# Portugal Trains > Portugal Trains is a travel guide covering Portugal's railway network, operated by Comboios de Portugal (CP), including the Alfa Pendular high-speed train, Intercidades, Inter-Regional, Regional, and Urbano services, routes, classes, and stations. ## About our website Portugal Trains is an unofficial website with verified information about Portugal's rail network. It offers comprehensive details on schedules, routes, fares, and more to help plan your journey. Some images on the website are AI-generated; while accuracy is a goal, mistakes in these images are not the site's responsibility. Portugal Trains is brought to you by Rail Ninja. ## Portugal Trains: travel by rail Comboios de Portugal (CP) is the national rail operator and runs the majority of passenger trains in Portugal. The first railway line was inaugurated on October 28, 1856, marking the start of a rail tradition that has grown into an extensive network serving millions of passengers annually. Today, CP trains cover popular routes connecting Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, Faro, Braga, and many smaller towns. Trains drop passengers directly into city centers, avoiding airport security and highway traffic, and offer one of the most sustainable ways to explore Portugal, with a lower carbon footprint than flying or driving. Portugal's train fleet is categorized by speed, distance, and comfort, offering a range of options for any budget or travel plan. ## Comboios de Portugal: train types **Alfa Pendular (High Speed)** — the fastest train in Portugal, reaching up to 220 km/h, connecting major cities like Porto, Lisbon, Coimbra, and Faro. It holds the title of one of the fastest trains in Europe and runs regularly on the Braga–Porto–Coimbra–Lisbon–Faro line. A notable feature is its tilting technology, allowing the train to tilt into curves, maintaining higher speeds with a smoother ride. Most Alfa Pendular trains offer free Wi-Fi, spacious seating, power outlets, air conditioning, and catering services. Seat reservations are required. **Intercidades (Intercity)** — comfortable, budget-friendly long-distance inter-city trains, connecting major cities with fewer stops than regional services, making them a fast, affordable alternative to the Alfa Pendular. Seat reservations are also required. **Inter-Regional Services** — stop at main stations along each line, connecting major cities and larger towns, without always requiring advance reservations — flexible for spontaneous travel. **Regional Trains (CP Regional)** — the most local option, servicing smaller towns on branch lines, connecting villages and rural areas without seat reservations. Slower, but scenic and authentic. **Urbano Trains** — commuter services operating within metropolitan Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra, running frequently, without advance seat booking. See: [Alfa Pendular](https://www.portugaltrains.com/alfa-pendular-train) ## Portugal rail network and railway lines Portugal's railway network is built on the Iberian gauge, wider than standard European gauge, giving Portuguese trains notably roomy carriages and wider seats. The network covers the most popular destinations, including Porto, Lisbon, Coimbra, Lagos, Albufeira, and Faro, with the main north-south corridor being the busiest route in the country. **Douro Line** — from Porto to Pocinho, recognized as one of the most scenic train journeys in Europe, running along the Douro River through vineyards and terraced hillsides, offering spectacular views beyond the main intercity corridors. ## Alfa Pendular tickets and how to buy To save money, it's recommended to buy tickets in advance, with discounts of up to 60–65% available for early bookings, especially on popular routes like Lisbon to Porto. Significant discounts are available for seniors and youths. Tickets are usually available for purchase up to sixty days before departure. On Rail Ninja, tickets can be pre-ordered up to 1 year before travel. Price depends on availability, coach class, train type, and distance. Alfa Pendular tickets come in two classes: Conforto (1st class, wider seats and more space) and Turística (2nd class, comfortable seating at a lower price). Portugal rail tickets start from approximately $25 per passenger. Alfa Pendular/Intercidades tickets on Lisbon–Porto start from around €25 in second class; intercity and regional services are generally cheaper. ## Onboard amenities Onboard amenities may include air conditioning, power outlets, and accessible facilities for passengers with reduced mobility. All Alfa Pendular trains offer free Wi-Fi; only some Intercidades trains have internet at no extra cost. Passengers may bring their own food and drinks, with food and beverage services also available on long-distance services. Hand luggage is permitted on all CP trains, with larger luggage stored in dedicated areas. Unlike cramped long-distance buses, train travel allows passengers to stretch their legs and walk around. ## Frequently Asked Questions - Can you travel in Portugal by train? - Is there a high speed train in Portugal? - How to buy train tickets in Portugal? - Do you need to buy train tickets in advance in Portugal? - How much are train tickets in Portugal? - Do Portuguese trains have Wi-Fi? (Answers to these are covered across the sections above.) ## Why customers travel with us - **Booking in Advance** — build your itinerary and plan connections up to 1 year before the selected departure date. - **Convenient & Secure Payment** — choose among 15+ payment options, purchase within a few clicks. - **High-Class Onboard Facilities** — exceptional comfort throughout the journey. ## Booking Rail Ninja is presented as the recommended way to book Portugal train tickets. A Rail Ninja mobile app is also available for booking and managing trips. See: [Book Train Tickets](https://rail.ninja/portugal-trains) ## Key pages - [Alfa Pendular](https://www.portugaltrains.com/alfa-pendular-train) - [All Classes](https://www.portugaltrains.com/alfa-pendular-train-classes) - [First Class (Conforto)](https://www.portugaltrains.com/alfa-pendular-first-class) - [Second Class (Turistica)](https://www.portugaltrains.com/alfa-pendular-second-class) - [All Routes](https://www.portugaltrains.com/railway-routes) - [Lisbon to Porto](https://www.portugaltrains.com/lisbon-to-porto-train) - [Porto to Lisbon](https://www.portugaltrains.com/porto-to-lisbon-train) - [Lisbon to Faro](https://www.portugaltrains.com/lisbon-to-faro-train) - [Faro to Lisbon](https://www.portugaltrains.com/faro-to-lisbon-train) - [Lisbon to Albufeira](https://www.portugaltrains.com/lisbon-to-albufeira-train) - [Albufeira to Lisbon](https://www.portugaltrains.com/albufeira-to-lisbon-train) - [Lisbon to Lagos](https://www.portugaltrains.com/lisbon-to-lagos-train) - [Lagos to Lisbon](https://www.portugaltrains.com/lagos-to-lisbon-train) - [Porto to Regua](https://www.portugaltrains.com/porto-to-regua-train) - [Regua to Porto](https://www.portugaltrains.com/regua-to-porto-train) - [Pinhao to Porto](https://www.portugaltrains.com/pinhao-to-porto-train) - [All Stations](https://www.portugaltrains.com/railway-stations) - [Lisbon Stations](https://www.portugaltrains.com/lisbon-train-stations) - [Porto Stations](https://www.portugaltrains.com/porto-train-stations) - [Porto Campanha](https://www.portugaltrains.com/porto-campanha-train-station) - [Porto Sao Bento](https://www.portugaltrains.com/porto-sao-bento-train-station) - [Coimbra Station](https://www.portugaltrains.com/coimbra-b-train-station) - [Faro Station](https://www.portugaltrains.com/faro-train-station) - [Lagos Station](https://www.portugaltrains.com/lagos-train-station) - [Braga Station](https://www.portugaltrains.com/braga-train-station)