How To  Do A Day Trip to Porto From Lisbon

Thinking about doing a day trip to Porto from Lisbon and not sure if it’s possible? The short answer is yes, it’s absolutely possible. It will be a long day, but if you only have limited time in Portugal, I still think it’s one of the best day trips you can do from Lisbon.

In this guide, I’ll explain how to get from Lisbon to Porto, whether it’s actually worth doing in one day, what you should prioritize once you arrive, and a few tips to help you make the most of your time without feeling completely rushed.

Is A Day Trip To Porto Worth It?

Yes, I think a day trip to Porto is worth it if you’re already staying in Lisbon and simply don’t have enough time to spend a few days in the city. Porto is around 300 km north of Lisbon, and the journey takes roughly 3 hours each way by train or bus, so you’ll spend a big part of your day travelling.

Personally, if you have the flexibility, I’d always recommend staying at least two or three days in Porto instead. You’ll enjoy the city so much more without constantly watching the time or worrying about getting back to Lisbon. But if your itinerary only allows for one free day, I’d still add Porto to your trip. It’s one of the best places to visit in Portugal and you’ll still be able to see the main highlights, walk around Ribeira, try the local food, and get a feel for the city.

If you’re wondering how long you should actually stay in Porto, read my guide on How Many Days In Porto do you need.

How To Get From Lisbon To Porto

Lisbon Porto by Train

Taking the train from Lisbon to Porto is probably the most comfortable way to travel between the two cities. The fastest trains take around 2 hours 40 minutes, while the cheaper Intercidades trains take just over 3 hours.

The earliest trains leave Lisbon Santa Apolónia at 6:30 AM or Oriente Station at 6:39 AM, getting you into Porto Campanhã before 10 AM, which gives you almost a full day to explore the city.

Tickets usually cost around €30 for the Intercidades trains and €40 for the faster Alfa Pendular services. If you’re traveling during summer or on weekends, I’d recommend booking in advance because the morning departures can sell out.

Check your train schedules here

Lisbon Porto by Bus

If you’re looking for the cheapest option, the Lisbon Porto bus is hard to beat. Companies like FlixBus, Rede Expressos, Renex, Alsa, and Citi Express operate this route several times a day.

The fastest buses take around 3 hours 15 minutes, with some of the earliest departures leaving Lisbon Oriente from 5:00 AM, arriving in Porto before 8:30 AM. Most buses arrive at Terminal Intermodal de Campanhã, which is well connected to the city centre by metro, train, Uber and Bolt.

Prices can start from as little as €6–€10 if you book early, although it’s more common to pay around €12–€18. If you’re traveling during the busy summer months, I’d still recommend booking your ticket in advance to secure one of the earliest departures.

Book your Lisbon-Porto bus here

Driving From Lisbon To Porto

Driving from Lisbon to Porto is another option if you’re planning to rent a car, especially if you want the flexibility to stop along the way or continue exploring northern Portugal afterwards. The drive takes around 3 hours using the A1 motorway, which is the fastest route between the two cities.

If you’re only doing a day trip to Porto, I personally wouldn’t rent a car just for this. Once you’re in Porto, you won’t really need it. The city is very walkable, parking in the historic center can be difficult and expensive, and you’ll probably spend more time looking for a parking spot than actually using the car. In my opinion, the train or bus is a much more practical option for a day trip.

Check car rentals here

What Time Should You Leave Lisbon?

If you’re only visiting Porto for the day, my biggest tip is to leave Lisbon as early as possible. The more time you spend in Porto, the more worthwhile the trip becomes.

Personally, I’d choose one of the early morning buses. Some depart as early as 5:00 AM and arrive in Porto before 8:30 AM, giving you almost a full day to explore the city. While I generally prefer trains for comfort, for a day trip I actually think the bus makes more sense because of the earlier departure times and lower prices.

A realistic timeline would look something like this:

• 5:00–6:00 AM – Leave Lisbon
• 8:30–9:30 AM – Arrive in Porto
• 9:30 AM–7:00 PM – Explore Porto
• Evening – Return to Lisbon

I wouldn’t recommend leaving Lisbon after 8:00 AM. By the time you arrive in Porto, you’ll have already lost half the day, making the trip feel much more rushed.

How To Spend Your Time

Day Trip To Porto

If you’re only spending one day in Porto, don’t try to see everything. You’ll enjoy the city much more if you focus on the main areas instead of rushing from attraction to attraction.

Explore Porto’s Historic Centre

I’d start in the historic centre, where you’ll already find some of Porto’s most famous landmarks. Walk through São Bento Station, stop by Porto Cathedral, and continue towards the Clérigos area. They’re all close enough to explore on foot, so you won’t waste time constantly using transport.

Walk Around Ribeira

No day trip to Porto is complete without walking around Ribeira. It’s easily one of the most beautiful parts of the city, with colourful buildings, cafés, restaurants, and amazing views over the Douro River. From here you can also walk across the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge, one of Porto’s most famous landmarks.

Have Lunch

Since you’ll only have one day in Porto, I’d definitely use that time to try some traditional Portuguese food. If it’s your first visit, this is the perfect opportunity to try a Francesinha, Porto’s most famous dish. And if you still have room afterwards, don’t leave without grabbing a Pastel de Nata.

Cross To Vila Nova de Gaia

If you still have a few hours before heading back to Lisbon, cross the bridge to Vila Nova de Gaia. The views looking back over Porto are incredible, the riverfront is perfect for a walk, and this is also where you’ll find the famous Port wine cellars if you’d like to stop for a tasting.

This way, you’ll experience the best parts of Porto without trying to squeeze an entire weekend into one day.

Best Activities To Add To Your Day Trip

If you end up having a bit more time in Porto, or you simply want to make your day trip a little more memorable, there are a few activities I’d consider adding.

The Six Bridges Cruise is probably my favorite. It’s only about 50 minutes long, doesn’t take up your whole day, and gives you a completely different perspective of Porto from the Douro River.

If Livraria Lello is already on your bucket list, make sure you book your ticket in advance. It’s one of Porto’s most famous attractions, but the queues can get really long, especially during summer, so turning up without a reservation isn’t the best idea.

If you cross over to Vila Nova de Gaia, you can also take the Gaia Cable Car. It’s a short ride, but the views over Porto and the river are beautiful and it’s an easy activity to fit into a day trip without taking too much time.

What You Can Realistically See On A Day Trip to Porto

A day trip to Porto gives you enough time to see the city’s main highlights, but not enough time to experience everything the city has to offer. Since you’ll spend around six hours traveling from Lisbon and back, it’s important to keep your plans realistic and focus on the places that are actually worth your limited time.

During a day trip, you’ll comfortably have enough time to explore Porto’s historic centre, walk around Ribeira, cross over to Vila Nova de Gaia, enjoy the views from Dom Luís I Bridge, and stop for a proper Portuguese meal.

What I wouldn’t try to do is visit several museums, explore every neighbourhood, or squeeze in a trip to the Douro Valley as well. Porto has plenty to offer, but trying to fit too much into one day will only leave you rushing from one place to another instead of actually enjoying the city. If you can only visit once, focus on the highlights and save the rest for another trip.

Returning From Porto To Lisbon

Unless you’re in a rush to get back to Lisbon, I’d actually recommend booking one of the later buses, around 8:30–9:00 PM. That way you don’t have to spend the whole afternoon watching the clock. You’ll have enough time to watch the sunset from Jardim do Morro, walk back down towards Ribeira, have one last proper Portuguese dinner, maybe enjoy a glass of Portuguese wine, and actually end the day feeling like you experienced Porto instead of just rushing through it.

The journey back to Lisbon takes around three hours, so even if you stay in Porto until after sunset, you’ll still be back in Lisbon around midnight. Evening buses usually cost between €6 and €15, with FlixBus often being the cheapest option. Since there are departures throughout the evening, you can simply choose whichever one fits your plans best.

Book your Porto-Lisbon bus here

My Tips For A Day Trip To Porto

If you’re only visiting Porto for the day, a little planning will make a huge difference.

Start as early as possible so you can maximize the time you actually spend in Porto instead of on transport. Transport between Lisbon and Porto is very frequent, especially by bus, so you’ll usually have plenty of departures to choose from. I still like checking the schedules the day before so I know exactly which departure I’m aiming for.

Porto is also much hillier than many people expect, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes because you’ll be doing a lot of walking throughout the day.

Finally, don’t try to fit absolutely everything into your itinerary. Porto is a city that’s best enjoyed at a slower pace, and if you try to see every attraction in one day, you’ll end up spending more time rushing than actually enjoying your visit. Prioritize the highlights and make the most of the time you have.

Practical Information

Where To Stay In Porto

If you decide to stay overnight instead of doing a day trip, here are a few accommodation options I’d recommend depending on your budget:

Budget:
Mouzinho da Silveira unique apartments

Mid-range:
Oporto Comfort Dom Hugo – Historic Apartments

Luxury:
GA Palace Hotel & Spa

Best Time To Visit Porto

If you’re still deciding when to visit, have a look at my complete guide on the Best Time To Visit Porto, where I compare all four seasons, the weather, prices, crowds, and festivals to help you choose the best time for your trip.

How Many Days In Porto

Not sure whether a day trip is enough? Read my guide on How Many Days In Porto, where I explain how much time I think you really need depending on your travel style and what you want to see.

FAQs

Is Porto worth a day trip from Lisbon?

Yes, I think it is. It will be a long day, but if you only have limited time in Portugal, Porto is one of the best day trips you can do from Lisbon. If you have the flexibility though, I’d always recommend staying at least two or three days to experience the city properly.

Can I visit Porto in one day?

Yes. You’ll have enough time to see the main highlights, walk around Ribeira, cross to Vila Nova de Gaia, and try some traditional Portuguese food. Just don’t expect to see absolutely everything in one day.

Is the train or bus better?

Both are good options. The train is usually a bit more comfortable and slightly faster, while the bus is often cheaper. Personally, I’d choose whichever has the departure time that works best for your schedule.

How long does it take to get from Lisbon to Porto?

The journey takes around 3 hours each way, whether you travel by train or bus. Since you’ll spend around six hours travelling in total, it’s important to leave Lisbon early to make the most of your day in Porto.

What should I prioritize during a one day trip to Porto?

I’d focus on Porto’s historic center, São Bento Station, Ribeira, Dom Luís I Bridge, Vila Nova de Gaia, and trying at least one traditional Portuguese meal. Trying to fit in every attraction will only leave you feeling rushed.

Final Thoughts

If you’re based in Lisbon and only have one free day, I’d still do the day trip. Is it a long day? Definitely. But I still think Porto is worth seeing, even if it’s only for a few hours.

If you can stay longer though, do it. Porto isn’t a city I’d rush through if I had the choice. There are so many good restaurants, viewpoints and little streets to explore that one day never really feels enough. If one day is all you have, don’t let that stop you from visiting. I’d rather spend one day in Porto than not visit it at all. Just know you’ll probably leave wishing you had a little more time.

Read My Other Porto Guides 🤍

Is Porto worth visiting? My honest review in 2026

Solo travel Porto: is Porto good for solo travelers? 

Is Porto safe for solo female travelers? 

Best time to visit Porto: a month by month guide 

How many days in Porto do you need? My honest recommendation 

First time in Porto: everything you need to know before visiting