By train to Portugal

By train to Portugal

A sustainable journey from the Netherlands to the North of Portugal

More and more travelers are asking about it: can you travel to Portugal by train? The short answer is yes. It requires some planning and a few transfers, but it is absolutely possible to travel from the Netherlands to Portugal by rail. In fact, for many travelers, the train journey itself is part of the adventure.

In this blog, you will read roughly how such a trip unfolds, what the most logical routes are, and why traveling by train is a special way to reach Portugal.

From the Netherlands to Portugal by train

There is no direct train from the Netherlands to Portugal. The journey almost always goes via France and Spain. That sounds complicated, but the connections between the major European cities are good.

A frequently used route looks something like this:

• Utrecht or Amsterdam → Paris
  From the Netherlands, you travel to Paris by high-speed train. The journey takes approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes.
• Paris → Southern France
  High-speed TGV trains depart from Paris towards Bordeaux or the French-Spanish border. This journey takes approximately 4 to 5 hours.
• Southern France → Spain
  You enter Spain via the Basque Country and continue your journey towards Madrid or other major Spanish cities.
• Spain → Portugal
  From Spain, there are connections to Portuguese cities such as Lisbon, Coimbra, and Porto.

Depending on the chosen route and transfers, the total journey takes approximately 30-40 hours. Many travelers therefore choose to stay one or two nights along the way, for example in Paris, Bordeaux, or Madrid.

Example itinerary (5 transfers): Amsterdam Centraal > Paris Nord > Barcelona > Madrid > Vigo > Porto > Lisbon. See also www.nsinternational.com 

Why travel by train?

The train might not be the fastest way to reach Portugal, but it is one of the most beautiful.

During the journey, the landscape changes slowly:

• the flat Dutch polders;
• the vineyards of France;
• the green hills of the Basque Country;
• the vast Spanish highlands; and
• eventually the valleys and mountains of Portugal.

You literally see Europe passing you by. In addition, the train has a number of clear advantages:

• sustainable travel with lower CO₂ emissions;
• more comfort than flying;
• arrival in the middle of the city instead of at an airport; and
• the opportunity to discover new cities along the way;

A nice option for hikers

For hikers, the train is often a surprisingly pleasant way to travel. You start your journey calmly and relaxed, without long wait times at airports. Many travelers combine the train journey with a few days in a city along the way. This immediately turns the trip to Portugal into a small European voyage of discovery. And once you arrive in the north of Portugal, a landscape awaits that seems made for hikers: mountains, old villages, nature parks, and centuries-old trails.

Tips if you want to travel by train

Do you want to take this trip? Then there are a few practical tips:

• Book the trip in stages (for example, Netherlands > Paris > Spain > Portugal).
• Allow sufficient transfer time, especially at large stations.
• Consider a stopover to make the journey more relaxed.
• Always check current timetables, as international connections can change.

Reaching Portugal by train

Portugal feels far away, but by train it turns out to be closer than you think. The journey might take a little longer than a flight, but you get something special in return: a trip through the heart of Europe, with ever-changing landscapes and cities. And perhaps that is the most beautiful way to arrive in Portugal!

Beautiful train stations in Portugal that are worth a stop

A train journey through Portugal is not just a way to get from A to B. Some stations are so special that they are actually destinations in themselves. From historic stations with azulejos to small stops in the middle of the Douro Valley. Here are a few stations where you will want to get off for a moment.

São Bento (Porto)

São Bento station in Porto is perhaps the most beautiful station in Portugal. As soon as you walk into the hall, you see why: the walls are covered with more than 20.000 hand-painted azulejos from the early twentieth century. The blue tile panels tell stories from Portuguese history, from medieval battles to daily life in the countryside. Even if you are not taking a train, it is worth stepping inside for a moment. The station is located in the heart of Porto's historic center and often serves as the starting point for train journeys towards the Douro Valley.

Pinhão (Douro Valley)

In the heart of the Douro Valley, surrounded by vineyards and terraces, lies the small station of Pinhão. This station is known for its beautiful azulejo panels depicting scenes from the wine life of the Douro: grape harvest, rabelo boats, and the transport of port wine. The train journey along the Douro between Porto and Pinhão is often cited as one of the most beautiful train routes in Europe. The landscape of vineyards, river bends, and small villages makes the journey almost as special as the destination itself.

Pocinho (end of the Douro line)

Further upstream in the Douro Valley lies Pocinho, the terminus of the historic Douro Line. Here, time seems to stand still a little. The station is situated amidst a rugged landscape of mountains and riverbanks. The train journey from Porto to Pocinho follows the river almost the entire way and is one of the most spectacular railway lines in Portugal. For travelers wishing to discover the lesser-known north, this is a beautiful place to get off for a while.

Rossio (Lisbon)

In the center of Lisbon lies Rossio Station, an architectural jewel from the nineteenth century. The facade immediately stands out due to the two large horseshoe-shaped arches in the Neo-Manueline style. Trains depart from here to Sintra, among other destinations, one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon. The station itself is worth a photo opportunity even before you board the train.