingly, did not build the visually similar Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge first opened as the Ponte Salazar in 1966, but the railroad deck has only been in use since 1999. As you drive over the bridge, you'll see the giant Cristo Rei statue up close, and then the train will pass under the Aqueduto das Aguas Livres, built in the 18th century.
Unlike other lines in Portugal, the train to Setubal is operated by a private company called Fertagus. You can board at Roma-Areeiro, Entrecampos, Sete Rios or Campolide stations in Lisbon, and no advance booking is necessary. The trains are air-conditioned and have plenty of room for bicycles and luggage if you avoid rush hour.
Along the Tagus to Cascais
this short rail excursion reaches the beautiful beaches of Cascais, skirting the Tagus and passing under Ponte 25 de Abril on the way to and through Belém. You may wish to visit other beaches along this route, such as Praia de Carcavelos. Try to get a seat on the left side of the train to be able to enjoy the view of the coast.
The train to Cascais is fast and cheap, costing just €2.25 per half-hour ride. There are several trains departing from Cais do Sodre every hour, but they can be quite busy at peak times.
Luggage information.
Passengers are allowed to carry hand luggage for personal use on CP trains free of charge, with the exception of dangerous materials and objects, as long as they do not disturb other passengers or damage the carriages and can fit on the luggage racks or under your seat.
Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra City Trains / Alfa Pendular / Intercidades / InterRegional / Regional:
Each passenger can carry one piece of luggage, not including laptop bags, valises, etc. More pieces are subject to space availability, and on Alfa Pendular and Intercidades trains this will be considered excess baggage, for which an additional fee will be charged as indicated in the price list.
International trains:
Each passenger can carry up to three pieces of luggage, as long as the largest of them does not exceed 85x55x35 cm and can fit on the luggage racks. Each piece of luggage must be labeled with the owner's name and address clearly written on it.
Bicycle on the train.
Folding bicycles and scooters can be carried on domestic and international trains free of charge. Collected bicycles may incur a charge, depending on the type of train.
Ski or snowboard on the train.
There is no information specifically about carrying skis or snowboards on Portuguese trains
Luggage lockers on the stations in Portugal.
Lisbon, Oporto, Braga and Coimbra train stations have lockers where you can safely leave your belongings. The time limit is 24 hours. Access times to the lockers coincide with the opening hours of the station.
Lost and Found Items.
Any items found on trains and at stations should be handed in to one of the customer service offices, ticket offices or ticket controllers.
If you lose something on a train or at a station, go to a customer service desk, ticket office or call the helpline for information on where to find it.
Pets on the trains.
Passengers may bring pets that are not dangerous, provided they are in an appropriate container that can be carried as hand luggage.
Dangerous pets are not allowed, as well as those that are in poor health, smell bad, disturb other passengers by their noise or size, are in poor health or hygiene, or those that, because of their odor, noise or other objectively significant reason, such as their size, may disturb passengers.
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