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Rail travel is a common way to travel long distances in Portugal.
Portugal uses two different gauges for its railways. A majority of lines use Iberian gauge (1668 mm), while some use metre gauge (1000 mm).
The main train operator is the state-owned Comboios de Portugal. Fertagus also operates regional services near Lisbon, and separate companies run metro systems within the major cities of Libson and Porto.
Within Portugal
[edit]High-speed line
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Portugal has one high-speed rail line, which runs along the coast, connecting Braga, Porto, Aveiro, Coimbra, Santarém, Lisbon, Albufeira, and Faro.
The trains which serve this line, named Alfa Pendular, run at a maximum speed of 220 km/h (140 mph). They have on board WiFi and sockets for charging devices, as well as a cafeteria in carriage 3.
Non high-speed lines
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Coimboios de Portugal run two types of low-speed services. Intercidade (intercity) trains connect major cities. The Regional and InterRegional routes serve smaller, more rural stations.
Urban rail
[edit]Portugal has two metro systems: One in Lisbon and one in Porto. Both are operated by independent companies.
International
[edit]From Spain
[edit]Rail crossings from Spain are somewhat limited, with there being no direct international service between major cities. The main crossings are Badajoz, Vilar Formoso and Valença, via regional low-speed trains. There are plans to build a high speed line between Madrid and Lisbon, scheduled to open in 2030.
Rail passes
[edit]Eurail and Interrail
[edit]Both Eurail and Interrail passes are valid within Portugal, but similarly terrible to use as is the case in Spain.