4.9
4.6The most popular way to travel from Spain to Portugal
The most popular way to travel from Spain to Portugal is by plane. There’s limited rail infrastructure between Spain and Portugal, which makes traveling by train a lengthy process, and buses can take even longer.
Traveling from Madrid to Lisbon by plane only takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes. Even though flight tickets from Spain to Portugal are more expensive than other options, the time saved by this mode of transport often makes them the best selection.
Flights from Spain to Portugal
A Spain to Portugal flight from any two major cities will typically take under 2 hours to complete. However, if you want to depart from or arrive at an airport with limited route options, you may have to take a connecting flight, which will increase your travel time.
The main downside of a Spain to Portugal flight is the price, as tickets are almost always more expensive than alternatives like trains and buses.
Buses from Spain to Portugal
Taking a bus from Spain to Portugal is only really a good choice for the most budget-conscious travelers. Bus tickets from Spain to Portugal are the most affordable transit option, but they also take the longest. A Spain to Portugal bus can take over a day to cover the same distance that a nonstop flight could cover in a few hours.
Trains from Spain to Portugal
A train from Spain to Portugal can be a middle-ground between flying and taking a bus. A Spain to Portugal train can take upwards of 8 hours to complete a simple journey. But that’s still faster than a bus and more affordable than flying.
When deciding between a bus or a train, your arrival and departure cities play a big role. The average travel time for buses and trains is nearly identical between some cities, but trains are much faster between other destinations.
Cheapest tickets to travel from Spain to Portugal
If your goal is to find the cheapest tickets from Spain to Portugal, then taking a bus is your best option. Traveling from Spain to Portugal by bus can be a long and tiring process, but you may be able to save upwards of $100 on the trip by choosing a bus over a plane.
Some bus companies periodically offer promo rates for bus tickets from Spain to Portugal. It’s worth looking these up before purchasing your ticket if you want to find the cheapest tickets between Spain and Portugal.
How many hours do I need to travel from Spain to Portugal?
Your Spain to Portugal travel time will vary based on the mode of transit you choose and the cities you travel between. Some non-stop flights can get you between these two countries in as little as 1 hour and 30 minutes. Buses can take a day or longer to get you from Spain to Portugal.
For example, if you travel from Madrid to Porto, it would take you only 1 hour and 10 minutes via plane, but 8 hours and 30 minutes by bus. Similarly, a trip from Madrid to Lisbon would take 1 hour and 30 minutes by plane, but 10 hours by train.
The bottom line is that you’re able to choose between paying extra for a plane ticket that will get you to Portugal faster or saving money by taking a bus or train and waiting longer to get to your destination. The best option for your trip will come down to your preference.
A trolley runs through narrow streets in historic Portugal. Source: Unsplash
What companies run services between Spain and Portugal
There are many different companies that offer train, bus, and flight tickets from Spain to Portugal. Here are the options with the most routes and the least expensive tickets.
Train providers
Renfe Alvia is your best option if you want to take a train from Spain to Portugal. Renfe Alvia is Spain’s national railway company and offers the most routes for both domestic and international trips.
Bus providers
There are two solid options for bus tickets from Spain to Portugal. Flixbus is always a good option for these trips. It offers buses at many different times throughout the day and typically makes it easy to switch buses if you need to do so.
BlaBlaCar is another company that offers a solid number of bus routes between Spain and Portugal. It’s well worth looking into if you want to take a bus but aren’t able to find a good option from Flixbus.
Airlines
You also have many different options for airlines if you want to fly between Spain and Portugal. EasyJet is our top option because it’s the most affordable and offers the most flights. You may also want to look into Iberia and AirEuropa, which are also good providers of flights between these two countries.
The most popular routes from Spain to Portugal
You can travel between any two cities in Spain and Portugal that you want. However, smaller cities tend to have fewer dedicated travel options, which means it typically takes longer to journey between them.
This is why many travelers choose to use major routes, such as the ones covered below. These offer the most travel options and are often more affordable to use as well.
- Madrid to Lisbon may be the most popular route between these two countries. It is 311 miles long (502km), which takes 1 hour and 30 minutes to fly, 10 hours by train, and about 7 hours and 15 minutes to travel by bus.
- Madrid to Porto is another popular route. The distance between these two cities is 261 miles (421km). It takes only 1 hour and 10 minutes to fly, 8 hours and 30 minutes to travel by bus, and 10 hours and 38 minutes to travel by train.
- Barcelona to Lisbon is a longer trip than our previous routes. There are 623 miles (1,005km) between these two cities, which takes 1 hour and 45 minutes to fly, over 15 hours to travel by train, and more than 16 hours to travel by bus.
- Barcelona to Porto can be another great travel option between Spain and Portugal. It takes 1 hour and 55 minutes to travel by plane, nearly 18 hours by bus, and about the same 18 hours to travel by train.
- Valencia to Lisbon rounds out our list of top routes. Travel times between these two cities are 1 hour and 40 minutes by plane, 12 to 20 hours by bus, and 21 hours or longer by train.
The Portuguese Coast in Summer. Source: Unsplash
The most popular stations for departure in Spain and arrival in Portugal
There are plenty of different airports, bus stops, and train stations you can use to get between Spain and Portugal. Here’s a list of the stations with the most travel options for these two countries.
- Madrid Barajas Airport is Madrid’s main airport. It’s where you’ll find the most flight options departing from Spain and going to Portugal.
- Lisbon Portela Airport is the biggest airport in Portugal. It’s a great port of arrival for flights from Spain and many other countries across Europe and around the world.
- Porto Airport is the best airport to fly into if you want to go to Porto, a beautiful coastal city in the Northwest portion of the country.
- Madrid Puerta- de Atocha Train Station is the central train station in Madrid. It’s where you’ll find most of the trains and buses that depart Madrid in the direction of Portugal.
- Valencia Airport is another major airport in Spain that offers departing flights for cities in Portugal. It’s a good option if you want to take a plane and you’re leaving from the Eastern coast of Spain.
Destinations & highlights in Portugal
Portugal is an exceptionally beautiful country with thousands of miles of coastline to explore. There are also bustling cities and quiet mountain regions where you can get away to think. No matter what kind of experience you’re looking for, there’s a great chance you’ll be able to find it in Portugal.
So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the top destinations that this country has to offer.
- Lisbon is Portugal’s capital and one of the most enjoyable cities to visit. It’s home to the breathtaking Torre de Belem, some wonderful shopping districts, and more oceanfront restaurants and pathways than you can visit in one trip.
- Porto is Portugal’s second-largest city and one of its most impressive urban areas. Here, you’ll find the Luis Bridge, Clerigos Church and Tower, and the always-interesting Cais da Ribeira, where you can shop, eat, and watch the locals mingle.
- Algarve is what the Portuguese call the country’s beautiful stretch of southern coastline. It’s full of unforgettable beaches and quaint cities where you can explore the cobblestone streets, eat delicious meals, and unwind from all of the stresses of the world.
- The Duoro Valley is another beautiful part of Portugal that is east of Porto. It’s a valley that’s home to some of the country’s most prominent winemakers. This makes it the perfect destination if you’re looking to do a spot of wine tasting in Portugal.
- Nazare is a town that’s located in the Oeste region and known for its massive waves. It’s a picturesque city on the coast that’s a bit removed from the hustle and bustle of Porto and Lisbon. This makes it a good option for travelers who are looking for a more relaxed holiday.
Best time to travel from Spain to Portugal
There are two main windows during the year when it’s best to travel to Portugal from Spain. The first is March through May. This is when the country is blooming after winter and is exceptionally beautiful.
Another good window is in the early fall. You’ll still get plenty of sun at this point of the year, but you won’t have to deal with large crowds.
Of course, summer is also a beautiful time to visit Portugal. But this is when accommodations are the most expensive and when you’ll find the most people lying on beaches and increasing your wait times at restaurants. If you’re okay with these potential downsides, then summer is a good time to visit.