Which side of the train is best from Lisbon to Porto?

What is the best way to travel from Lisbon to Porto?

Ugh, Lisbon to Porto. That trip! Okay, so, train's the way to go. Seriously.

I took it last summer, 2024. Santa Apolónia station, Lisbon. Place was PACKED!

Around 10 am I think, but could be wrong. Super early, before the heat got unbearable. I wanted to get to Porto to eat a Francesinha before the lunch rush, y’know?

Train's way faster than a bus. Trust me. My friend, Ana, took the bus and it took forever.

Okay, high-speed is def the way.

• Alfa Pendular (name of the fancy train) is what you want!
• Check times on CP (Comboios de Portugal) website.
• Book in advance! Especially during summer. Seats fill up QUICK.

I remember being stressed because my phone almost died. I had my ticket on it. I managed to find a plug. Crisis averted.

It's like, two hours and change. Worth it.

Honestly, the scenery wasn’t amazing, but it was comfy.

I hate buses. The bathrooms… forget about it! lol

Trains are cleaner.

You arrive right in the center of Porto—Campanhã station. From there you get a connecting train to São Bento. It’s a beautiful station. I was starving.

Things to consider when choosing the train:

• Price: Varies. Book early for better deals.
• Comfort: Train over bus, always!
• Speed: High-speed is, well, high-speed.
• Convenience: Straight from city center to city center.

How is the train from Porto to Lisbon?

The Porto to Lisbon train… a ribbon of steel unwinding through sun-drenched valleys. Three hours, maybe a little more, a slow dance with the Portuguese landscape. Time stretches, each vineyard a brushstroke on the canvas of memory.

Alfa Pendular… a whisper of speed, a fleeting glimpse of olive groves blurring past. Or the Intercidades, a gentler rhythm, time unfolding deliberately. Comfortable, yes, but the journey itself is the destination.

Sunlight, warm on my face, the scent of eucalyptus clinging to the air. My thoughts, they drift. The clickety-clack a hypnotic lullaby. This is not mere travel, it's a feeling.

The train, a silver serpent gliding through hills, past sleepy towns. Each town a story untold, a life lived beyond the window pane. I see myself in those lives, briefly, a phantom passenger in their dreams.

• The speed of the Alfa Pendular: exhilarating.
• The Intercidades: a slower, more contemplative pace.
• The sheer beauty of the route: unforgettable.
• My 2023 journey: a profound experience.

The air hangs heavy with the promise of the Atlantic. Lisbon waits. But right now, this moment, this train…this is perfection. A slow, delicious unfolding. A journey home to my very self.

What is the difference between AP and IC trains in Portugal?

Okay, AP vs. IC in Portugal… hmm.

AP, Alpha Pendular… faster, right? Yeah, definitely faster. Makes fewer stops, I know that much. Think Lisbon to Porto. IC, Intercidades…slower, so more stops. Got it.

• AP - Speedy Gonzales!
• IC - Chugging along.

But like, is it that much slower? Not really, I don’t think. It's a Portugal train, how fast can it really go?

IC trains, I believe, are older. Wonder when they last updated them… Feels like they need an update.

• AP - Sleek, modern.
• IC - A bit…retro?

Bar car! The AP bar is supposed to be better. I mean, how much better can a bar car be? Seriously?

Oh, comfort! AP is supposed to be more comfortable. Seats? Suspension? Is it the lack of screaming kids? I need to know this for sure.

• AP - Luxury train.
• IC - Budget train.

In summary, AP is faster, newer, comfier. IC is slower, older, less comfy. Boom.

Additional Info:

• AP often has power outlets at every seat, useful for charging phones.
• IC might not always have reliable Wi-Fi.
• AP ticket prices can be significantly higher than IC.
• IC covers more routes and smaller cities.
• Both classes offer 1st and 2nd class seats.
• Advance booking is recommended, especially during peak season.
• Check for discounts online!

Is there a bathroom on the train from Porto to Lisbon?

Yes. Trains have bathrooms. Buses, not always.

• Trains: Bathrooms standard. My kinda guarantee.
• Buses: Maybe. 90%? More like 60.

Sometimes life just hands you a lemon. I got my bus near Aveiro cancelled last fall. No reason. Just poof. Guess nature called.

• Train travel guarantees a bathroom, usually near the car ends.
• Bus bathrooms are less reliable. Check before boarding.

Consider the route. Longer trips require more planning. Or not. Whatever. Happened to lose my wallet that one time. That was fun!

What are the most beautiful train stations in Portugal?

Alright, hold on to your hats, folks, 'cause we're diving headfirst into the ridiculously gorgeous train stations of Portugal. Prepare to be amazed!

• São Bento in Porto: This ain't your grandma's train stop. We're talking jaw-dropping tile panels, like, seriously, a zillion azulejos. Makes Penn Station look like a bus shelter. It’s like stepping into a history book made of pottery. My Aunt Mildred would plotz.

• Vilar Formoso Station: So, way out in Vilar Formoso, this station's surprisingly glam. Once upon a time, it was the "it" spot for spies and whatnot. Now? Just picturesque. Think border town meets art deco...a real head-scratcher, but pretty! My beagle, Winston, loves it.

• Aveiro Station: Aveiro's station? Super cute. Like, unbelievably adorable. More azulejos (duh), showing regional stuff. It’s like a postcard exploded inside a building. If train stations were pets, this one'd be a fluffy kitten.

• Rossio Station in Lisbon: Okay, Lisbon's Rossio is plain bonkers. Gothic revival architecture? Check. Horseshoe-shaped doorways? Check. Straight outta some fairy tale? Double-check. Looks more like a theater than a place to catch the 7:15 to… anywhere.

• Pinhão Station: Nestled in the Douro Valley (wine country, baby!), Pinhão Station is a feast for the eyes...and the liver, probably. More tiles, naturally, showing off the region's grape-growing prowess. Makes me wanna ditch the train and just, like, live there.

Bonus info? These aren't all the stunners, just the ones that spring to mind first, ya know. Portugal's crawling with pretty train stations. The Portuguese have it all figured out.

What are the train stops between Porto and Lisbon?

Porto-Lisbon train stops: Coimbra. High-speed Alfa Pendular.

• Coimbra: Essential stop. Often same train.
• Other stops: Exist, but less frequent. Check schedules. My last trip—2023—showed few.

Fact: Braga is on the line, after Porto. Not between. My experience.

High-speed is key. Avoid regional trains unless you enjoy delays. Time is money.

Note: Schedules change. Verify before travel. I booked through CP (Comboios de Portugal) last month.

This information is current as of October 26, 2023.

What are the different trains in Portugal?

Portugal's rail network offers a fascinating mix! So many trains.

Here's a rundown of the train types, reflecting my last deep dive, maybe last week:

• Alfa Pendular (AP): The swiftest option. Think high-speed, connecting major cities like Lisbon and Porto. Often fully booked, so plan ahead!

• Intercidades (IC): Another long-distance service. A good balance of speed and accessibility.

• Regional (R): Local trains. Perfect for hopping between smaller towns and soaking in the scenery.

• InterRegional (IR): A step up from the Regional. Connects regional hubs.

• Urbanos (U): These are your suburban trains. Servicing metropolitan areas, Lisbon and Porto are full of them.

• Fertagus (FERT): A commuter service that mainly crosses the Tagus River. I saw it on a map once!

• Celta (CEL): International route connecting Portugal to Spain (Vigo). Perfect for a sneaky border run.

• Trenhotel (TH): (Night train) Long gone, discontinued some years back. I think I saw one once.