Travel to Portugal

Travel to Portugal

Traveling in Portugal is both exciting and convenient, with trains, buses, and even airlines at your disposal! The state company Comboios de Portugal (CP) provides reliable service between many major destinations, while bus carrier Flixbus offers low_cost travel options for intra_city journeys. Both modes of transportation are efficient, sustainable, and scenic as they afford views of beautiful landscapes not visible from a plane. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy scenes of the Atlantic coastline or the idyllic vineyards of the Douro Valley while traveling? For faster travel, TAP Air Portugal, Ryanair, easyJet, or Azores Airlines are also available to get you to your destination quickly and safely.

Booking your ticket with Omio for Portugal

Reserving your tickets, whether by bus, train, or plane, simply couldn’t be easier when you book through Omio. Quickly compare prices by mode and date on the platform or by using the app. These days, travel is all about sustainability and convenience, which is why Omio offers you the option of using e_tickets. You can learn more about digital tickets here. Omio is there for you whenever you need a little help. Visit our Help Center here.

Train companies in Portugal

Passenger rail service in Portugal is provided by the state train company Comboios de Portugal. This rail line offers passengers regular service between many cities in Portugal on its long distance and regional trains. Some international CP trains also provide overnight rail service internationally from Lisbon to Madrid, or Hendaye. There’s also one international train available from Porto to Vigo. The cities of Lisbon and Porto are also serviced by CP’s urban rail networks that provide transportation within metropolitan areas.

Portugal Trains. Source: Shutterstock

Bus companies in Portugal

Traveling by bus is one of the most inexpensive ways to see the country. Fortunately, Flixbus also makes it quick and easy, offering routes which connect more than 80 cities in the country. Flixbus offers a modern fleet of coaches with amenities like restrooms, Wi_Fi, and comfortable seating, which make seeing Portugal by bus an enjoyable experience. Once you arrive at your destination, local and urban buses are also available to deliver you almost anywhere in town.

Flight companies in Portugal

Flights within Portugal are offered by the national flagship TAP Air Portugal. TAP operates out of several domestic airports and also provides international flights. Ryanair and easyJet are other airlines which offer low_cost flights between cities in Portugal. Some domestic and even international destinations are also offered by Azores Airlines. Between these carriers, TAP operates the most frequently within the country. When you book your flight tickets through Omio, you’ll be able to compare different airports and dates of travel, so you’ll know you’re getting the best deal.

Popular international routes in Portugal

Portugal is a popular destination for international travelers, whether by bus, train, or airline. For example, CP provides international train routes connecting Lisbon and Porto with cities in Spain and France. It’s also possible to take the bus from other countries into Portugal, with coachlines such as Flixbus and Eurolines offering routes from Paris, or Alsa offering a route from Madrid to Lisbon. Traveling by air into Portugal is perhaps the most convenient, as many airlines offer international flights from Lisbon to countries around the world. TAP serves destinations throughout Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Often the cheapest flights within Europe are offered by Ryanair or easyJet, although these carriers do not offer as many destinations as major airlines. Travel to the Azores is generally offered by Azores Airlines.

When arriving in Portugal

Portugal is part of the European Union, so travelers entering the country from other parts of this political region aren’t required to pass customs or produce a passport or visa. If you enter Portugal from outside the European Union, for example from Africa or the United States, you’ll need to show a passport and/or visa. As part of the European Union, Portugal uses the Euro as currency, so you won’t need to change currency if you are traveling within that area. ATMs at most train or bus stations will dispense euros, while many airports offer currency exchange desks. Portugal has a similar, yet distinct, culture to Spain, so ingredients in local cuisine will be similar, as will social attitudes. Although both countries speak similar languages descended from Latin, Portugal does have its own language (Portuguese).

Train provider in Portugal

Comboios de Portugal is the state train company which provides long distance, regional, and intra_city railway services to passengers traveling within the country. A few international routes are also offered by CP to Spain and France. Domestically, a few of the most popular routes offered by CP include traveling from Lisbon to Braga, Sintra to Lisbon, and Lisbon to Faro. While these routes are all popular and relatively brief in duration, they only represent a fraction of the destinations available when you travel by train in Portugal.

Bus provider in Portugal

Traveling by bus in Portugal is generally the least expensive mode of transportation and is often about the same in terms of travel time as taking the train. Popular bus routes offered by Flixbus in Portugal include from Lisbon on the coast to Braga in the far north, or from Lisbon to Faro in the deep south. Additionally, the route between Lisbon and Porto is generally popular. These are major destination points, but Flixbus will also make stops in smaller towns along the way, so traveling by bus becomes not only cheaper, but more flexible for travelers wishing to see more of the country. Rede Expressos buses are also a convenient transport option in Portugal; the buses run between the major cities in Portugal, with popular routes including Lisbon to Porto, Albufeira and Coimbra.

Flight provider in Portugal

Within Portugal most flights will be offered by the national carrier TAP. These flights tend to route through Lisbon but are available for destinations in the north and south of the country, such as Porto and Faro. Ryanair also offers a few flights each week directly connecting Faro and Braga. Azores Airlines and easyJet offer flights from the mainland to the archipelago at Madeira and Porto Santo in the Azores.

Main train stations in Portugal

The busiest train stations in Portugal include Lisbon Rossio and the nearby tourist attractions in Sintra. Both feature waiting rooms and ticketing offices. Rossio is connected to the city center by the Metro green line, while the Sintra station is only a short walk from the center. Porto’s Campanha station is another busy station which serves inter_city, regional, and even international trains. Amenities include a restaurant and ATM in addition to a waiting room. Reach the city center from this station by taking city bus 207 or the subway. Porto Sao Bento station is also served by the subway and bus 207 and offers a currency exchange desk and luggage lockers for quick turnarounds in the city. The southerly Faro Station offers a café, waiting rooms, and ticketing offices. This station is only a short walk from the city center.

Main bus stations in Portugal

Lisbon’s Oriente, Sete Rios, and Santa Apolonia are three of the most important bus stations in Portugal from which passengers can travel to destinations in the east, north, or south of the country. These stations are located near to public transportation and generally feature adequate but minimal amenities. The bus stations in Braga and Faro are also major destinations for travelers and are likewise simple but convenient stops.

Main airports in Portugal

The busiest airport in Portugal is Lisbon Airport. This modern airport is easily accessed by public transportation and includes many modern amenities. It’s also the primary airport for international flights. The Porto airport in the north and Faro airport in the south are other major airports in the country. These airports are likewise connected to public transportation and feature amenities for domestic travelers. Madeira in the archipelago and Porto Santo in the Azores are airports which receive passengers traveling from the mainland. Though smaller, these airports are very important to the island communities they serve.

Popular journeys in Portugal

Popular journeys in Portugal include traveling from Lisbon to Faro in the south or to Braga in the north. When traveling to Faro, trains take about 3h 30min, with bus rides lasting about 3h 45min. By contrast, traveling to Braga by train will last around 4h 30min, with buses taking closer to 6h. Either trip can also be made by plane in about 1h. Travelers wishing to visit the archipelago or the Azores can fly from Lisbon. Direct flights to Madeira can be as brief as 1h 45min, while flights to Santo Porto in the Azores will include a layover in Madeira, making the travel time a bit longer, but still as short as around 3h 30min.

Night trains in Portugal

Night trains in Portugal operate internationally from neighboring countries like Spain. You can take night trains to Lisbon from central Spain, starting at Salamanca or Madrid, and also from the north of Spain, starting from San Sebastian. Train companies that operate these services include Lusitania, as well as the Sud_Express.

Good to know

It’s good to remember that train fares can be higher on Friday afternoons and Monday mornings or during holidays, so it’s good to remain flexible in your travel plans. A good tip for seeing the major tourist sites in Portugal by train is to ride the CP Alfa Pendular. This high_speed train covers the entire country from Faro in the south to Braga in the north and makes stops at major tourist destinations along the way such as Lisbon, Coimbra, or Porto. One last tip: discounts are available for children and senior citizens, so keep this in mind when booking your tickets!

Train Couple. Source: Shutterstock

Travel to Portugal: travel tips

Portugal is a country of incredible beauty, culture, and history all packed into a landmass only about the size of Indiana! Here you can relax on Atlantic beaches, wander the timeless streets of medieval cities, and marvel at the architecture and grandeur of cathedrals and museums in some of the grandest cities in Europe. Whether it’s Lisbon, Coimbra, or even just a quiet village in somewhere along the Douro River, there’s something memorable waiting for you in Portugal!