Porto Day Trip from Lisbon: Is It Worth It?

Can you visit Porto as a day trip from Lisbon? Yes. Fast trains take about three hours each way, so it’s a long but rewarding day. Here’s how to plan it, what to see, and why you might want to stay overnight instead.

Quick answer: take an early Alfa Pendular train from Lisbon (Santa Apolónia or Oriente) to Porto Campanhã (about 3 hours), then a short connection to São Bento. Spend 7 to 8 hours seeing Ribeira, the Dom Luís I Bridge, a port cellar and the Clérigos Tower, and take an evening train back. Organised day tours also run from Lisbon. See Porto day trips from Lisbon.

Getting there

• Train: the fastest and most comfortable option. Book Alfa Pendular tickets early for the best fares. See Lisbon to Porto by train.
• Tour: includes transport and a guide, and some stop in Coimbra or Óbidos on the way.
• Flight: short, but with airport transfers it isn’t much faster than the train.

Porto in a day

Follow our Porto in one day plan: São Bento station, the cathedral, Ribeira, across the bridge to Gaia for a port tasting, then up to the Clérigos Tower and Livraria Lello. See São Bento and the Dom Luís I Bridge.

Is it worth it?

• Yes, if you only have a few days in Portugal and really want to see Porto.
• Better: stay at least one night, or travel one way and continue your trip from Porto. See where to stay in Porto.

Tips

• Book timed tickets for Livraria Lello in advance.
• Comfortable shoes: Porto is very hilly.
• Stop in Coimbra on the way back if you stay longer. See the Coimbra day trip.

More: Porto vs Lisbon and the best day trips from Lisbon.

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