Porto-North-Portugal.com
The best independent guide to Porto
Porto-North-Portugal.com
The best independent guide to Porto
Porto and Lisbon are the two largest cities in Portugal and are both fantastic tourist destinations in their own unique ways. Lisbon is the vibrant capital of Portugal and is also the location of the country’s main international airport.
For your journey from Porto to Lisbon there are many different transport options, which include express trains, intercity buses or driving along the A1 toll expressway.
Each mode of transport has its own advantages, but all take around 3 hours to cover the 310 km distance between the two cities.
Train travel is generally more comfortable, with fares starting from €26.85, whereas express buses have slightly longer journey times, but offer fares as low as €7.99.
This guide will detail the best ways to travel from Porto to Lisbon, as well as provide links to transport companies and useful travel advice.
Related articles: Introduction to Porto – Our Lisbon guide
The express train service between Porto and Lisbon is fast and modern
There are many possible ways to travel between Porto and Lisbon and include:
FlixBus
The cheapest and one of the best options for travelling from Porto to Lisbon, that offer over 25 daily departures. The route between Porto and Lisbon is direct, and takes only 3 hours 15 minutes. Fares vary depending on demand but can be as low as €7.99.
In Porto, FlixBus leaves from Campanhã bus station and terminate at Oriente bus station in Lisbon. The only downside is that their low-cost business model needs the buses to be nearly full, and they will often have at least 80% of the seats sold. For bookings see their website FlixBus
Comboios de Portugal (CP)
Express train travel from Porto to Lisbon is more expensive than bus travel, but the seats are more spacious and comfortable. There are two standards of train: the faster and more modern Alfa Pendular (AP) and the slightly cheaper Intercidades (IC) intercity.
The fastest train service, the Alfa Pendular, takes just 2 hours and 50 minutes, while seats on the Intercidades cost €26.85 for an adult single. Train travel between Porto and Lisbon is very luxurious, especially in first class, making it a great choice if you’re a higher-end traveller.
Trains depart from Porto's Campanhã train station, and in Lisbon, all trains stop at Oriente station, with most terminating at Santa Apolónia train station. For the latest timetables and ticket booking please see the Comboios de Portugal website: www.cp.pt/
Rede Expressos
This is the main intercity bus company of Portugal, which provides direct bus services from Porto to Lisbon. Their fares are typically more expensive than those of FlixBus but are still much cheaper than train travel.
Rede Expressos buses are generally less busy than the comparable FlixBus service; for instance, if you’re travelling solo, it’s likely you won't have someone sitting next to you. Rede Expressos have over 20 daily departures from Campanhã bus station to Lisbon, and the journey time is 3 hours 15 minutes.
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Driving along the A1 expressway
Driving along the A1 Expressway – Porto and Lisbon are connected by the A1 Expressway, and the journey takes approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes to drive, plus any traffic in the cities. The A1 is a toll expressway, with a surprisingly high toll of €22.50. This makes the journey by car, when petrol is factored in, similar in cost to the train fare for two people.
Popular destinations include Aveiro, Coimbra, and Tomar, and if you detour via the A8, Nazaré and Óbidos.
Private Transfer
Transfers in Portugal are expensive, with a journey from Porto to Lisbon costing around €400. This cost is significantly higher than that of the train, which is far more comfortable. A private transfer is available through GetYourGuide.com
Travel by Plane
Both Porto and Lisbon have airports; however, it is impractical to fly this short distance. When combining flight time and airport transit times, it is significantly quicker to travel by train or bus.
Advice: While many third-party websites sell train and bus tickets, it is advisable to book directly with the transport companies. Buying directly will reduce booking fees and ensure each company is more accommodating if there are issues.
The Estação do Oriente in Lisbon is ultra-modern and located in the Parque das Nações district.
All of the methods detailed above have their advantages and disadvantages, and are better suited for different styles of traveller.
If you are a budget or cash conscious traveller, then FlixBus is the best option for you. However, if you are an older visitor or prefer comfort over price, then the train is the better choice.
We do not recommend hiring a car solely for the journey from Porto to Lisbon. Driving along the A1 expressway is very easy, but navigating the cities can be extremely challenging due to heavy traffic, confusing road layouts, and limited parking.
Opting for a private transfer between Porto and Lisbon can be unnecessarily expensive, given that first-class train travel is much more comfortable
Insight: Given the distance and length of the journey, it is not advisable to consider Lisbon as a day trip from Porto. It is always recommended to spend at least three days in the Portuguese capital.
Rede Expressos and FlixBus services at Oriente bus station in Lisbon
If there's one key takeaway from this article, it should be to book your tickets (for both bus and train) well in advance of your journey. Booking in advance will not only save you money but also secure your seats, as popular services often sell out during peak season.
Express train services between Porto and Lisbon have a limited number of seats, and once sold out, no more tickets will be available. There is no standing space allowed on the Alfa Pendular or Intercidades trains.
Buses between Porto and Lisbon can get extremely busy during popular times, such as Friday evenings and weekends.
Both FlixBus and Rede Expressos use dynamic pricing, where seat prices start low and then increase with demand. FlixBus is generally cheaper than Rede Expressos; however, it is always worth checking both websites.
The following sections will detail bus and train travel in depth.
Intercity bus travel in Portugal is safe, and the buses are modern and clean.
Bus travel is the cheapest method of travel from Porto to Lisbon, and the journey times are similar to the Intercidades trains (at 3hours 15minutes).
FlixBus provides the lowest fares, and since it began operating, the price of bus travel has significantly fallen in Portugal. The downside to the low prices is that FlixBus buses are often more than 80% full.
Rede Expressos is the main intercity bus company of Portugal, serving every major town within the country. The bus company is a conglomerate of other smaller bus operators, and certain Porto to Lisbon routes may be served by Renex.
Between FlixBus and Rede Expressos there are over 50 daily departures from Porto to Lisbon, and fares can be as low as €7.99 if book far enough in advance.
The buses have space for luggage, which is stored in compartments on the side of the bus. Onboard, the buses offer USB chargers and even WiFi, but they do not have toilets.
For the latest timetables and to purchase tickets, please visit the Rede Expressos or FlixBus websites:
Rede Expressos - rede-expressos.pt/
Flixbus - FlixBus
Porto has a single intercity bus terminal at Campanhã, which is also connected to the city's main train station.
The Terminal Intermodal de Campanhã (often abbreviated to TIC or simply referred to as Campanhã) is situated to the east of Porto, at GPS 41.151, -8.582. The bus station is connected to the metro; however, a connection at Trindade is necessary if you are travelling from the historic centre of Porto.
For this journey from your accommodation to the bus station, it's probably easier to take an Uber or Bolt (€4-5), or a taxi (€7-9), especially if travelling with heavy luggage.
Campanhã is a busy bus station, with over 40,000 people passing through daily and more than 700 departures. It is a modern complex, with ticket offices, shops, and toilet facilities on the first floor, and the bus departure bays on the ground floor.
In Lisbon, there are two intercity bus stations: Oriente and Sete Rios. All FlixBus services terminate at Oriente, while Rede Expressos services are split between the two bus stations.
Insight: Your ticket will specify the bus station at which you will be arriving.
Oriente bus station is situated in the Parque das Nações district, to the northeast of the city, with GPS: 38.767, -9.099). Oriente bus station is connected to the Oriente train station and is served by the red metro line.
Sete Rios Bus Station is located to the north of Lisbon (GPS: 38.741, -9.166) and is connected to the blue metro line by the Jardim Zoológico metro station.
Bus stations in Portugal are generally safe; however, you should remain vigilant when passing through, as pickpockets are always on the lookout for easy opportunities.
Sete Rios bus station
There are two classes of train service between Porto and Lisbon: the Alfa Pendular (AP) and the Intercidades (IC). The Alfa Pendular service is faster and offers superior facilities, including free WiFi and more comfortable seats, compared to the older Intercidades trains.
Both train services run directly and depart from/arrive at the same train stations. The train services from Porto to Lisbon are operated by Comboios de Portugal (CP), the national rail company of Portugal.
The Alfa Pendular train journey takes 2 hours and 50 minutes, while the Intercidades takes 3 hours and 15 minutes. There are 14 daily departures in each direction, and the latest timetable can be viewed on the CP website:
www.cp.pt/
(Note: The above link is a PDF and may download automatically on mobile phones.)
A single ticket on the Alfa Pendular train from Lisbon to Porto costs €47.40 for Conforto class and €33.90 for standard class, while the Intercidades is priced at €39.75 for first class and €26.85 for second class.
Discounts are available for children (50% off), under 25s (25% off), seniors aged 65 and over (50% off), and for purchasing a return ticket (10% off). If you use any of the age-based discounts, always travel with a valid ID to prove your age.
Train tickets must be pre-booked, as each ticket is for a designated seat. Tickets for popular services often sell out, and there is no standing room on the express trains.
All trains from Porto to Lisbon depart from Campanhã train station, which is connected to Campanhã bus station.
Note: The express trains do not depart from the São Bento train station, which is close to the historic centre of Porto. It is possible to catch an urban train from São Bento to Campanhã, and this 2 km ride is included in your ticket. Often, it is quicker and easier to get an Uber, Bolt, or taxi from your accommodation to Campanhã train station.
In Lisbon, all train services stop at Oriente train station, and most terminate at Santa Apolónia.
Insight: The Porto-Lisbon-Algarve express trains do not stop at Santa Apolónia. Therefore, it is advisable to always confirm your departure station on your ticket.
Oriente train station is located to the northeast of Lisbon and is situated in the Parque das Nações district, GPS: 38.7675, -9.099. This is the closest train station to the airport and is served by the red metro line.
Santa Apolónia train station is the final stop on the blue metro. The station has six platforms but is very easy to navigate and has a much calmer atmosphere than Oriente.
Santa Apolónia train station is located on the southern side of the Alfama district (GPS 38.714, -9.122) and is convenient for most visitors, as it is close to the historic centre of Lisbon. If your final destination is in the Baixa, Alfama, or Cais do Sodre districts, this station is the preferable option for transit.
Santa Apolónia train station is a calm and often quiet, and is easy to travel through
The journey from Porto to Lisbon follows the A1 expressway. This expressway is tolled, with the cost being €21.50, which is nearly the same as a train ticket.
Tolls can be paid using the Via Verde transponder, which you should request when renting a car in Portugal. Full details can be found on the Via Verde website:
visitors.viaverde.pt
If you plan to drive a foreign-registered car, please refer to this website:
www.portugaltolls.com/
Having a Via Verde transponder is highly recommended when driving in Portugal, as many expressways only offer automatic toll collection. To estimate the cost of tolls in Portugal, you can use the following website:
https://