Train Travel

London to Portugal by train

The main train operator in Portugal is CP - visit www.cp.pt for timetables and fares

Visit www.eurostar.com for Eurostar timetables and fares and to check any other European train times visit http://bahn.hafas.de

Portuguese tourist information website is www.portugal.org/tourism/index.html

Portugal is an easy destination from London, of course starting with the Eurostar from London to Paris. Then a high speed TGV from Paris to Irun and finish off your journey with an overnight on the famous 'Sud Express' to Lisbon. The overnight train has all amenities you would expect and different levels of travel with sleeping cars or couchettes.

For example : Leave London Waterloo at 10:40am and arrive in Paris at 14.17. Cross Paris by Metro to the Gare Montparnasse. Travel from this side of Paris on a high speed TGV leaving at 15.50 and arriving in Irun on the Spanish side at 21.22. Cross the platform to the Sud Express leaving at 22.00 and arriving in central Lisbon at 10.53am the next morning.

What the 'Sud Express' has to offer: Comfortable air-conditioned sleeping-cars with 1- 2- and 3-berth rooms, an air-conditioned couchette car with 6-bunk compartments, and (for the part of the journey within Portugal) a restaurant and bar. It is recommended that you book a sleeper berth rather than a couchette as it is much more comfortable. There is not a big price difference. Enjoy breakfast in the restaurant car on the way to Lisbon and on the way back a waiter can serve your evening meal in the restaurant car. You are then able to carry on your evening drinking your choice of wine, beer or spirits in the bar before going to bed.

On the return journey from Lisbon to London travel on the 'Sud Express', daily from 16.00, this time for Hendaye on the French side and arriving at 07.10 the next morning. Again an easy transfer across the platform and your train to return you to Paris leaves at 07.55 by high speed TGV. You will arrive in Paris at 13.45. Hop on the metro back to Gare du Nord for the Eurostar leaving at 15.19 and arriving back in London Waterloo at 16.55.

Paris to Irun by TGV:

One-way: £33 2nd class, £67 1st class.

Return: £65 2nd class, £99 1st class.

Irun to Lisbon by Sud Express:

In a couchette In the sleeping-car 6-berth 3-berth 2-berth single

One-way: £62 £72 £82 £129

Return: £99 £114 £131 £206

These fares are approximate - ensure you contact a travel agency to check current prices

You are unable to purchase this journey online - you will need to book by telephone. From the UK, call Spanish Rail 020 7224 0345 (lines open 09:30-17:30 Monday-Friday), or European Rail 020 7387 0444. If you live overseas, call or email www.europeanrail.com on +44 20 7387 0444, they can send tickets overseas.

Alternatively you could travel to Lisbon via Madrid. Take the Eurostar to Paris at 13.41 and take the overnight 'Trainhotel' to Madrid from Paris arriving in Madrid at 9.13 the next day. Spend the whole day exploring Madrid and take the overnight 'Lusitania Trenhotel' leaving at 22.45 and arriving in Lisbon the next morning at 8.00am.

On the return leg take the Lusitania Trenhotel from Lisbon daily at 22:01, arriving in Madrid next morning at 08:40. The Trainhotel leaves Madrid 19:00 to Paris, and a Eurostar connection from Paris will get you back to London at 11:54.

The facilities on board the Lusitania Trenhotel include reclining seats, 4-berth tourist-class sleepers, 1- and 2-berth berth first class sleepers, and 'gran classe' deluxe sleepers with private toilet and shower. It also has a restaurant and bar. Visit www.renfe.es for timetables and fares.

London to Porto

Travel to Lisbon as shown above but leave the Sud Express at Pampilhosa - here you can take a local train to Porto - the 9.36am arrives at 10.55am.

On the return leg take 16:15 air-conditioned 'Alfa Pendular' tilting train from Porto arriving at Coimbra B at 17:17. A reservation is essential. The Sud Express leaves Coimbra B at 18:33 overnight to Hendaye on the French frontier, with connections for Paris - follow the Lisbon to London section above.

London to Faro / the Algarve

Travel to the Algarve is straightforward from London, either choosing to travel by train all the way, via Lisbon, or by train to Seville and then bus. Major improvements have been made to the train service from Lisbon to the Algarve. An air-conditioned InterCity train runs direct from Lisbon and crosses the Tagus bridge rather than passengers having to take a ferry to Barreiro station.

Travel from London to Lisbon as shown above in the London to Lisbon section , but depart the train at Lisbon 'Oriente' station at 10:42. Take the new air-conditioned 'InterCity' from Lisbon to the Algarve, leaving Lisbon Oriente station at 13:21 and arriving in Tunes at 16:31, Albufeira 16:37, and Faro at 16:59. For Lagos, change at Tunes - a connecting train leaves Tunes at 16:34 arriving Lagos 17:25. Visit www.cp.pt for timetables and fares.

On the return journey, leave Faro by InterCity train at 8.55, passing Albufeira at 9.18, Tunes at 9.26 and arriving in Lisbon 'Oriente' at 12.45. Coming from Lagos, leave Lagos at 08:20 arriving Tunes at 09:15. Change trains, arriving Lisbon Oriente at 12:45. Travel from Lisbon to London as shown above.

The fare from Lisbon to Faro is about £16 one way, £32 return in 2nd class, £23 one-way, £46 return in 1st class.

London to the Algarve (via Madrid & Seville)

Thomas Cook European Timetable

The Thomas Cook European timetable is an independent travellers bible. It has train, bus and ferry times for every country in Europe, plus currency and climate information. It's essential for any serious traveller A bargain at £11.50 from here on this site. See Main menu

The Thomas Cook Rail Map of Europe is easily the best and most comprehensive map of train routes all over Europe. High speed and scenic routes are highlighted. Highly recommended. Also available here on this site

Recommended guidebooks

When travelling it is essential you know where you are going to - you must make sure you take a good guidebook. Lonely Planets and the Rough Guides provide an excellent level of practical information and cultural and historical background for all levels of traveller.

Hotels & hostels in Portugal

Visit the Portugal section of www.venere.com. The price you see is the price you pay - no hidden extras like taxes - and you just pay the hotel when you get there. Also try www.expedia.co.uk or do a general search on the internet for hotels.

Backpacker hostels

A private room or dorm bed in a backpacker hostel is a much cheaper option. Visit www.hostelbookers.com for hostels in most European cities.