Porto to Lisbon — Best Ways to Travel (Train, Bus & Car 2026)

🇵🇹 Part of our 2 Weeks in Portugal — we travelled Porto → Lisbon on day 4 of our trip and took the Alfa Pendular train. Here is everything we learned.

Porto to Lisbon is about 315km — and it is one of the best-connected routes in Portugal. You have four real options: the high-speed Alfa Pendular train, the InterCidades train, the Rede Expressos coach, or driving. We took the train and would recommend it without hesitation.

Here is everything you need to know to choose the right option.

Option 1: Alfa Pendular Train (Our Recommendation)

Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Cost: €25–€35 (book in advance; prices rise closer to departure)
Frequency: 6–8 departures per day
Departs: Porto Campanhã
Arrives: Lisbon Oriente (or Lisbon Santa Apolónia for some services)

The Alfa Pendular (AP) is Portugal's flagship tilting train — modern, comfortable, with air conditioning, a dining car, and power sockets at every seat. It is significantly faster than driving (no traffic, no parking) and far more comfortable than the bus.

Book tickets at: CP (Comboios de Portugal) — book as far in advance as possible for the cheapest fares. Early-bird tickets sometimes go as low as €19.50.

Tip: Book the Alfa Pendular rather than the InterCidades if the price difference is small — the journey is 30–45 minutes faster and significantly more comfortable.

Our experience: We booked 3 days in advance on the CP website for €28 per person. The train departed from Porto Campanhã at 10:30am and arrived at Lisbon Oriente at 1:17pm. Comfortable seats, good café car, no delays. Highly recommended.

Option 2: InterCidades Train

Time: 3 hours 30 minutes–4 hours
Cost: €19–€28
Frequency: Multiple daily
Departs: Porto Campanhã
Arrives: Lisbon Oriente / Santa Apolónia

The IC train is slower than the Alfa Pendular but still comfortable and significantly cheaper if you book in advance. Comfortable seats, air conditioning. Makes more stops along the way.

Best for: Budget travellers who do not mind the extra 45 minutes.

Option 3: Rede Expressos Coach

Time: 3 hours 30 minutes–4 hours
Cost: €18–€24
Frequency: Multiple daily
Departs: Porto Campo 24 de Agosto bus station
Arrives: Lisbon Sete Rios bus station

Portugal's national coach network is efficient and comfortable. Modern coaches with Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and comfortable seats. The journey is slightly longer than the train but can be cheaper if you book last-minute.

Book at: Rede Expressos website

Best for: Last-minute travellers or those staying near the bus stations.

Option 4: Drive

Time: 3 hours 15 minutes (without traffic)
Cost: €20–€30 in fuel + tolls (~€20 in motorway tolls)
Route: A1 motorway south from Porto to Lisbon

Driving gives you flexibility — especially useful if you plan to stop en route at Coimbra, Aveiro, or Óbidos. However, parking in Lisbon is expensive and difficult, and the tolls add significantly to the cost. If you are not continuing south with a hire car, it is probably not worth it.

Best for: Those with a hire car who want to stop en route or continue south past Lisbon.

Hire car: Book through Discover Cars for the best deals.

Porto to Lisbon: Comparison Table

Porto to Lisbon: Which Station?

In Porto:

• Porto Campanhã — the main intercity station; all AP and IC trains depart from here. Located 3km east of the city centre; accessible by Metro (Line C to Campanhã).
• Porto São Bento — the beautiful azulejo-tiled station in the city centre handles only suburban trains, NOT intercity services to Lisbon.

In Lisbon:

• Lisbon Oriente — the main station for arriving trains from Porto; located in the modern Parque das Nações area, 10 minutes from the city centre by Metro (Red Line to Marquês de Pombal or Green Line).
• Lisbon Santa Apolónia — some services terminate here; located closer to the Alfama, 10 minutes' walk from the city centre.

Stops Worth Making on the Way (If Driving)

If you hire a car and drive, consider stopping at:

Aveiro (80km south of Porto) — Portugal's "Venice" — a small city of canals, art nouveau architecture, and the best ovos moles (egg yolk sweets) in Portugal. Allow 2–3 hours.

Coimbra (180km south of Porto) — Home to one of the world's oldest universities and its extraordinary baroque library (Biblioteca Joanina). Allow 3–4 hours.

Óbidos (80km north of Lisbon) — A perfectly preserved medieval walled town; a detour off the A8 motorway. Allow 1–2 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the train from Porto to Lisbon take? The Alfa Pendular takes 2 hours 45 minutes. The InterCidades takes 3 hours 30 minutes.

Is there a direct train from Porto to Lisbon? Yes — the Alfa Pendular and InterCidades both run direct with no changes required.

How much does the train from Porto to Lisbon cost? From approximately €19.50 (advance InterCidades) to €35 (last-minute Alfa Pendular). Book on the CP website as early as possible.

Can I buy Porto to Lisbon train tickets on the day? Yes, but prices will be higher. The cheapest fares are available weeks in advance. The trains rarely sell out on weekdays; weekend and public holiday services can book up.

Is the Porto to Lisbon train scenic? The early part of the journey south along the coast near Aveiro and the crossing of the Tagus estuary approaching Lisbon are the most scenic sections. The middle section is largely unremarkable.

After Lisbon, we headed to the Algarve — read our Lisbon to Lagos transport guide for the next leg of the journey.

What to Do at Each End

In Porto: 25 Things to Do in Porto · 3 Days in Porto Itinerary · Where to Stay in Porto · Porto City Card Review

In Lisbon: 3 Days in Lisbon Itinerary · Things to Do in Lisbon · Where to Stay in Lisbon · Lisbon Card Review

The full route: 2 Weeks in Portugal Itinerary