Portugal by Train: How It Works
Traveling in Portugal by train: train types, tickets and discounts, seat reservations, luggage, main routes and journey times, stations and tips.
January 6, 2026 • 5 min read
Portugal by Train: How It Works
Portugal's Train Types
The Alfa Pendular has two classes, Conforto (first) and Turística (second), Wi-Fi and a bar. If you hold an Alfa Pendular reservation, you can use the CP lounge at Lisbon Oriente for free, up to two hours before departure.
Main Routes and Journey Times
Check the timetable on cp.pt before you travel, as times and connections change. There is no direct train between Lisbon and Madrid.
Tickets and Discounts
- Where to buy. On cp.pt, in the CP app, at ticket machines or at station ticket offices. You can reserve up to 60 days ahead.
- Promo tickets. On the Alfa Pendular and Intercidades, CP sells a limited number of discounted seats. Buy at least 5 days ahead for up to 56% off, or 8 days or more ahead for up to 65% off. Once the Promo seats sell out, the normal fare applies.
- Promo conditions. Promo tickets can be exchanged but not refunded, and from August 2026 they are sold only online and at ticket machines.
- Suburban trains. Around Lisbon, use a reloadable navegante card for trains to Sintra and Cascais.
Summer trains to the Algarve sell out, so book early for July and August.
Luggage
On domestic trains, CP allows one piece of hand luggage free, plus a laptop or handbag. It must fit on the overhead rack or under your seat. On the Alfa Pendular and Intercidades, extra luggage is charged a fee on board. Folded bicycles and scooters count as hand luggage. Travel light if you can, as racks fill up on busy trains.
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Stations to Know
- Lisbon Oriente: the main station for trains to the Algarve and the north, with the metro to the center and the airport.
- Lisbon Santa Apolónia: by Alfama, the end of the line for many trains from Porto.
- Lisbon Rossio: in the center, for trains to Sintra.
- Lisbon Cais do Sodré: on the river, for trains to Cascais.
- Porto Campanhã: Porto's main station for trains to Lisbon, the Algarve and Vigo.
- Porto São Bento: in the center, famous for its tiled hall, with trains to the Douro Valley.
Where the Train Does Not Go
Some places are easier by car or bus: the Costa Vicentina, the villages of the Alentejo, the Almendres megaliths, the Peneda-Gerês National Park and many beaches. A good mix is the train between cities and a car for a few days in the region you want to explore.
What Is Coming: High-Speed Rail
Portugal is building a high-speed line between Porto and Lisbon, planned in three phases, starting with Porto to Soure. When finished, after 2030, it is expected to cut the trip to about 1 hour 15 minutes, from about 2 hours 50 minutes today. A high-speed link between Lisbon and Madrid is also planned, but not before the 2030s.
Tips for Traveling by Train
- Sit on the right from Porto to Pinhão for the Douro views.
- Arrive a little early, especially at Lisbon Oriente and Porto Campanhã, which are large stations.
- Lisboa is Lisbon. Station boards and tickets use the Portuguese names.
- Bring water and snacks on regional trains, as the bar is on the Alfa Pendular.
- Check for strikes and works. Delays or bus replacements happen, so check cp.pt before you go.
Our Train Trips
