Question re: trains from Sintra to Porto
Mar 19th, 2016, 05:33 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Question re: trains from Sintra to Porto
Hello Fodorites,
Hope you can help me choose the best option for train travel in mid-April. We'll be traveling from Sintra to Porto, and I realize we'll have to transit Lisbon, but I want to do so in the most straightforward way, as we'll have a lot of luggage. I reviewed the www.cp.pt website, and it looks as if we could take an Urbano train from Sintra to Lisbon Oriente (46 minutes) and then the AP train from Lisbo Oriente to Porto (2 hrs 35 min). That seems like the best bet (otherwise we're taking a train from Sintra to Lisbon's Rossio Station and then lugging all our bags to the Santa Apolonia Station where most of the trains to Porto originate).
Does this make sense (Sintra-Lisboa Oriente-Porto), and is there anything else I should consider? On the CP website it looks like they don't allow a lot of time between trains at the Oriente station - are the Urbano trains generally on time? I plan to purchase the tickets ahead of time online, although I'm not sure I can buy the Urbano ticket in advance...perhaps just the AP train. Also welcome any thoughts re: whether it's worth it to upgrade to first class on the AP trains. Appreciate your help and any other suggestions you might have!
Hope you can help me choose the best option for train travel in mid-April. We'll be traveling from Sintra to Porto, and I realize we'll have to transit Lisbon, but I want to do so in the most straightforward way, as we'll have a lot of luggage. I reviewed the www.cp.pt website, and it looks as if we could take an Urbano train from Sintra to Lisbon Oriente (46 minutes) and then the AP train from Lisbo Oriente to Porto (2 hrs 35 min). That seems like the best bet (otherwise we're taking a train from Sintra to Lisbon's Rossio Station and then lugging all our bags to the Santa Apolonia Station where most of the trains to Porto originate).
Does this make sense (Sintra-Lisboa Oriente-Porto), and is there anything else I should consider? On the CP website it looks like they don't allow a lot of time between trains at the Oriente station - are the Urbano trains generally on time? I plan to purchase the tickets ahead of time online, although I'm not sure I can buy the Urbano ticket in advance...perhaps just the AP train. Also welcome any thoughts re: whether it's worth it to upgrade to first class on the AP trains. Appreciate your help and any other suggestions you might have!
Mar 19th, 2016, 07:19 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Does this make sense (Sintra-Lisboa Oriente-Porto), and is there anything else I should consider?>
Yes the only best way - about 1.5 hours all told - the Sintra to Lisbon Oriente train is a local train - no reason to buy in advance - buy once in Lisbon and those trains run often - take an earlier one to be sure - no one can say if the train will be late on any given run. If budget is not starvation go first-class IMO - lots more relaxed with less people per train car and more room for bags, etc - for lots on Portuguese trains in general check www.seat61.com - great info on discounted tickets; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
There are two stations in Porto with trains going first to Campanha then local train to S Beneto (or maybe I've mixed up those two stations? - one nearer to the town center and one on the mainline on the edge of town.
Yes the only best way - about 1.5 hours all told - the Sintra to Lisbon Oriente train is a local train - no reason to buy in advance - buy once in Lisbon and those trains run often - take an earlier one to be sure - no one can say if the train will be late on any given run. If budget is not starvation go first-class IMO - lots more relaxed with less people per train car and more room for bags, etc - for lots on Portuguese trains in general check www.seat61.com - great info on discounted tickets; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
There are two stations in Porto with trains going first to Campanha then local train to S Beneto (or maybe I've mixed up those two stations? - one nearer to the town center and one on the mainline on the edge of town.
Mar 19th, 2016, 07:20 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BTW I got schedules from www.bahn.de/en - the German railways pan-European scheduling site - always spot on and easy to use.
