Getting Around

Trains, roads, taxis and how to move around Portugal.

Book with CP — Comboios de Portugal (CP) operates most long-distance trains. Book via cp.pt or the CP app for better prices, especially on Alfa Pendular (fast) and IC (intercity) services between Lisbon, Porto, Covilhã and the Algarve.
Regional trains are cheapest — Regiónal (R) and Comboio Regional Expresso (CRE) trains cost half the price of express services and work well for shorter hops, though they're slower and make many stops.
Strikes happen occasionally on CP lines, especially during industrial action. Check cp.pt for service updates before traveling, or use buses as backup.
Validate before boarding — Even with a ticket, validate it at the platform machine before entering—conductors may fine you €50+ if you can't show a stamped ticket.

Lisbon Metro is fastest — The Metropolitano de Lisboa is clean, safe and runs 6:30am–1am. Use the Viva Viagem card (€0.50) and load €6.40 for 10 journeys (€0.64 each), or buy a 7-day pass for €40.
Porto and regional buses — Porto has a light metro (STCP) but buses cover more ground; tap your Andante card (€0.60) or buy a 10-journey ticket (€13). Other cities rely mainly on buses operated by local companies like Rodoviária and Rede Expressos.
Always validate your ticket on the machine when boarding buses and trams—inspectors check frequently and unvalidated tickets incur €50 fines.
Tourist passes exist — Lisbon offers a 24/48/72-hour tourist pass (€10/€20/€27) covering metro, tram, bus and even some trains; worth it if you're sightseeing heavily.

Use Uber or Beat — Uber and Beat (formerly Taxify) operate in Lisbon, Porto and some coastal cities; they're cheaper and safer than hailing random taxis, with transparent pricing and card payment built in.
Unlicensed taxis and unofficial drivers at airports prey on tourists. Use only white official taxis with meters, or pre-book via Uber; expect €15–25 from Lisbon airport to city center.
Request a receipt — Always ask for a printed receipt (recibo) if paying cash, and note the taxi number—it protects you if there's a dispute.
Night surcharge applies — After midnight, taxis add a €1.60 surcharge and charge higher rates per km; Uber and Beat show surges in-app so you know the cost upfront.

You must have an International Driving Permit with your license, carry documents (registration, insurance), two warning triangles, high-visibility vests, and a breathalyzer kit—police fine heavily for any missing item.
Speed limits & fines — Speed limits are 50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on regional roads and 120 km/h on motorways; speeding fines start at €120 and can reach €600 for excess over 40 km/h, enforced by radar and cameras.
Motorways (A1, A2, A6, A8) require a toll card (Via Verde) or electronic payment; rental cars often have this, but check. Missing tolls incur €25+ penalties plus interest.
Park carefully in cities — Lisbon and Porto have paid parking zones (blue lines); use the ParkWhiz or Wejo apps or buy a ticket from machines. Towed cars cost €150+ to retrieve.
Fuel is pricier than elsewhere — Petrol runs €1.50–1.70/liter; fill up at highway rest stops or Galp/BP stations rather than tourist zones. Credit cards are widely accepted.

Lisbon airport is main hub — Cristiano Ronaldo International (Humberto Delgado) is 7 km north; the red line metro (Linha Vermelha) reaches the city center in 23 minutes for €1.50–2.00, or a taxi costs €15–25.
Porto and Faro alternatives — Porto airport is 13 km north (metro Line A, 30 min, €2.00) and Faro is 9 km west (bus 16, 30 min, €3.15). Both are less chaotic than Lisbon.
Airport taxis are not metered; agree on the price beforehand or use Uber, which typically shows €20–30 to city center and protects you from overcharging.
Rental car desks at all airports — Major companies (Hertz, Europcar, Budget) are present; book ahead online for cheaper rates, and always decline the rental company's insurance if your personal policy covers it.

Lisbon river crossings — Transtejo operates cheap ferries across the Tagus; the Lisbon–Cacilhas crossing (€1.30–2.00) is scenic and connects to the south bank. Buy tickets at the terminal or load a Viva Viagem card.
Douro River cruises in Porto — Tourist ferries run under the famous bridges and along the Douro; these are more sightseeing than transit, costing €5–15 depending on route length.
No major long-distance ferries — Portugal has no regular car or passenger ferries to Spain or other countries; day trips require buses or driving over land borders.

Viva Viagem card (Lisbon) — Buy this reloadable card at metro stations or the airport for €0.50, then load journeys or day passes; it works on all metro, tram and bus networks and is far cheaper than single tickets (€0.64–2.00 per ride).
Andante card (Porto) — Similar to Viva Viagem, this card costs €0.60 and you load zones/journeys; a 10-journey ticket is €13 and covers metro and buses across Porto and nearby towns.
Portugal Rail Pass — If you're doing multi-city train trips, CP's Portugal Rail Pass (3–15 days, €50–200) offers unlimited national rail travel; buy it before arrival or at major stations.
Tourist passes and cards are non-refundable once loaded; calculate your usage carefully and buy only what you'll use, or risk losing the balance.

Buy a local SIM card — MEO, Vodafone and NOS are the three main carriers. A basic SIM costs €10–20 with 10–20 GB data and unlimited calls/texts; buy at airports, supermarkets or train stations and activate in minutes.
eSIM option — If your phone supports eSIM, buy a Portuguese plan from Airalo or your home carrier's roaming app; it's instant and costs €5–15 for 5–10 GB, avoiding physical SIM hassles.
WiFi in cities is good — Most cafés, hotels and metro stations in Lisbon, Porto and coastal towns offer free WiFi; telcos also provide free WiFi hotspots at major hubs, though speeds vary.
EU roaming works — If you're from the EU, your home SIM's roaming is included at domestic rates; US/other international users should buy a local SIM as roaming fees are steep (€2–5/MB on some carriers).