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Lisbon and Porto are about 300 km apart, linked by Portugal’s main railway, a toll motorway, frequent coaches and a short air shuttle. Many visitors from the US fly into Lisbon, spend a few days there and then head north, or fly home from Porto. The choice of how to make the trip is easier than it looks.
01The quick comparison
| Option | Centre to centre | Fare (one way) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alfa Pendular train | 2 h 48 min to about 3 h (timetabled) | €35.70 Turística · €49.90 Conforto (2026 full fare) | Most travelers |
| Intercidades train | About 3 h 15 min | €28.05 2nd · €41.50 1st (2026 full fare) | Saving a little; more departure times |
| Coach (FlixBus, Rede Expressos) | From 3 h 15 min | Varies by date; often the cheapest | Tight budgets; late bookings |
| Flight (TAP shuttle) | About an hour in the air, plus two airports | Varies widely | Connecting to another flight |
| Car | About 300 km on the A1 toll motorway | Hire, fuel and tolls | Combining with the Douro or coast |
Train fares are CP’s published 2026 full fares; CP also sells cheaper advance and discounted tickets. Coach and air fares change constantly, so we do not list them.
02By train: Alfa Pendular and Intercidades
Comboios de Portugal (CP) runs two long-distance services on the Lisbon–Porto line. Both leave from Lisbon Santa Apolónia, near the Alfama, and call at Lisbon Oriente about ten minutes later, then run north via Coimbra-B and Aveiro to Porto Campanhã. Some trains continue to Braga or Guimarães.
- Alfa Pendular is the faster tilting train. The quickest timetabled journeys take 2 h 48 min from Santa Apolónia. Classes are Turística (standard) and Conforto (first), at €35.70 and €49.90 one way at 2026 full fare.
- Intercidades stops more often and takes about 3 h 15 min. At 2026 full fare it costs €28.05 in 2nd class and €41.50 in 1st.
Both trains also stop at Gaia (Vila Nova de Gaia–Devesas station) just before Porto, handy if you are staying among the Port lodges; the Alfa Pendular fare to Gaia is the same as to Campanhã. Tickets come with an assigned seat; buy from CP’s website or app, or at the station. On busy Friday and Sunday afternoons and in summer, book a few days ahead.
Arriving at Campanhã
Campanhã is Porto’s main station, east of the centre. From there, CP’s suburban trains take a few minutes to São Bento in the heart of the city. The metro also serves Campanhã, and taxis wait outside. If you are staying in Ribeira with heavy bags, a taxi straight to the door is worth it.
You can also book directly with CP – Comboios de Portugal, the operator, at the same fares.
03Straight from Lisbon airport
If you land in Lisbon and want to go straight to Porto, you do not need to go into central Lisbon. The red metro line runs from the airport to Oriente, where you can board the same Alfa Pendular and Intercidades trains. Allow plenty of time after a transatlantic arrival for immigration, baggage and the metro, and buy a flexible ticket or a later train in case your flight is delayed. Coaches also leave from Oriente.
04By coach: FlixBus and Rede Expressos
Coaches are the budget option. FlixBus’s route page lists a minimum trip time of 3 h 15 min for the 304 km run, with Lisbon stops at Oriente and the Sete Rios coach terminal, and arrival at the Terminal Intermodal de Campanhã in Porto, next to the railway station. Rede Expressos, Portugal’s national coach network, also runs the route.
Coaches make sense when trains are full, when you book late, or when the price difference matters for a group. They are less comfortable than the Alfa Pendular, can be slower in traffic, and Campanhã is a connection away from the old town.
05By air
TAP Air Portugal operates a Lisbon–Porto air shuttle, and the flight itself is short, around an hour on the schedule. Once you add the trip to the airport, security, boarding and the journey into Porto, it is rarely faster than the train from one city centre to the other. Flying makes sense mainly when you are connecting to or from a long-haul flight on the same ticket, because your bags are checked through and you are protected if the first flight is late.
Arriving at Porto airport, metro line E reaches Trindade in the centre in about 27 minutes. Our airport guide covers the metro, taxis and private transfers.
06By car
Driving takes about three hours on the A1 motorway, which has tolls. A car rarely makes sense for the cities themselves: parking in central Porto is scarce and expensive, and the old town’s lanes are not built for it. It does make sense if you want to stop on the way (Coimbra, Aveiro or the Bairrada wine region) or plan to continue to the Douro Valley or the coast. Many rental cars in Portugal come with an electronic toll device; ask the rental company how tolls are charged before you drive off.
07Which Lisbon station, and which ticket?
Santa Apolónia is the terminus, on the riverfront below the Alfama, and the easiest boarding if you are staying in the old town or Baixa: trains start here, so there is time to find your carriage. Oriente, in the Parque das Nações, is the better choice if you are coming from the airport or staying in the east of the city, and it is also where coaches stop. The fare is the same from either station.
On the ticket, the choice is mainly between Alfa Pendular and Intercidades, and between classes. Conforto on the Alfa Pendular, or first class on the Intercidades, buys a wider seat and a quieter carriage; on a three-hour trip that is a reasonable upgrade for a luxury itinerary. Discounted fares, where offered, can have stricter change and refund rules than full fares, so check the conditions before you pay.
With luggage, there is space at the ends of carriages and above the seats. Travelers with reduced mobility can request assistance from CP in advance; ask when you book.
08Tips for a smooth trip north
- Watch for the river. The line crosses the Douro between Gaia and Campanhã at the very end of the trip; have your bags ready before the bridge.
- Bring snacks. The Alfa Pendular has a café-bar, but it can be busy.
- Mind the gap in timing. Long-distance trains are usually punctual, but a late arrival makes an evening dinner booking tight. Leave an hour of slack.
- Consider staying near your exit. If you are leaving Porto early by train, a hotel in the Baixa near São Bento makes the morning easy. See where to stay.
QuestionsFrequently asked
How long is the train from Lisbon to Porto?
The fastest Alfa Pendular trains take about 2 hours 48 minutes from Lisbon Santa Apolónia to Porto Campanhã; Intercidades take about 3 hours 15 minutes.
How much is the train from Lisbon to Porto?
At CP’s 2026 full fares, the Alfa Pendular costs €35.70 in Turística and €49.90 in Conforto one way; Intercidades cost €28.05 in 2nd and €41.50 in 1st. Advance and discounted fares can be cheaper.
Is it better to take the train or bus from Lisbon to Porto?
The train is faster and more comfortable for most travelers. The coach can be cheaper, especially when booked late, and takes from about 3 hours 15 minutes.
Should I fly from Lisbon to Porto?
Usually only when connecting to a long-haul flight on the same ticket. City centre to city centre, the train is normally as fast or faster.
Photos on this page come from Wikimedia Commons photographers and are credited under each image.
