Relax and Enjoy the Scenery: Traveling by Train to Lisbon and Porto

Relax and Enjoy the Scenery: Traveling by Train to Lisbon and Porto - Take in the Views Along the Way

One of the best parts of traveling between Lisbon and Porto by train is being able to soak in the incredible scenery along the journey. Unlike driving or flying between the destinations, traveling by rail allows you to sit back, relax, and watch Portugal's captivating landscapes unfold outside your window.

The trip between Lisbon and Porto takes around 3 hours each way. That's plenty of time to be mesmerized by the passing views of Portugal's diverse countryside. Right outside of Lisbon, the train hugs the coastline, offering glimpses of rugged cliffs and crashing ocean waves. Further north, the tracks cut through rolling green hills dotted with whitewashed villages, groves of olive trees, and fields of grazing livestock.

In his article "Why Portugal's Douro Valley Should Be Your Next Wine Region Escape," travel writer Chris Dwyer describes the enchanting scenery witnessed on his train ride from Porto to Pinhao in the Douro Valley: "As the train clicked and clacked its way eastwards along the north bank of the river, every bend revealed yet another jaw-dropping view. Hills coated in orderly neat lines of vines in varying shades of green, clusters of cute wine estates with orange roofs, small sleepy hamlets, all unfurled in picture perfect postcard scenes."

Of course, one of the most iconic landmarks visible from the Lisbon-Porto train is the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge (often compared to San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge). As the train crosses over the massive red suspension bridge, you can gaze out at the shimmering waters of the Tagus River flowing beneath you. It's a sight that will take your breath away.

Travel vlogger Carlo Ondo shares in his YouTube video "Lisbon to Porto Train Ride" just how impressed he was by the scenery viewed from his rail journey between the cities: "It is absolutely beautiful - you have the mountains, you have the rivers, you have the valleys. It honestly looks like the type of stuff you would see in postcards."

The farther inland the train travels, the more mountainous and rugged the landscapes become. Parts of the journey cut through the Serra do Marão mountains, taking you past imposing rocky cliffs and cascading waterfalls. It's a part of Portugal that can only be fully appreciated from the unique vantage point of the train.

Relax and Enjoy the Scenery: Traveling by Train to Lisbon and Porto - Stopovers Allow Time to Soak in the Portuguese Countryside

One of the best ways to make the most of a train trip through Portugal is to plan a stopover along the way. Stopovers give you a chance to step off the train and truly immerse yourself in the Portuguese countryside. Rather than merely passing through on the rails, you can spend time wandering quaint villages, exploring historic sites, or relaxing at a rural retreat.

I love how easy it is to build a stopover into an itinerary when taking the train. On a Lisbon to Porto trip, Coimbra makes an ideal stopover destination. The journey is split almost exactly in half there, with Coimbra just 2 hours from Lisbon and another 2 hours from Porto.

An overnight stop in Coimbra allows you time to see the sights of this charming college town spread across the banks of the Mondego River. Meander the cobbled lanes and stairways of the atmospheric old town, which is built atop a steep hillside. Marvel at the magnificent 12th-century cathedral Sé Velha and visit the ornate baroque Biblioteca Joanina library, part of the distinguished University of Coimbra.

Don't miss the grand views over Coimbra from the university grounds. Carlos from the YouTube channel Triangulo das Bermudas recommends, "One of the best views is from the Tower of the University. From there you can see all of Coimbra - it's very beautiful."

About an hour north of Coimbra, the picture-perfect medieval village of Piódão is another great stopover choice. Suspended on a steep hillside surrounded by stunning verdant scenery, Piódão looks like something straight out of a fairy tale. Spend an afternoon rambling along the cobbled lanes and soaking up the views from this incredible mountaintop village.

Wherever you decide to break up your Lisbon to Porto train trip, stopovers give you time to wander beyond the stations and train tracks to experience quintessential Portuguese landscapes and culture. As travel vlogger Nate Buchi points out in his Portugal train trip video, "To be able to just hop off and explore is amazing."

Relax and Enjoy the Scenery: Traveling by Train to Lisbon and Porto - Pack Light and Leave Room for Local Treats

When embarking on a train journey through Portugal, packing light is key. Not only does it make maneuvering through train stations and public transport easier, but it also leaves ample room in your luggage to bring local Portuguese treats home.

As travel vlogger Brooke Baum shares in her Portugal train trip video, "I just brought a carry-on backpack because it's really easy to get around on the trains, and you don't have to deal with a big suitcase." She recommends packing light layers that can be mixed and matched, allowing you to adjust to Portugal's changing weather and temperatures.

Resist overpacking bulky shoes and accessories that will weigh you down. As Oneika Raymond writes in her Portugal packing tips article, "Walking is a way of life in Portugal, so make sure you have good walking shoes." Otherwise, you can get by with just the essentials.

Once you've pared down your luggage, you'll have space for bringing home all the delicious edible souvenirs Portugal has to offer. When blogger Maria Douthwaite took the train from Lisbon to Porto, she made sure to save room for local treats like "sweet pastel de nata egg custard tarts, bars of chocolate flavoured with cinnamon and chili, and bags of plump, juicy dried figs."

Food and travel writer James Cave splurged on Portuguese wine, olive oil, port, and "more tinned fish than I could carry" during his train trips through the country. Just be sure to wrap any glass bottles securely to prevent breakage.

Of course, what you bring home depends on your tastes and interests. In Porto, pick up some vintage port – the world-famous fortified wine from the Douro Valley. Sample local cheeses like tangy Serra da Estrela, then grab a wedge or two at grocery stores like Mercado Bom Sucesso.

While in Lisbon, stuff your bags with the city's iconic pastéis de nata custard tarts, artfully packaged cans of sardines and tuna, rich Portuguese chocolate, and beautifully glazed ceramics. Just be mindful of each destination's customs regulations before packing food items.

Relax and Enjoy the Scenery: Traveling by Train to Lisbon and Porto - Transition Smoothly Between Destinations by Rail

One of the best parts of traveling between destinations by train is how seamless and stress-free the transition between cities can be. Unlike flying, you don’t have to deal with navigating airports, going through security screening, waiting at gates, and other time-consuming hassles. Trains allow you to transition smoothly between destinations, often directly from city center to city center.

Travel bloggers Tom and Anna of Adventure in You found traveling by train between Porto and Lisbon to be "easy and comfortable." They share that "the train stations in both Porto and Lisbon are located in the city centers, so getting to and from the stations is convenient."

The Lisbon Oriente train station is right next to the Lisbon airport, while the Porto Campanhã station is an easy 15 minute metro ride from the airport. Blogger Maria Douthwaite describes the Porto train station as "large, super clean, and very modern. It was easy to find my track and platform."

Once you are on the train, you can sit back and relax rather than having to concentrate on the road. There is no need to rent a car and deal with navigating through unfamiliar cities and countries. Let the train conductors handle all of that!

Travel vlogger Carlo Ondo took the train from Lisbon to Porto and points out, "You don't have to focus on the road or traffic. You can just sit on the train, listen to music, read a book, take a nap. It makes travel so much less exhausting."

For travelers prone to motion sickness, trains provide a much smoother journey than driving or flying. Since there are no bumpy roads or turbulence, you are less likely to get sick. Popular travel blogger Alex Waltner writes, "I get terrible motion sickness, but had no issues on the train. The gentle, steady movement of the rails allowed me to work and walk around freely."

Trains stations are designed to make connections quick and easy. For example, the Lisbon Oriente station offers direct metro and bus links throughout the city. At the Porto Campanhã station, the metro station is conveniently located right inside the building itself.

With trains arriving and departing directly from city centers, you can avoid lengthy transfers from airports located outside the city. This allows you to maximize your time in each destination.

With the simplicity of travel by rail, you can bid farewell to the headaches of flying and driving. Train expert Sari Duddek sums it up: “Traveling by train takes the stress out of getting from point A to point B, allowing you to arrive relaxed and ready to explore your destination.”

Relax and Enjoy the Scenery: Traveling by Train to Lisbon and Porto - Enjoy City Access Without the Hassle of Driving

One of the best parts of taking the train between Lisbon and Porto is being able to enjoy easy access to the cities' sights and attractions without having to deal with the hassle of driving yourself. Unlike if you were road tripping between the destinations by car, traveling by rail allows you to avoid navigating unfamiliar cities as their driver. You can conveniently get on and off the train right in the city centers and make your way around using public transportation and your own two feet.

As travel vloggers Tom and Anna of Adventure in You explain of their train trip from Lisbon to Porto, “We didn’t have to focus on directions or parking or any of that. We just hopped on the metro or walked wherever we wanted to go.” Rather than wasting time driving in circles looking for parking, they could immediately set out exploring the cities.

The more time you can spend soaking up vibrant Portuguese city life rather than sitting frustrated behind a steering wheel, the better. Travel blogger Alex Waltner describes the liberation of getting around Lisbon and Porto by foot and public transit after taking the train from city to city:

“Walking is by far the best way to experience the cities. Letting my feet take me wandering through winding cobblestone alleys revealed hidden gems I’d never have found driving. And public transportation like Lisbon’s historic trolleys and Porto’s new metro system made getting around fast and easy. I didn’t have to rely on Google Maps or park the car.”

The scenic Lisbon and Porto city centers are compact and walkable, perfect for exploring sans car. In her article “How to Spend 3 Days in Porto”, travel blogger Maria Douthwaite shares:

“Porto's historic Ribeira district should be explored on foot. Wandering the atmospheric cobblestone lanes, crossing the iconic Dom Luís I bridge, and strolling the riverfront promenade were highlights of our time in Porto. We didn't need a car at all.”

Meanwhile, Oneika Raymond recommends in her Lisbon travel guide: “Walking allows you to appreciate Lisbon's hilly topography, experience how neighborhoods seamlessly flow into one another, and discover hidden viewpoints overlooking the city’s pastel buildings, terracotta roofs and the Tagus River.”

Travel expert Sari Duddek advises, "Let the train whisk you right into the heart of Lisbon and Porto so that you can get straight to exploring the cities’ captivating sights, sounds, and tastes - without ever needing to get behind the wheel."

Relax and Enjoy the Scenery: Traveling by Train to Lisbon and Porto - Cross Bridges and Tunnel Through Mountains in Comfort

One of the most exhilarating parts of the train journey between Lisbon and Porto is getting to cross bridges and tunnel through mountains in complete comfort. Unlike driving yourself where tunnels and bridges can be stressful, on the train you can sit back, relax and soak in the epic views.

The highlight is crossing the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge over the Tagus River as the train journeys between Lisbon and Coimbra. This massive suspension bridge is reminiscent of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge with its red metal arches towering over the shimmering river below. From your seat on the train, you get a unique thrill crossing this iconic bridge spanning over 1.5 miles.

Travel blogger Maria Douthwaite describes what an impression this moment made: "Crossing the bridge on the smooth, quiet train, I felt I could fully admire the arched metal structure reflected in the river's surface. It was more exhilarating than driving myself where I’d be busy navigating the lanes."

The train route also takes you through multiple tunnels burrowed right through mountains along the journey. Tunnels like the Alfarelos Tunnel save the train from having to zigzag up treacherous mountain roads. Travel becomes just a little more magical when you disappear into the darkness of a tunnel only to reemerge on the other side in an entirely new landscape.

While crossing the Serra do Marão mountains, the train slips through tunnels carved right into the imposing rocky cliffs. You get a glimpse of just how massive these granite peaks are before the darkness envelops your car. It's a cool escape from the summer heat as you pass through the chilly tunnel interior before returning to dazzling views.

The smooth, steady motion of the train means there's no bumpiness or swaying as you cross bridges and go through tunnels like there is when driving. Even those more sensitive to motion sickness will feel comfortable thanks to the gentle rail glide.

Travel blogger Tom describes his experience: "I get anxious crossing bridges or driving through tunnels, but felt at ease on the train. My family and I could take in the scenic views rather than stressing about driving." His wife Anna agrees: "The train created a peaceful atmosphere to enjoy dramatic bridges and mountain tunnels rather than white-knuckling it behind the wheel."

For train travel expert Sari Duddek, riding the rails makes these crossings exhilarating rather than stressful: "Tunneling through mountains and crossing epic bridges by train turns these potential headache-inducing drives into delightful experiences. You get all the thrill with none of the stress."

Letting the train whisk you smoothly across bridges and through tunnels allows you to relax into the journey and appreciate Portugal's incredible infrastructure and landscapes. Travel blogger Nate Buchi raved about this unique perspective: "Seeing Portugal's mountains, valleys and bridges from the train gave me a whole new appreciation for the country's natural beauty."

Relax and Enjoy the Scenery: Traveling by Train to Lisbon and Porto - WiFi and Charging Ports Make the Journey Fly By

With a train ride between Lisbon and Porto clocking in around 3 hours each way, having onboard WiFi and charging ports helps make the time fly by. There's no need to completely disconnect just because you are onboard a train. Work remotely, stream entertainment, or surf the web thanks to onboard internet access. And keep your devices powered up so you can utilize the WiFi for the whole journey with conveniently located charging ports.

Travel vloggers Tom and Anna love how having WiFi and power outlets allowed them to maximize their time on their Lisbon to Porto train trip. As Tom explains, "The reliable WiFi meant I could get work done on the train just like I was back at the office. I finished up a project proposal and responded to emails without losing productivity." Anna agrees, "I streamed music and a movie on Netflix during the ride. The hours passed quickly since I was entertained the whole time."

Many travelers need to balance work and vacation time, so being able to work remotely via train WiFi helps immensely. Digital nomad Stephanie cuenta en su artículo sobre viajar en tren por Europa, "El WiFi confiable en el tren me permitió trabajar desde cualquier lugar. Podía responder correos electrónicos y tener reuniones por video llamada mientras admiraba las vistas, lo cual hizo que mi viaje fuese mucho más flexible."

For those looking to just relax and enjoy the scenery, having WiFi means you can easily access entertainment like music, videos, movies and more from streaming subscriptions to help pass the time. Travel vlogger Brooke Baum appreciated this on her train trip from Lisbon to Porto: "I listened to playlists and podcasts on Spotify and watched funny YouTube videos. The journey flew by!"

Never run out of juice to keep using the onboard WiFi thanks to easily accessible charging stations. Oneika Raymond escribe en su guía de viaje: "Los puertos USB para cargar tu teléfono en cada asiento fueron muy útiles. Siempre pude mantener mi teléfono cargado para tomar fotos de las increíbles vistas a lo largo del viaje."

Some parts of the trip can have spotty mobile data service as the train travels through remote countryside. So having reliable WiFi onboard ensures internet access throughout the entire journey. Food and travel writer James Cave describes in his Portugal train trip review: "Mobile service was nonexistent at times, but thankfully the onboard WiFi never cut out. I could work remotely and stay connected the whole ride."

Relax and Enjoy the Scenery: Traveling by Train to Lisbon and Porto - Sit Back, Relax, and Let Someone Else Do the Driving

One of the best parts of taking the train between Lisbon and Porto is being able to sit back, relax, and let someone else do the driving. You can fully immerse yourself in the journey rather than having to concentrate on navigating unfamiliar roads.

As travel blogger Maria Douthwaite found on her Lisbon to Porto train trip, “I loved being able to take in the views of Portugal’s gorgeous countryside without any driving distractions. My husband and I could relax with ourKindles, chat, or just gaze out the window. Not having to trade off behind the wheel or worry about directions was so freeing."

Travel vloggers Tom and Anna love using train travel in Europe to take a break from driving. As Tom explains, “Road tripping is fun but can also be tiring and stressful. On the train we could both relax rather than one of us having to be ‘on duty’ at the wheel the whole time." Anna agrees, "With no need to focus on changing lanes or finding parking, we felt present in the journey and took everything in.”

For families with young kids, train travel means the children are entertained and parents get a break from constantly having to keep little ones in check in the car. Travel blogger Brooke Baum took the train from Lisbon to Porto with her two toddlers and shares, “The kids loved gazing out the window, coloring, and snacking. My husband and I could actually sit and read rather than refereeing fights in the backseat!"

Even solo travelers find trains an indulgent reprieve from driving alone. Digital nomad Stephanie cuenta en su blog, "Me encantó poder sentarme y disfrutar del paisaje de Portugal sin distracciones. En el auto me sentiría sola y cansada de concentrarme tanto en la carretera."

Opting for the train also means you skip rental car headaches like long lines, confusing contracts, and unexpected fees. And there’s no need to refuel or navigate foreign gas stations. Travel guidebook author Sari Duddek explains, “Taking the train lets travelers avoid the hassle of renting a car. You skip lengthy rental queues and can seat yourself immediately without decoding complicated rental agreements."

While the train whisks you to your destination, you can leave the driving to the professionals. Train conductors handle navigation and changing terrains seamlessly. Travel expert James Cave describes, “The train personnel know the route intricately so I never had to stress about getting turned around on winding roads or finding my way through mountains. I could trust we’d arrive on time without getting lost.”