Trip guides / Getting around
Lisbon to Porto by Bus: FlixBus vs Rede Expressos
The bus is usually the cheapest way between Lisbon and Porto, and with dozens of departures a day it’s also the most flexible. Two companies run almost all of them, FlixBus and Rede Expressos. Here’s how they compare in 2026, and when the train is worth paying more for.
Quick answer: most direct buses take about 3h15 and arrive at the Terminal Intermodal de Campanhã (TIC) in Porto. FlixBus leaves mainly from Oriente, Rede Expressos mainly from Sete Rios. Booked a week or more ahead, fares start from about €3 to €5; the day before a Friday or Sunday trip, expect €10 to €25.
Who runs the buses
- FlixBus: the biggest timetable. In October 2026 it listed about 55 direct buses on a midweek day and about 90 on a Friday, every 15 to 30 minutes for most of the day.
- Rede Expressos: Portugal’s national coach network, with regular expresses from Sete Rios and Oriente. Some coaches are run by partners without its colours, so look for the Rede Expressos sign on the front.
- Others: comparison sites list a few slower ALSA and smaller-company coaches, some ending elsewhere in Porto.
Most direct buses take 3h15 to 3h45; a few that call at towns on the way take up to about 4h40. For the wider network, see Portugal by bus.
Where the buses leave from in Lisbon
- Oriente: FlixBus’s main stop, beside Gare do Oriente in Parque das Nações. Rede Expressos calls here too. It’s on the red metro line, three stops from the airport.
- Sete Rios: Rede Expressos’s home terminal, by Jardim Zoológico metro (blue line). FlixBus started using it on 29 September 2026 with 23 departures a day across all routes, but for now none between 4:30pm and 8:30pm, so evening FlixBus buses still go from Oriente.
- Lisbon airport: FlixBus runs a handful of direct buses a day (five on a sample weekday, from about 4am to 10pm) from the airport coach park, and Rede Expressos also serves the airport. Check the map on your ticket, or take the metro to Oriente for far more choice. See Lisbon airport to the city centre.
A metro single costs €1.90 on a €0.50 navegante card. See Lisbon public transport.
Arriving in Porto
Buses from Lisbon arrive at the TIC, beside Campanhã train station, about 2km east of the historic centre. Older guides may name other terminals. From there:
- Metro: a few stops to Bolhão or Trindade. Buy a blue Andante card (about €0.60) with a Z2 trip (about €1.40), or tap a contactless bank card.
- Train to São Bento: CP urban trains take about 4 minutes and take Andante. Unlike a CP ticket from Lisbon, a bus ticket doesn’t include this hop.
- Taxi, Uber or Bolt: easiest with big bags. See Uber vs Bolt vs taxi.
More in our Porto public transport guide.
Fares in 2026 and how they rise
Both companies price by demand: book early and pick a quiet bus to pay least. In a check of FlixBus fares in October 2026:
- A Wednesday six days ahead was mostly about €4.50.
- A Friday five weeks ahead was mostly €4.50 to €7.50; the day before, €10 to €15, up to about €22.
- Sunday afternoon and evening, three days ahead, ran about €15 to €28.
FlixBus adds a booking fee of about €1. Rede Expressos promo seats were listed from about €4, and its discounts vary with season, demand and how far ahead you book. It also runs occasional promotions, such as a midweek two-for-one offer in autumn 2026, so check its site before you book.
Booking, seats and refunds
- Where: each company’s website or app, or sites such as Omio and Busbud. Phone tickets are fine.
- Seats: FlixBus guarantees a seat but charges to choose one. Rede Expressos lets you choose for free, except the front “Vista” seats.
- Refunds: Rede Expressos refunds in full up to 7 days ahead, or 72 hours with its free RFlex scheme. Check FlixBus’s change rules when you book.
- Arrive 15 minutes early to find your bay.
Luggage
| FlixBus | Rede Expressos | |
|---|---|---|
| Hold | 1 bag, up to 20kg and 80x50x30cm | 2 bags, 20kg combined, each up to 80x50x30cm |
| On board | 1 soft bag or backpack, up to 7kg | 1 soft bag, up to 10kg |
| Extra | 1 more bag, paid, booked ahead | Excess weight may be charged |
Dropping bags first? See luggage storage in Lisbon and Porto.
Comfort on board
FlixBus says every bus has a toilet and most have free Wi-Fi and power sockets. Rede Expressos says not all its coaches have a toilet or Wi-Fi; icons in the search results show what each bus has. Both are air-conditioned, so bring a layer.
Night buses
FlixBus leaves Oriente at about 1:30am, 2am and 2:30am, reaching Porto around 5am to 6am, and Rede Expressos has a few night runs too. Lisbon’s metro closes at about 1am and Porto’s starts at about 6am, so budget for a taxi at one end.
Bus vs train
| Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | About 3h15–3h45 | About 2h50–3h (AP), 3h15–3h30 (IC) |
| Typical fare | From about €3 early, €10–25 last minute | €35.70 (AP), €28.05 (IC) standard; promo fares much less |
| Comfort | Reclining seats; Wi-Fi and toilet on most | More space, café on the AP |
| Best for | Tight budgets, the airport, late nights | Speed, comfort, working on the way |
For classes, promo fares and the free São Bento hop, see Lisbon to Porto by train.
Which should you take?
Take the bus if price matters most, if you’re near Sete Rios or the airport, or if you travel at night. Take the train if you can get a promo or flash-sale fare (CP’s October 2026 sale had Lisbon to Porto from €7.50) or you’re short of time. Booking last minute for a Friday or Sunday, the gap narrows, so compare both.
FAQ
How long is the bus from Lisbon to Porto?
About 3h15 on most direct buses, up to about 3h45 on others. A few stopping buses take up to about 4h40.
Is FlixBus or Rede Expressos cheaper?
Neither always wins. Both have early fares from about €3 to €5 that rise as buses fill, so compare both for your date.
Is there a bus from Lisbon airport to Porto?
Yes. FlixBus and Rede Expressos both run some direct buses from the airport. For more choice, take the metro to Oriente.
Where does the bus arrive in Porto?
At the Terminal Intermodal de Campanhã, next to Campanhã station. Take the metro or a local train to São Bento for the centre.
More: Portugal on a budget and the Portugal train guide.
See also: where to stay in Porto, Porto airport to the city centre and Porto to the Algarve.
Prices and details change, so please double-check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the groups.
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