Getting Around Portugal as Tourists: Tips From Our 3-Week Trip

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Planning your Portugal trip is exciting — cobbled streets, stunning beaches, mountains, and incredible seafood.

But before you book flights or hotels, one question quickly takes over: how do you actually get around Portugal without wasting time or money?

I had the same confusion while planning our 24-day trip across Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, and Madeira with my husband and our 10-month-old baby.

We usually rely on public transport to save money and experience places more locally — so this decision mattered to us.

Portugal looks small on the map, but transport told a very different story.

Some people swore by trains, others preferred cars.

So we tried everything: trains, buses, Bolt rides, and renting a car for a few days.

In this guide, I will cover the different ways to travel across Portugal, including trains, buses, taxis, and chauffeur services– between the cities & within towns.

I will explain the pros and cons of each and help you choose the best option for your trip.

Collage of 4 transport scenes in Portugal including Bolt taxi, FlixBus, train station, airplane in countryside with text overlay that says how we travelled around Portugal in 24 days — Save it for Later!

How did we get around Portugal

The one rule that kept our trip stress-free

We followed one rule everywhere —never drive inside cities or towns of Portugal and take train/bus between cities unless, a car is essential.

Train arriving at Faro station in Portugal with colourful mural building beside railway tracks — Faro station with colourful art

Steep street in Lisbon Portugal with parked cars and city view showing hilly terrain and driving conditions — Lisbon city- driving here is not for faint hearted

We realised this on our very first day while walking through the hills of Alfama in Lisbon.

Narrow roads, parking issues, and constant traffic made it clear that driving within cities would only add stress – even in Porto.

Cobblestone street in Porto with cars tram and historic buildings on a bright sunny day — And don’t drive in Porto streets

That decision worked for the rest of our three-week trip.

Almost everywhere within cities , we mostly used buses and walked. It was easy to manage.

How we travelled across different regions in Portugal

In the beautiful tropical island Madeira, a car was almost essential to reach viewpoints, forest areas, and coastal drives. Within Funchal, we still used local buses.

Coastal road running beside the ocean with steep green cliffs in Madeira — This is why Madeira is the best place to drive

The Algarve in south needed a mix. Buses between beaches were not reliable, so we used trains for places like Tavira and Bolt for short distances.

In Sintra and Nazaré, we drove to reach the areas, but used buses locally due to traffic and parking.

Passengers loading luggage onto Rede Expressos bus at station in Faro Portugal before departure — The Long distance buses have good boot

For Porto, walking and trams worked best within the city. For day trips like Aveiro (about 70 km away), the train was the easiest option.

Train at Lisbon Oriente station in Portugal with modern architecture and passengers waiting on platform — Lisboa Oriente. PC: Depositphotos

We only drove when going beyond main tourist areas on Portugal highways.

Out of 24 days holiday, we drove for about 7 days. The rest was public transport and a few Bolt rides, which kept the trip affordable and stress-free.

Car vs Public transport in Portugal

Is it easy to get around Portugal without a car?

Yes, it is possible to get around Portugal without a car — but only if you stick to places well connected by train or bus.

Woman with baby at small train platform in Luz Portugal showing local rail travel experience — The waiting time turned into fun walk at Luz

I say this because, in Austria, I travelled to small mountain villages using buses + trains for 2 weeks

Cities like Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra are easy to explore using public transport – but not all places.

While planning, we looked at places like Gerês National Park and Piódão and quickly realised they are not practical to reach without a car.

Stone houses clustered on a green hillside in Piódão village — Piódão village – Only accessible by car. PC: Unsplash

Madeira was a clear example. To explore beyond Funchal, we had to rent a car for a few days.

If your trip focuses on major cities, public transport is enough.

But for viewpoints, coastal drives, or less touristy places, you will need a car.

Is public transport in Portugal reliable?

Yes, public transport in Portugal is reliable — but not perfectly predictable.

Every time we used the train, there was a delay.

Mobile screen showing Infraestruturas de Portugal train schedule with delays between Vila Real de Santo Antonio and Faro — Checking train delays in Portugal

Both times, delays were clearly shown on the app and station boards, so it never felt uncertain.

We also used buses, including a long-distance rides and city buses, with few minutes delay, but journey was smooth.

Delays: Trains can be 10–15 minutes late, while city buses are delayed by about 5 minutes.
Frequency: In Lisbon and Porto, transport runs often, so waiting is not a problem. Outside main routes, buses are less frequent.
Coverage: Cities and major towns are well connected. But reaching beaches, viewpoints, or smaller villages is harder without a car.
Ease of use: The system is simple once you get used to it. At first, tickets and connections can feel confusing, especially when switching between buses, trams, and trains.

Overall, it works well if you plan ahead and stay flexible with timings.

Is public transport in Portugal stroller and wheelchair friendly?

Public transport in Portugal is usable with a stroller or wheelchair, but it is not always effortless.

Rede Expressos bus parked at station in Portugal with luggage being loaded before journey — Long distance buses are easy with kids

We travelled with a baby and stroller, and overall it was manageable, but not the easiest.

So don’t rule out using public transport in Portugal if you have a stroller or need assistance.

What works well?

In cities, buses and metros were the easiest.

Woman and baby travelling inside citybus transport in lisbon with stroller and seating area visible — Lisbon city bus by Carris

Many lower to footpath level, and there is space inside where seats can be folded for strollers or wheelchairs.

What can be challenging?

Trams, especially in Lisbon, are not stroller-friendly. They are narrow, crowded, and require stepping in.

Vintage Sintra tram in Portugal with passengers de-boarding using high steps at last stop — The Sintra Tram – High step, not wheelchair or Stroller friendly

In Porto, trams were less crowded, but we still had to fold and lift the stroller.

Interior of vintage tram in Portugal with wooden seats and family travelling with stroller — The Porto tram – empty during first rides

Sintra tram surely is gorgeous and unique, but narrower

Trains and intercity buses are not always step-free, so we often had to lift the stroller while boarding.

It is not as smooth as countries like Austria or Japan, where systems are more accessible.

Smaller stations and older trains can still be challenging, and assistance may need to be arranged in advance.

Train platform in Portugal with passengers boarding modern train and station signage visible — Bicycles on board

Best transport options for getting around in Portugal

Using Trains in Portugal as a traveller

Using trains in Portugal is simple. The national railway company, CP (Comboios de Portugal), runs both high-speed and regional services.

Regional train in Portugal with woman holding baby on platform before boarding — Regional trains – old, but works even with kids

We mostly used regional trains for routes like Porto to Aveiro and Faro to Tavira.

What you should know before taking trains

Interior of Porto São Bento station in Portugal with azulejo tiles and travellers inside — The gorgeous Sao Bento of porto

Always check the correct station: Cities have multiple stations, which can be confusing. In Porto, we were unsure between São Bento and Campanhã, and in Lisbon, between Rossio and Oriente.
Choose based on budget: High-speed trains are faster but more expensive and need reservations. We used regional trains as they were cheaper for short routes.
Use QR codes for live updates: Many stations have QR codes showing real-time status. We used this at Luz to check delays instead of guessing.

Tickets and booking experience

Train ticket from Faro to Tavira Portugal showing price and travel details inside carriage — The tickets bought from station

Buying tickets is easier at stations: We found the CP app frustrating, so we mostly bought tickets at the station during the off-season. Use Omio instead — it is easier and more reliable.
Unmanned stations need a backup plan: Smaller stations like Luz may not have counters or machines. In such cases, you can buy tickets onboard from the conductor.

What to expect during the journey

Passenger holding baby inside regional train in Portugal with red dusty seats and window view — See the seats- they aren’t dirty, but dusty and old

Always carry ID: Checks can happen even on short routes. We were asked for ID between Tavira and Faro, even without crossing borders – luckily we had passports.
Do not rely on priority seating: Seats exist for passengers with babies or elderly travellers, but during peak hours, they are not always offered.
Expect peak-hour crowds: Our Aveiro to Porto train in the evening was packed with students. Busy, but lively.
Trains feel older: They are clean but not as modern as trains in Austria or Spain. The windshield were dusty and hazy in regional trains. So we couldn’t fully enjoy the views.

Taking domestic flights in Portugal (when needed)

You will only need to fly in Portugal when visiting islands like Madeira or the Azores. For mainland Portugal, trains and buses are enough and usually cheaper.

islands of madeira seen from above — Approaching Madeira. PC: Depositphotos

Before booking our trip to Madeira, I checked if there was a ferry from Lisbon or Porto, but air travel was the only practical option unless you are on a multi-day international cruise.

Lisbon has the most connections, with daily and often almost hourly departures. Porto and Faro also has regular options but fewer.

Ryanair and easyJet run frequent flights, but we found TAP Air Portugal more reliable.

A TAP Air Portugal aircraft parked on the runway with boarding stairs at Madeira Airport, Portugal, against a hillside backdrop. — TAP Air Portugal on coolest runway view at Funchal airport in Madeira

Flights to Madeira and the Azores are often affected by strong winds and changing weather, so delays and cancellations are common, and TAP handles these better.

So we chose TAP and flew from the busy Lisbon Airport Terminal 1.

Hand-luggage-only tickets are cheaper to cheaper these islands, so we stored part of our luggage in Lisbon’s lockers to save money.

Keep this in mind while budgeting — both ticket prices and luggage storage costs.

Using long distance buses in Portugal

Portugal is well connected by buses, just like trains. In some cases, buses are even better, especially for direct routes or cross-border travel like Spain.

Operators like Rede Expressos, FlixBus, and ALSA run most of these routes.

Travellers buying long-distance bus tickets at the Rede Expressos counter inside Faro bus station Portugal — Us buying a bus ticket to Seville Spain from Faro Portugal

We used Rede Expressos from Faro to Seville and booked tickets two days in advance at Faro station (off-season).

The journey was smooth and comfortable.

Booking and planning buses

Information desk in Portugal bus station with sign stating no FlixBus information available — Many staff must have been annoyed buy folks asking for Flixbus!- So they say “No Flixbus Info”

Each bus company has its own counter at the station. Info is only available at that operator’s counter. For example, FlixBus details are not available elsewhere. Even general information desks often display signs saying they do not provide FlixBus details.
Booking is flexible, but compare online: You can book at the station in the off-season or online during peak time. Platforms like Omio help compare options between different operator.
Check child travel rules: FlixBus requires a car seat for children under 3, which we did not have. That is why we chose Rede Expressos.

What to expect on bus journeys

Inside Redeexpress – the white door is toilet

Comfort is good for longer journeys: For trips of 2.5–3 hours or more, most buses have air conditioning and toilets onboard. We used it once — small but tidy.
Luggage isn’t usually an issue — most bus companies allow one trolley bag (up to 25 kg) and one hand bag per traveller. It’s not strict, but this is enough for majority of tourists. We carried extra bags and a stroller without any problem.
Carry food and water: For 3–4 hour journeys, there are usually no food stops or onboard service.
Bus terminals can vary by operator: Stops are fixed, but departure points can differ depending on the bus company, so always double-check.
Frequent on popular routes: Routes like Lisbon–Porto, Lisbon–Faro/Albufeira, and Porto–Coimbra run almost every hour.

Bus station in Faro with numbered boarding gates and passengers waiting with luggage — Easy to navigate smaller Faro station unlike gigantic Oriente of Lisboa

Using taxis and ride apps (Bolt and Uber)

In most countries, Uber or Bolt is only used within cities. In Portugal, you can also use them to travel between cities.

Even for distances of 50–70 km, the cost is often reasonable.

While planning, we were surprised to see routes like Nazaré to Óbidos (40 km) and Lisbon to Sintra (30 km) available.

We used this often in the Algarve, where buses were limited. A Bolt from Praia da Falésia to Faro (40 km) cost about €22 and was easier than public transport.

What to know about taking taxis between places in Portugal

Yellow taxis parked in Funchal with drivers waiting showing local taxi options outside apps — Taxis charge you more when you book without the app

Local taxis are often more expensive than apps. Many work with Bolt, but if you approach them directly, they may charge almost double.
Bolt is usually cheaper than Uber: In our experience, it was more affordable and widely used.
Works well for short intercity distances: Routes like Lisbon to Sintra, Faro to Albufeira, or Porto to Braga are easily available.
Available most of the time: We rarely waited more than 5–10 minutes, even for slightly longer routes.
Useful where buses are limited: In places like the Algarve, this was often the easiest way to get around.
Good for couples or small groups: When split between 2–3 people, it can cost the same or less than bus tickets.

Bolt taxi car in Portugal with branding visible showing ride hailing option for transport — Bolt in Portugal

Heads up: For longer distances, private taxis with drivers are available, but they are very expensive compared to other options.

We checked from Sintra to Albufeira, they mentioned 550 euros – It was cheaper to drive with a rental car than this.

Renting a car in Portugal to get between two places

Renting a car works best in Portugal only when you want flexibility between cities, especially to reach hidden beaches, viewpoints, or smaller towns.

Traveller completing paperwork at a Europcar office in Portugal with staff assisting at the counter — Sorting car rental details easily at Europcar

We chose to rent a car only for specific parts of our trip, like exploring beyond Sintra and travelling through the Algarve.

It gave us the freedom to stop along the way like western most point of mainland Europe, which public transport would not allow.

A family posing beside the Cabo da Roca stone monument marking the westernmost point of mainland Europe in Sintra, Portugal. — Us, at the westernmost point of Mainland Europe

Driving on highways between cities felt easy, but we avoided driving inside cities like Lisbon and Porto.

Read to know all about mistakes you shouldn’t make while renting cars in Portugal before you book.

How to choose the best way to travel between cities in Portugal

Which is better -bus or train in Portugal

Trains work cheaper for shorter routes up to 60–70 km. For longer distances, like 300 km, buses are usually cheaper, equally comfortable, and take a similar time.

Screenshot comparing train and bus prices from Porto to Lisbon showing cheaper €4 bus option versus €16 train in Portugal — Longer journey in Portugal? Take buses

For shorter journeys, regional trains are often more affordable, faster, and frequent.

Our train from Faro to Tavira (around 40 km) cost €3.50, which was cheaper than the bus.

For longer routes, buses are usually the better choice if you want to save money.

Journeys like Porto to Lisbon are significantly cheaper by bus, without a big difference in travel time.

We realised this after comparing both options of bus and trains.

It is easier to compare prices on Omio, as the official train website only shows train options

Self-drive vs taxi between cities in Portugal

Self-driving works better when you want to make stops along the way & distances are longer, while taxis are useful for direct point-to-point travel.

For example, on our way from Nazaré to Sintra, we stopped at Óbidos and spent a few hours walking around.

View from the back seat of a car driving through a forested road in Portugal — Driving through quiet roads of Sintra outskirts

This was only possible because we had a rental car.

Without it, managing luggage and booking multiple taxis would have been inconvenient.

If you are travelling directly from one place to another for a shorter distance (around 40–50 km), a taxi is easier.

But if your route includes stops or detours, self-driving is the better option.

Transport within Portuguese cities

City buses:

Every Portuguese city is well connected by buses. Most operate on a flat fare, around €2–€2.5 per ride, regardless of distance.

We used them the most across Lisbon, Porto, Funchal, and even parts of the Algarve. Easy to use with day passes or single tickets.

Trams

Portugal is known for its vintage trams. Lisbon and Porto have both historic and modern ones, while Sintra’s tram is more of a tourist experience.

We used trams often — they are both practical for getting around and a fun way to see the city.

In Lisbon, mini buses run in historic areas like Alfama and Graca – they are hilly. We used it to get to the viewpoints to see sunset and Lisbon silhouette.

Funiculars

These are cable railways built for steep hills, commonly used in hilly cities like Lisbon.

They help you reach higher neighbourhoods quickly without walking uphill.

man sitting in front of yellow lisbon bica funicular parked on the track — At the famous Bica Funicular of lisboa – Temporarily stopped

The most well-known ones are Glória, Bica, and Lavra in Lisbon. During our visit, none of them were running after the September 2025 accident, so check the latest status before you go.

aerial view of nazare beach with funicular coming up by the sea to hiltop — Nazare funicular

The Nazaré funicular is one of the most scenic, connecting the beach to the clifftop.

Metro

Lisbon and Porto have underground metros, widely used by locals.

We used them only a few times, mainly for longer distances like reaching the stadium in Porto.

And only once in Lisbon to get to Avenida liberdade

As a traveller, you may not rely on them as much as buses or walking.

Ride app taxis (Bolt and Uber)

These are one of the easiest and often cheapest ways to get around cities, for shorter distances when you don’t want to walk.

We used them in places like Nazaré, Alcobaça, and Faro.

For short distances, Bolt was sometimes cheaper than two bus tickets for us as a family.

Hop-on hop-off buses

Available in most cities like Lisbon, Porto, Funchal, and Braga.

Useful if you have limited time, but not necessary if you are exploring at a slower pace.

Tuk-tuks

Mainly for tourists, not a local way of commuting like in South-east Asia and available in most places, especially Lisbon.

They are priced hourly and can be helpful in hilly areas, but are more of a convenience than a necessity.

Read my honest experience on why a tuk tuk tour works better in Lisbon than in other cities

Walking

Most historic centres in Portugal are best explored on foot. We walked a lot in every city.

Woman spinning on a cobblestone street with traditional Portuguese mosaic pavement and canopy above at rua-de-Santo-Antonio, Faro — Beautiful Rua-de-Santo-Antonio, Faro

man pushing stroller with baby sleeping inside at busy shopping street of Chiado at Lisbon — Our stroller scene at Chiado

Just wear comfortable shoes — streets are cobbled and can get slippery when it rains.

Tips to get around Portugal easily (and save money)

Traditional Portuguese house covered in blue azulejo tiles in Aveiro old train station — Aveiro train station – pretty and blue

Mix transport instead of sticking to one: Use trains for short routes, buses for longer ones, and check Bolt before booking anything. This flexibility saved us more money than we expected.
Compare before you book: Train websites show only trains. Use Omio to compare buses and trains together and pick the best option quickly.
Use the right apps for the right purpose: Google Maps worked well for routes and connections, but regional apps often have more accurate schedules. For example, the Vamus Algarve app was more reliable for timings than Google transit.
Keep tickets and passes simple: Bus fares are often flat and can feel confusing. We found basic day transport passes more useful than bigger tourist cards like the Lisboa Card or Porto Card, which are not always worth the cost.
Book smart, not always early: During off-season, last-minute bookings worked fine for trains and buses. But for car rentals or peak routes, booking early helped save money.

Conclusion : What we learnt about getting around Portugal

Getting around Portugal felt confusing at first, both while planning and during the trip.

This was the first time we combined public transport with a rental car, and I am glad we did.

Without a car, we would have missed some beautiful places. But relying only on a car would have increased our budget and taken away some of the local experiences.

A woman in a flowing red dress standing on green grass beneath twisted ancient laurel trees in Fanal Forest, Madeira, with soft sunlight and blue sky. — Dancing with Madeira’s wild beauty

Some parts were still surprising. There were times when a Bolt ride for 40 km was cheaper than taking a bus.

View from the driver’s seat showing a winding mountain road between cliffs in Madeira — Saint Vicente roads and hills of Madeira

On the other hand, paying around €2 per person for a short 1–2 km bus ride felt expensive because of the flat fare system. Over time, we got used to it.

By the end of the trip, we were much better at comparing options and choosing what was both affordable and comfortable.

If I visit Portugal again, I would follow the same approach — a mix of public transport and short car rentals, planned a bit more carefully for pick-up and drop-off.

FAQ

How to get around Portugal for a week

For a one-week trip, use buses more and a few trains. Avoid renting a car, as you will mostly stay in major cities where driving is unnecessary. Keep it simple and cost-effective.

Is Portugal public transport 24/7

No, public transport in Portugal is not 24/7. Cities like Lisbon and Porto have metro services till around 1 am, but options reduce after midnight. In smaller towns, services are limited. Bolt and Uber run 24/7, though availability is lower at night.

Is it safe to take taxi at night in Portugal

Yes, taxis and ride apps like Bolt or Uber are generally safe at night in Portugal. Avoid getting into random street taxis and stick to apps. Stay alert and avoid travelling heavily intoxicated.

Do you need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in Portugal?

It depends on your country. Your licence must be in English or Portuguese. EU and UK licences are accepted. Travellers from countries like India usually need an IDP along with their licence. Always check current rules before renting a car.