How to Get from Lisbon to Porto
Lisbon and Porto are the two most visited cities in Portugal and with just 315km separating them, are often both visited on a trip to Portugal.
There are several ways to get to/from Lisbon and Porto, with the fastest route taking just about 2½ hours and the most affordable route costing as little as 5€ each way, there is an option for everyone.
Here you will find detailed information on all your options to get from Lisbon to Porto and maximize your schedule, budget, and experience.
How to Get to Porto from Lisbon
Lisbon to Porto By Train
The most popular, and quickest way, to travel between Portugal’s most popular cities is by train.
Offering frequent service, a comfortable ride, and fair price-point, the train is the fastest option between the two cities.
Where to Buy Tickets
The only official train provider for this journey is Comboios de Portugal (CP) and tickets should only be purchased through their official site, here. Tickets can also be purchased through the Comboios de Portugal (which is sometimes more user friendly than the website).
There are several third-party sites, such as Rail Ninja and Omio. These sites often offer discounted tickets, however; are not official vendors and offer no customer service or support in the event of cancellations, delays, etc.
Tickets can be purchased on-line or in person at the station.
When to Buy Tickets
Tickets can be purchased on-line up to 60 days prior to departure, and up until 10 minutes prior to departure in person at the ticketing office.
Purchasing tickets in advance generally offers a 10%+ discount and there are often promos such as companion tickets, or holiday sales.
If you are unsure of timing with arriving flights or other transit, you can purchase tickets on arrival - though this can be risky during peak season as trains do sell you. All tickets, including promo tickets, are changeable up to 15 minutes prior to train departure, with no fee or penalty.
Types of Tickets
The average cost of an economy one-way ticket between Lisbon and Porto is 26-34€, but this can fluctuate due to demand, how far in advance they are purchased and type of ticket.
Fare Classes
CP trains offer first class and Economy class. Depending on how far in advance tickets are purchased, the cost difference can be quite minimal.
What is the difference between economy and first class?
The second-class car features comfortable seats arranged 2x2 with a folding table, generous legroom, and big panoramic windows. Traveling first-class means that you get a wider adjustable seat, plenty of luggage space, power sockets, and a bit quieter atmosphere, compared to the Economy Class.
Ticket Types
There are several ticket types for the CP trains, including: youth, senior, standard, and promo fares.
At the time of purchase, you will be prompted to choose your ticket type and the fare will populate accordingly.
Youth and children: Children under 4 travel free. Children under 12 get 50% off the full-price.
Senior: Senior citizen fares are available for travelers age 65+ are discounted 50%.
For more information on promotions and discounts, click here.
Train Stations
Gare do Oriente (Lisbon Oriente Station)
About 15-20 minutes by car from the touristic center of Lisbon and 5-10 from the airport by car or 10 minutes by metro from the airport, Oriente station is where the train to Porto originates (or arrives, if coming from Porto).
Oriente Station has several cafes, food vendors, and shops to grab a meal or quick snack before boarding your train.
Porto has two train stations, Oporto Campanhã station and Oporto São Bento station. Which you choose will depend on where you are staying.
Going on to Oporto São Bento station does require a (quick and easy) transfer at Campanhã. Some travelers opt to end their train journey at Campanhã to avoid the transfer and either walk or take an car service to their final destination.
Oporto São Bento station
The historic São Bento station is located in the city center and is conveniently located to the most touristic neighborhoods in Porto.
Oporto Campanhã station
Located just north of São Bento station, Campanhã station is a more modern and larger station. It connects to the metro system, as well as other inter-city and buses.
Train FAQ
Are seats assigned?
Yes, seats are assigned/chosen at time of purchase.
What side of the train has the best views?
Passengers traveling northbound on the Lisbon to Porto can get the best views sitting on the left-hand side of the train. Reversely, passengers traveling southbound on the Porto to Lisbon, will have the best views on the right-hand side.
Are there bathrooms on board?
Yes, all trains are equipped with bathrooms.
Is there luggage storage on board?
There are overhead racks for smaller luggage items (personal and carry on size) and racks for larger luggage pieces near the doors. These racks can fill up, and you may need to place your larger luggage in another car.
Is there Wi-Fi on board?
Per the CP website: yes.
Per my experiences: Sometimes.
If you absolutely need Wi-Fi, I would strongly suggest having a back up vis hotspot, portable wi-fi, etc as the Wi-Fi on board is not the most reliable.
Is there food and drinks on board?
Yes, there is food and drinks available for purchase on board.
Lisbon to Porto by Bus
An often-overlooked option, the bus is a comfortable and cost-effective way to travel between Portugal’s capital and second most visited city.
The bus takes a bit longer than the train, averaging 3½ to 4 hours depending on traffic, but also comes at a fraction of the price.
Tickets start at just 5€ (plus fee) each way.
⭐Pro tip: Tickets are all sold as one-way fares, so compare both outbound and return tickets across both providers for the best rates and schedules.
Where to Buy Tickets
Like the train, there are several third-party sites selling bus tickets from Lisbon to Porto, but the only official bus companies are Rede Expressos (Portugal’s National provider) and Flixbus. It is not recommended to purchase through third party vendors.
Rede Expressos tickets can be purchased here or via the Rede Expressos App.
Flixbus tickets can be purchased here or via the Flixbus app.
Tickets purchased through the company’s website will be delivered via e-mail containing a QR code the driver will scan, same with the app.
Both bus services have a kiosk selling tickets at their designated stations.
Stations
Both Flix Bus and Rede Expressos operate between Lisbon’s Estação do Oriente (Oriente Station) and Oporto Campanhã station.
⭐This is also where the train originates. The station is quite large, but easy to navigate and there are plenty of people to ask if you need help finding the bus terminal. If taking an Uber or Bolt, just specify to the driver you are going to the bus terminal.
Lisbon
Estação do Oriente
Estação do Oriente bus terminal can seem a bit overwhelming, as there are several gates, buses coming and going, and it can be quite busy, but all the gates are well marked, and there are plenty of people to help if you get confused.
Sete Rios Bus Terminal
Rede Expressos Operates primarily out of this station, with FlixBus having limited services from here.
Located a bit closer to the touristic area of Lisbon, Sete Rios station is easily accessible via public transportation or car service. Like Oriente, Sete Rios is also a train and metro terminal, so if taking a care service, be sure to specifiy if is the bus terminal.
The Station is relatively small and the gates are well marked, with departure boards displaying bus information, so while it can be busy, it is quite easy to navigate.
Porto
Oporto Campanhã station
Located just above the touristic center, Oporto Campanhã station is well connected to public transit or a quick and affordable Uber/Bolt ride from most visitors’ accommodations.
The station can be a bit overwhelming due to being multiple floors, and also housing the metro and train lines (and currently undergoing Constuction- Dec 2024), but just follow the signs and ask someone if you need help.
When to Buy Tickets
Bus Schedules are generally released 60-90 days in advance, with buses occasionally being added due to demand.
Ticket prices do increase as seats sell, and buses do sell out, so booking in advance for popular times and destinations is advised.
If traveling in the off season, or with flexibility, tickets can be purchased last minute (right up until boarding).
If book tickets in advance and need to change or cancel for any reason, both companies have pretty flexible cancellation.
Bus Cancelation Policies
Rede Expressos
Partial refunds of a booking for domestic tickets purchased on www.rede-expressos.pt or through the myRNE app will only be accepted upon prior request via the online Refunds menu:
A refund request made up to twenty-four hours (24h) before the departure time indicated on the outward ticket (in the case of a return journey) is eligible to a refund of 50% of the value of the reservation.
A request made between twenty-four hours (24h) and three hours (3h) before the departure time indicated on the outward ticket (in the case of a return journey) is eligible to a refund of 25% of the value of the reservation.
After the above time limits, requests for cancellations and refunds will not be accepted. If you bought your ticket at a ticket office, you must respect the 3-hour advance notice and request cancellation at the ticket office.
For full refund details, click here.
FlixBus
Change of plans? No problem! With Flix, you can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and get a full or partial refund in the form of a voucher.
The table below shows how much you will be refunded. The amount depends on how far in advance you cancel your ticket.
For example, if you cancel your ticket 2 days and 3 hours before departure, you will get a 40% refund. The calculation is based on the exact time of departure (hour, minute, second).
Time before departure Refund (% of ticket price)
Less than 2 days20%
Between 2 and 6 days 40%
Between 7 and 29 days70%
30 days or more100%
Please note that for extras like seat reservations and additional luggage, the refund is 100%. Booking fees and service fees are non-refundable.
For full cancellation policy, click here
Bus FAQ
Are seats assigned?
Seats are automatically assigned but can be changed for a small fee. In my experience, when buses are not full, passengers tend to just choose whatever seat they like without any issues.
What side of the train has the best views?
Passengers traveling northbound on the Lisbon to Porto can get the best views sitting on the left-hand side of the train. Reversely, passengers traveling southbound on the Porto to Lisbon, will have the best views on the right-hand side.
Are there bathrooms on board?
Yes, all buses are equipped with bathrooms. I do recommend bringing tissues and hand sanitizer.
Is there luggage storage on board?
Luggage is stored under the bus for the duration of the journey. Small bags can be brought on board.
Is there Wi-Fi on board?
Yes. I have found the Wi-Fi on both bus services quite reliable, however; recommend a backup if you absolutely need wi-fi on your journey as it can be spotty.
I am being asked for a NIF number or Portugues Address when booking
This is a common issue. Generally, just entering “9999999” or a bunch of “0”s fixes the issue.
Driving Lisbon to Porto
Driving between Lisbon and Porto offers the most flexibility and opportunity to take in sites and stops along the way.
Tolls
Depending on the route, the drive (direct) takes around 3 hours and 15 minutes. The most direct route is via A1, which includes tolls totaling €21.10, and from Porto to Lisbon €23.90. Your rental car will come equipped with a transponder issued by Via Verde Portugal, and you will be charged after the return.
Tolls can be avoided (mostly) by using the old highway N1 – also referred to as the IC2 between Lisbon and Porto. This route is less scenic and generally takes considerably longer, due to being less direct and many locals and truck drivers also avoiding the tolls.
Fuel
With current gas prices, the estimated cost of fuel to drive from Lisbon to Porto (via A1) in a midsized, automatic car is estimated to be between 30 and 35€. Many variables will effect this, like stops along the way, type of car, etc but this is a good baseline with calculating costs.
More compact, and manual cars will help reduce overall fuel costs.
Challenges to Driving
While the drive itself is quite straight forward (though all signs are in Portuguese and the metric system) and having flexibility for day trips is nice, there can be some challenges on arrival.
Parking in both Lisbon and Porto is very limited. If your accommodations do not offer parking, it is recommended to reserve a space in a nearby parking facility in advance.
Driving in Lisbon and Porto can also be quite challenging with narrow streets, and lack of or confusing signage.
Public transit and Uber/Bolt are readily available and far more practical than a car in both cities.
Lisbon to Porto Private Transfer
There are many options for a private driver between Lisbon and Porto; from a straightforward direct transfer between cities to a full day tour making multiple stops along with way.
These experiences come at a range of price points from 200€ for a direct ride to 600€ for a full-service tour between locations.
There are several sites available to book transfers through, such as Viator, Get Your Guide, and Airbnb experiences. I also recommend checking out some Facebook Groups to connect directly with local providers.
No matter your budget and preferences, there is an affordable and comfortable option for anyone looking to visit both cities on a trip to Portugal.
Whichever option you choose, you are assured to have an amazing adventure in both cities.
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