Getting Around Portugal
Portugal's best way to get around its two main cities is the train — Lisbon to Porto in as little as 2 hours 45 minutes, cheaper and far less stressful than driving once you factor in tolls and parking. A rental car only earns its cost for the Algarve coast or the rural Douro Valley, where public transport thins out. Both Lisbon and Porto have their own international airports, so you can fly into either.
Getting to Portugal
Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport is the main international gateway, with Porto's Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport as a strong second option if you're starting in the north. Flight time runs about 2.5 hours from London, 7 hours from the US East Coast, and 12-13 hours from the US West Coast, with round-trip fares typically $350-900 from Europe or North America.
Getting around: the real options
Portugal's rail network handles the Lisbon-Porto backbone of most trips well; a car only becomes genuinely useful once you head to the Algarve's coastal towns or the Douro Valley's rural vineyards.
- CP (Comboios de Portugal) and Alfa Pendular trains — Lisbon to Porto runs as fast as 2 hours 45 minutes on the Alfa Pendular express, with regular Intercidades trains a bit slower and cheaper. Book ahead online for the best fares.
- Regional trains — connect Porto to day-trip towns like Aveiro (about 45 minutes) and Braga/Guimarães (about an hour), and Lisbon to Sintra (about 40 minutes).
- Domestic flights — largely unnecessary given the country's size and good train coverage between the two main cities.
- Car rental / driving — genuinely worth it for the Algarve (to move between beach towns efficiently) or the rural Douro Valley's vineyards. Portugal drives on the right; historic-center parking in Lisbon and Porto is scarce and best avoided, so pick the car up on your way out of the city rather than before.
Getting around inside cities
Lisbon's iconic Tram 28 and its metro cover the hilly historic center well, though the cobblestones and hills mean comfortable, grippy shoes matter more here than in most cities. Porto has its own metro and funicular network. Uber and Bolt both operate reliably in Lisbon and Porto, a good option for luggage-heavy transfers or late-night trips when trams are less frequent.
| Route/option | Typical cost | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Lisbon Airport to city center (metro) | $2-3 | 20-25 min |
| Lisbon to Porto by Alfa Pendular train | $25-35 | 2 hrs 45 min |
| Lisbon Viva Viagem card, single ride | $1.50-2 | — |
Book the Alfa Pendular rather than the slower Intercidades train for Lisbon-Porto if your schedule allows — the fare difference is small, and the extra hour saved is genuinely worth it on a short trip. Book online a few days ahead for the cheapest fares.
Reaching the Azores and Madeira
Neither island group connects to the mainland by any practical ferry — flying is the only realistic option. Madeira is about 1.5 hours from Lisbon (roughly $40-120 round-trip); the Azores are about 2.5 hours from Lisbon (roughly $85-270 round-trip). Both also have direct flights from Porto, and TAP Air Portugal, SATA/Azores Airlines, and seasonal budget carriers all serve the routes.
Common transport mistakes
Renting a car for a Lisbon-and-Porto-only trip is the most common overspend — the train covers that route faster and without the tolls, parking, or historic-center navigation headaches. Riding Lisbon's Tram 28 mid-afternoon expecting a relaxing sightseeing ride is another one; it's the city's single most notorious pickpocket spot by midday, and walking the route or riding at opening is a calmer alternative. Skipping comfortable, grippy shoes because 'it's just a city trip' also catches people off guard — Lisbon's hills and worn cobblestones are more demanding than they look in photos.