Porto to Madrid train with Renfe ALVIA

My Journey from Porto to Madrid by Train with Renfe AVE

Introduction

Not many people travel from Porto to Madrid by train, but I found it to be an easy and comfortable route, with a quick stop in the Galician city of Vigo on the way. The journey combines scenic coastal views with a quick connection to Spain’s high-speed rail network. If you’re planning to travel between Portugal’s second city and Spain’s capital, here’s how to do it with Renfe AVE.

Route Overview

I boarded my first train at Porto Campanhã, the main train station in Porto. The first leg headed directly north, over the northern Portuguese border to the little-visited region of Galicia. I would have loved to stay here for longer, but I only had a couple of hours to see a little of Vigo before my eastward Renfe AVE train to Madrid departed. The total journey time was 8 hours and 24 minutes. For me, this is the best way to travel between Porto and Madrid, especially for the scenery from the large train windows.

Transportation Experience

I could reserve my tickets for the entire journey on the Omio app. This is a useful app for booking transport all over the world, including Renfe AVE trains. Simply select your journey, make a secure payment, and receive tickets with a QR code on your app, which you can use at the ticket gates. While some travelers may prefer other routes for this journey, the train was my preferred mode of transportation. Porto to Madrid buses take around the same length of time but are less spacious and don’t offer an opportunity to see Vigo. Porto to Madrid flights are quick but are worse for the environment and don’t offer the same views as the train!

Route Details

Departure & Arrival Stations

Porto-Campanhã is around 5.4 kilometers from Porto São Bento, the center of the city. It takes around 13 minutes to drive (Uber is available) or about 1 hour to walk, but the best way to get to Porto-Campanhã is by local “R” train. The Aveiro, Braga, or Guimarães lines all connect the stations in about 4 minutes.

Housed in an 18th-century building, the station offers left-luggage facilities, WCs, ticket offices, and dining amenities. For a traditional Portuguese meal, Churrasqueira da Estação de Campanhã is nearby and serves dishes like francesinha. I didn’t dine there, however, as I had leftovers from the previous night’s dinner to eat on the train!

The regional train from Porto arrives in Vigo Guixar, and the Renfe AVE train to Madrid departs from Vigo Urzaiz. Vigo Guixar is a smaller station serving regional routes, whereas Vigo Urzaiz is modern, dating back to 2015, and sits beside a shopping center. They are about a 10-minute walk apart through the city center. I enjoyed seeing some of this little-visited city as I strolled between them.

Madrid Chamartín is the city’s second-largest train station, serving routes to the north of Spain. There are a few eateries in the station, including a Burger King. I didn’t eat here, as I was keen to get to the city center. I took the Renfe Cercanías to reach Puerta del Sol (the city center), which takes around 8 minutes. It’s about an 18-kilometer drive and would take roughly 20 minutes by car.

Schedule & Frequency

There is only one Renfe AVE train a day leaving Porto that reaches Vigo in time to connect to Madrid the same day. This departs at 8:13 AM. Once in Vigo, you can wait for about two hours before boarding the 1:37 PM train, which arrives in Madrid at 5:37 PM. Alternatively, you can take the 5:25 PM train, arriving at 9:20 PM. I chose the earlier service, as I was keen to spend the evening in Madrid.

Onboard Experience & Services

The first train (which took about 2 hours) was a regional service with fewer amenities. The second leg from Vigo to Madrid was aboard a modern Renfe AVE high-speed train, taking around 4 hours. I chose Standard Class, as First Class tickets were quite expensive. Seats were arranged in a 2+2 layout, and it got busier as we neared Madrid, but initially, I had four seats with a table to myself. I had a nearby power outlet, and the Wi-Fi worked quite well throughout the journey.

The route offered pleasant views of Galicia’s green hills and rivers, gradually giving way to Castile’s open plains as we approached Madrid. It was a nice contrast that made the journey feel shorter. I only had a small backpack, but luggage rules were generally flexible, and I saw passengers boarding with large bags. Toilets were kept clean for the entire trip. I didn’t buy any food on the train, but there was a restaurant cart available. For this trip, I just had a coffee I bought in Vigo along with leftovers from my meal the night before.

Ticketing Advice & Budget Breakdown

As this is a long journey, I expected to pay more than on my other routes around Spain. I booked about two weeks in advance, when my travel plans were finalized. I also needed a short local train ride in Porto to reach Campanhã Station before starting my trip. Below is a summary of my total costs for the journey.

Budget breakdown

Top Tips & Personal Recommendations

Here are a few tips to make your long journey from Porto to Madrid with Renfe AVE smoother and more enjoyable:

• Decide how long to spend in Vigo: There’s plenty to do here, but remember you’ll have your luggage and might find the journey tiring.
• Consider baggage storage in Vigo: If you’re exploring the city, baggage storage is available at Vigo Bus Station.
• Take supplies for the journey: It’s a long route, and the restaurant cart may not have everything you want. Bring snacks and water, as drinks can be expensive on board.
• Book your ticket in advance: As it’s a longer route, prices tend to rise closer to the travel date.
• Carry identification: Always keep your passport or ID card with you, as it may be required when crossing from Portugal into Spain.

Conclusion

While many travelers would choose to fly, taking the train from Porto to Madrid aboard Renfe’s modern AVE service is a scenic and sustainable alternative. Like all AVE journeys, it can easily be booked on Omio, and the route offers a chance to see Vigo. This is a truly underrated Spanish city that few tourists visit. Ready to book? Plan your journey and reserve your next train tickets on Omio today!

About the Author: Claire Martin

• Job Title: Travel Journalist and Content Creator
• Bio: Claire Martin is a full-time travel journalist, blogger, and videomaker who specializes in train and ferry travel around Europe.