Hi all! my boyfriend and I are planning on taking a guided tour of Spain ending in Madrid and transfering to Lisbon to do our own exploring of Portugal. Is it better to take the plane ride or train from Madrid to Lisbon? I know the train takes 10 hrs (is the scenery worth it?)

Also, has anyone heard on the realibility of Vueling airlines? (their airfare prices are so much lower than Iberia or TAP)

The only train to Lisbon is the Trenhotel, an overnight run that takes 9 hours 45 minutes. Not much to see when you depart Madrid at 22:45 (10:45 pm).

Vueling works, but you should check their baggage restrictions.

I took the night train from Lisbon to Madrid. Nice train. Cost of the bunk offsets a hotel night.

vueling are very nice, reliable and decent service similar to that of jetblue in the states.

I have some friends who took the hotel train and were very disappointed - I'm sure it's a good train but if you take it you need to make sure your expectations are realistic - it's not the Orient Express!

The Lusitania Expres Hotel Tren is strictly an overnighter

I assume your guided tour of Spain was by Motorcoach: Why not a MotorCoach to Portugal?

You could travel in daytime or overnight; and you could go to Porto and later continue to Lisbon on Alfa Pendular.

<i>it's not the Orient Express! </i>
LOL!

It's damn good transportation from city center to city center, and only &euro;29 for the bed.

Thanks for all the replies!
I am leaning towards the plane via Vueling. It leaves very early (7:20am) however, I suppose it would give us more time in Lisbon to explore. I was quoted $170 CADeach for the Lusitania train ride and $220each for the plane ticket via another airline) by my travel agent. However, I found the Vueling flight via the web for 120 CAD each.

NEDSIRELAND: We are doing a motorcoach tour of Spain but we wanted to do our own exploring of Portugal. We plan on staying in Lisbon for few days (day trip to Sintra and Belem). Then I plan to take a train to Porto a few days then back to Lisbon then end our trip in Lagos (Algarve) for a relaxing time on the beach.

ivy22 writes: &lt;&lt;I am leaning towards the plane via Vueling. It leaves very early (7:20am) however, I suppose it would give us more time in Lisbon to explore. ... &gt;&gt;

As other Discount carriers, Vueling's prices may increase as the date for your trip approaches.

There's an hour time difference (07:20 in Madrid is 06:20 in Lisbon); so that flight will put you in Lisbon before 8:00 AM.
If you haven't decided where to stay in Lisbon, I recommend Residencial Estrela do Saldanha, Avda. Republica 17 (a long block from Praca Saldanha at Duque de Avila). Carlos Ferreira, co-owner / manager speaks English and his prices are very good.
Metro Lisboa is right on the corner and you can catch the #28 TrolleyBus at Saldanha.

&lt;&lt; ... We are doing a motorcoach tour of Spain but we wanted to do our own exploring of Portugal. ... &gt;&gt;

I wasn't suggesting a MotorCoach tour of Portugal, just an alternative, much cheaper way to get from Madrid to Lisbon!

thanks for the tip! I was looking for recommendations of where to stay in Lisbon