Lisbon Portugal to Madrid Spain in January
Dec 1st, 2015, 11:42 AM
#1
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Lisbon Portugal to Madrid Spain in January
We are a 21 year old and 30 year old traveling from Lisbon to Madrid in January. We have a total of 8 days and plan on staying in Lisbon for 2-3 days. Ideas for stops along the way or day trips from Lisbon. Just starting to plan...any suggestions greatly appreciated!
Dec 1st, 2015, 01:12 PM
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Going by train I presume (one-way car rentals with drop-offs in another country can have steep drop-off fees) - here's one scenario:
Train or bus to Evora - really neat Alentejo town- a whole day there
then move onto Faro - large nice city in the Algarve (too cold for beaches) - take direct bus from Faro to Seville, Spain and an amazing old city with lots to see and do
Take train to Cordoba - wondrous old Moorish city with former mosque now turned to stunning cathedral - whole day there or more
Then take high-spee train in a few hours to Madrid.
Great info on Spanish trains - www.renfe.com - Spanish Railways official site with taste discounts if book far enough in advance to get the limited in number discounted ducats - www.seat61.com - great info on discounted tickets in Spain and Europe and for general info - www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
Train or bus to Evora - really neat Alentejo town- a whole day there
then move onto Faro - large nice city in the Algarve (too cold for beaches) - take direct bus from Faro to Seville, Spain and an amazing old city with lots to see and do
Take train to Cordoba - wondrous old Moorish city with former mosque now turned to stunning cathedral - whole day there or more
Then take high-spee train in a few hours to Madrid.
Great info on Spanish trains - www.renfe.com - Spanish Railways official site with taste discounts if book far enough in advance to get the limited in number discounted ducats - www.seat61.com - great info on discounted tickets in Spain and Europe and for general info - www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
Dec 2nd, 2015, 09:11 AM
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We typically fly between Lisbon and Madrid, unless we have a car rented in Spain.
Two to three days in Lisbon doesn't give you much time to be taking many day trips, not if you plan on enjoying the city, but you'll want to take the train to Sintra to visit the Pena National Palace.
Two to three days in Lisbon doesn't give you much time to be taking many day trips, not if you plan on enjoying the city, but you'll want to take the train to Sintra to visit the Pena National Palace.
Dec 2nd, 2015, 12:42 PM
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There is also an overnight train between Lisbon and Madrid - a nice hotel train - save daytime travel time even over flying and the cost of a night in a hotel or hostel.
Portugal has several nice places north of Lisbon - like in the Porto area and Porto itself is a real gem - you could connect with the overnight train to Madrid from Porto - note there are no feasible daytime train links between Portugal and Madrid though there probably are buses.
Portugal has several nice places north of Lisbon - like in the Porto area and Porto itself is a real gem - you could connect with the overnight train to Madrid from Porto - note there are no feasible daytime train links between Portugal and Madrid though there probably are buses.
Dec 2nd, 2015, 02:14 PM
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If you want a compartment on the Lisbon-Madrid Trenhotel, it will cost you around 177€/person for a Gran Class ticket and 146€/person for the Preference Class. The train from Porto to Madrid is less expensive in all classes.
A Tourist Class ticket, Promo +, is 55€/person (if you don't mind sharing the compartment with 2 other people). The Tourist Class compartments are usually used by families.
TAP has direct flights from Lisbon to Madrid for as low as 87€, one-way. Flights from Porto to Madrid are more expensive.
A Tourist Class ticket, Promo +, is 55€/person (if you don't mind sharing the compartment with 2 other people). The Tourist Class compartments are usually used by families.
TAP has direct flights from Lisbon to Madrid for as low as 87€, one-way. Flights from Porto to Madrid are more expensive.
Dec 2nd, 2015, 09:12 PM
#6
Info on the night train here: http://www.seat61.com/international-...sbon_to_Madrid
Nothing wrong with tourist class, and when looking at prices you have to consider that you are saving a hotel night.
Nothing wrong with tourist class, and when looking at prices you have to consider that you are saving a hotel night.
Dec 3rd, 2015, 06:44 AM
#8
That particular route? Once. From seat61's description, the train has been upgraded since I took it.
However, I have ridden over 50 night trains in the last 15 years. I travel solo and therefore, aside from six nights in North America, I have always been in a shared compartment, usually a four berth couchette or the equivalent.
How many times have you ridden it? And I notice that you don't address the saving on a hotel, which would cover part of the cost of a private compartment.
However, I have ridden over 50 night trains in the last 15 years. I travel solo and therefore, aside from six nights in North America, I have always been in a shared compartment, usually a four berth couchette or the equivalent.
How many times have you ridden it? And I notice that you don't address the saving on a hotel, which would cover part of the cost of a private compartment.
Dec 3rd, 2015, 07:17 AM
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As I already mentioned, we fly between Lisbon and Madrid when not driving. I have better things to do at night (like sleep in a comfortable bed) then ride a night train. It was an interesting adventure when I was younger and taking trains around Europe, but even a Gran Class compartment doesn't compare to a nice hotel room, and the Trenhotel is not the Transcantabrico Gran Lujo.
For someone traveling alone there may be some savings on a hotel room, but not much for a couple sharing a Gran or Preference Class compartment.
For someone traveling alone there may be some savings on a hotel room, but not much for a couple sharing a Gran or Preference Class compartment.
Dec 3rd, 2015, 07:53 AM
#10
So, you have not actually taken the train in question?
The OPs are young. I am not, but I still find the train less hassle and more fun than flying. I slept quite well on the Lisbon - Madrid train - although the rails were smoother in Spain than Portugal.
I don't know why you say there "may be some savings" on a hotel room. Obviously, you save the cost of a room. You subtract it from the cost of the train, and only then do you compare the cost of the train to the cost of a flight plus transport to/from the airport. You also save day time for sightseeing.
Based on the Promo fares on seat61.com lists, a couple planning ahead and wanting privacy could buy all four berths in a Turista sleeper for 132 euro (33 euro per berth). Promo+ would be 148 euro (37 euro per berth).
The OPs are young. I am not, but I still find the train less hassle and more fun than flying. I slept quite well on the Lisbon - Madrid train - although the rails were smoother in Spain than Portugal.
I don't know why you say there "may be some savings" on a hotel room. Obviously, you save the cost of a room. You subtract it from the cost of the train, and only then do you compare the cost of the train to the cost of a flight plus transport to/from the airport. You also save day time for sightseeing.
Based on the Promo fares on seat61.com lists, a couple planning ahead and wanting privacy could buy all four berths in a Turista sleeper for 132 euro (33 euro per berth). Promo+ would be 148 euro (37 euro per berth).
Dec 3rd, 2015, 07:53 AM
#11
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It was an interesting adventure when I was younger and taking trains around Europe>
Note the OPs are 21 and 30 years old - young to me and night trains, especially in shared compartments IME can be a neat experience - usually nice folks in there.
Note the OPs are 21 and 30 years old - young to me and night trains, especially in shared compartments IME can be a neat experience - usually nice folks in there.
Dec 3rd, 2015, 11:32 AM
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I often have taken Turista shared compartments and at the discounted price of 33 euro per person you can save a ton over flying and a hotel or hostel and even save day time travel - figure also the costs of getting to and from the airport. Trains take you right into the city.
Dec 3rd, 2015, 11:24 PM
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I'm sure turista shared compartments are fine for the most part, something I would not do today, but the OP only has 8 days (7 nights?), so why waste an entire night on the trenhotel when they could be out having fun?
When we used to "ride the rails", we had two to three months to play with, not one week.
And yes thursdaysd, I've taken the train in question, but that was a long time ago, when comfort wasn't an issue.
When we used to "ride the rails", we had two to three months to play with, not one week.
And yes thursdaysd, I've taken the train in question, but that was a long time ago, when comfort wasn't an issue.
Dec 4th, 2015, 10:46 AM
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but the OP only has 8 days (7 nights?), so why waste an entire night on the trenhotel when they could be out having fun?>
Well your point about not wasting time means taking the night train is the ultimate time saver- flying takes a half of day of daytime sightseeing or partying - so under Robert's rubrick the train will be the best to fulfill it to a T.
and IMe that age group could be partying on the train as well.
Well your point about not wasting time means taking the night train is the ultimate time saver- flying takes a half of day of daytime sightseeing or partying - so under Robert's rubrick the train will be the best to fulfill it to a T.
and IMe that age group could be partying on the train as well.
