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Most rail passes currently unavailable for sale

Rail passes will be available for sale later in 2021 — watch this space. Until then, you can still buy point-to-point train tickets as well as the Swiss Travel Pass, and read ahead on your options for other passes while collecting key tips for traveling by train in Europe.

Portugal Rail Passes and Train Tips

By Rick Steves

Are rail passes a good value for Portugal?

For most travelers going to Portugal, a rail pass doesn't make much sense, especially for those not traveling beyond Portugal. Even if your trip extends into Spain, consider that Lisbon–Madrid trains leave just once a day and are only available as an overnight trip, which requires you to pay for a sleeper reservation, even if you have a rail pass (many travelers find that flights are a better option on this stretch). Connecting Portugal and Sevilla is faster and easier by bus, which isn't covered by any rail pass.

How do I see whether a rail pass makes sense for my trip in particular?

Train & Bus Fares: Portugal & Spain

Map shows approximate costs, in $US, for one-way, second-class tickets. For first-class fares, add 50 percent.

Use this map to add up approximate pay-as-you-go fares for your itinerary, and compare that cost to the price of a rail pass for the number of days you expect to spend on the train. Dashed lines show bus routes, which aren't covered by rail passes. "(N)" indicates that a route has only overnight train service.

Also, follow the links below for:

• More tips for figuring out whether a pass makes sense for your trip
• The basics on choosing among rail passes
• More tips for getting the most out of a rail pass
• General advice on deciding between first and second class
• Fare-estimate maps outside Portugal & Spain
• Answers to frequently asked rail-pass questions

What are my options for rail passes that cover Portugal?

Do I need to make seat reservations on Portuguese trains?

Reservations are required before boarding Alfa Pendular and Inter City trains (€5, sold only in Portugal); you also need seat or sleeper reservations on overnight trains into Spain.

See our general advice on making seat reservations.

What do rail passes cover in Portugal?

Rail passes cover all travel on trains run by the national railway, Comboios de Portugal. Rail passes do not, however, cover buses, which offer faster and/or more frequent connections between some places in Portugal.

Any tips for connecting into Spain?

  • Lisbon–Madrid: Flying can be your fastest and even cheapest option, as tickets can go for just $40. Otherwise it's an 8–9-hour bus ride ($65, 2/day, not covered by rail passes) or an overnight train ($85 for ticket itself — which is covered if you have a Eurail Global Pass — plus sleeper-train fees).
  • Lisbon–Sevilla: The bus is far cheaper here, as well as faster, since Sevilla–Lisbon trains all change in Madrid to/from the Lisbon–Madrid night train (bus: $50, 7–10 hours, not covered by rail passes; train: $200 without a rail pass — see overnight-train details in previous paragraph, 13 hours total for whole route).

Get even more advice on Portuguese trains and buses in my Rick Steves Portugal guidebook.

What if I need help with my Rail Europe order?

All orders for passes and tickets are fulfilled by Rail Europe (not by Rick Steves' Europe). For customer-service questions, contact them online (or call 800 622 8600, but expect long waits and periods of unavailability at the call desk) — and keep in mind that refund options are fairly limited.