Portugal is known for many things. Beautiful towns and cities, gastronomy, beaches attract many visitors every year. Portugal has more than 2,700 kilometers of railway network. Train travel in Portugal is very good way to explore the west of the country. Some railway lines in eastern Portugal were closed in the 1990s and early 21st century and dismantled. There are many places in this part of the country that trains cannot reach.
Last updated: 27.04.2024
The first railway line in Portugal was inaugurated on 28 October 1856 from Lisbon to Carregado. Construction started three years earlier. In 1863 the line was extended to the Spanish border.
Railway reached Porto in 1877. Most beautiful railway line in Portugal from Porto to Douro was opened in 1883.
In 1895 tracks reached Faro.
In 1926 the railway between Cascais and Lisbon was electrified.
In 1999 the high-speed Alfa Pendular trains were introduced on the routes Lisbon – Porto, Lisbon – Faro and Porto – Braga.
The early years of the 21st century saw the closure of almost all narrow gauge railways in Portugal.
Currently, the construction of the high-speed railway line from Evora to Badajoz is underway. There are plans to replace old passenger vehicles – new trains were already ordered.
Train travel in Portugal – domestic trains
Traveling by train in Portugal is relatively easy and inexpensive. Trains connect most important cities and many tourist destinations. Rolling stock varies – there are modern tilting trains, EX-Renfe Arco carriages, old but comfortable Intercity carriages and diesel multiple units – some of them were refurbished. The most famous and most beautiful railway line is Douro Valley line from Porto.
Almost all passenger trains are operated by CP (Comboios de Portugal). Some trains between Lisbon and Setubal are operated by Fertagus. There is also beach railway in Tavira and funiculars.
Most beautiful railway stations are Porto São Bento, Lisboa Oriente and Lisboa Rossio.
Ticket prices are moderate. There are many discounts – for youth and families. You can often buy single tickets at promotional prices. If you want to travel by train in Portugal without limitations for a few days, there is a Portugal Rail Pass or you can use an Interrail. For tourists planning to travel by train in Lisbon and the surrounding area has been prepared an offer Bilhete Turistico.
Useful websites
Comboios de Portugal – official website. Timetable, prices, online shop, discounts.
Fertagus – official website.
Railway map of Portugal (source: Comboios de Portugal)
Most popular train routes in Portugal:
Lisbon – Porto via Coimbra and Aveiro
Lisbon – Faro
Faro – Lagos
Porto – Braga
Porto – Guimaraes
Porto – Pocinho
Lisbon – Cascais
Lisbon – Evora
Categories of trains in Portugal
Comboios de Portugal uses four categories of domestic trains in its timetables:
Comboios Urbanos – urban and suburban trains in Lisbon area, Porto area and Coimbra. Usually diesel multiple units. They stop at all stations. Some of the trains have no toilet on board.
Regional and InterRegional – usually diesel multiple trains between towns or small cities or between Lisbon or Porto and towns.
Intercidades – Intercity trains. Long-distance trains connect the country’s main towns and cities. Usually comprised of locomotive, 1st and 2nd class coaches, bistro carriage or vending machines. In 1st class there electic power sockets available in some seats. 2nd class seats are arranged 2+2, 1st class seats 2+1. Carriages are equipped with air-conditioning. Intercidades train stop at designated stations only. Seat reservation is compulsory.
Alfa Pendular – fastest and most expensive trains in Portugal. Tilting train CP 4000 (Pendolino). Alfa Pendular trains run on the route Braga – Porto – Lisbon – Faro. Facilities on board: Wi-Fi, nappy changing facilities, toilets and seats reserved and adapted for people with reduced mobility. The onboard cafeteria and bar service is available at number 3 carriage. You can choose between Turistica (2nd class) or Conforto Classes (1st class). There are power sockets in every seat. Seat reservation is compulsory.
Most popular discounts and passes
Comboios de Portugal offers many discounts. There are some interesting tickets:
Passe Ferroviaro Nacional – similar to a very popular Deutschlandticket in Germany. National Railway Pass allows to unlimited travel in regional trains for a month. It’s a new pass valid for all regional trains throughout the country. The monthly pass (calendar month) is loaded onto a CP card. The cards are on sale from the 21st of the month before they are valid. Price is 49 EUR (2024).
The CP card may be requested at ticket offices by presenting the following documents:
Official identification document: Citizen’s Card, Identity Card, Driving License or Passport;
One current (original) colour passport-type photograph;
Completion of the CP card requisition form (paid)
Assinatura Semanal Porto – Porto weekly pass The weekly pass lets you travel as often as you want over a particular route for 7 days in a row. This weekly pass must be accompanied by a Siga card but does noit need to be validated. You can buy it up to 15 days in advance of when you want to start using it. There are no age limits.
– you can buy promo tickets in advance with a discount up to 65%
Bilhete Turístico de comboio – tourist pass allows to unlimited travel on the Lisbon urban trains (Sintra/Azambuja, Cascais and Sado lines), the Oporto urban trains (Aveiro, Braga, Guimarães and Marco lines) and the Algarve line regional trains. In Lisbon and Porto areas provides unlimited travel for 1 or 3 days (24 or 72 hours in a row), in Algarve regional lines provides unlimited journeys for 2 or 3 consecutive days on the Algarve Line Regional trains.
Portugal Rail Pass – the pass allows unlimited travel for three or seven days in a month on all Alfa Pendular, Intercidades, Regional/InterRegional and Urban trains. It can be bought only by people who do not live in Portugal. The card is valid for a month as of the purchase date. There are passes for adults and for children with discount.
Portugal Rail Pass – more information
There are discounts for youths, seniors, groups and families. Return ticket is 10% cheaper that one-way ticket.
Train travel in Portugal – international trains
In the north and east Portugal borders on Spain, and in the south and west it touches the Atlantic Ocean.
Currently, there are international trains between Portugal and Spain:
Porto – Vigo train – train from Porto to Vigo, branded “Celta” is an international train operated by refurbished Portuguese diesel multiple unit. Trains run twice daily in each direction – in the morning and in the evening. Train starts at Porto Campanha station, stops in Nine, Viana do Castelo and Valenca. The end station is Vigo, Spain. Journey time is around 80 minutes.
There is a train connection between Lisboa and Madrid with two changes in Entroncamento and Badajoz.
Sud Express from Lisbon to Irun, Spain or Hendaye, France is suspended. RENFE sold Trenhotel trains and there is only a slim chance to reinstate overnight trains from Lisbon to Iron and Madrid.
The railway line from Faro ends in Vila Real de Santo Antonio, close to the border with Spain. On the Spanish side there is no railway line from the city of Ayamonte. International Guadiana Bridge has only lanes for road traffic.
Related articles:
Railways in Europe by country
Narrow-gauge railways in Portugal
Funicular railways in Portugal
Trains in Faro
