How to Get from Lisbon to Porto: 5 Best Options to Help You Plan

When planning a trip to Portugal, you’ll want to add both Lisbon and Porto to your travel itinerary. Lisbon is the capital city and is located in the southern part of the country, while Porto is located in the north and is the second-largest city in Portugal. (We personally loved Porto a little more!)

When traveling from Lisbon to Porto, there are a few different options available to you. You can take a bus, train, rental car, private car hire, or plane.

Each option has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to choose the one that best suits your needs.

Here, we’ll explore these 5 different transportation options in detail to help you make the best decision on how to get from Lisbon to Porto!

Quick Overview: How to get from Lisbon to Porto

Wanderful Advice: The Alfa Pendular high-speed fast train is our pick!

How to Get from Lisbon to Porto by Bus

Taking the bus is often the cheapest way to get to Porto, but it can also be the slowest. The journey time can vary depending on traffic conditions, but it typically takes around 3 and a half to 4 and a half hours to get from Lisbon to Porto by bus.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, the bus is a good choice. However, if you’re short on time, you might want to consider one of the other options.

There are a few different bus stops in Lisbon that you can use to get to Porto. The main bus stations in Lisbon are Sete Rios bus terminal with Rede Express Company and Oriente Station with Carris Company. The buses from both of these stations will take you to Porto.

Pro-Tip: Look up Lisboa (Sete Rios) or Lisboa (Oriente) to find the correct bus stop.

When you arrive in Porto, the terminal bus stop ends at Terminal Rodoviario which is near the Bolhão metro station so you can easily hop on there to get to your hotel or grab a taxi or Uber if you’d rather not walk the hills with your luggage.

With the bus, you may not get as comfortable seats as you’d like and the leg room doesn’t compare to the trains.

There are daily departures so you’ll have plenty of dates to choose from as start planning your travel itinerary. You can also purchase just a single trip if you don’t plan on doing a round-trip back to Lisbon.

To book a bus ticket from Lisbon to Porto, you can visit the following websites:

• Rede Expressos | FlixBus | Rome2Rio

Read next: 2 Days in Porto – The Perfect Weekend Itinerary

How to Get from Lisbon to Porto by Train

Travel by train is a popular option for travelers looking to go to Porto from Lisbon as it’s fast and comfortable. The journey time from Lisbon to Porto by train is around 2 hours and 50 minutes, making it a little quicker way to get between the two cities.

However, train tickets can be more expensive than bus tickets, so it’s important to compare prices before you book.

When looking to purchase a train ticket, there are two types of trains that run between Lisbon and Porto: the Intercidades train (IC) (or intercity) and the Alfa Pendular train (AP). The IC train is a slower option, while the AP train is the fastest option.

If you’re looking to save money, you can take the IC train. However, if you’re short on time, you’ll want to look into the Alfa Pendular trains, which are also Portugal’s high-speed trains.

Traveling by train is pretty comfortable and it also happens to have better leg room than airplanes, in my opinion! For the Alfa Pendular trains, you can purchase 1st class or 2nd class tickets. The main difference is the extra leg room, folding tables, armrests, and spotty free-wifi.

There are a few different train stations in Lisbon that you can use to get to Porto. The main train stations in Lisbon are Santa Apolónia and Oriente.

Santa Apolónia is closer to the city center of Lisbon whereas the Oriente station is closer to the Lisbon airport. If you get on at Santa Apolónia, the train will make a quick stop in Oriente before heading out to Porto.

When you get to Porto, you’ll arrive at the Campanha station, which is a little further out from the city center. From here you can take a taxi or Uber to your hotel, or you can switch trains and go to the São Bento station, which is more in the city center, and walk from there if your accommodation is nearby.

There are also daily departures for the trains at different times throughout the day so you’ll have plenty of dates to choose from as start planning your travel itinerary. Similarly to buses, you can also purchase just a single trip if you don’t plan on doing a round-trip back to Lisbon.

To book a train ticket from Lisbon to Porto, you can visit the following websites:

• Comboios de Portugal (CP) | Rail Ninja

Wanderful Advice: If you’re just transporting from Lisbon to Porto (or vice versa) with plans to explore each city, I would recommend purchasing Alfa Pendular (AP) 1st class tickets. The train is reliable, affordable, quick, and comfortable. There are many third-party websites that sell tickets, but you can get train tickets directly from the Portugal Train Website.

How to Get from Lisbon to Porto by Car Rental

Renting a car will give you the flexibility to explore Portugal at your own pace and take a road trip! The drive from Lisbon to Porto is around 3 hours, but you’ll need to factor in time for rest stops and traffic.

When trying to make a decision on renting a car to drive from Lisbon and Porto will depend on your travel plans.

If you’re only going to be in Lisbon and Porto, then a rental car may not be necessary and it may be better to rely on other transportation options.

However, if you’re planning to explore other parts of Portugal such as Braga, the Duoro Valley, Evora, Coimbra, and so much more, then renting a car is a great option!

Important information to consider before renting a car in Portugal:

• Most car rentals don’t require an international driver’s license. As long as you have proof of a driver’s license and not planning on being in the country for more than 6 months, you should be good to go.
• Unless stated otherwise, you’ll most likely get a car that is a manual, so you’ll need to know how to drive a stick shift to successfully make the drive from Lisbon to Porto.
• You’ll be driving on the A1 Motorway, which includes toll roads. Tolls can be expensive when driving from Lisbon to Porto, so you’ll want to add on the Via Verde transponder for ease of travel as some tolls don’t have a toll booth. You’ll be charged for the tolls on your credit card when you return your car rental.
• Do not speed as there are speed cameras and you’ll get a fine after the fact.
• Parking in the city center can be quite difficult in both Lisbon and Porto as the streets are narrow and may be crowded.

If you’re renting a car, you’ll need to pick it up from one of the following locations in Lisbon:

• Aeroporto de Lisboa (Lisbon Airport), Avenida do Brasil, Sete Rios Bus Station, Oriente Train Station

All of these locations are easily accessible by public transportation if you do plan to pick up your rental after exploring Lisbon.

To book a car rental, you can visit the following websites:

• DiscoverCars | Expedia | Rental Cars

Read next: How to Spend One Day in Braga, Portugal

How to Get from Lisbon to Porto by Private Car Hire

Private car hire is another option for travelers, as it gives you the freedom to tailor your journey to your own needs.

The journey time from Lisbon to Porto by private car hire is around 3 hours, but you’ll need to factor in the cost of hiring a driver. A private car hire is a good option if you’re looking for a more personalized experience and have a larger budget.

To get started on hiring a private car to get from Lisbon to Porto, you can use the following websites:

• Viator | Mozio | Rent a Driver

How to Get from Lisbon to Porto by Plane

Finally, you can also fly from Lisbon to Porto. The flight time from Lisbon to Porto is around 1 hour, making it the quickest way to get between the two cities. However, flights can be expensive, so it’s important to compare prices before you book.

You’ll also want to consider the time for getting to and from the airport as well as getting through the security lines.

When you are planning your flights, you’ll want to fly out of the Aeroporto de Lisboa (LIS) in Lisbon and into Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) in Porto.

The best way to get to and from these airports is by taxi or Uber as they are located outside of the city center.

However, you can also take public transportation from the airport to your hotel and vice versa as well if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option.

To book a flight, you can visit the following websites:

• TAP Air Portugal | Easyjet | Skyscanner

Read next: 30 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Traveling to Lisbon (Tips for First-Timers)

Should you fly to Lisbon or Porto?

When flying into Portugal, the two main airports you’ll have to choose from are Lisboa Airport and Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport in Porto. Lisbon Airport is the larger of the two airports, with more flight options and a wider range of shops and restaurants.

However, the Porto Airport is closer to the city of Porto, making it a better option if you’re planning to spend most of your time in that city and have little time.

If you are planning a long road trip throughout Portugal, I would recommend flying into Porto and continuing your journey south to Lisbon and finally to Algarve. With this plan, you’ll need to purchase a one-way ticket to Porto and another out from the Lisbon Airport.

Final Thoughts on How to Get from Lisbon to Porto

So, which is the best option for you? The answer depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you’re looking for the quickest way to get from Lisbon to Porto, the plane is the best option.

However, if you’re on a budget, the bus or train might be a better choice. And if you’re looking for flexibility, renting a car or hiring a private driver is a great option. Whichever you choose, I hope you have a wonderful journey.

Do you have any tips for getting from Lisbon to Porto? Share them in the comments below!

Other posts you may be interested in:

• 39 Beautiful Photos to Inspire Your Portugal Trip
• Lisbon to Porto Train: 5 Steps to a Successful Ride
• 2 Days in Porto – The Perfect Weekend Itinerary
• How to Spend a Day in Braga, Portugal
• Is Belem Worth Visiting: 7+ Best Things to Do in Half a Day
• 30 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Traveling to Lisbon
• 21 Best Foodie Cities in Europe For Food Enthusiasts

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