Why is there no train between Madrid and Lisbon?

Why are there so few trains between Spain and Portugal?

It's so dumb. I was looking at tickets from Madrid to Lisbon last week, and its impossible. There are just no direct trains. Zero.

Renfe used COVID as a perfect excuse to get rid of the night trains that used to run. The Lusitânia was a classic! Now it’s just gone. They have no interest in bringing it back. It’s all about their precious high-speed AVE lines inside Spain.

So now you have to take a bus. Or fly. Between two capital cities that are right next to each other. How is that even possible in the EU in 2024? Portugal's railway, CP, actually wants to run trains to Spain again. They keep talking about it. But Renfe just doesn't care.

The whole thing is a political failure. They're not prioritizing connections. You have to do this stupid thing where you take a train to the border, like to Badajoz, and then figure out how to cross it yourself to get another train on the other side. Who has time for that. a joke.

• Primary Reason: The suspension of the main overnight services in March 2020. The Lusitânia (Madrid-Lisbon) and Sud-Express (Lisbon-Hendaye) trains were stopped and never reinstated by Renfe, Spain's national operator.

• Lack of Political/Economic Will:Spain's railway strategy heavily focuses on its internal high-speed (AVE) network. Cross-border routes, especially slower, less profitable conventional ones, are a low priority.

• The Gauge Issue: While both Spain and Portugal use the wide Iberian gauge (1,668 mm), Spain's new high-speed lines use European standard gauge (1,435 mm). This creates a fragmented system and complicates through-services. The high-speed link between the countries is still years from completion.

• Current Limited Options:

  • Celta Train: The only direct international service remaining. It runs twice daily between Vigo (Galicia, Spain) and Porto (Portugal).
  • Border Hopping: Travelers must take separate trains to border towns. For example, a Spanish train to Badajoz, cross the border to Elvas, and then take a Portuguese train. This is extremely inconvenient.

Whats the best way to get from Lisbon to Madrid?

The fastest route to Madrid from Lisbon is air travel. Expect a journey around 4 hours 4 minutes. Costs fluctuate, ranging €29 to €200. A simple transaction for speed. My personal travel choice is often driven by convenience, an honest admission.

Yes, a direct bus connects these cities. It departs Lisbon - Oriente, arriving at Estación Sur de Autobuses. Services run every four hours, daily. A persistent pulse. For me, the bus allows observation.

Options for your passage:

• By Air:

  • Airlines: TAP Air Portugal, Iberia, Ryanair, Vueling. Pick your level of discomfort or luxury.
  • Airports: Lisbon's Humberto Delgado (LIS) to Madrid's Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas (MAD). Two similar gateways.
  • Reality: The actual flight is brief. Security, boarding, disembarking, it all adds up. The wait is the true travel.

• By Bus:

  • Operators: Rede Expressos, ALSA. They cover the ground.
  • Duration: Expect 6 to 8 hours. A commitment. My preference runs to night buses; the world sleeps, I move.
  • Experience: Seats recline, mostly. Brief stops for necessities. A different perspective unfolds outside the window, if one cares to look.

No direct high-speed trains link these points. Not a single one. An oversight, perhaps. Other options exist. Driving offers control, but city parking is a torment. Always. The journey defines nothing. Only the destination.

Is it better to travel by train or plane in Europe?

The hum of the refrigerator…it’s so loud tonight. Makes you think, you know? About journeys. And how we get from here to there. I’ve been thinking about Europe. About trains. And planes. It’s not a simple…choice.

Trains, though. They just…keep going. They connect so much more. Not just the big cities, but those little places. The ones you stumble upon. The ones that feel…real. That’s where the magic is, I think. That’s where you find…you.

Planes, they're fast, sure. Zipping across the sky. But you miss it. All of it. The changing landscapes. The slow fade from one country’s green to another’s. You’re just…in a box. Then you’re out. It’s not the same. It’s not a journey. It’s just…arrival.

So, yeah. For Europe, it's trains. It’s about the experience. The slow unfurling of it all. The little towns flashing by your window. The conversations you might overhear. It’s the feeling of actually being there, not just teleporting. That’s worth more than a few hours saved. I’ve learned that. The hard way, sometimes.

Here's a bit more on why that feeling holds true for me. It’s not just sentimentality. There are real, tangible things at play:

• Coverage and Accessibility:

  • Europe’s Rail Network: An incredibly dense and far-reaching system. It genuinely connects to a vast number of destinations, far exceeding what even the most extensive airport network can offer. Think small villages, mountain hamlets, coastal towns.
  • Airport Limitations: While Europe has a high density of airports, they are primarily situated in larger cities or tourist hubs. This means you often need additional transport (buses, taxis, more trains) to reach your final, more remote destination after landing.

• Time and Destination Flexibility:

  • Trains are inherently more flexible. You can often hop on a train with minimal pre-booking, especially for shorter distances. Ticket prices are also generally more stable and predictable than last-minute flights.
  • Flight restrictions are significant. You need to get to the airport hours in advance, go through security, board, fly, deplane, and then get from the destination airport to your accommodation. This "total travel time" often negates the perceived speed advantage of flying, especially for moderate distances.

• The Experiential Difference:

  • Scenic Travel: Train journeys offer unparalleled views. You see the landscape change, the architecture evolve, the cultural nuances subtly shift as you move across borders. It's an integral part of the travel experience, not just a means to an end.
  • Comfort and Convenience: Trains often depart from and arrive in city centers, making them incredibly convenient. You can usually walk around, visit the dining car, and enjoy a more relaxed journey compared to the often cramped and regimented experience of flying.

• Environmental Considerations (though I wasn't explicitly asked, it's a silent factor):

  • Lower Carbon Footprint: Generally, train travel has a significantly lower environmental impact per passenger mile compared to air travel. This is a growing consideration for many travelers.

• Cost-Effectiveness (often overlooked):

  • While ultra-budget airlines can sometimes offer incredibly cheap fares, when you factor in baggage fees, airport transfers, and the time lost, trains often prove more economical for many European routes. Especially for shorter to medium-haul journeys.

Ultimately, the choice feels less about efficiency and more about how you want to experience your journey. For me, the soul of European travel lies in its railways.

Are trains in Portugal nice?

Portugal's railway network, generally speaking, maintains a robust operational foundation. While undoubtedly rooted in a somewhat older infrastructural lineage and operating at a notably more deliberate pace than the high-speed arteries crisscrossing central Europe, its pragmatic utility is unwavering. Frankly, on many journeys, the climate control systems function with surprising efficacy, an amenity I consistently observe improving over the years.

My own frequent commutes, particularly across the northern lines, affirm the enduring utility of these services. There's a certain charm, perhaps a philosophical reprieve, in transit that doesn't obsess over milliseconds. It allows for a deeper appreciation of the passing paisagem, rather than a blur of motion.

For a clearer perspective:

• Alfa Pendular (AP): These are the flagship intercity services. They link major cities like Lisbon, Porto, and Faro. Comfort is high, often with power outlets and decent seating. They represent the quicker end of the spectrum, by Portuguese standards. I find them consistently punctual.
• Intercidades (IC): A step down from the AP in speed and modernity, but still connecting key urban centers. These are workhorses. They are reliable and offer a more traditional rail experience. Expect a functional, if unspectacular, journey.
• Regional & Urban Trains: These services comprise the bulk of daily operations for smaller towns and metropolitan areas. Expect an older fleet. While certainly slower, they are indispensable for local populations and tourists seeking off-the-beaten-path destinations. Their air conditioning can indeed be variable, an enduring quirk.

Ultimately, Portugal's train system isn't about setting speed records; it's about dependable connectivity. It provides an authentic lens through which to view the country, offering a pragmatic travel solution that, despite its quirks, consistently delivers. I would always recommend it over road travel for intercity routes.

What is the cheapest way to travel within Spain?

Ah, Spain on a shoestring! It's a delightful conundrum, isn't it? Like trying to pick the ripest olive with your eyes closed.

Buses are your budget's best friend, no doubt. They chug along, bless their mileage, like determined snails on a siesta. You'll see Spain unfold at a glacial pace, which, frankly, can be rather picturesque if you squint and have a good audiobook.

Trains, however, they're the velvet-lined carriages of Iberian transit. Comfort is their middle name, and they zoom past the countryside with a grace a modern jet can only dream of. They’re like a well-aged Rioja – sophisticated, but can sting the wallet.

And the flying? Sometimes, darling, the airlines pull a delightful trick, making a quick hop cheaper than a leisurely rail journey. It’s like finding a perfectly good churro on the pavement. Unexpected joy, but don't count on it as a habit.

Here’s the lowdown, distilled for your perusal:

• The Ole' Reliable Bus:
  • Champion of Cheapness: Your wallet will sing operatic arias.
  • Scenic (Eventually): You'll witness every single olive grove.
  • Time Sink Extraordinaire: Prepare to become intimately familiar with roadside service stations.
• The Pampering Train:
  • Unmatched Comfort: Think plush seats and actual legroom.
  • Speed Demon (Usually): Gets you there faster than a flamenco dancer's footwork.
  • Price Tango: Can sometimes dance its way into the “ouch” category.
• The Surprise Flight:
  • Occasional Bargains: A delightful anomaly, a glitch in the matrix of travel costs.
  • Fast & Furious: Zips you between cities quicker than you can say "jamón ibérico."
  • Airport Hassle: Remember those security lines? They're still a thing.

My personal travel philosophy? Embrace the absurd. Sometimes the longest bus ride yields the most memorable roadside cafe discoveries. Other times, a last-minute flight deal feels like divine intervention. It’s all part of the grand Spanish adventure, isn't it? Don't overthink it; just get there!