Portugal exploded in popularity, and tourists were welcomed by the modern train network, ready to stir them nationwide. Although train ticket prices are affordable in Portugal, I have created a guide on how to buy train tickets in Portugal so that you can get the best train tickets at the cheapest price.
Buy a train ticket in Portugal: a quick guide
this Comboios de Portugal It is the official Portuguese railway service. Anyone can directly from Comboios de Portugal website.
However, it has encountered some strange translation problems, and some international users may have difficulty paying their credit card payments. Therefore, I recommend sticking to the booking site below (especially for non-Europeans).
You can also not purchase international train tickets (i.e. Lisbon to Madrid) Comboios de Portugal.
Omio
Omio Is my preferred railway service booking service because they found the lowest train tickets and Official Portuguese Railway Website – No issues with issuance using foreign credit cards, no translation issues, etc. Omio A small service fee is charged (about $1 per ticket), but the ticket price is the same.
Most train tickets you book on Omio are electronic, so the electronic ticket will be sent to your phone (by email or Omio app), which simply shows the tickets on the phone screen to the train conductor to check the tickets. If there is no electronic ticket, you can print your tickets at the train station using the booking confirmation code.
Train line
Train line Similar to Omio, so find Comboios de Portugal, And you will pay a small reservation fee of $1-$3.
Purchase tickets at the train station
You can always choose to purchase train tickets from any train station in Portugal. The fastest way to buy train tickets is through the ticket vending machine (the machines have English options). However, these machines do not always accept foreign credit cards.
You can also purchase tickets from the ticket window, but during busy times, the lines can be long. Most ticket sellers speak passable English, but not always. That is, the ticketing window can usually accept any credit card, so if you have problems with the machine, try using that window.
What’s important: Ticket windows (especially on smaller radio stations and weekends) often open in the morning, so if you want to take an early train, this can cause problems! If possible, please book.
Travel Tips: If you take a train in Portugal, you will need reliable high-speed data from your phone. I have written some different articles about getting cheap mobile data in Portugal/Europe: European Mobile Data Plans and Smartphone Guide,,,,, How to buy SIM card and mobile data plans in Europeand The best ESIM data plan in Portugal.
A step-by-step guide to booking train tickets in Portugal
Now you know Where To buy a Portugal train ticket, let’s jump into my step-by-step guide to learn how to buy a train ticket in Portugal.
In this section, I will cover different types of train tickets, strategies for getting the best price, and other things to remember when looking for train tickets.
Enter your train travel details
The first step is to visit the booking website (I like Omio) and enter your travel details – this is simple, but I’ve listed below some of the things you should remember:
- Departure and Arrival Station: Make sure you get into the right train station, as many big cities have multiple train stations.
- Number of transfers: If available, a zero transfer route is always the best choice.
- Train type (high speed and area): High-speed trains are always my best choice.
- Departure time: Most routes will have multiple departure times, so click to find one that suits you. Departure time will also affect the air ticket price.
Note: If your search does not have a train back, you may try to book in advance. Trains are usually only bookable 60 days before departure.
Select your ticket type
Booking website Omio or Train line The cheapest second-class tickets are displayed by default. The price of the first class is about 50% higher than the second class ticket, but the second class seats are very comfortable.
The cheapest tickets are “Promotional fares”, which means they cannot be refunded or exchanged, so don’t miss your train. “Normal Fares” tickets can be cancelled 15 minutes before departure, but these tickets are much more expensive than cheaper promotional fares.
What is the pricing structure of train tickets in Portugal?
Like many European countries, train ticket pricing in Portugal can vary based on train type (high speed vs. local), demand, time of day, etc.
Fortunately, train tickets in Portugal are often affordable, so even full-price tickets are not expensive, but let’s take a look at what affects train ticket prices:
α-pituitary (AP) high-speed train
this alpha-pendular It is the fastest and most modern train in Portugal – reaching a speed of 125mph. These high-speed trains connect to the largest cities in Portugal, with parking restrictions. Ticket sales start 60 days before departure and become more expensive as the departure date approaches – I recommend buying at least two weeks in advance for the lowest price.
Ticket prices also fluctuate based on departure time, so they are more expensive than the less popular travel time.
Intercidades (IC) train
Intercidades are relatively fast trains with similar routes to Alpha-Pendular trains, but they stop, so the journey will be longer – the trains are a bit old and more basic.
Like the Alpha-pendular train, when purchased in advance, the rate train is cheaper and as the departure date approaches, the price increases.
Region (R), Inter-region (IR) and City (U) Train:
These slow and short regional trains connect smaller towns/regions/suburbs. The price is fixed and cannot be purchased online.
How early should you buy your train ticket?
Long-distance high-speed train tickets can be booked two months in advance. These tickets start to be cheaper, and then become more expensive as the departure date approaches. For example, if booked one month in advance, the tickets may be around €10, but if booked the date of the trip, it may cost €35 – so it is worth buying the train ticket early.
Typically, tickets purchased 5 days in advance will be 50% of the full price ticket price, and tickets purchased 8 days in advance will enjoy a full price of about 60%.
The only downside is that these cheap tickets are non-refundable or variable, so you need to make a plan. If you are worried about your plan, you can pay for more refundable tickets.
Collect your ruins or physical train tickets
Almost all train tickets purchased online are mobile ruin tickets. If you pass Omio or Train line, Tickets will be stored in the booking app, or you can email them to you. You show your e-ticket to the train conductor on your phone and they will scan their QR code.
If there is no specific time on the ticket, the physical ticket purchased at the train station must be purchased. You can verify your ticket by scanning the tickets on ticket machines around the train platform. Failure to verify can result in expensive fines.
The most popular train routes in Portugal
Most travelers only visit Lisbon, but there are many other places in Portugal worth a visit. Here are some of the most popular routes:
Lisbon to Sintra by train (about 45min-1hr)
Sintra is the most popular day trip in Lisbon. It uses a local train, which takes about an hour and costs 2.30 euros per method. There are multiple trains per hour, sometimes every 10 minutes during peak travel times.
Tickets can only be purchased at the station. During busy seasons, ticketing lines last for a long time, so arrive early to avoid lines.
Take the train to Porto (2.5h-3h)
Traveling between Lisbon (Oriente Station) and Porto (Campanhã Station) on the train is very easy, with multiple direct trains every day. The Alfa Pendular high-speed train will take 2H40 minutes, while the slightly slower central train will take about 3H10min.
Tickets start around €32, but you can save 50%+ by booking in advance. Check the price Omio.
Lisbon by train to Braga (3 hours 16 minutes)
Braga is a great city in northern Portugal. Braga is about 3 hours from Lisbon by high-speed train, and from Porto to 40m by high-speed train.
There are only a few direct trains between Lisbon and Braga, but most require changes to Porto (this can add a 10-minute stopover to more than an hour of stop). So look for the shortest and most convenient route to the direct train.
There are multiple departures between Lisbon and Braga, and tickets are priced between 30 and 40 euros, but if booked in advance, it can be reduced to 12 to 15 euros. Check the price Omio.
Training (1H30min-1hr50min) to Lisbon to Koi
The riverside city of Coimbra is about halfway between Porto and Lisbon, so both cities are popular. The direct train between Lisbon and Cobba takes 1.5-2 hours, depending on whether you take the AP or IC train.
Standard train tickets between Lisbon and Coimbus are priced at around €20 to €15 if booked in advance. Check the price Omio.
Training (3 hours 30 minutes) to FARO (3 hours)
The sun-soaked Faro is the most famous city in Portugal’s famous Algarve region. The high-speed AP train takes about 3 hours, while the IC train takes 3.5 hours to Lisbon. Check the price Omio.
General Portugal train travel tips
There are some things to consider when taking the train in Portugal. You can check mine too The Portugal Train Guide For more in-depth advice.
Check your train station
Many cities in Portugal have multiple train stations, so double check you have the right train station.
Luggage allowance
Technically, you are only allowed to have a personal bag and a suitcase on the train in Portugal, but this is not monitored unless you pick up a lot of luggage on the train. There is a larger luggage space between trains and smaller shelves above the seats.
Seat reservations on train
Your tickets will automatically provide seat reservations on high-speed AP and IC trains. Local and regional trains have open seating.
Food and drinks on the train
You can bring food and drinks (including alcohol) freely on any train. Most high-speed trains also have cafes with snacks, coffee and alcohol. Some trains will also have a restaurant car with multiple options.
International train
Portugal is geographically evacuated from other parts of Europe, but the most popular international train route is Lisbon, Madrid, Spain, and the journey takes about 14 hours. Therefore, most people choose to fly.
More Portugal travel tips for savvy backpackers
Here are more articles I wrote about traveling in Portugal and Europe:
James Feess is the creator of the savvy backpackers and the author of the book The Budget-Savvy Backpackers Guide. He has been writing blogs about European budget travel since 2010.
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