Lisbon to Porto by Train: Alfa Pendular, Intercidades and Fares
Two CP services link Lisbon and Porto. How they compare on price and speed, which stations to use, how to book cheaper seats and when the high-speed line might arrive.
Lisbon to Porto by train is a direct CP (Comboios de Portugal) service of around three hours on the Alfa Pendular, from Santa Apolónia or Oriente to Porto Campanhã. A standard one-way Alfa Pendular ticket costs €35.70 in Turística and €49.90 in Conforto in 2026; Intercidades trains are slower and cheaper, and both are sold on cp.pt.
Under-26s get up to 25% off, and CP runs promotions with advance fares from €7.50. A high-speed line that would cut the trip to 1 hour 15 minutes is being built in stages. Prices are as of November 2026.
Alfa Pendular or Intercidades: which train should I take?
The Alfa Pendular is CP’s fastest long-distance service, with tilting trains, two classes and fewer stops. The Intercidades uses conventional trains, stops at more towns and costs less. Both run on the Linha do Norte, the main north line, and both need a reserved seat.
| Alfa Pendular | Intercidades | |
|---|---|---|
| Classes | Conforto (first) and Turística (second) | 1st and 2nd class |
| Lisbon to Porto one-way, full fare, 2026 | €35.70 Turística, €49.90 Conforto | Lower; check cp.pt for your date |
| Speed | Fastest service, fewer stops | Slower, more stops |
| Youth discount | Up to 25% up to age 25 | Up to 25% up to age 25 |
| Promotional fares | Campaigns with up to 80% off | Check current offers |
CP raised long-distance ticket prices by an average of 2.26% from 1 January 2026, while keeping pass prices unchanged.
Which stations do the trains use?
In Lisbon, long-distance trains to the north call at Santa Apolónia, near Alfama and the Baixa, and at Oriente in Parque das Nações. Oriente is on the Metro red line, with a direct connection to the airport, which makes it the easier choice if you are flying in. Santa Apolónia is on the Metro blue line.
In Porto, the main long-distance station is Campanhã, east of the center, with Metro do Porto and local trains to São Bento in the old town. Some Alfa Pendular services continue north to Braga or Guimarães, and some run through from Faro. Coimbra (at Coimbra-B) and Aveiro are the main stops on the way.
Our guide to the airport and city connections covers getting to Oriente by Metro.
How long does the trip take?
Around three hours on the fastest Alfa Pendular trains, longer on the Intercidades. Exact times depend on the train and on any engineering works; the CP journey planner shows the scheduled time for each departure. The planned high-speed line is designed to bring Lisbon to Porto down to 1 hour 15 minutes.
How do I book, and what discounts are there?
- Search your date on cp.pt or in the CP app. Tickets are also sold at ticket machines and station ticket offices.
- Choose the train and class, then the seat. Long-distance tickets come with a seat reservation.
- Apply any discount you are entitled to before paying, and keep the ID that proves it with you on the train.
- Keep the ticket on your phone or print it; staff check tickets on board.
Discounts as of November 2026:
- Youth: up to 25% off Alfa Pendular and Intercidades fares up to age 25, rounded up to the next 50 cents. These tickets can be exchanged or refunded, according to CP. From age 26, holders of the Cartão Jovem youth card can use its discount for individual trips.
- Promotions: CP runs limited campaigns on the Alfa Pendular. In its autumn 2026 campaign, 7,000 seats were offered for trips between 8 and 28 October, with Lisbon to Porto from €7.50 in Turística and €10 in Conforto, bought at least 10 days ahead on cp.pt, the app or ticket machines. A similar campaign ran for trips in May 2026.
- Other discounts: CP publishes further discounts and their conditions on cp.pt. Check them before booking, because they change and some need a card or proof of age.
The Navegante pass does not cover long-distance trains. It is valid only on suburban services inside the Lisbon area, explained in our guide to trains to Sintra and Cascais.
When will the high-speed line open?
Not before the end of the decade, and in stages. The government and Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP), the rail infrastructure manager, signed the concession for the first section, Porto Campanhã to Oiã, on 29 July 2025 with Avan Norte, a company of the LusoLAV consortium. The European Investment Bank is lending €875 million for it. IP has since launched the tender for the next section, Oiã to Soure.
The official aim, in the government’s words, is a line linking the country’s two main cities in 1 hour 15 minutes. News reports put the Porto to Soure phase at 2030 and Soure to Carregado at 2032, with the final approach into Lisbon (Carregado to Oriente) still without a fixed date. Treat these as targets: the government’s own announcement of the first contract gave no completion date.
Bottom line
For most trips, the Alfa Pendular in Turística booked early is the best balance of price and time, and Oriente is the easier Lisbon station if you are coming from the airport or the Metro red line. Watch CP’s site for its periodic campaigns: seats are limited and the October 2026 offer needed booking at least 10 days ahead.
FAQ
How much is the train from Lisbon to Porto?
In 2026 a full-fare Alfa Pendular ticket costs €35.70 in Turística and €49.90 in Conforto, one way. Intercidades fares are lower, and youth and promotional discounts can cut the price further.
Which Lisbon station is best for Porto trains?
Both Santa Apolónia and Oriente are served. Oriente is better connected by Metro to the airport and the north of the city; Santa Apolónia is closer to Alfama and the Baixa.
Do I need to book a seat in advance?
Alfa Pendular and Intercidades tickets include a seat reservation. Buying ahead is the only way to get promotional fares, which need at least 10 days’ notice.
Can I use my Navegante pass to Porto?
No. The Navegante covers public transport in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area only, not CP long-distance trains.
