Portugal Transportation Guide: Intercity Trains, Trams, and Travel Cards
Transport Guide
2026-10-02
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Understand CP trains, Lisbon Tram 28, and the Viva Viagem card — your complete guide to getting around Portugal.
Arrival and Getting into Town
| Airport | How to Get into Town | Time/Price |
|---|
| Lisbon (LIS) | Red Metro Line or Airport Bus | About 20–40 minutes, around €2–4 |
| Porto (OPO) | Metro Line E (Purple Line) | About 30 minutes, around €2.5 |
| Faro (FAO) | Airport Bus or Taxi | About 15–30 minutes |
| Madeira Funchal (FNC) | Airport Bus or Taxi | About 30–45 minutes |
Intercity Trains
- Alfa Pendular: The fastest intercity train; Lisbon to Porto takes about 2 hours 45 minutes.
- Intercidades: Covers more towns; slightly cheaper than Alfa Pendular.
- Suburban Lines: Lisbon to Sintra takes about 40 minutes, to Cascais about 35 minutes; frequent departures.
Urban Transport
- Viva Viagem Card: A reloadable public transport card for Lisbon’s metro, trams, buses, and ferries.
- Tram 28: Lisbon’s iconic heritage tram; single ride around €3, multi-day passes offer better value.
- Porto Metro: Covers the airport, city centre, and waterfront; Andante card available.
- Taxis and Ride-Hailing: Official taxis are mostly black; ride-hailing apps are also available.
Tips
- Popular trams and scenic cable cars have long queues; go early in the morning if possible.
- Booking intercity train tickets in advance on the CP official website often comes with discounted fares.
- Old town areas have many slopes and slippery cobblestones; backpacks are more convenient than suitcases.
- Some suburban train services are reduced at night; check the timetable before you travel.