Alfa Pendular trains: Timetables, Routes, and Amenities

Welcome on board Alfa Pendular trains

Alfa Pendular, the fastest high-speed tilting train in Portugal, is owned by Comboios de Portugal. Comboios de Portugal, better known colloquially as CP, is fully owned by the Portuguese government and serves almost all of Portugal as the largest railway provider.

Alfa Pendular is a six-car electric train that uses unique tilting technology to ensure a smooth and comfortable ride even at speeds of up to 137 mph. This Portuguese high-speed rail provider mostly operates trains in Portugal, but you can also find some connections into Spain such as an Alfa Pendular train from Lisbon to Madrid. Trains by Alfa Pendular connect Portugal’s major cities and plenty of places in between.

Check out Alfa Pendular timetables from Porto to Lisbon, Braga to Faro, Aveiro to Coimbra, and many other convenient and quick routes throughout the country.

Alfa Pendular trains provide about 10 departures per day on almost all of its routes, including late-night journeys, so you’ll have no problem finding a cheap train ticket on Alfa Pendular that works for you.

As a bonus, on all of these journeys you will be treated to gorgeous views of the Portuguese countryside, vineyards, and even some ocean views. When traveling aboard an Alfa Pendular train, you can be sure you’ll experience a smooth ride like no other regardless of ticket class. However, you still have the option to choose between Comfort – or first class, and Tourist – or second class.

Find Cheap Train Tickets for Alfa Pendular with Omio

You can use Omio to search for Alfa Pendular train tickets quickly and easily, no matter which route you will be traveling. When you’re looking for your Portugal train ticket, you can browse and compare schedules, routes with and without transfers, and check prices before booking the ticket that works best for you.

You can book your Alfa Pendular journey directly on the Omio website, saving time and money as Omio shows you the best prices and allow you to book right away. Once you choose your route and ticket class, you can add a seating preference and opt to receive real-time updates about your journey. This includes information about delays or platform changes so you can arrive at the departure station prepared. If your plans change, you can modify or cancel your Alfa Pendular reservation directly through the Omio website or via the mobile app.

The mobile app also makes it easy for you to show your Portuguese high-speed rail ticket on your smartphone instead of printing it out ahead of time. The Omio booking platform is easy to use, allowing you to filter results for Alfa Pendular trains specifically.

Favorite Alfa Pendular destinations

Alfa Pendular operates train journeys across Portugal, providing swift and efficient connections between all the major cities and beyond. You can travel to many different places, including Lisbon, Porto, Faro, and many more. One of the most popular routes is Alfa Pendular trains from Porto to Lisbon and vice versa, as Porto and Lisbon are the two largest cities in all of Portugal. Faro is another popular destination, as it’s located in southern Portugal and serves as an amazing beach getaway for locals and tourists alike.

This train provider also serves connections into nearby Spain. You can take a train to Madrid, Spain’s capital city and a favorite destination of those headed from Portugal to Spain. Whether you’re headed for the digital nomad haven of Lisbon, or the Porto wine cellars, trains from Alfa Pendular have got you covered.

Train ticket types offered by Alfa Pendular

Alfa Pendular offers two different ticket types for travelers to choose from based on their budgets and what amenities they would like to enjoy during their train journey. The ticket types available on these Portuguese high-speed rail trains are Comfort, the company’s first-class ticket, and Tourist, the second-class ticket. Each of these comes with amenities specific to its class and Omio allows you to easily compare these two classes so you can decide which one you want to book. You can also choose to make your ticket either non-refundable or semi-refundable regardless of which ticket class you choose.

Non-refundable tickets

Non-refundable tickets are the standard for trains by Alfa Pendular. These tickets are non-refundable if they are canceled or changed at any time and for any reason. This type of fare is free along with whichever class of ticket you decide to choose.

Semi-refundable tickets

This type of ticket gives travelers a little more flexibility for their trip. Semi-refundable tickets allow you to cancel your journey for a small fee of €4 (about $4.30) up to 15 minutes before the train’s departure. This type of fare can be added to whichever type of ticket you choose for a small fee (which will be determined by the route and ticket type you choose).

Ticket classes: Tourist tickets

Those traveling on a budget will likely want to purchase Tourist, or second class, tickets. Even though this is second class, remember you are on board an Alfa Pendular train, one of the most modern trains in Portugal. As a result, there are plenty of amenities and comforts that come with this ticket. In Tourist class, you’ll enjoy comfortable and spacious seats, plenty of legroom, access to a toilet, air conditioning, and free wi-fi. Your seat will also have a folding table and power outlets. As for refreshments, you will have access to a vending machine and the option to purchase food and drinks on board.

Comfort tickets

Comfort tickets are Alfa Pendular’s first-class tickets. If you want the utmost comfort or if you are traveling with a pet, this is what you will want to book. Pets are not allowed in Tourist class, so you must book a Comfort ticket if you’ll be bringing your furry friend. Aside from all the amenities of Tourist tickets, you will also have access to CP lounges on board, a free drink, and even more legroom. You also have access to a bar car as well as a media center and audio/video outlets for your entertainment during the journey.

Peak/Off-Peak tickets

The prices of Alfa Pendular tickets can vary depending on the day of the week and the time of day. Peak commuting hours and weekends tend to be the most expensive times to travel, so if you want cheap train tickets from Alfa Pendular, it’s best to avoid these times if possible. Otherwise, this Portuguese high-speed rail provider does not offer specific categories of peak and off-peak tickets.

Savings, Discounts, and Offers on Trains of Alfa Pendular

Omio will show you the best rates for Alfa Pendular train tickets, regardless of your desired route. Budget travelers can opt for non-refundable Tourist tickets for the lowest fares, and it’s always a good idea to book off-peak hours in advance or look for journeys with more transfers to save money. If you are under 25, traveling with children, or traveling with a large group, there may be even more discounts available. If you plan to take more than one Alfa Pendular train journey, it may also be worth buying tickets in bulk to see if you get a discount.

Information on Cancellations, Delays, and Refunds with Alfa Pendular

In case of a cancellation or delay on the provider’s side, Omio will provide you with real-time information on any changes that may occur.

You can easily access this information via the Omio website or mobile app. If you decide to cancel your ticket for this Portuguese high-speed rail service, you may be eligible to get some money back if you chose the semi-refundable fare when you purchased it. There are some scenarios when CP will refund you the cost of your ticket, though.

If your Alfa Pendular train departure is delayed for more than 30 minutes and therefore you need to cancel your trip, CP will refund the full cost of your ticket. You may also be entitled to a full refund if the train is delayed by CP resulting in the arrival time being more than 60 minutes late. If you have questions about delays, cancellations, or refunds, you can contact the Omio help center.

Alfa Pendular Timetables

Alfa Pendular runs quick and efficient train connections across Portugal and beyond. These Portuguese high-speed rail trains typically start running early in the morning, with the exact time depending on the particular route. Connections on Alfa Pendular between Porto and Lisbon, for example, usually start around 6:30 am, with the last departure being around 10 pm.

Along this route, you can usually find about 10 departures per day on weekdays, with one almost every hour. On weekends, trains are a little less frequent, but overall, you can expect this journey to take just under 3 hours. Routes like Braga to Faro may start a little earlier, around 6 am, and the last departure is usually around 1 pm. This route, leaving around 5 times per day during the week, will typically take about 7 or 8 hours.

On the weekend, these departures typically occur about 3 times per day. Of course, things like weather, construction, and other unforeseen events can affect these departures and travel times. If you download the Omio mobile app, you will receive real-time updates about the status of your Alfa Pendular train journey, so you’re always prepared.

Take advantage of on-board facilities when traveling with Alfa Pendular

There are plenty of on-board facilities you can utilize during your Alfa Pendular train journey, regardless of which ticket class you choose. There’s a bistro car where you can purchase drinks and snacks, and you’ll also have access to a vending machine. You can also head to the bar car, where you can purchase alcoholic beverages if you so wish. Free wi-fi is available throughout the train for all passengers. Finally, power outlets are located at every seat in case you need to charge your phone or another small electronic device.

Alfa Pendular: FAQs