Day Trip To Porto From Lisbon Is It Worth It? Ultimate Guide
Is a day trip to Porto from Lisbon worth it?
My boyfriend and I spent a month travelling around Portugal with our two young boys. Our road trip included spending a week in Porto and then a week in Lisbon. This was great as it meant we had plenty of time to get to know each city. A lot of people have asked us if it’s possible to do a day trip to Porto from Lisbon.
Whilst it is 100% possible to do a Lisbon to Porto day trip (it has a total travel time of between 6-7 hours), it is simply in our opnion not worth it. This is because once you get there you don’t leave yourself enough time to explore Porto.
Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is such a beautiful city. With this in mind, it deserves at least a couple of days spent exploring it. If you do decide to do a day trip, then we’re going to cover all you need to know. We’re going to cover how to get to Porto, the main attractions and other tips.
Quick Guide to a Day Trip to Porto from Lisbon
Distance between Porto and Lisbon: 314km, or nearly 200 miles
How many hours by train: Under 3 hours on the fast train
Easiest way to get to Porto: Fast train using Alfa Pendular Train Service (AP)
Best things to do: Walk along the riverfront, enjoy a Port wine tasting, climb Clérigos Tower and finish with a freshly made Francesinha
Best time to go: April to June and then September to October
Day Trip to Porto from Lisbon is it Worth it?
Our answer is no, and here’s why. Yes, it is physically possible to travel between from Lisbon to Porto in a day trip. Porto is 314km, (nearly 200 miles) north of Lisbon by road and it takes just over 3 hours by either car or train. This means you should factor in the return trip taking over 6 hours to travel. That is a lot of travel time and makes for a very long day out. Porto is such a beautiful city and it will take much longer than a few hours to explore. Also, for us, that would be too long in a car, specially if, like us, you’re travelling with kids!
Ultimately, we’d suggest spending one night at least in Porto. Staying over means that you could break up your travel time and that way you’d have a full day there to discover Porto. This makes it a much more relaxing trip to Porto. If you have kids with you then you’ll definitely need more time to get them around the town.
There are several ways that you can travel between the two cities. We’ll cover them in more detail in the next few sections, however, the easiest and quickest way is by train.
How to get from Lisbon to Porto in a Day?
Taking the train from Lisbon to Porto
One of the easiest ways to get from Lisbon to Porto is on the train. There are a couple of options that you can take. The first (and cheapest) is the an intercity one the Intercidades (IC) which takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes. The second is the Alfa Pendular Train Service (AP) which is a fast train and you will get to Porto in just under 3 hours. Because the AP is a high speed train it is slightly more expensive as it’s the fastest train service. We enjoy a train ride as it means that you can focus on the scenery!
Trains leave from Lisbon’s Santa Apolonia train station or at the Oriente station many times during the day. We’d recommend that you book your train ticket in advance from the Portuguese railway. This is especially important during the busy tourist season so that you can secure the time that you’d prefer to travel.
You’ll arrive in Porto at their Campanha station and from there you’ll need to take either the bus or a metro in order to get to Porto city centre. We’d suggest you try to head to Sao Bento train station. This is because it’s well worth seeing as part of your historic journey into the city centre. The historic Sao Bento station was built in the early 20th century and is known for its stunning tile panels that cover the walls of the main hall. The 20,000 blue and white azulejo tiles depict various scenes from Portuguese history.
Taking the bus from Lisbon to Porto
If you’re looking for the most budget-friendly public transportation option, then you should take the bus from Lisbon to Porto is the best way to travel as it’s the cheapest option. Buses depart from Lisbon at either their Sete Rios bus station or their Oriente bus station. It should take around 3 hours to 4 hours each direction.
When you get to Porto, the buses stop at the Campanha bus station which is the same one as the Lisbon trains. Then from the station you’ll take a bus or metro to get to the city centre of Porto.
The main bus company that operates this route is Rene Expressos. We suggest that you book your train ticket in advance on their website so that you can reserve the cheapest ticket. Also, during the peak tourist season, you’ll want to make sure you secure your preferred travel time and date.
Driving from Lisbon to Porto
Getting a rental car to drive from Lisbon to Porto is a fantastic road trip journey if you have the extra time. Trust us, we did it and loved it!
The drive has loads of stopover points, pretty towns, and wonderful panoramic landscapes which will make for a totally unforgettable driving experience. What we loved the most about the drive is that you have the chance to discover the area between Porto and Lisbon. You can also make spontaneous detours (or toilet stops), and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Portugal’s countryside.
If you plan to drive to Porto and back in a day driving probably isn’t the best option. We don’t think that driving for over 3 hours, to then spend the whole day discovering the city of Porto, before then having to drive back 3 hours would be much fun. It would be so exhausting!
That’s why we’d suggest choosing a more relaxing travel option such as a bus, train or a tour if you want to do it in a day. That way, you might save your energy, and get to Porto feeling ready to start your Porto adventure.
Taking an organised tour
There are lots of organised and guided tours that go from Lisbon to Porto. However, it is essential to do some research beforehand into the details and of course, to look at reviews. This is because some of the tours are just transfer services that stop at other sites along the way. And, if they do make the return trip, they only spend a few hours in Porto and you don’t really catch much of the action. You’ll also potentially find that the tours are quite expensive starting from at least £150 (US$180).
5 Best Things to Do on a Day Trip to Porto From Lisbon
Porto, the northern capital of Portugal, is known as being a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its historic centre, beautiful cobbled streets, historic architecture, along with a vibrant nightlife. It has a fantastic location at the mouth of the Douro River where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. On one side of the river, you have the Ribeira District which is the old town. And on the opposite side, you have the Vila Nova de Gaia which is the new town side. There are loads of really cool things to do in Porto, and if you have kids like we do then lots for them as well.
Top tip from a travel family: Remember to bring comfortable shoes as you’ll do a lot of walking and Porto is very hilly!
1. Walk Along The Riverfront in Ribeira
The best way to begin your visit to Porto is with a visit to the Ribeira which is the historic centre. Ribeira is the in the heart of Porto and one of the city’s most pretty neighbourhoods that runs along the bank of the Douro River. It is in the oldest part of the city centre.
It is a great place to wander around and we particularly enjoyed walking along the waterfront on our first day because it gave us a good feel for the city. As you walk along you can take in the colourful streets, enjoy beautiful views over the river. And if you’ve not already had your breakfast you can enjoy it in one of the fantastic restaurants and cafes that you’ll find there.
Near the Ribeira neighbourhood, you’ll find one of Porto’s most iconic landmarks called the Dom Luís I Bridge.
This iron bridge has a double-decker design where you can walk across by foot on either of the levels. It is a brilliant example of engineering in the 19th-century and was designed by Gustave Eiffel of the famous Eiffel Tower. The benefit of crossing on the upper deck being the amazing views of the city from the bridge. On the far side of the bridge, you’ll get to Vila Nova de Gaia. This is the centre of Porto’s famous Port wine cellars.
Top tip: From the top level of the Dom Luís I Bridge you get an amazing panoramic view over the city and the river. It’s definitely worth a visit for a photo or two!
2. Enjoy a Port Wine Tasting in Vila Nova De Gaia
No visit to Porto is complete without stopping for a tasting of its very famous port wine. As you can guess, Port was named after Porto!
This sweet wine, is fortified wine and is a regional product that comes from the picturesque Douro Valley which is the oldest wine region in the world. The Douro Valley and its wine regions are the best day trip from Porto. We had a great day out with our kids in the Douro Valley taking a train and then a boat tour along the river. It’s not only where Port wine was first produced, but also home to some stunning landscapes. The Douro Valley is the perfect place for a fun day trip.
In the Vila Nova De Gaia district of Porto, one can visit any one of the famous Port wine lodges. You’ll get to learn more about the manufacture of port wine and there’s usually also an opportunity to head into one of their port tasting rooms at the end of the tour – it would be rude not to, right?!
It is possible to combine the tasting with one of the boat tours journeying along the River Douro where you’ll have beautiful views of Porto as well as some its famous six bridges. Quite possible one of the best ways to spend an afternoon in beautiful Porto. A perfect finish before you return to Lisbon.
3. Explore the Livraria Lello Bookshop
Livraria Lello opened in 1906 and is famous for being one of the most amazing bookstores in the world. Its grand staircase and ornate woodwork make it a must-visit in Porto for anyone interested in architecture, interiors or books.
It was once rumoured that the Livraria Lello bookshop was the inspiration for J. K. Rowling to write the Harry Potter books. However, this isn’t the case as she posted on social media to say she has never been there; the bookshop is magical nonetheless.
There’s a very small entry fee. The entrance fees are redeemable as against a book purchase and they sell very cool unique editions of classic novels.
4. Climb Clérigos Tower for Amazing Views
The 76-metre-high Clérigos Tower is part of the Clérigos Church, which was built in the 18th century in Baroque style. The tower is one of the landmarks in Porto and is surrounded by colourful buildings. For some of the best views of Porto we recommend that you climb the 225 steps of the Clérigos Tower. It’s a bit of a workout, however, the panoramic views at the top are definitely more than worth the effort.
Top tip from a travel family: During the busy summer months, you may have to queue up for quite a bit before you can go to the top of the tower. We’d recommend booking your tickets online in advance if you want to go to the viewing platform.
5. Sample a Locally Made Francesinha
This sandwich is a culinary adventure in itself. Made up of layers of bread stacked with meats, covered in melty cheese, and drenched in a secret spicy tomato sauce, trust us, it’s a lot tastier that in looks or sounds!
The perfect place to head to try one is Café Santiago. This casual restaurant is internationally famous for its Francesinha, so be sure to arrive early, as it can get busy and you may be a wait for a table.
FAQ’s About A Day Trip to Porto From Lisbon
Yes, in a practical sense, you can visit Porto from Lisbon on a day trip. However, as the return trip alone is 6-7 hours, so you should expect that it’ll be a very long day.
Porto is north of Lisbon by road by 314km (or nearly 200 miles). You can drive between Porto and Lisbon in around 3 hours by the high speed train or 3-4 hours by bus or car.
Yes, you can take the Alfa Pendular (AP). It’s a high-speed train that connects Lisbon and Porto in around 3 hours.
We think it is. Yes, you can easily walk around the city as many of its attractions are within walking distance of each other. You’ll find this to definitely be the case in the old city centre. A walking tour is a great way to explore Porto.
The best time to visit Porto is April to June and then in September to October because the city is less crowded and the weather is milder.
Porto is less touristy or busy than Lisbon. However, it has recently become more popular especially as it has a cruise ship port. Regardless of its increasing popularity, it still has an authentic feel and offers a fantastic Portuguese experience.
There are a number of stops that you can choose to visit on the drive between Lisbon and Porto:
– Óbidos: Medieval walled city
– Fatima: the biggest pilgrimage site in Portugal and home to the Sanctuary of our Lady of Fatima
– Nazaré: home to the world’s biggest waves
– Coimbra: history at the oldest university of Portugal
Final Thoughts on if a day trip to Porto from Lisbon worth it?
We loved visiting Porto as there were so many fun things to see and do. However, we really wouldn’t suggest taking a day trip to Porto from Lisbon. Because if you really want to make the most of a visit to Porto then you should really stay a few nights.
If you do decide to visit on a day trip then we’d recommend taking the fast train there as it’s the quickest and most efficient way to travel. And to only try to fit in a couple of experiences, otherwise you day will feel rushed.
