2 Weeks in Portugal by Train (No Car Needed)

You don’t need a car to see Portugal. Comfortable trains link Porto, Lisbon and the Algarve, with buses and boats filling the gaps. Here’s our two-week Portugal itinerary by train and public transport, from north to south.

Quick answer: Porto (4 nights) with the Douro by train, Coimbra or Aveiro (1 night), Lisbon (5 nights) with Sintra and Cascais, then the train to the Algarve (4 nights) in Lagos or Tavira. Book Alfa Pendular and Intercidades trains early for promo fares, and fly into Porto and home from Faro.

Days 1–4: Porto and the Douro

• Days 1–2: Porto’s highlights. See 3 days in Porto.
• Day 3: the scenic train to Pinhão in the Douro (about 2h20), a river cruise and a tasting. See the Douro without a tour.
• Day 4: Braga and Guimarães by urban train. See Braga and Guimarães.

Day 5: Coimbra or Aveiro

Break the journey south in the old university town of Coimbra or the canal town of Aveiro. See Coimbra and Aveiro.

Days 6–10: Lisbon and around

• Days 6–7: Lisbon. See 2 days in Lisbon.
• Day 8: Sintra by train from Rossio. See Lisbon to Sintra.
• Day 9: Cascais by train along the coast. See Cascais.
• Day 10: Óbidos by express bus, or Fátima. See Óbidos.

Days 11–14: The Algarve

• Day 11: train from Lisbon to Faro (about 3 hours), then on to Lagos or Tavira on the electrified Algarve line.
• Days 12–13: boat trips to Benagil and Ponta da Piedade, beaches and Sagres by bus. See Algarve boat trips.
• Day 14: fly home from Faro.

Train tips

• Book on cp.pt or the CP app up to 60 days ahead.
• Stations: Porto Campanhã and Lisbon Santa Apolónia or Oriente for fast trains.
• Strikes happen, so check the day before.
• See the Portugal train guide.

Prefer to drive?

See our two-week Portugal road trip.

Prices and details change, so please double-check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the groups.