How to Book Train Travel From Lisbon to Porto

Recent improvements to Portugal's vast train system have made railway travel between Lisbon and Porto enjoyable. Both cities boast beautiful stations, easy access and many scheduling and speed options. Follow these steps to book your tickets.

Book Your Train Ticket From Lisbon to Porto

1 Book your tickets through the CP Passengers Web site, which is the Portuguese rail company(see Resources below).

2 Book tickets through the Rail Europe Web site (see Resources below), or call Rail Europe at (888) 382-RAIL (382-7245). Tickets for this journey should be reasonable.

3 Choose a rail line for your travel. The most efficient way to get from Lisbon to Porto is the Alfa service.

4 Choose between a faster train or a more leisurely but less-expensive one. Also, explore discounts before you buy. If you are a senior or student, you may qualify for a cheaper fare.

5 Decide on upgrades like first-class service before you book.

6 Enter your dates of travel. Verify schedules and criteria with the CP site first, even if you plan to book your ticket through Rail Europe. Book your train ticket with any major credit card.

Travel to Porto

1 Set aside approximately 3 1/2 hours for your journey from Lisbon to Porto.

2 Arrive at the Lisbon train station at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure.

3 Don't rely on the train stations to provide food and drink. Pack refreshments for your journey, since most Portuguese trains and stations don't offer much in this department.

4 Check posted signs in the ticketing area to locate your departure platform for Porto. Many of the Lisbon stations are enormous, so give yourself time to locate your platform and get to it.

5 Read monitors at the platform to locate your boarding area. This is critical if you have a preassigned seat.

6 Hand your ticket to the conductor when requested. If you lose your ticket, you will receive a substantial fine.