Best Way from Santiago de Compostela to Braga
 

It is very expensive to bring a rental car into Portugal from Spain, so I am looking for information (train or bus) on how to get from Santiago de Compostela to Braga for one night and then from Braga to Lisbon for 3 nights before flying home. Any assistance is appreciated. Thank you.

By train,there will be two changes: Santiago de Compostela to Vigo (about 2 hours), Vigo to Famalicao (1 1/2 hours), Famalicao to Braga (1/2 hour).

For train timetables, please check: www.renfe.es, and www.cp.pt.

From Santiago, you don't have to go all the way to Vigo unless you are taking a Regional Train: Renfe's main line to Orense and Madrid has a stop at Tuy. Then you have to cross the rio Minho to Valenca do Minho where you should be able to catch a bus or local train to Braga. One Tren Internacional (Vigo-Porto) departs Vigo around 13:00 and crosses into Portugal. You can catch it at Vigo or Redondela de Galizia (Been there, done that!).

Before leaving Santiago, I think you should visit the Bus station to see if there is any bus line that serves that route. If there is, it could save you a lot of headaches.

You're probably better off getting from Braga to Porto, then an Alfa Pendular (3-hours) to Lisbon. They run pretty frequently weekdays during the day.

Gina2003 writes: <<It is very expensive to bring a rental car into Portugal from Spain ...>>

The expensive part is the fee you are charged when you drop off a rental car from Spain in Portugal. You may be able to drop off a Spain rental in Vigo, La Guardia or Pontevedra at a nominal drop off fee; and pick up another in Valenca do Minho or Braga.

<< ... looking for information (train or bus) on how to get from Santiago de Compostela to Braga for one night and then from Braga to Lisbon for 3 nights before flying home ... >>

You can go Braga to Porto to Lisbon on Public Transportation, but you'll miss a lot in between: Guimaraes, birthplace of modern Portugal, Porto, the Mealhada region where the roast suckling pig is to die for, Coimbra, a University town similar to Santiago, maybe even Fatima (if you're so inclined) and coastal resorts northwest of Lisbon.

Such an itinerary change might reduce your Lisbon stay by one night; but you would get to visit some very nice places and see some of Portugal's most scenic areas.

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I've tried every which way to get to Braga, but it seems the only time to get there on Fri 16:00-20:30 - taking a train from Santiaga-->Vigo-->Nine-->Braga. We can't rent a car in Braga (as rentals are closed until Mon)so would be looking to take a train from Braga to Lisbon on Sun. On the portugal web site, it looks like I can take a Alfa Pendular train (fast) but I cannot find that schedule anywhere else (railsaver.com/eurail.com)so am concerned. All of the posted schedules take 22 hours. We have been quoted $450 to rent a car in Santiago and drop off in Lisbon. Minimal rental is 3 days, even though we only need it for 36 hours. That may be our best bet at this point.

The #1 reason we can't just rent our full/mid size car in Madrid and return it in lisbon (even with hefty drop off charges) is because they (autoeurope) don't allow that size car to go into Portugal. We're 4 traveling in Spain, and 3 from Spain to Portugal. Not even sure a mid size or even full size will fit 4 large suitcases.

In any case, you've given me lots of options to try (train connections, etc) so I thank you. Very helpful.

For Alfa Pendular train from Braga to Lisbon, 3 times daily depart at 0725, 1330, 1830 (except Saturday), takes about 4 hours.