Find here informations on how to travel by train to Lisbon and the best transport from the train station to the city centre.
In Lisbon, trains arrive at the Gare do Oriente Train Station and Santa Apolónia Railway Station, coming from other regions of Portugal or abroad. In these stations there are several transports available (underground, buses and taxis), which take you to the Centre of Lisbon or other areas of the city.
Gare do Oriente Train Station
Gare do Oriente Train Station (or Lisbon Oriente) is located in Parque das Nações, 6 miles (10 Km) from the centre of Lisbon (Rossio). Here you will find a modern station, whose metal structure looks like candles and boat prows, which is very beautiful to take good photographs. The Gare do Oriente is an important interface of trains, buses, underground and taxis.
Services available
A wide range of services are available at Gare do Oriente Train Station, including:
- Restaurants and coffee shops;
- Stores (Stationeries and others);
- Pharmacy;
- Travel Agencies;
- Bank Agencies and electronic cash withdrawal boxes;
- Currency exchange Shops and Shops for international money transfers;
- Rent-a-Car;
- Luggage Guard;
- Parking Spaces.
In front of Gare do Oriente Train Station you’ll find the Vasco da Gama Shopping Centre, which has many shops and a hypermarket. The station is located next to the Tagus River so it is an excellent place to stroll and visit some of the main attractions of the city, such as the Lisbon Oceanarium and the Pavilion of Knowledge.
Santa Apolonia Train Station
Santa Apolónia Train Station is located next to the Tagus River, close to the historic district of Alfama, which you can go for a walk. The station is an old building, inaugurated in 1865, in other words, in the time of the monarchy in Portugal.
Services available
When you arrive to Lisbon by train in Santa Apolónia Train Station, you can enjoy the following services:
- Restaurants and coffee shops;
- Various stores (Stationeries and others);
- Travel Agencies;
- Bank Agencies and electronic cash withdrawal boxes;
- Currency exchange Shops and Shops for international money transfers;
- Rent-a-car;
- Luggage Guard;
- Parking Spaces.
Porto, Faro and others in Portugal to Lisbon Train
Trains departing from the North or Centre of Portugal (Porto, Coimbra or another city) that allow enjoying the landscapes of part of the North and Centre Regions, arrive in Lisbon at:
- Santa Apolónia Train Station;
- Gare do Oriente Train Station (in Parque das Nações). Some trains stop at the Entrecampos station before arriving at Gare do Oriente station.
To Lisbon by train from the South of Portugal (especially Algarve – Faro, Évora and Beja) you arrive in Lisbon to the Gare do Oriente Train Station. These trains provide an excellent view of the landscapes of the Algarve and Alentejo. When arriving in Lisbon, the crossing of the 25 de Abril Bridge also provides a great view over the Tagus River and the city.
TRAIN companies
The CP – COMBOIOS DE PORTUGAL is the company that operates trains in Portugal, except in the North/South Railway Axis (Tagus) which is operated by the company FERTAGUS.
TRAINS Alfa Pendular, Intercidades, Inter-Regional, Regional And URBAN
In Portugal you can use the following types of trains from CP:
- Alfa Pendular train is the fastest and most comfortable train (has free Wi-Fi, audio and video, bar and other services), which connects the North of Portugal (Porto, Braga, Guimarães) to the South (Faro in the Algarve), passing through Coimbra and Lisbon;
- Intercidades train have 1st and 2nd classes of comfort and connect the main cities of Portugal (currently has free Wi-Fi in a good number of trains);
- Interregional and Regional train links make the connection between the numerous stations of the Country and the other types of trains more prepared for longer journeys;
- Urban train operates between the municipalities of the periphery and the city of Lisbon, linking the various stations to other types of trains and the interfaces of underground (Metro de Lisboa), buses (Carris) and ferryboats (Transtejo/Soflusa), through the:
- Train lines of Sintra, Cascais, Azambuja and Sado, operated by the trains of CP;
- North/South train line, linking Lisbon to Setúbal (on the south bank of the Tagus River, crossing the 25 de Abril Bridge), operated by FERTAGUS trains.
Alfa Pendular/Touristic trains of CP which connects:
- Lisbon (Santa Apolónia) to Porto (Campanhã): Duration: 2h40; Distance: 190 miles (306 km); Cost: 14-31,20 €
- Lisbon (Santa Apolónia) to Faro: Duration: 3h00; Distance: 245 miles (394 km); Cost: 15,35-24,25 €
City trains of CP and Fertagus which connects Lisbon:
- Rossio to Sintra: 40 minutes – CP
- Cais do Sodré to Cascais: 33 minutes – CP
- Entrecampos to Setúbal: 56 minutes – FERTAGUS
Information on Timetables and Tickets:
- CP – COMBOIOS DE PORTUGAL www.cp.pt or telephone 218450660
- FERTAGUS www.fertagus.pt or phone 211066363
Tips for Discounts: Early Purchases (5, 8 or more days) and depending on time of departure; Groups of 3 to 9 people; Young people up to 25 years.
Madrid to Lisbon Train
Lusitânia Train Hotel
The international train coming from Madrid (Spain) is called Lusitânia Train Hotel, which passes through Coimbra and arrives in Lisbon to the Gare do Oriente Train Station, ending the trip in the Santa Apolónia Train Station.
The Lusitânia Train Hotel is a night train, with daily departures from Lisbon and Madrid and allows you to sleep and arrive at the first hours of the morning to the Centre of these cities. This train has, in addition to seating, bed places (with options to use WC and shower). To guarantee the place is important to reserve in advance.
Lusitania Train Hotel of CP: Between Lisbon (Santa Apolónia) and Madrid (Chanmartin): Time Travel: 10h15; Distance: 391 miles (630 km); Cost: €62.50 (seated) or €85.50 (tourist bed)
Information on Timetables and Tickets: CP www.cp.pt or phone 218450660
Tips for Discounts: Depending On the day of the trip and the time of departure; Children, Youth and Seniors.
Paris to Lisbon Train
There is no direct train connection between Lisbon and Paris (France), but the solution is to catch the train “Sud Expresso-Lisboa > > Hendaye”, which connects Lisbon to Hendaye on the France/Spain border. At the train station of Hendaye you will change to the high-speed train “TGV Atlantique” from SNCF (Train to Grande Vitesse) which takes you to Paris to Gare Montparnasse. To ensure the seats on these trains it is important to reserve in advance.
SUD EXPRESS
The “Sud Expresso-Lisboa > > Hendaye” is a night train, with daily departures from Lisbon and Hendaye and that allows you to sleep and arrive in the morning to the border Spain/France. This train has sitting places and bed places (with options to enjoy WC and shower).
The CP – COMBOIOS DE PORTUGAL is the company that operates trains in Portugal and RENFE is the company that operates trains in Spain.
TGV ATLANTIQUE
The “TGV Atlantique” has daily departures from Hendaye and Paris and allows you to travel with the comfort of a high speed train, and since it’s a day rail journey you can enjoy the scenery of various French regions (and cities): Equitaine (Bordeaux), Poitou-Charentes (Poitiers) and Centre (Tours), until you arrive in Paris.
The SNCF – SOCIÉTÉ NATIONALE DES CHEMINS DE FER FRANÇAIS is the company that operates trains in France.
Travel: Total Time Travel: 18h; Distance: 1081 miles (1740 km); Total Cost: 156 €-€238.5
- Lisbon (Santa Apolónia) to Hendaye (Spain/France border): Time Travel: 13h; Distance: 584 miles (940 km); Cost: €65 (seated) and €95.50 (tourist bed)-Sud Expresso da CP and RENFE
- Hendaye (Border Spain/France) to Paris (Montparnasse): Time Travel: 5h; Distance: 497 miles (800km); Cost: €91 (2nd Class) and €143 (1st Class)-TGV SNCF
Information on Timetables and Tickets:
- About SUD EXPRESS:
- CP www.cp.pt or phone 218450660
- RENFE www.renfe.com/en or phone 0034 912320320
- About TGV: SNCF www.sncf.com/en or phone 0033 892353535
Tips for Discounts: Depending On the day of the trip and the time of departure; Children, Youth and Seniors.
Lisbon Underground – Metro
The underground – Metro – is a cheap and fast way to move freely in Lisbon, as it covers much of the city. Metro connects the train stations to the bus interfaces at Oriente and Sete Rios Stations. The Metro station “Oriente” belongs to the red line, which connects to 3 other metro lines (blue, green and yellow).
At Gare do Oriente Train Station, take the underground to the City Centre:
- First, in the Oriente station, take the Red line towards São Sebastião and get off at Alameda station;
- Then, at Alameda station take the Green Line, towards Cais do Sodré and get off at Rossio or Baixa-Chiado stations, which are located in the City Centre.
At Santa Apolónia Train Station, it’s possible to go directly to the city centre by underground. Thus, at Santa Apolónia station (which is the Blue Line terminus) take the Blue Line towards Reboleira, getting off at the Baixa-Chiado station (near Rossio).
Lisbon’s underground is managed by the company METRO DE LISBOA.
To use the underground you need to buy the 7 Colinas/Viva Viagem electronic card (which allows you pay-as-you-go and you can also use it on the CARRIS buses) and then validate it at the entrance of the station.
Notice the useful signage in Metro Stations: “Correspondência” – transfer between underground lines; “Exit” – Exit to the outside/street.
Time Travel:
- From Oriente to Rossio (city centre): 10 minutes + 6 minutes
- From Santa Apolonia to Baixa-Chiado (city centre): 4 minutes
Timetables and Tickets Information: METRO DE LISBOA www.metrolisboa.pt/en or phone 213500115
Buses in Lisbon – CARRIS
At the Train Stations to go to the City Centre, you can take several buses from CARRIS company. For example, at Gare do Oriente station take bus No. 759 to Rossio, which also stops next to Santa Apolónia station.
To use the Carris Buses you need to buy the ticket on board the bus (more expensive) or buy the 7 Colinas/Viva Viagem electronic card (which allows pay-as-you-go and you can also use it in the underground) and then validate it at the entrance of the bus.
Travel Time:
- From Gare do Oriente to Martin Moniz (city centre): 20 minutes
- From Santa Apolónia to Rossio (city centre): 24 minutes
Timetables and Tickets Information: CARRIS www.carris.pt/en or phone 213500115
Taxi in Lisbon
Taxis can be found next to the exits of the Gare do Oriente and Santa Apolónia Train Stations.
Taxis can take you to any area in or outside Lisbon. Because the City Centre is relatively close, the cost of is not very significant. An additional cost is charged for baggage or traveling outside the city limits.
Time Travel:
- From Gare do Oriente to Rossio (city centre): 6 minutes
- From Santa Apolónia to Rossio (city centre): 17 minutes
Lisbon Transfers
In the train stations there are several companies that make private transfer services. For this purpose you will need to book online the services of one of the companies and then a private driver is waiting for you to pick you up (or take you).
Car Rental Lisbon
At the Gare do Oriente and Santa Apolónia Train Stations, there are several rent-a-car companies, so you can easily rent a car and so have the extra mobility to better know the Lisbon Region and other Regions of Portugal (such as Algarve).
Rent-A-car companies
Among the leading car rental companies (national and international), you’ll find EUROPCAR, HERTZ, AVIS, BUDGET, SIXT, GOLDCAR and GUERIN.
Parking in Lisbon
It is important to know where to park the car in Lisbon, since it is a large city, the parking spaces are usually paid (the free places are few) and can have a maximum period of stay.
Parking on the Public Road
Parking on the Public Road is short period, usually paid during weekdays and Saturday mornings, according to 3 price rates:
- Green Fare occurs in less central areas, allows parking for a maximum of 4 hours and has a more economical cost;
- Yellow Fare occurs in areas of the city centre that have public transport and other parking spaces available, allows to park for a maximum of 4 hours and has a median cost;
- Red Fare occurs in the main areas of the city centre, allows you to park at most for 2 hours and has the most expensive cost.
Payment can be made: in parking meters at the location of the car park with coins; through pre-paid vouchers; by PayPal or ATM with a pre-loaded amount in the Mobile app ePark. It Is managed by EMEL.
Car Parks
The parking lots located mainly in underground places and in buildings, are scattered throughout the city (even in historical areas), allow to park for long periods of time (many work 24h/day) and prices vary depending on the location:
- Payment can be made: in the Automatic Machines on the parking spot with coins or bank cards; or through the use of Via Verde;
- They are managed by several companies, such as EMPARK and EMEL.
Parking in Hotels
Hotels, especially the largest or most recent, have parking spaces available for their guests in the hotel building or in a nearby location.
Information on Timetables and Prices: www.emel.pt; www.empark.com/pt/en
Places to Visit in Lisbon
- TOP 10 Lisbon Attractions: Best Places and Activities
- 6 Best Day Trips around Lisbon: explore more of Portugal
- TOP 5 Cool Shopping Ideas in Lisbon
More Portugal Destinations
| To learn more about other LikedPlaces, go to our Destinations in Portugal page. |
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