If you are visiting Portugal as part of a longer trip around Europe a European Rail Pass may be more economical. There are a number of passes available covering certain regions as well as individual countries. There are reductions for passengers under 26.
The Portuguese RailPass & Iberic Rail Pass (available to non-European residents) allows: Any 4 days unlimited train travel in a 15 day period and 1st class train travel.
Full information and online booking for all rail passes is available from Rail Europe
Rail Routes into Portugal
London to Lisbon via the Channel Tunnel and riding the French TGV takes over 24 hours. There are 2 main rail routes into Portugal:
From Paris via Bordeaux, Biarritz, Irún, San Sebastian and
Guarda to Lisbon.
Change at Guarda for Coimbra & Porto.
From Irún to Madrid crossing into Portugal at Marvão-Beirã
and then on to Lisbon.
For journeys on to the Algarve change at Lisbon.
The Portuguese national rail company CP operates all trains in Portugal. Faro, Lisbon, Coimbra and Porto are all connected by high-speed trains.
Train Types
Rápidos - the fastest, most expensive service on
the Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto main run. Known as alfa.
Intercidades - inter-city services; advanced booking necessary.
Inter-regional - these trains stop at the main stations.
Regional - slow, local services.
There are also car-train services available on the main routes where you can take your car on the train.
Full information and schedules for express and local trains in Portugal are available at www.cp.pt
For information on city stations see our Portugal City Guide
