Porto to Lisbon Train Review 2026: CP Rail from Campanhã

Porto to Lisbon by Train

My CP Train Journey: A Review

From Porto Campanhã Station

to Lisbon Santa Apolónia Station

Let the travel journey BEGIN!

I've already covered how to get from Porto to Lisbon

in a previous post

(including booking on the official CP train website).

Check out the link below ⬇️

[Honeymoon] How to Get from Porto to Lisbon (feat. CP Train) Official Website Train Bookingblog.naver.com

Porto Campanhã Station

My luggage was quite large and heavy, so we opted for a quick taxi ride

to Campanhã Station.

(The driver was super friendly!)

It wasn't too far from our Porto accommodation to Campanhã Station,

so a taxi ride felt just right.

Porto Campanhã Station features a central clock,

and below it, 'Campanhã' and

'Porto' are subtly inscribed in small letters.

Initially, I even questioned if I was at the right station,

but it turned out to be quite small and charming!

Stepping inside the station, the ticket office immediately caught my eye.

Each counter seemed to have a different purpose,

but since I couldn't quite decipher them, I just observed! 😂

Train information was clearly displayed on the TV screens,

so all I really needed to check was the timetable and platform number.

If you haven't managed to book your CP train tickets in advance,

don't worry – you can easily purchase them using the self-service machines inside the station.

While I didn't personally use the Andante CP machine to issue a ticket,

it looked straightforward enough – just follow the on-screen prompts

to select your options, and issuing shouldn't be difficult at all.

Spotting a rest area and a cafe deeper inside the station,

I decided to take a peek.

I also noticed an MB ATM sign in that area,

and here's a tip: for those using specific travel cards (like the 'Porto Track blog card'),

MB bank ATMs often have no fees, so if you need cash euros, I highly recommend withdrawing here!

What was incredibly convenient was the display right above the ATM,

showing real-time platform information for Porto Campanhã Station.

Checking the display, I easily found that our 12:37 train heading to Lisbon Apolónia Station

would depart from Platform 8.

(It's always a good idea to double-check the train number too, just in case!)

Since I arrived a bit early for my booked train,

making sure to check the platform was a crucial step!

With some time to spare, I also popped into the cafe.

They had a fantastic selection of breads, including delicious ham sandwiches,

making it seem like a perfect spot for a quick bite or a light meal.

Since I'd already enjoyed brunch before heading out,

I simply opted for a relaxing cup of coffee.

Just a heads-up for fellow travelers: the restrooms inside Porto Campanhã Station

are not free, so keep that in mind!

While the fee isn't exorbitant, it still feels a little bit like a 'waste'

when you're used to free station restrooms back in Korea.

(Those European restroom fees, am I right?!)

Aligning with the departure time of our CP train,

the train from Porto to Lisbon, I made my way towards the platform.

As you head out to the departure area, you'll notice sections for immediate boarding

and others that lead downstairs.

For Platform 8, specifically, I had to take an escalator

downstairs.

For your train journey from Porto to Lisbon,

always double-check your platform!

Going down the escalator

and following the signs on the display board above,

I easily found my way to Platform 8.

Porto Campanhã Station isn't overly huge,

so it was quick to find everything.

When I arrived at Platform 8, a CP train

was already waiting to depart.

The CP train looked completely different

from the trains in Korea, which was quite fascinating.

When I first saw the CP train, I noticed the numbers '1' and '2' written on it,

and wondered, "Which one do I board?" I was a bit flustered.

I checked my pre-booked CP train ticket.

My ticket showed '2 Classe' (2nd Class),

so I asked a staff member if that was correct.

They confirmed that I should board the train marked with '2'.

Make sure to double-check your ticket before boarding the train!

'Carruagem' is like the carriage number,

which you'll find on the 2nd Class carriages.

I boarded through the '2 Classe' entrance,

matching my CP train booking!

I checked for 'Carruagem 21' written to the right of the door,

and realized, "This is it!"

If the door is closed, don't panic;

just open it yourself and hop on! Haha.

(I was surprised at first, but after a few rides, I got used to it!)

On the CP train from Porto to Lisbon,

you'll find luggage space near the connecting carriages.

The luggage area is long and vertical,

and it could easily fit about three large suitcases.

Luckily, the middle and top sections were empty,

so I quickly loaded my suitcase.

(Arrive a bit early to secure your spot!)

To prevent the infamous thefts that can happen in Europe,

I used the wire lock I'd bought beforehand

to secure both my suitcases together, which gave me peace of mind.

This thin wire lock proved incredibly useful throughout my entire Europe trip.

It's lightweight and easy to carry around, so I highly recommend it!

On your CP train ticket, the very last number

is your seat number (mine was 51).

Sitting in my assigned seat, I found it wasn't cramped at all

and was quite comfortable.

It felt comparable to or just slightly less comfortable than Korea's KTX,

but still very good.

There's even a table in front, making it super convenient to place your belongings~

As the CP train sped from Porto Campanhã Station

towards Lisbon Santa Apolónia Station,

a staff member came by to check tickets for each passenger.

I showed them my pre-printed tickets,

and passed without any issues~

(Since there were two adults, I showed two separate tickets.)

Whether it's a screenshot or a paper printout,

you'll need some way to confirm your reservation.

After a journey of about 3 hours and 30 minutes, we arrived at

Lisbon Santa Apolónia Station.

With its white roof and red walls, Lisbon's train station

was quite striking.

It didn't take long to get from the train to outside

(the station isn't massive).

I followed the flow of people heading out,

and voilà, I had arrived in Lisbon!!

Finishing up my itinerary in Porto, Portugal,

and arriving in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal,

made me excited for the next part of my journey.

After safely arriving in Lisbon,

I called a Bolt taxi to head to my accommodation and drop off my luggage.

I stepped out onto the main road and called a Bolt,

and didn't have to wait long before getting into a taxi.

With a Lisbon Bolt discount code,

I was able to take the taxi for an even better price.

So, if you have a Bolt discount code for your travel day, definitely use it!

From Porto to Lisbon:

That's all for my safe arrival story!