A long weekend in Porto is well-worth the journey up to the North of the country and there are generally around five trains a day making the journey up the Atlantic coastline to Portugal’s second largest city. For your return trip to Faro, you’ve got 8 trains a day to choose from.
Faro to Porto – Train Timetable
| Service | Departs | Arrives | Duration | Price 1st/2nd |
| AP | 07:00 | 12:58 | 5 hours 58 minutes | €74,20/€54,00 |
| IC | AP | 08:22 | 16:58 | 8 hours 36 minutes | €69,40/€49,90 |
| IC | AP | 14:15 | 20:58 | 6 hours 43 minutes | €69,40/€49,90 |
| AP | 16:00 | 21:58 | 5 hours 58 minutes | €74,20/€54,00 |
| IC | 18:15 | 01:23 | 7 hours 8 minutes | €59,55/€43,05 (weekdays) €40,00/€20,50 (weekends) |
Porto to Faro – Train Timetable
| Service | Departs | Arrives | Duration | Price 1st/2nd |
| AP | 05:32 | 11:23 | 5 hours 51 minutes | €45,00/€18,50 |
| IC | AP | 06:32 | 13:30 | 6 hours 58 minutes | €62,10/€42,90 |
| IC | 06:37 | 13:30 | 6 hours 53 minutes | €40,00/€20,50 |
| IC | 08:37 | 17:35 | 8 hours 58 minutes | €40,00/€20,50 |
| IC | 10:38 | 17:35 | 6 hours 57 minutes | €40,00/€20,50 |
| IC | R | 12:37 | 22:02 | 9 hours 25 minutes | €43,45/€26,45 |
| AP | 14:32 | 20:23 | 5 hours 51 minutes | €45,00/€22,00 |
| IC | 14:38 | 22:02 | 7 hours 24 minutes | €40,00/€20,50 |
What’s the difference between Alfa Pendular and Intercidades trains?
There are a number of different train services in Portugal. The main two options for inter-city trips are the Alfa Pendular (AP) and Intercidades (IC) trains.
AP trains are more modern and operate a high-speed service with fewer stops along the way. This cuts the journey time between Faro and Porto by more the two hours, which gives you more time to enjoy Porto’s UNESCO World Heritage Old Town.
IC trains on the other hand are a great option if you’re on a tighter budget, or maybe you want to get off the train in a smaller town enroute that the fast trains whizz through without stopping. The IC trains are a little on the older side, so aren’t quite as comfortable as AP trains, but offer a great deal for an easy-going traveller.
How to get cheap train tickets in Portugal
AP and IC trains both offer the option to reserve advance tickets. This is a great way to save a little extra cash as special prices are available if you book five or more days before you travel.
Promo tickets are available in limited numbers on pretty much all AP and IC itineraries and can almost halve your train fare. Not bad for a bit of forward planning!
To book your tickets in advance, head to the Comboios De Portugal website (https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en) and complete the little form with the stations and travel dates to book your seats.
Something to do whilst you’re in Porto
Porto’s Old Town is magnificent, with so many stunning places to stop and soak up the beautiful views across the Douro River.
Whilst you’re in Porto make sure you sample the local special… a Francesinha, which translates to French Sandwich. It’s got nothing to do with France, and is quite the monumental lunch.
A Francesinha has five layers, with mixed meats, sausage, cheese, tomato-beer sauce.
It’s not healthy, but calories don’t count when you’re on holiday… do they?
If you enjoyed this article you might also like to read about Things to do in Faro Portugal and Travelling From Seville To Faro
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