How to get from Lisbon to Porto

The train wins on both time and comfort for most travellers. CP's Alfa Pendular is the fast service, covering the roughly 300 km between Lisbon and Porto in about 2h50 to 3h20 depending on the departure and which Lisbon station you use. Intercidades trains run the same corridor more slowly and usually cost less.

The bus is the budget option. Rede Expressos and FlixBus run coaches between Lisbon's Sete Rios or Oriente terminals and Porto's Campo 24 de Agosto or Casa da Música, taking around 3h30 to 4h30. Advance promotional tickets can undercut the train, but the journey is longer and less comfortable.

Flying is rarely worth it. Lisbon to Porto is about 45 minutes in the air, but once you add airport transfers, security and baggage, door-to-door time is close to the train, and fares are not reliably cheaper.

Trains leave from Lisbon Oriente (main departure point, with metro and suburban connections) and Santa Apolónia (closer to the historic centre). Both reach Porto Campanhã; some services continue to Porto São Bento in the city centre. If your hotel is in Ribeira or near Aliados, São Bento saves a metro hop.

Buses are the fallback when trains are full or expensive. They use Lisbon's Sete Rios and Oriente terminals and drop in Porto at Campo 24 de Agosto or Casa da Música, both with metro access. Journey times stretch in traffic, especially around Lisbon at peak hours.

Driving the A1 motorway takes about 3 hours without stops, but many tolls are electronic-only, so arrange a transponder or pay at a post office afterwards. Parking in central Porto and Lisbon is expensive and scarce, which is another reason most travellers leave the car behind.

Book CP train tickets on the official CP website or app. Fares are cheapest when bought well in advance; prices climb as departure approaches and popular weekend services sell out. You get an e-ticket with a QR code, so no printing is needed. Seat reservation is included with the ticket.

Bus tickets are sold on the Rede Expressos and FlixBus sites and apps, and at terminal counters. Promotional fares are limited and non-refundable, so check the change rules before buying.

Flights are booked directly with TAP or Ryanair. For all modes, paying in euros avoids conversion fees; a card without foreign transaction fees is the simplest option.

Arrive 15–20 minutes before departure at Lisbon Oriente or Santa Apolónia; the platforms are a short walk from the concourse. At Porto Campanhã, follow signs for the metro if you are heading to the centre, or stay on the train if it continues to São Bento.

Second class on the Alfa Pendular is comfortable and has power sockets and Wi-Fi. First class adds more space for a modest premium. If you are continuing to the Douro Valley, Porto Campanhã is the interchange for trains up the river.

Consider breaking the trip in Coimbra, roughly halfway, if you have time. It is a straightforward stop on the same line and worth a night.

The line runs north from Lisbon through Coimbra and Aveiro before reaching Porto. Coimbra is about 1h40 from Lisbon by fast train, and Aveiro about 2h10. Both are useful stops if you want to split the journey.

At Porto, Campanhã is the main long-distance station east of the centre; São Bento is the central station near Aliados and the Ribeira. Metro lines connect both to the rest of the city.