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4.6The most popular way to travel from Portugal to Spain
The most popular way to travel from Portugal to Spain is by plane. A flight from Portugal to Spain usually takes under two hours to complete. Buses and trains from Portugal to Spain are more affordable than plane tickets but add a significant amount of time to the trip.
Flights from Portugal to Spain
Flight tickets from Portugal to Spain are cheaper than they are from many other European countries. However, prices for flying are still much higher than they are for traveling by bus or train.
Buses from Portugal to Spain
Bus tickets from Portugal to Spain are the most affordable way to travel between these two countries. Bus trips can also be shorter than train rides between certain destinations. This makes taking a bus a smart decision if you want to save money while traveling from Portugal to Spain and are okay with the extra travel time.
Trains from Portugal to Spain
Finally, you can also take a train when traveling from Portugal to Spain. This option can sometimes be faster than taking a bus, but not always. It depends on when you depart from Portugal and the two cities that you want to travel between.
Cheapest tickets to travel from Portugal to Spain
If you’re looking for the cheapest tickets from Portugal to Spain, then traveling by bus is almost definitely going to be your best option. Bus prices are generally the lowest fares available, but there are some situations in which a train ticket could be more affordable. When in doubt, it’s a good idea to research both options.
Flight tickets from Portugal to Spain are significantly more expensive than both buses and trains. However, you can save money if you purchase during promotional periods. Given how much faster flying is, plane tickets may be worth looking into as well. It’s always worth checking if you can find cheap tickets on your chosen dates.
The center of historic Madrid. Source: Unsplash
How many hours do I need to travel from Portugal to Spain?
The amount of time that it takes to travel between Portugal and Spain can vary widely based on factors like the mode of transportation you take, the two cities you want to travel between, and the transit provider that you select.
The fastest way to travel between the vast majority of Portuguese and Spanish cities is by taking a plane. Most non-stop flights will take under two hours, but some are even shorter, such as the flight from Porto to Madrid, which only takes 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Buses can get you from Lisbon to Madrid as quickly as 7 hours and 15 minutes. Trains are equally as long, but the speed of your trip on a train will depend on the line you take and how many stops it makes between your point of departure in Portugal and where you arrive in Spain.
What companies run services between Portugal and Spain?
The quality and length of your travel from Portugal to Spain will largely depend on the provider that you select. Many companies offer plane, train, and bus routes between Portugal and Spain, but here’s a look at some of the most popular and convenient options.
Train providers
Renfe Alvia is the best train company for traveling from Portugal to Spain. It is owned by the Spanish government and operates numerous routes across the Iberian Peninsula. If you want to go by train, the best option will likely come from Renfe Alvia.
Bus providers
FlixBus is the best bus company for traveling between Portugal and Spain. It offers the most routes at the best prices. However, it’s not the only option you can use to travel by bus between these two countries.
BlaBlaBus is another viable option, and it may offer a better route for your travel itinerary. It’s a company that’s at least worth looking into before purchasing your ticket from Flixbus if only to double-check that a better option isn’t available.
Airlines
You’ll have the most options to choose from if you decide to fly from Portugal to Spain. EasyJet is our top-rated provider with the most flight options and best prices. You should also look into Iberia and AirEuropa, among other providers.
Incredible Church in Barcelona, Spain. Source: Shutterstock
The most popular routes from Portugal to Spain
- Lisbon to Madrid is a popular route that offers some of the best travel options between these two countries. There are 311 miles (502km) between Lisbon and Madrid, which takes 1 hour and 30 minutes to fly, around 10 hours to travel by train, and approximately 7 hours and 15 minutes to cover by bus.
- Lisbon to Barcelona is another solid option to look into if you want to travel from Portugal to Spain. It’s a longer journey than others, though, with 623 miles (1,005 km) between the two cities. Flights from Lisbon to Barcelona take 1 hour and 45 minutes, buses take 16 hours and 15 minutes, and trains take 15 hours or longer.
- Porto to Madrid is the next route on our list. There are 261 miles (421 km) between these two cities, which gives you access to some varied travel options. A flight takes only 1 hour and 10 minutes, buses take about 8 hours and 30 minutes, and trains can take upwards of 10 hours to complete the trip.
- Lisbon to Ibiza is another common route, given the growing popularity of Ibiza as a travel destination for unparalleled nightlife. Flights from Lisbon to Ibiza take around 1 hour and 43 minutes. There are no options for trains or buses since Ibiza is an island.
- Lisbon to Valencia is the last route on our list. It offers the most travel options for arrivals in the Spanish city of Valencia. The trip takes 1 hour and 40 minutes to fly, 12 to 20 hours by bus, and 21 hours or more by train.
The stunning coast of Ibiza, Spain. Source: Shutterstock
The most popular stations for departure in Portugal and arrival in Spain
- Lisbon Portela Airport is the best airport for departing Portugal for Spain. It’s located in the country’s capital and offers the most flight options, as well as some of the best prices you’ll find when flying between these two countries.
- Porto Airport is another popular option for flights leaving Portugal. This airport is located in Portugal’s second-largest city and has a good number of flight options to choose from, though not quite as many as Lisbon Portela Airport.
- Madrid Barajas Airport is the best airport to fly into when arriving in Spain. It’s located in the Spanish capital and has the most incoming plane routes of any airport in the country.
- Madrid Puerta-de Atocha Train Station will likely be your best option if you want to take a train or bus from Portugal to Spain. This is Madrid’s central railway station, with a large number of routes to choose from.
- Valencia Airport is one last station that you may want to look into if you would like to visit Valencia, Spain. It’s the city’s airport and has a fair number of flight arrivals from Portugal on a daily basis.
Destinations & highlights in Spain
- Madrid has something to offer everyone. From beautiful outdoor parks and expeditions into nature to majestic cultural artifacts and shopping, you’ll have a hard time getting bored here. You can even go tapas tasting or rent a bike and peddle across Madrid to experience this global city as the locals do.
- Barcelona is another Spanish city with loads to explore. Places like Park Guell and La Sagrada Familia offer one-of-a-kind architecture. The beach is only about 10 minutes from the center of Barcelona, so you can enjoy the Playa de Bogatell during the day and quickly return to the city for dinner and nightlife after the sun goes down.
- Ibiza is an island off the coast of Spain that’s become one of the premier destinations on the planet for nightlife. It’s home to some of the most luxurious nightclubs, restaurants, and entertainment venues in Europe. Plus, Ibiza has miles of beaches and coastlines where you can relax and recharge during the day.
- Valencia is another gorgeous Spanish city that gets forgotten behind bigger names like Madrid and Barcelona. But this city has plenty to offer as well. From the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias to the Central Market of Valencia, you can spend weeks here without running out of new things to experience.
- Seville is the last city on our list, but that’s not a statement about its quality. The town is known across the world for its unique architecture, flamenco dancing, and tapas. You can even kayak on the river Guadalquivir if you’re feeling adventurous.
Best time to travel from Portugal to Spain
There’s never a truly bad time to visit Spain. The country has some of the best weather you’ll find in Europe, no matter when you visit. However, Spain can become very busy during the summer months, as this is when many families decide to visit.
If you want to avoid the crowds, you’re better off visiting from either March to May or September to November. These parts of the year still offer beautiful weather, but you won’t have to deal with as many people while you’re there. Plus, your accommodation and travel tickets will likely be cheaper when you visit during the off-season.