Yes — there are trains from Porto to Lisbon, and they run often. Comboios de Portugal (CP), the national railway, operates roughly 15 to 19 departures a day on this route, making it one of the easiest and most reliable ways to travel across Portugal. This guide covers everything: duration, cost, timetable, the route map, and how to get to the station if you’re flying into Porto.
Are There Trains from Porto to Lisbon?
Yes. Trains from Porto to Lisbon run throughout the day, roughly every 45 minutes to an hour at peak times, operated by CP. All services depart from Porto Campanhã, the city’s main long-distance station, and arrive in Lisbon at either Santa Apolónia or Lisboa Oriente, depending on the specific train. There’s no need to book weeks in advance for availability, though earlier booking gets you a better price.
Porto to Lisbon Train Duration: Alfa Pendular vs Intercidades
Two train types run this route, and the one you pick affects both your travel time and your fare.
Porto to Lisbon Train Duration: Alfa Pendular
The Alfa Pendular is Portugal’s high-speed, tilting train, and it has the shortest Porto to Lisbon train time — as little as 2 hours 35 minutes, though some departures take closer to 2 hours 50 minutes depending on how many stops they make along the way. It reaches speeds up to 220 km/h and comes with free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and a café-bar carriage.
Intercidades Duration
The Intercidades (IC) is CP’s standard long-distance train. It’s slightly slower, with a Porto to Lisbon train duration of around 3 hours to 3 hours 20 minutes, but it costs noticeably less than the Alfa Pendular.
Porto to Lisbon Train Cost
Ticket prices depend on the train type and class:
| Train | 2nd Class | 1st Class |
|---|---|---|
| Alfa Pendular | €35.70 | €49.90 |
| Intercidades | €28.05 | €41.50 |
(Fares reflect CP’s standard one-way pricing effective January 2026.)
If you’re flexible on dates, CP releases discounted Promo fares roughly 60 days before departure, which can bring the Porto to Lisbon train cost down to as low as €16. These are non-refundable, so they suit travelers who already have a fixed itinerary.
A few discounts are worth knowing about: children under 4 travel free without needing a seat, kids aged 4–12 get 50% off, travelers under 25 get 25% off, and those 65 and older get 50% off. Round-trip tickets also save around 10% compared to booking two separate one-way fares.
How to Buy Porto to Lisbon Train Tickets
The safest way to book is directly through cp.pt, CP’s official site, or through Omio, one of the few third-party platforms authorized to sell official CP tickets. Booking online guarantees you a reserved seat — walk-up counter tickets are usually priced at the full fare with no discount.
Porto to Lisbon Train Schedule and Timetable
The first trains typically leave Porto Campanhã in the early morning, and the last departures run until around 9 or 10 PM, with services spaced fairly evenly through the day. Because CP adjusts its exact timetable seasonally, the best way to check the current trains from Porto to Lisbon timetable is directly on cp.pt or Omio, where you can search by your travel date and see live departure times, remaining seats, and fares.
Porto to Lisbon Train Route Map
This route runs along Portugal’s Linha do Norte, the country’s main north-south rail line. From Porto Campanhã, trains head south through the interior, with some Intercidades services calling at Coimbra-B and Aveiro along the way. The Alfa Pendular typically skips most of these intermediate stops to keep its journey time down, arriving in Lisbon after covering a total distance of roughly 320–330 km.
Trains from Porto to Lisbon Airport: Getting to the Station
If you’re flying into Porto Airport (Francisco Sá Carneiro), there’s no direct train from the airport straight to Lisbon — you’ll first need to get into the city. The airport has its own metro station on Line E (the Violet Line), which runs directly to Porto Campanhã, the station your Lisbon train departs from, in about 30–35 minutes. A single metro ticket costs around €2–3. From Campanhã, you simply switch to your booked CP train toward Lisbon — no need to go into the city center first if you’re heading straight on to Lisbon.
Scenic Views on the Porto to Lisbon Train
One thing that often surprises first-time riders: this isn’t just a functional connection between two cities, it’s a genuinely scenic ride. The train passes through rolling Portuguese countryside, past small towns, and near Aveiro, sometimes nicknamed the “Portuguese Venice” for its canals and colorful boats. Whichever side of the train you sit on, expect a mix of farmland, riverside towns, and glimpses of the coast on clearer stretches — a relaxed way to see part of Portugal you wouldn’t catch by air.
Station Guide: Porto Campanhã and Lisbon Stations
In Porto, all Lisbon-bound trains leave from Porto Campanhã. If you’re staying near the historic center, note that Campanhã is about a 30-minute walk from São Bento station — CP offers a free connecting local train between the two, useful if you’d rather not walk with luggage.
In Lisbon, most trains arrive at Santa Apolónia, close to the city center, while some instead terminate at Lisboa Oriente, a striking Santiago Calatrava-designed station further out but well connected by metro. Check your specific ticket, since it varies by departure.
Practical Tips for Your Journey
- Seat reservations are compulsory on both Alfa Pendular and Intercidades — you can’t board with an unreserved ticket.
- Book Promo fares early if your travel dates are fixed; they sell out well before departure.
- Arrive 15–20 minutes ahead, especially during summer or holiday weekends.
- Luggage allowance is one free piece up to 85 x 55 x 35 cm, plus a personal item like a backpack — extra bags may incur a fee.
- Charge your devices beforehand if you’re on an Intercidades train, since Wi-Fi and power outlets are more limited than on the Alfa Pendular.
Other Ways to Travel from Porto to Lisbon
By Air
Flight time is under an hour, but once you add airport transfers, check-in, and security, total travel time is often similar to the train — usually at a higher cost.
By Bus
Rede Expressos runs frequent buses on this route, taking around 3 hours 15 minutes. It’s typically the cheapest option, though less comfortable than the train for a trip this length.
By Car
Driving via the A1 motorway takes about 3 hours, giving you flexibility to stop along the way — though you’ll need to budget for tolls and city parking at both ends.
FAQs
Are there trains from Porto to Lisbon?
Yes. CP runs roughly 15 to 19 trains a day between Porto and Lisbon, using Alfa Pendular and Intercidades services.
What is the Porto to Lisbon train duration?
The Alfa Pendular takes about 2 hours 35 minutes to 2 hours 50 minutes. The Intercidades takes around 3 hours to 3 hours 20 minutes.
How much does a Porto to Lisbon train ticket cost?
Standard fares are €35.70 (Alfa Pendular, 2nd class) or €28.05 (Intercidades, 2nd class). Promo fares booked early can drop to around €16.
Is there a direct train from Porto Airport to Lisbon?
No. You’ll take the Line E metro from Porto Airport to Porto Campanhã station (about 30–35 minutes), then board your CP train to Lisbon from there.
Which station do trains depart from in Porto?
All trains to Lisbon depart from Porto Campanhã, the city’s main long-distance rail station.
Which station do I arrive at in Lisbon?
Most trains arrive at Santa Apolónia, close to the city center. Some terminate at Lisboa Oriente instead — check your specific ticket.
Do I need to book a seat in advance?
Yes. Seat reservations are compulsory on both Alfa Pendular and Intercidades trains.
Is the Porto to Lisbon train scenic?
Yes. The route passes through Portuguese countryside and near Aveiro’s canals, making it a relaxed, scenic way to travel between the two cities.
Prices and schedules reflect Comboios de Portugal’s (CP) fares effective January 2026. Always confirm current details on cp.pt before booking.