Lisbon to Porto: Alfa Pendular, Intercidades or the Cheaper Bus

Lisbon to Porto takes about 2 hours 50 minutes on the fast Alfa Pendular and about 3h20 on the cheaper Intercidades, running Lisbon Santa Apolonia (or Oriente) to Porto Campanha, city centre to city centre. Both are frequent through the day and seat reservation is compulsory. Advance CP Promo fares start from about EUR 10 to 25, and FlixBus and Rede Expressos coaches take around 3h30 from about EUR 5 for the very lowest fares. Here is how the times and fares compare.

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Fastest	Alfa Pendular, about 2h50
Frequency	Frequent daily Alfa Pendular and Intercidades trains
Cheapest	A coach from about EUR 5, or an advance Intercidades fare
Route	Lisbon Santa Apolonia to Porto Campanha, about 320 km

Mode	Operator	Duration	Approx fare	Overnight
Train	CP Alfa Pendular Portugal's fastest train, Lisbon Santa Apolonia to Porto Campanha, with WiFi, a cafe-bar and reserved seats. Advance Promo fares from about EUR 16; book ahead.	about 2h50	approx €16 to €36	No	Check on 12Go →
Train	CP Intercidades A little slower and cheaper than the Alfa Pendular on the same route, also with reserved seats and frequent daily departures.	about 3h20	approx €10 to €28	No	Check on 12Go →
Bus	FlixBus / Rede Expressos coach Cheapest overall, from about EUR 5 booked ahead, with frequent daily departures if the train fares are gone.	about 3h30	approx €5 to €20	No	Check on 12Go →

Fares are approximate and shown for comparison. Confirm live prices and times on 12Go before booking.

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How long is the train from Lisbon to Porto?

About 2 hours 50 minutes on the fast Alfa Pendular and about 3h20 on the cheaper Intercidades, both running Lisbon Santa Apolonia to Porto Campanha, city centre to city centre.

How much does the train from Lisbon to Porto cost?

Advance CP Promo fares start from about EUR 10 to 25 on the Intercidades and Alfa Pendular. A FlixBus or Rede Expressos coach is cheaper still, from about EUR 5 booked ahead.

Is there a direct train from Lisbon to Porto?

Yes. Both the Alfa Pendular and the Intercidades run direct with no change, Lisbon Santa Apolonia (or Oriente) to Porto Campanha, frequently through the day. Seat reservation is compulsory.

What is the best way to get from Lisbon to Porto?

The Alfa Pendular is the best all-round option: fastest at about 2h50, direct, and comfortable centre to centre. The Intercidades and the coach are cheaper if you have a little more time.

What is the Lisbon to Porto train frequency?

CP runs frequent Alfa Pendular and Intercidades departures from early morning to late evening, so there is a train most hours through the day between the two cities.

Hotel options and prices come from Agoda and update at booking time; sample data shown if live pricing is unavailable. Transport fares are estimates, confirmed on 12Go.