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Lisbon Santa Apolonia, walking distance from the city centre. Photo courtesy of Nathaniel Fruchter. |
This page explains how to travel by train from Lisbon to other key European cities, and how to buy tickets the cheapest way. Information current for 2024.
Before you buy your tickets
Take a moment to read these tips for buying European train tickets. It answers all the usual questions, "Do I need to book in advance or can I just buy at the station?", "Can I stop off?", "Are there Senior fares?" and that old favourite, "Should I buy an $800 railpass or just buy a €35 point-to-point ticket online?". How far ahead can you buy train tickets?
European train travel FAQ
Lisbon to Porto from €9.50
Lisbon to Faro & the Algarve from €8
Lisbon to other destinations in Portugal
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Buy tickets at the Portuguese Railways website www.cp.pt.
This sells tickets online for Portuguese long-distance trains including Lisbon-Porto and Lisbon-Algarve trains. There are cheap advance-purchase fares if you book in advance and the necessary seat reservation included.
Booking usually opens 60 days before departure date. Click EN top right for English. It can help to remember that in Portuguese, Lisbon is Lisboa. You'll need passport numbers for all travellers. When registering, www.cp.pt won't accept UK-style postcodes so use 123456.
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Or buy at Omio.com (in €, £ or $), UK postcodes no problem.
Omio.com is currently the only other website currently connected to CP's system and authorised to sell CP tickets.
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Lisbon to Sintra & Caiscais
Frequent local trains link Lisbon Rossio station with Sintra roughly every 15 minutes, journey time around 40 minutes. Trains also link Lisbon Cais do Sodre station with Caiscais every 20 minutes or so, in around 40 minutes.
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Are you over 65? CP give a 50% discount on Portuguese domestic train tickets to anyone over 65 (note it's not 60, but 65!). Just mention that you're over 65 and show your passport to prove it. The discount applies to full-flex full-price tickets only, not to their cheap advance-purchase fares. You can book discounted full-flex tickets online at www.cp.pt by selecting Senior instead of Full-Price during the process.
Lisbon to Madrid from €33 & onwards to Alicante & Valencia
Option 1, Lisbon to Madrid in a day, the leisurely direct way
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You can travel from Lisbon to Madrid by daytime trains with 2 changes, see the Madrid to Lisbon page.
It's cheap, comfortable, scenic, although not fast. A leisurely ride across Extremadura, look out for the beautiful tiling on some of the rural Portuguese stations.
Consider the more round-about journey with overnight stop in Porto shown in option 2 below. As each new section of the Madrid-Galicia high-speed line opens the Vigo-Madrid part of this journey gets faster & faster. With the attractions of Porto as an overnight stop, you may prefer that option.
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Sleeper train discontinued: The Lusitania Trenhotel was suspended in March 2020 due to Covid-19, Renfe did not want to reinstate it so it's been permanently discontinued. A direct fast daytime train may start in 2027 when new lines are completed in both Spain & Portugal, but until the only link between Madrid & Lisbon is a 3-train combo by day, see the Madrid to Lisbon page.
Changing trains at Badajoz station. The single-coach Allan Railcar from Entroncamento has arrived at Badajoz on the right. The express from Badajoz to Madrid is on the left. Photo courtesy of Giles Baker.
Wonderful arid scenery on the Spanish plateau between Badajoz & Madrid. Photo courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.
Option 2, Lisbon to Madrid with overnight stop in Porto - a round-about route, but with fast trains & a great stopover
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Day 1, travel from Lisbon Santa Apolonia to Porto Campanhã on any train you like, you can leave Lisbon as late as 19:30.
The journey takes as little as 2h58, by 200 km/h tilting Alfa Pendular or comfortable 160 km/h Intercity train. There are regular departures through the day, by all means travel early and spend some time in Porto. More about Porto to Lisbon trains.
Fares start at €9.50 in 2nd class or €22.50 in 1st class. These are limited-availability promo fares.
Buy tickets at either www.cp.pt or Omio.com and print them out.
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Stay overnight in Porto. The Poviera Hotel is a small and very inexpensive hotel with good reviews directly opposite Campanhã station. The Oca Oriental Porto Hotel is also inexpensive, gets great reviews, a stone's throw from Campanhã station. If you'd rather stay in the old town, top choice is the InterContinental Hotel, a 5-star converted monastery-cum-palace a stone's throw from the beautiful Sao Bento railway station. Or try the cheaper PortoBay Teatro Hotel.
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Day 2, travel from Porto to Vigo by Celta regional express, leaving Porto Campanhã at 08:13 arriving Vigo Guixar 11:35.
The fare is €15.90, fixed-price.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.
From Vigo Guixar it's an easy 10 minute 500m walk to Vigo Urzaiz, see how to walk between stations using the halo lift.
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Day 2, travel from Vigo to Madrid by Alvia train, leaving Vigo Urzaiz at 13:20 & arriving Madrid Chamartin 17:36.
This high-speed air-conditioned Alvia train has comfortable spacious seating in standard & comfort class & a cafe-bar.
Fares start at €22 in standard class or €44 in comfort class, fares vary like air fares so book ahead.
Check times & book online at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, looking for as direct train with 0 changes. Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies greatly. You print your own ticket.
Day 1, travel from Lisbon to Porto by Alfa Pendular.
Day 2, travel from Porto to Vigo by Celta regional express.
Above, the train crosses the Minho river which forms the border between Spain and Portugal.
Day 2, travel from Vigo to Madrid by Alvia train. Above left, comfort class seats, recently refurbished in tan leather.
The cafe-bar. Above right, an Iberico meal deal from the cafe-bar on an Alvia train.
Above left, an Alvia at Madrid Chamartin. Above right, standard (2nd) class seats on an Alvia S730 from Madrid to Vigo.
Scenery between Vigo and Madrid, south of Ourense.
Scenery between Vigo and Madrid, not far from Madrid.
Option 3, Lisbon to Madrid with overnight stop in Vigo - same route as option 2, but overnight stop in Vigo
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Day 1, travel from Lisbon to Porto, leaving Lisbon Santa Apolonia at 14:00 and arriving Porto Campanhã 16:58.
This is a fast Alfa Pendular train with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. By all means book an earlier train for more time in Porto.
Fares start at €9.50 in 2nd class or €22.50 in 1st class. These are limited-availability promo fares.
Check times & buy tickets at the Portuguese Railways website www.cp.pt (in €) or at www.omio.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $).
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Day 1, travel from Porto to Vigo by Celta regional express, leaving Porto Campanhã at 19:10 and arriving Vigo Guixar 22:34.
The fare is €15.90 standard price.
Buy a ticket at www.omio.com or www.thetrainline.com, or buy at the station.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Stay overnight in Vigo. The lovely NH Collection Vigo hotel & cheaper Hotel Atlantico Vigo are both near Vigo Guixar with great reviews.
From Vigo Guixar it's an easy 10 minute 500m walk to Vigo Urzaiz, see how to walk between stations using the halo lift.
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Day 2, travel from Vigo to Madrid by Alvia train, leaving Vigo Urzaiz at 09:20, arriving Madrid Chamartin 13:42.
On Mondays-Fridays there's also an earlier train, leaving Vigo Urzaiz at 05:53 arriving Madrid Chamartin 10:23.
The high-speed air-conditioned Alvia train has comfortable seating in standard & comfort class & a cafe-bar.
Fares start at €22 in standard class or €44 in comfort class, fares vary like air fares so book ahead.
Check times & book online at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, looking for as direct train with 0 changes. Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies greatly. You print your own ticket.
Lisbon to Barcelona from €78
Option 1, Lisbon to Barcelona in a day
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Step 1, travel from Lisbon to Madrid by 3-train combo as shown here, leaving Lisbon Santa Apolonia at 08:00 & arriving Madrid Atocha 19:44.
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Step 2, travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE, leaving Madrid Atocha daily except Saturdays at 21:10, arriving Barcelona Sants 23:40.
On Saturdays (or any day of the week if it has cheaper fares), leave Madrid Atocha at 20:40, arriving Barcelona Sants 23:55.
Fares start at €17.05 in standard class or €68.05 in comfort class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy this ticket at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Renfe's own website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see this advice on using it first).
There are also competing Iryo trains between Madrid & Barcelona & lo-cost Ouigo & Avlo trains from just €7, see the Madrid to Barcelona page.
Step 1, travel from Lisbon to Madrid using a 3-train combo. Above, changing trains at Badajoz station. The single-coach Allan Railcar from Entroncamento has arrived at Badajoz. The express from Badajoz to Madrid is on the left. Photo courtesy of Giles Baker.
Wonderful arid scenery on the Spanish plateau between Badajoz & Madrid. Photo courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.
Step 2, travel from Madrid to Barcelona by high-speed AVE. Above, an AVE (type S103) to Barcelona at Madrid Atocha. See virtual tour
Scenery from the high-speed AVE between Barcelona & Madrid. Courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.
Option 2, Lisbon to Barcelona with an overnight stop in Madrid
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Day 1, travel from Lisbon to Madrid by 3-train combo as shown here, leaving Lisbon Santa Apolonia at 12:30 daily except Saturdays & arriving Madrid Atocha 22:18. An earlier service is also available every day, see the Lisbon to Madrid page.
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Stay overnight in Madrid. The classic Hotel Mediodia is across the road from Atocha with good reviews, or try the NH Hotel Madrid Atocha or Only YOU Hotel Atocha, also across the road from the station.
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Day 2, travel from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants in as little as 2h30 on any high-speed AVE you like, they leave almost every hour.
Fares start at €17.05 in standard class or €68.05 in comfort class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy this ticket at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Renfe's own website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see this advice on using it first).
There are also competing Iryo trains between Madrid & Barcelona & lo-cost Ouigo & Avlo trains from just €7, see the Madrid to Barcelona page.
Option 3, Lisbon to Barcelona with overnight stop in Porto - a round-about route, but with fast trains & a great stopover
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Day 1, travel from Lisbon Santa Apolonia to Porto Campanhã on any train you like, you can leave Lisbon as late as 19:30.
The journey takes as little as 2h58, by 200 km/h tilting Alfa Pendular or comfortable 160 km/h Intercity train. There are regular departures through the day, by all means travel early and spend some time in Porto. More about Porto to Lisbon trains.
Fares start at €9.50 in 2nd class or €22.50 in 1st class. These are limited-availability promo fares.
Buy tickets at either www.cp.pt or Omio.com and print them out.
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Stay overnight in Porto. The Poviera Hotel is a small and very inexpensive hotel with good reviews directly opposite Campanhã station. The Oca Oriental Porto Hotel is also inexpensive, gets great reviews, a stone's throw from Campanhã station. If you'd rather stay in the old town, top choice is the InterContinental Hotel, a 5-star converted monastery-cum-palace a stone's throw from the beautiful Sao Bento railway station. Or try the cheaper PortoBay Teatro Hotel.
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Day 2, travel from Porto to Vigo by Celta regional express, leaving Porto Campanhã at 08:13 arriving Vigo Guixar 11:35.
The fare is €15.90, fixed-price.
Book online at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.
From Vigo Guixar it's an easy 10 minute 500m walk to Vigo Urzaiz, see how to walk between stations using the halo lift.
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Day 2, travel from Vigo to Madrid by Alvia train, leaving Vigo Urzaiz at 13:20 & arriving Madrid Chamartin 17:36.
This high-speed air-conditioned Alvia train has comfortable spacious seating in standard & comfort class & a cafe-bar.
Fares start at €22 in standard class or €44 in comfort class, fares vary like air fares so book ahead.
Buy this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, looking for as direct train with 0 changes. Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies significantly. You print your own ticket.
Transfer from Madrid Chamartin to Madrid Atocha by local train.
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Day 2, travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE, leaving Madrid Atocha at 20:00 daily except Saturdays arriving Barcelona Sants 22:30.
On Saturdays, leave Madrid Atocha at 19:25 by Iryo train, arriving Barcelona Sants 18:25.
The high-speed AVE has standard & comfort class and a cafe-bar.
Fares start at €17.05 in standard class or €68.05 in comfort class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, looking for as direct train with 0 changes. Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies significantly. You print your own ticket. You can also book the Iryo train at iryo.eu.
Day 1, travel from Lisbon to Porto by Alfa Pendular.
Day 2, travel from Porto to Vigo by Celta regional express.
Above, the train crosses the Minho river which forms the border between Spain and Portugal.
Day 2, travel from Vigo to Madrid by Alvia train. Above left, comfort class seats, recently refurbished in tan leather.
The cafe-bar. Above right, an Iberico meal deal from the cafe-bar on an Alvia train.
Above left, an Alvia at Madrid Chamartin. Above right, standard (2nd) class seats on an Alvia S730 from Madrid to Vigo.
Scenery between Vigo and Madrid, south of Ourense.
Scenery between Vigo and Madrid, not far from Madrid.
Option 4, Lisbon to Barcelona with overnight stop in Vigo - same route as option 2, but overnight stop in Vigo
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Day 1, travel from Lisbon to Porto, leaving Lisbon Santa Apolonia at 14:00 and arriving Porto Campanhã 16:58.
This is a fast Alfa Pendular train with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. By all means book an earlier train for more time in Porto.
Fares start at €9.50 in 2nd class or €22.50 in 1st class. These are limited-availability promo fares.
Check times & buy tickets at the Portuguese Railways website www.cp.pt (in €) or at www.omio.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $).
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Day 1, travel from Porto to Vigo by Celta regional express, leaving Porto Campanhã at 19:10 and arriving Vigo Guixar 22:34.
2nd class only, air-conditioned. You can check Lisbon-Porto-Vigo train times at www.cp.pt or www.omio.com, either using the journey planner or searching for the PDF-format Lisbon-Porto-Vigo Celta timetable.
The fare is €15.90 standard price.
Buy a ticket at www.omio.com or www.thetrainline.com, or buy at the station.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Stay overnight in Vigo. The lovely NH Collection Vigo hotel & cheaper Hotel Atlantico Vigo are both near Vigo Guixar with great reviews.
Vigo Guixar is an easy 10 minute 500m walk from Vigo Urzaiz, see how to walk between stations using the halo lift.
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Day 2, travel from Vigo to Madrid by Alvia train, leaving Vigo Urzaiz at 09:20, arriving Madrid Chamartin 13:42.
On Mondays-Fridays there's also an earlier train, leaving Vigo Urzaiz at 05:53 arriving Madrid Chamartin 10:23.
The high-speed air-conditioned Alvia train has comfortable seating in standard & comfort class & a cafe-bar.
Fares start at €22 in standard class or €44 in comfort class, fares vary like air fares so book ahead.
Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, looking for as direct train with 0 changes. Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies greatly. You print your own ticket.
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Day 2, travel from Madrid to Barcelona by AVE, leaving Madrid Atocha at 16:00 daily except Saturdays arriving Barcelona Sants 18:30.
On Saturdays, leave Madrid Atocha at 15:30, arriving Barcelona Sants 18:42.
If you took the earlier train from Vigo, you'll get to Barcelona sooner, I'd leave at least 2h between trains in Madrid. The high-speed AVE has standard & comfort class and a cafe-bar.
Fares start at €17.05 in standard class or €68.05 in comfort class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com, looking for as direct train with 0 changes. Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies significantly. You print your own ticket.
Lisbon to Burgos, Valladolid, San Sebastian from €38
By daytime trains with overnight stop in Vigo
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Day 1, travel from Lisbon to Porto, leaving Lisbon Santa Apolonia at 14:00 and arriving Porto Campanhã 16:58.
This is a fast Alfa Pendular train with cafe-bar.
Fares start at €9.50 in 2nd class or €22.50 in 1st class. These are limited-availability promo fares.
Check times & buy tickets at the Portuguese Railways website www.cp.pt (in €) or at Omio.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $).
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Day 1, travel from Porto to Vigo by Celta regional express leaving Porto Campanhã at 19:10 and arriving Vigo Guixar 22:34.
The fare is €15.90 standard price.
Buy at the station or buy at www.omio.com, www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com.
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Stay overnight in Vigo. The lovely NH Collection Vigo hotel & cheaper Hotel Atlantico Vigo are both near Vigo Guixar with great reviews.
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Day 2, travel from Vigo to San Sebastian on one of these two departures:
Early departure, 3 times a week: Leave Vigo Guixar at 07:42 on Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays for Vitoria/Gasteiz, arriving 16:29. The comfortable air-conditioned Alvia train has a cafe-bar and power sockets at all seats. An Intercity train provides a guaranteed connection, leaving Vitoria/Gasteiz 16:45, arriving San Sebastian (Renfe station) 18:35.
Mid-morning departure, every day: Leave Vigo Urzaiz at 09:20 every day by high-speed Alvia train, arriving Madrid Chamartin at 13:42. Vigo Urzaiz is an easy 10 minute 500m walk from Vigo Guixar, see how to walk between stations using the halo lift. Leave Madrid Chamartin at 14:50 daily except Saturdays by high-speed Alvia train arriving San Sebastian Renfe station at 19:42. Or on any day of the week, leave Madrid Chamartin at 17:38 by Alvia train arriving San Sebastian Renfe station at 22:40.
Fares start at €23 in standard class (2nd class) or €29 in comfort class (1st class). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.omio.com, www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies significantly. You can also book at Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com, in €, much more fiddly to use, rejects some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it. You print your own ticket.
Tip: If using the daily service via Madrid, you might need to treat Vigo-Madrid & Madrid-San Sebastian as separate bookings.
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Note: The Sud Express sleeper train from Lisbon to San Sebastian & Hendaye was suspended in March 2020 due to covid-19 and has now been permanently discontinued.
Lisbon to Seville, Cordoba, Malaga, Granada
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Step 1, travel from Lisbon Oriente to Faro by train in around 3h20.
There are a 5 departures every day by comfortable InterCity or Alfa Pendular train, all with cafe-bar.
Fares start at €9.50 in 2nd class or €22.50 in 1st class. These are limited-availability promo fares.
Check times and buy tickets at the Portuguese Railways website www.cp.pt (in €) or at Omio.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $).
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket. Do not book on any other site, no other site can do the necessary reservation or sell the cheaper advance tickets.
In Faro, the Eva bus station used by Alsa is a 4-minute 280m walk from Faro station, see walking map.
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Step 2, travel from Faro to Seville by bus.
Several companies operate this route, including Alsa, Damas, Iberobus & EuroLines.
Buses typically leave at 08:20, 10:30, 16:00, 16:45, 17:45 & 18:00, but it varies by day. Journey time 2h30 to 3h15.
I recommend Alsa (Alsa-Rede Express) as their buses stop at Seville Plaza de Armas then go on to Seville Santa Justa for easy bus-train connections. Their Seville Santa Justa stop is just outside the main station entrance next to McDonalds.
Fare €17-€21 each way, depending on operator.
Buy tickets at Omio.com, this sells tickets for all these operators. You print your own ticket.
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Step 3, take a train from Seville Santa Justa to Cordoba, Malaga, Granada or wherever.
Check times and buy online at www.raileurope.com or Omio.com though for short hops you may as well buy when you get there at the station.
Step 1, take a train from Lisbon to Faro. Above, an Intercity train to Faro about to leave Lisbon Oriente.
Step 2, take a bus from Faro to Seville. Above, an Alsa-Rede Express bus at Faro Eva bus station, next to the Eva Senses Hotel & 2 minutes walk from Faro station.
The bus crosses the Guadiana river, which forms the border between Spain and Portugal at this point.
An Alsa bus at its stop outside Seville Santa Justa station.
Lisbon to Vigo, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña
Option 1, Lisbon to Vigo & Santiago de Compostela with overnight stop in Porto
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Day 1, travel from Lisbon Santa Apolonia to Porto Campanhã on any train you like, you can leave Lisbon as late as 19:30.
The journey takes as little as 2h58, by 200 km/h tilting Alfa Pendular or comfortable 160 km/h Intercity train. There are regular departures through the day, by all means travel early and spend some time in Porto. More about Porto to Lisbon trains.
Fares start at €9.50 in 2nd class or €22.50 in 1st class. These are limited-availability promo fares.
Buy tickets at either www.cp.pt or www.omio.com and print them out.
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Stay overnight in Porto. The Poviera Hotel is a small and very inexpensive hotel with good reviews directly opposite Campanhã station. The Oca Oriental Porto Hotel is also inexpensive, gets great reviews, a stone's throw from Campanhã station. If you'd rather stay in the old town, top choice is the InterContinental Hotel, a 5-star converted monastery-cum-palace a stone's throw from the beautiful Sao Bento railway station. Or try the cheaper PortoBay Teatro Hotel.
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Day 2, travel from Porto to Vigo by Celta regional express, leaving Porto Campanhã at 08:13 and arriving Vigo Guixar 11:35.
The fare is €15.90, fixed-price, 2nd class only.
Buy a ticket at www.omio.com or www.thetrainline.com, or buy at the station.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Day 2, travel from Vigo to Santiago de Compostela or A Coruña.
There are slow regional trains from Vigo Guixar every few hours via the classic line, or hourly fast Media Distancia trains from Vigo Urzaiz on the high-speed line. It's a 10-minute 500m walk from Vigo Guixar to Vigo Urzaiz, see how to walk between stations using the halo lift.
Check times and buy tickets at www.omio.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $) or Spanish Railways www.renfe.com (in €, more fiddly, rejects some overseas payment cards).
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies. I'd allow at least an hour in Vigo between trains.
Option 2, Lisbon to Vigo & Santiago de Compostela with overnight stop in Vigo
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Day 1, travel from Lisbon to Porto, leaving Lisbon Santa Apolonia at 14:00 and arriving Porto Campanhã 16:58.
This is a fast Alfa Pendular train with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. By all means book an earlier train for more time in Porto.
Fares start at €9.50 in 2nd class or €22.50 in 1st class. These are limited-availability promo fares, book ahead for these.
Check times & buy tickets at the Portuguese Railways website www.cp.pt (in €) or at www.omio.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $).
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Day 1, travel from Porto to Vigo by Celta regional express, leaving Porto Campanhã at 19:10 and arriving Vigo Guixar 22:34.
The fare is €15.90 fixed price, 2nd class only.
Buy a ticket at www.omio.com or www.thetrainline.com, or buy at the station.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Stay overnight in Vigo. The lovely NH Collection Vigo hotel & cheaper Hotel Atlantico Vigo are both near Vigo Guixar with great reviews.
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Day 2, take any train you like from Vigo to Santiago de Compostela or A Coruña.
There are slow regional trains from Vigo Guixar every few hours via the classic line, or hourly fast Media Distancia trains from Vigo Urzaiz on the high-speed line. It's a 10-minute 500m walk from Vigo Guixar to Vigo Urzaiz, see how to walk between stations using the halo lift.
Buy tickets at www.omio.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $) or Spanish Railways www.renfe.com (in €, more fiddly, rejects some overseas payment cards).
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, but this varies. I'd allow at least an hour in Vigo between trains.
The Celta regional express between Vigo & Porto, seen here at Vigo Guixar. Below, the Minho river forms the border between Spain and Portugal.
Lisbon to Andorra
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Steps 1 & 2, travel from Lisbon to Madrid, stay overnight, then travel from Madrid to Barcelona by high-speed train, as shown above.
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Step 3, travel from Barcelona to Andorra by bus. There are then 6 or 7 buses every day from Barcelona Sants station to Andorra La Vella, capital of Andorra, journey time 3 hours, fare around €29, see www.autocarsnadal.com.
Lisbon to London
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See the London to Portugal page for details and how to buy tickets, for travel in either direction.
Lisbon to Paris
Option 1, Lisbon to Paris via Madrid & Barcelona
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Day 1, travel from Lisbon to Madrid by 3-train daytime combo as explained on the Madrid to Lisbon page.
You leave Lisbon Santa Apolonia in the morning, change at Entroncamento & Badajoz, arriving Madrid Atocha in the evening.
Book this as shown here. Booking opens up to 60 days ahead.
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Stay overnight in Madrid. The classic Hotel Mediodia is across the road from Atocha with good reviews, or try the NH Hotel Madrid Atocha or Only YOU Hotel Atocha, also across the road from the station.
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Day 2, travel from Madrid to Barcelona by Avlo lo-cost train leaving Madrid Atocha at 06:15, arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:45.
The lo-cost Avlo train is one-class, no catering (so bring your own food & drink), free WiFi.
Fares start from only €7. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.omio.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $) or Spanish Railways www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly to use, may reject some overseas payment cards). You print your ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Paris by TGV Duplex, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:28 and arriving Paris Gare de Lyon at 16:12.
The 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, book an upper deck seat for the best views - any seat number >60 is upper deck.
You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral. More about the Barcelona to Paris journey.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
www.omio.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your ticket or can show it on your phone.
Option 2, Lisbon to Paris via Vigo & San Sebastian
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Day 1, travel from Lisbon to Porto, leaving Lisbon Santa Apolonia at 14:00 and arriving Porto Campanhã 16:58.
This is a fast Alfa Pendular train with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. By all means book an earlier train for more time in Porto.
Fares start at €9.50 in 2nd class or €22.50 in 1st class. These are limited-availability promo fares.
Check times & buy tickets at the Portuguese Railways website www.cp.pt (in €) or at www.omio.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $).
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Day 1, travel from Porto to Vigo by Celta regional express, leaving Porto Campanhã at 19:10 and arriving Vigo Guixar 22:34.
The fare is €15.90 standard price.
Buy a ticket at www.omio.com or www.thetrainline.com, or buy at the station.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Stay overnight in Vigo. The lovely NH Collection Vigo hotel & cheaper Hotel Atlantico Vigo are both near Vigo Guixar with great reviews.
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Day 2, travel from Vigo to San Sebastian on one of these two departures:
Early departure, 3 times a week: Leave Vigo Guixar at 07:42 on Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays for Vitoria/Gasteiz, arriving 16:29. The comfortable air-conditioned Alvia train has a cafe-bar and power sockets at all seats. An Intercity train provides a guaranteed connection to San Sebastian, leaving Vitoria/Gasteiz 16:45 and arriving San Sebastian Renfe station at 18:35.
Mid-morning departure, every day: Leave Vigo Urzaiz at 09:20 every day by high-speed Alvia train, arriving Madrid Chamartin at 13:42. Leave Madrid Chamartin at 14:50 daily except Saturdays by high-speed Alvia train arriving San Sebastian Renfe station 19:38. Or on any day of the week, leave Madrid Chamartin at 17:38 by Alvia train arriving San Sebastian Renfe station 22:40. Vigo Urzaiz is an easy 10 minute 500m walk from Vigo Guixar, see how to walk between stations using the halo lift.
Fares start at €23 in standard class (2nd class) or €29 in comfort class (1st class). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.omio.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies. You print your own ticket.
In San Sebastian, it's an easy 10-minute walk from San Sebastian Renfe station to San Sebastian Amara station, see walking route.
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Stay overnight in San Sebastian. The Pension Regil is close to the old town with great reviews, 10 minutes walk from the Renfe station, 7 minutes walk from the Amara Euskotren station. If you want something in the old town itself, try the Pension Garibai or Pension Alameda. If you want to push the boat out, San Sebastian's most venerable hotel (which I can recommend personally, having stayed there) is the Hotel de Londres y Inglaterra, on the sea front.
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Day 3, travel from San Sebastian to Hendaye by Euskotren, leaving San Sebastian Amara at 08:15. These metro trains run every 30 minutes, journey time 37 minutes, buy a ticket at the station with cash or card and hop on the next train. Check times at www.euskotren.eus.
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Day 3, travel from Hendaye to Paris by TGV Duplex Océane, leaving Hendaye daily at 09:34, arriving Paris Montparnasse 14:08.
The impressive 300 km/h (186 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex Océane has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.
Fares start at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets for the TGV at www.omio.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can select a mobile ticket to show on your phone.
Lisbon to Biarritz, Lourdes, Bordeaux
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Day 1, travel from Lisbon to Porto, leaving Lisbon Santa Apolonia at 14:00 and arriving Porto Campanhã 16:58.
This is a fast Alfa Pendular train with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. By all means book an earlier train for more time in Porto.
Fares start at €9.50 in 2nd class or €22.50 in 1st class. These are limited-availability promo fares.
Check times & buy tickets at the Portuguese Railways website www.cp.pt (in €) or at www.omio.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $).
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Day 1, travel from Porto to Vigo by Celta regional express, leaving Porto Campanhã at 19:10 and arriving Vigo Guixar 22:34.
The fare is €15.90 standard price.
Buy a ticket at www.omio.com or www.thetrainline.com, or buy at the station.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket.
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Stay overnight in Vigo. The lovely NH Collection Vigo hotel & cheaper Hotel Atlantico Vigo are both near Vigo Guixar with great reviews.
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Day 2, travel from Vigo to San Sebastian on one of these two departures:
Early departure, 3 times a week: Leave Vigo Guixar at 07:42 on Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays arriving Vitoria/Gasteiz 16:29. The comfortable air-conditioned Alvia train has a cafe-bar and power sockets at all seats. An Intercity train provides a guaranteed connection to San Sebastian, leaving Vitoria/Gasteiz 16:45 and arriving San Sebastian Renfe station at 18:35.
Mid-morning departure, every day: Leave Vigo Urzaiz at 09:20 every day by high-speed Alvia train, arriving Madrid Chamartin at 13:42. Leave Madrid Chamartin at 14:50 daily except Saturdays by high-speed Alvia train arriving San Sebastian Renfe station at 19:38. Or on any day of the week, leave Madrid Chamartin at 17:38 by Alvia train arriving San Sebastian Renfe station at 22:40. Vigo Urzaiz is an easy 10 minute 500m walk from Vigo Guixar, see how to walk between stations using the halo lift.
Fares start at €23 in standard class (2nd class) or €29 in comfort class (1st class). Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.omio.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Booking normally opens 60 days ahead, but it varies. You print your own ticket.
In San Sebastian, it's an easy 10-minute walk from San Sebastian Renfe station to San Sebastian Amara station, see walking route.
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Stay overnight in San Sebastian. The Pension Regil is close to the old town with great reviews, 10 minutes walk from the Renfe station, 7 minutes walk from the Amara Euskotren station. If you want something in the old town itself, try the Pension Garibai or Pension Alameda. If you want to push the boat out, San Sebastian's most venerable hotel (which I can recommend personally, having stayed there) is the Hotel de Londres y Inglaterra, on the sea front.
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Day 3, travel from San Sebastian to Hendaye by Euskotren, leaving San Sebastian Amara at 08:15. These metro trains run every 30 minutes, journey time 37 minutes, buy a ticket at the station with cash or card and hop on the next train. Check times at www.euskotren.eus.
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Day 3, travel from Hendaye to Biarritz, Lourdes or Bordeaux by French train.
Check times and buy tickets at www.omio.com or www.thetrainline.com.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can select a mobile ticket to show on your phone.
Lisbon to Brussels, Amsterdam, Cologne, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Berlin, Warsaw, Moscow
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Days 1 & 2, travel from Lisbon to Paris as shown above using whichever option you prefer.
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For Brussels, Amsterdam or Cologne, take the metro or a taxi to the Gare du Nord, then take a Eurostar (formerly Thalys) high-speed train from Paris Gare du Nord to Brussels Midi (1h25, from €29), Amsterdam Centraal (3h20, from €35) or Cologne Hbf (3h25, from €35).
Eurostars have 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys).
Book the Eurostar at www.thetrainline.com to keep all your bookings in one place, in €, £ or $, both easy to use, small booking fee, or book it at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).
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For Frankfurt, take the metro or a taxi to the Gare de l'Est, then take an ICE or TGV Duplex from Paris Gare de l'Est to Frankfurt in 3h45 from €39, booked at int.bahn.de, or you can use www.thetrainline.com for this leg of the journey too, keeping all your bookings in one place. Also see this Lisbon-Frankfurt option via Marseille, which saves crossing Paris and might be nicer, even if slightly longer.
For Berlin, take high-speed trains as shown here, an overnight stop in Cologne or Mannheim may be necessary.
For Copenhagen, travel from Paris to Copenhagen with an overnight stop in Cologne as shown here.
For Warsaw & Krakow, travel from Paris to Warsaw or Krakow as shown here.
Lisbon to Avignon, Marseille, Lyon, Cannes, Nice, Frankfurt, Geneva & Switzerland..
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Day 1, travel from Lisbon to Madrid as shown on the Lisbon-Madrid page.
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Stay overnight in Madrid. The classic Hotel Mediodia is across the road from Atocha with good reviews, or try the NH Hotel Madrid Atocha or Only YOU Hotel Atocha, also across the road from the station.
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Day 2, travel from Madrid to Barcelona by Avlo lo-cost train leaving Madrid Atocha at 06:15, arriving Barcelona Sants at 08:45.
The lo-cost Avlo train is one-class, no catering (so bring your own food & drink), free WiFi.
Fares start from only €7. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.omio.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $) or Spanish Railways www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly to use, may reject some overseas payment cards). You print your ticket or can show it on your phone.
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Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Avignon, Marseille Cannes or Nice, leaving Barcelona Sants at 09:28 every day, change at Nimes, arriving Marseille St Charles 14:36. Change at Marseille St Charles for Cannes & Nice, arriving Nice Ville at 17:36.
Barcelona to Nimes is by TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. You'll get great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral, see the photos, tips & journey information here.
Nimes to Marseilles is by Intercité with refreshment trolley & free WiFi. Marseille to Cannes & Nice is by TER regional train.
Fares start at around €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee). Booking normally opens 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Tip: If you're only going as far as Marseille, you could spend the morning in Madrid then take the direct 13:25 AVE S100 to Avignon, Aix-en-Provence & Marseille, see the Trains from Madrid page.
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For Germany & Switzerland, go to Marseille & stay overnight. Suggested inexpensive hotels with good reviews near Marseille St Charles station include the Ibis Marseille Centre Gare St Charles, Holiday Inn Express Marseille St Charles.
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Day 3 for Lyon & Frankfurt, a direct TGV Duplex leaves Marseille St Charles at 08:12, calling at Lyon Part Dieu and arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 15:59 (a change of train at Mannheim be necessary on certain dates). Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
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Day 3 for Geneva & Switzerland, enjoy a morning in Marseille or Avignon then book from Marseille to Geneva at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. Change in Geneva for destinations all over Switzerland, buy an onward ticket at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or £, small booking fee) or at the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch. You print your own ticket.
Lisbon to Genoa, Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome & Italy
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Day 1, travel from Lisbon to Madrid as shown on the Lisbon-Madrid page.
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Stay overnight in Madrid. The classic Hotel Mediodia is across the road from Atocha with good reviews, or try the NH Hotel Madrid Atocha or Only YOU Hotel Atocha, also across the road from the station.
Spend the following morning in Madrid.
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Day 2, travel from Madrid to Marseille by AVE S100 high-speed train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 13:25 and arriving Marseille St Charles 21:32.
This comfortable Spanish high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Look out for great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou on the left as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses on the left by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral on the left, see the photos, tips & journey information here.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, significantly more fiddly, may reject some overseas payment cards).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead, but this may vary. You print your own ticket.
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Stay overnight in Marseille. Inexpensive hotels with good reviews just outside Marseille St Charles station include the Ibis Marseille Centre Gare St Charles & Holiday Inn Express Marseille St Charles. Marseille is a great place for a longer stopover, with the Vieux Port, Eglise Notre Dame de la Garde, and if you stay a day or two you can even take a ferry to the terrible Chateau d'If of Count of Monte Cristo fame, see the Marseille page.
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Step 3, travel from Marseille to Nice by TER regional train, leaving Marseille St Charles at 09:57 and arriving Nice Ville at 12:36.
There's lovely scenery along the Cote d'Azur between Toulon & Nice. By all means take an earlier train if you'd like a wander around Nice, the Promenade des Anglais is 15 minutes walk from the station.
The fare is €36.20 in 2nd class or €54.30 in 1st class, though promotional fares of €25 are sometimes available.
Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £, $, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee). Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.
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Step 4, travel from Nice to Ventimiglia by double-deck TER regional train, leaving Nice Ville at 13:20 and arriving Ventimiglia at 14:11.
The fare is €9.20, though promotional fares of €5 or €7.50 are sometimes available. 2nd class only.
Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.sncf-connect.com.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone. Allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Ventimiglia.
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Step 5, travel from Ventimiglia to Milan by Intercity train, leaving Ventimiglia at 15:10 arriving Milan Centrale at 18:58.
Change at Milan Centrale for an onward Frecciarossa high-speed train to Verona, Venice, Florence or Rome. There's great scenery along the Ligurian coast.
Fares from Ventimiglia to Milan start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €26.90 in 1st class.
Milan to Venice or Florence then starts at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class. Milan to Rome starts at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.
You'll find more about the journey from Nice to Milan, Venice, Florence or Rome on the Nice to Italy by train page.
Lisbon to Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, Prague
Option 1, via Marseille & Genoa
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Day 1, travel from Lisbon to Madrid as shown on the Lisbon-Madrid page.
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Stay overnight in Madrid. The classic Hotel Mediodia is across the road from Atocha with good reviews, or try the NH Hotel Madrid Atocha or Only YOU Hotel Atocha, also across the road from the station.
Spend the following morning in Madrid.
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Day 2, travel from Madrid to Marseille by AVE S100 high-speed train, leaving Madrid Atocha at 13:25 and arriving Marseille St Charles 21:32.
This comfortable Spanish high-speed train has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Look out for great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou on the left as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees, you'll pass the historic Fort de Salses on the left by the tracks just after Perpignan, flamingos on the lakes in the South of France between Narbonne & Montpelier, and Béziers cathedral on the left, see the photos, tips & journey information here.
Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, significantly more fiddly, may reject some overseas payment cards).
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead, but this may vary. You print your own ticket.
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Stay overnight in Marseille. Inexpensive hotels with good reviews just outside Marseille St Charles station include the Ibis Marseille Centre Gare St Charles & Holiday Inn Express Marseille St Charles. Marseille is a great place for a longer stopover, with the Vieux Port, Eglise Notre Dame de la Garde, and if you stay a day or two you can even take a ferry to the terrible Chateau d'If of Count of Monte Cristo fame, see the Marseille page.
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Day 3, travel from Marseille to Nice by TER regional train, leaving Marseille St Charles at 09:57 and arriving Nice Ville at 12:36.
There's lovely scenery along the Cote d'Azur between Toulon & Nice. By all means take an earlier train if you'd like a wander around Nice, the Promenade des Anglais is 15 minutes walk from the station.
The fare is €36.20 in 2nd class or €54.30 in 1st class, though promotional fares of €25 are sometimes available.
Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.sncf-connect.com. Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.
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Day 3, travel from Nice to Ventimiglia by TER local train, leaving Nice Ville at 13:20 and arriving Ventimiglia at 14:11.
The fare is €8, though promotional fares of €5 or €7.50 are sometimes available. 2nd class only.
Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.sncf-connect.com. Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone. Allow at least 45 minutes between trains in Ventimiglia.
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Day 3, travel from Ventimiglia to Genoa by Intercity train, leaving Ventimiglia at 15:10 arriving Genoa Piazza Principe at 17:05. There's great scenery along the Ligurian coast.
Fares start at €9.90 in 2nd class or €19.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy a ticket at www.thetrainline.com or www.trenitalia.com.
Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.
You'll find more about the journey from Nice to Milan on the Nice to Italy by train page.
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Day 3, travel from Genoa to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Genoa Piazza Principe at 19:50 and arriving Vienna Hbf at 09:04.
Another portion of this same sleeper train goes to Salzburg Hbf (arriving 06:49) & Munich Hbf (arriving 09:20).
Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €69.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €89.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €139.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Deluxe sleepers with en suite shower & toilet are also available. A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.
Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easiest, overseas credit cards no problem) or the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices, a bit more fiddly). You print your own ticket.
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Day 4 for Budapest, catch a railjet train from Vienna Hbf to Budapest Keleti in 2h40, from €19.90 in 2nd class or €29 in 1st class booked at www.thetrainline.com (easiest) or www.oebb.at. You print your own ticket. I'd allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Vienna.
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Day 4 for Bratislava, take the next hourly regional express train from Vienna Hbf to Bratislava Hlavna in 56 minutes, fare €11, no reservation necessary or possible, just buy a ticket at the station and hop on. You can check times at www.thetrainline.com.
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Day 4 for Prague, catch a railjet train from Vienna Hbf to Prague Hlavni in around 4h, from €14 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class booked at www.thetrainline.com or book at the Czech Railways website www.cd.cz. You print your own ticket. I'd allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Vienna.
Option 2, Lisbon to Innsbruck, Salzburg, Vienna, Budapest via Marseille & Geneva - you may prefer this scenic route
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Day 1, travel from Lisbon to Geneva: Lisbon to Madrid, overnight stop in Madrid, Madrid to Marseille on day 2, overnight stop in Marseille, Marseille to Geneva on day 3, as shown above.
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Stay overnight in Geneva. Hotels with good reviews near the station include Hotel Cornavin Genève, Hotel Les Arcades, ibis Styles Geneva Gare.
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Day 4 for Innsbruck, Salzburg & Vienna, travel from Geneva to Zurich HB by Swiss domestic train then from Zurich HB to Innsbruck, Salzburg or Vienna by smart Austrian railjet train through the wonderfully scenic Arlberg Pass, watch the Arlberg Pass Railjet video here.
Book from Geneva to anywhere in Austria at www.thetrainline.com or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at from €19.90 upwards and print your own ticket.
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Day 4 for Budapest, the 10:40 from Zurich HB goes direct to Budapest Keleti arriving late evening, to book Geneva to Budapest you'll need to split the booking into Geneva-Innsbruck & Innsbruck-Budapest, see the detailed advice on how to do that here.
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Day 4 for Munich, book a ticket from Geneva to Munich Hbf from €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class at German Railways int.bahn.de.
Hotels in Lisbon
Backpacker
hostels
www.hostelworld.com: If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels. Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in most cities at rock-bottom prices.
Travel insurance & VPN
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Always take out travel insurance
Never travel overseas without travel insurance from a reliable insurer, with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover. It should also cover cancellation and loss of cash and belongings, up to a sensible limit. An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheaper than several single-trip policies even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself. Here are some suggested insurers. Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.
www.staysure.co.uk
offers enhanced Covid-19 protection & gets 4.7 out of 5 on
Trustpilot.
www.columbusdirect.com
is also a well-know brand.
If you live in the USA try
Travel Guard USA.
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Get an eSIM with mobile data package
Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a mobile data package for the country you're visiting and stay connected. Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM card so you don't need to buy a physical SIM, including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list. Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data.
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Get a Curve card for foreign travel
Most banks give you a poor exchange rate, then add a foreign transaction fee on top. A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month at time of writing. The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.
How it works: 1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android. 2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses. 3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card. 4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app. You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.
I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader. The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than digging a card out). I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great. See details, download the app and get a Curve card, they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.
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Get a VPN for safe browsing. Why you need a VPN
When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure. A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi. It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply. See VPNs & why you need one explained. ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription. I get a small commission to help support this site.
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Carry an Anker powerbank
Tickets, reservations, vaccination records and Interrail or Eurail passes are often held digitally on your mobile phone, so it's vital to keep it charged. I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over if I can't get to a power outlet. Buy from Amazon.co.uk or from buy from Amazon.com.