Trains & Buses
Portugal's public transport network is better than its reputation — between the major cities, you can get from A to B quickly and cheaply, but it becomes sparse in the countryside. For travelers without a rental car, the combination of train and bus is the best strategy.
🚂 Comboios de Portugal (CP) — The Train
The Portuguese railway connects the main cities and offers some of the most scenic train routes in Europe. The network is manageable, but the main routes are modern and punctual.
Main connections:
| Route | Train | Duration | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon → Porto | Alfa Pendular (high-speed train) | 2:40h | 22 € |
| Lisbon → Porto | Intercidades | 3:15h | 17 € |
| Lisbon → Faro (Algarve) | Alfa Pendular / Intercidades | 2:45h | 22 € |
| Lisbon → Évora | Intercidades | 1:30h | 12 € |
| Lisbon → Sintra | Suburban train (Linha de Sintra) | 0:40h | 2.30 € |
| Porto → Braga | Urbanos | 1:00h | 3.55 € |
| Porto → Guimarães | Urbanos | 1:15h | 3.55 € |
| Porto → Pinhão (Douro) | Regional | 3:30h | 15 € |
The Alfa Pendular is Portugal's high-speed train — modern, comfortable, with sockets and Wi-Fi, and runs the route Braga–Porto–Coimbra–Lisbon–Faro. Book online at cp.pt for the best prices (promo fares up to 65% cheaper!). The regional train Porto → Pinhão along the Douro is one of the most spectacular train rides in Europe — the window is your panoramic cinema over the vineyard terraces of the UNESCO World Heritage.
🚌 Long-distance buses
Rede Expressos (rede-expressos.pt) is Portugal's largest long-distance bus network and connects virtually every city and larger village. The buses are modern, air-conditioned, and cheap. FlixBus complements the network on the main routes and is sometimes even cheaper.
Example prices (Rede Expressos):
- Lisbon → Porto: from 15 €, 3.5h
- Lisbon → Lagos (Algarve): from 15 €, 4h
- Lisbon → Évora: from 10 €, 1:45h
- Porto → Braga: from 6 €, 1h
- Faro → Lagos: from 5 €, 1:45h
Buses are often the better choice for the Algarve, as the train network there only serves the main line Faro–Lagos (and the stations are often outside the towns). The buses, on the other hand, go directly to the city centers. For the Alentejo and smaller towns in the hinterland, buses are often the only public connection — but with limited schedules (sometimes only 1–2 buses per day, especially on weekends).
Interrail & Saver Tickets
The Interrail Pass is valid on CP trains and can be worthwhile for multi-day rail tourism (daily rate from about 30 €). CP itself offers promo fares that are up to 65% cheaper than the regular price — book 2–4 weeks in advance on cp.pt. A Lisbon–Porto ticket at the promo price costs only 9 € instead of 22 €. However, these tickets are bound to a specific train and non-exchangeable.
💡 Tipp
The train ride Porto → Pinhão through the Douro Valley is an absolute highlight — you travel 3.5 hours directly along the river through UNESCO vineyard terraces. Take the earliest train, sit on the right side (downstream left), and enjoy the show. The ticket costs only 15 € and the route is more beautiful than any organized tour.