Train or Plane from Madrid to Porto

[GaleW]

Leaving September 10th. I am looking for information on either a fast train from Madrid to Porto. Or a plane that might go directly from Madrid to Porto. Anyone having experience with either of these options? Thank you!

 

[JCLima]

Leaving September 10th. I am looking for information on either a fast train from Madrid to Porto. Or a plane that might go directly from Madrid to Porto. Anyone having experience with either of these options? Thank you!

A fast train from Madrid to Porto? We don't even have a slow train, let alone a fast train ahaha

You can either fly or take a bus.

Rome2Rio.com will show you your options.

 

[trecile]

I'm seeing nonstop flights from Madrid to Porto on both the 11th and 12th of September that take about an hour and fifteen minutes.

Google Flights

www.google.com

The fastest train option is over 7.5 hours.

Search Results | Trainline

Trainline, your quick & easy way to book train tickets across Europe. ✓ Save 61% on UK Rail ✓ Live Train Times ✓ Save with a Railcard ✓ Get the app

www.thetrainline.com

 

[GaleW]

A fast train from Madrid to Porto? We don't even have a slow train, let alone a fast train ahaha

You can either fly or take a bus.

Rome2Rio.com will show you your options.

Thank you!

 

[Tincatinker]

Leaving September 10th. I am looking for information on either a fast train from Madrid to Porto. Or a plane that might go directly from Madrid to Porto. Anyone having experience with either of these options? Thank you!

Why are you flying into Madrid if you’re heading for Porto? The old country bumpkin response “ If I were going there I wouldn’t start from ‘ere.” always applies. Even to international travel.

That said, plenty of flights or a relaxing train trip. Pilgrim does as Pilgrim does - the rest is just stuff

 

[GaleW]

Why are you flying into Madrid if you’re heading for Porto? The old country bumpkin response “ If I were going there I wouldn’t start from ‘ere.” always applies. Even to international travel.

That said, plenty of flights or a relaxing train trip. Pilgrim does as Pilgrim does - the rest is just stuff

Tincatinker, I am a NOVICE travel planner. I do not really know what I am doing I am reading forums and Facebook Pages and..... You sound as if you have a great deal more experience than I so I would humbly ask how you would fly from Oklahoma City, OK to begin a Portuguese Costal walk? Also, I have read of a boat ride that is on this path bur not a lot of detail on where it is etc. the American Airlines representative told me this was a good route. So....thank you for whatever advice you might feel inclined to share.

 

[GaleW]

I'm seeing nonstop flights from Madrid to Porto on both the 11th and 12th of September that take about an hour and fifteen minutes.

Google Flights

www.google.com

The fastest train option is over 7.5 hours.

Search Results | Trainline

Trainline, your quick & easy way to book train tickets across Europe. ✓ Save 61% on UK Rail ✓ Live Train Times ✓ Save with a Railcard ✓ Get the app

www.thetrainline.com

Thank you trecile. I will follow your link.

 

[trecile]

I am a NOVICE travel planner. I do not really know what I am doing I am reading forums and Facebook Pages and.

Ah, it sounds like you would have benefitted from finding this forum earlier to ask questions like "what's the best airport to fly to for the Portuguese Camino?"

But you are here now, with tickets to Madrid, so we will help you as best we can to get to Porto to start your Camino.

As far as your other questions go - boat ride and so on, check out the Camino Portuguese subforums.


Central route

Coastal route

The Portuguese Camino has several options - central, coastal, spiritual variant, etc., so it can be more confusing than the Camino Francés and other Camino routes.

There are several good sites that explain the options. Here are a couple:

Stingy Nomads

Pilgrimage Traveler

 

[Tincatinker]

Tincatinker, I am a NOVICE travel planner. I do not really know what I am doing I am reading forums and Facebook Pages and..... You sound as if you have a great deal more experience than I so I would humbly ask how you would fly from Oklahoma City, OK to begin a Portuguese Costal walk? Also, I have read of a boat ride that is on this path bur not a lot of detail on where it is etc. the American Airlines representative told me this was a good route. So....thank you for whatever advice you might feel inclined to share.

This site https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Oklahoma-City/Porto#trips can be useful. Probably will be for your next Camino

 

[GaleW]

Ah, it sounds like you would have benefitted from finding this forum earlier to ask questions like "what's the best airport to fly to for the Portuguese Camino?"

But you are here now, with tickets to Madrid, so we will help you as best we can to get to Porto to start your Camino.

As far as your other questions go - boat ride and so on, check out the Camino Portuguese subforums.


Central route

Coastal route

The Portuguese Camino has several options - central, coastal, spiritual variant, etc., so it can be more confusing than the Camino Francés and other Camino routes.

There are several good sites that explain the options. Here are a couple:

Stingy Nomads

Pilgrimage Traveler

I only put that route on hold. What route do you recommend and I will call airline back. Thank you very much for your help!

 

[peregrina2000]

I only put that route on hold. What route do you recommend and I will call airline back. Thank you very much for your help!

You should go to a site like google flights. Use Porto as your destination, and you will see the options from your home. Many international flights arrive in Porto.

The good thing about sites like google flights is that they will search for all the available flights and then send you directly to the airline to purchase the ticket. They are not third party brokers. Most people on the forum recommend booking directly with the airlines because of the many snafus that have been reported by those who used expedia, orbitz, priceline, etc, when there are delays or cancellations.

 

[cnxjo]

Since you are close to Dallas, one option is to fly out of DFW to Newark and connect with TAP's direct flight to Porto

 

[GaleW]

Since you are close to Dallas, one option is to fly out of DFW to Newark and connect with TAP's direct flight to Porto

Thank you. I will look at that route!

 

[GaleW]

You should go to a site like google flights. Use Porto as your destination, and you will see the options from your home. Many international flights arrive in Porto.

The good thing about sites like google flights is that they will search for all the available flights and then send you directly to the airline to purchase the ticket. They are not third party brokers. Most people on the forum recommend booking directly with the airlines because of the many snafus that have been reported by those who used expedia, orbitz, priceline, etc, when there are delays or cancellations.

Thank you peregrina2000, I don’t use Google and so did not know of this option. I will check into it. I appreciate all advice!

 

[trecile]

Here's the Google Flights results page for Dallas to Porto on September 10th:

Google Flights

www.google.com

I don't know what day you plan to return, so these fares are for a one way trip - it's usually more expensive to book two one way tickets than a round trip, so I would redo the search with your return date too. It's really easy to get back to Porto from Santiago. There are several buses per day, and the trip takes less than four hours.

 

[trose]

Leaving September 10th. I am looking for information on either a fast train from Madrid to Porto. Or a plane that might go directly from Madrid to Porto. Anyone having experience with either of these options? Thank you!

Hello, I am doing the same as you on Sept 24th because it is easier/cheaper to get to Madrid even from Seattle. I am flying Iberia into Porto from Madrid and the fare was very reasonable. Even the connection time matched easily and gets me to Porto by noon. Bom Caminho

 

[RobertBoynton]

Leaving September 10th. I am looking for information on either a fast train from Madrid to Porto. Or a plane that might go directly from Madrid to Porto. Anyone having experience with either of these options? Thank you!

Hello, my name is Robert, I did the Camino Portuguese from Lisbon to Santiago in April and I am currently doing the Madrid to Santiago. I flew from Miami to Lisbon although I started in Lisbon, there is a train from Lisbon to Porto, which is pretty much a great alternative, it takes about 3 hours give or take and costs about $40

 

[Hiker9]

Why are you flying into Madrid if you’re heading for Porto? The old country bumpkin response “ If I were going there I wouldn’t start from ‘ere.” always applies. Even to international travel.

That said, plenty of flights or a relaxing train trip. Pilgrim does as Pilgrim does - the rest is just stuff

So true

 

[krystianw]

I do not really know what I am doing I am reading forums and Facebook Pages

In that case, quick pro tip: when traveling in Europe between larger cities, it's good to keep in mind the possibility of low-cost airlines. Even if there's a high-speed train connection, then a flight on something like RyanAir may be much cheaper. (A common example would be Santiago de Compostela -> Madrid.)

When I had to get back from SdC to Malaga (city on the south coast of Spain) last year, it was cheaper and faster for me to buy a last-minute plane ticket than take the train. Which is pretty crazy if you think about it.

 

[BarbaraW]

Sorry, Gale, I'm late to this thread. It is possible to travel by train from Madrid to Porto, and I recommend it as an enjoyable journey and a good way to transition from international flight to camino mode.

There's a direct and fairly fast train from Madrid to Badajoz. Fabulous scenery on the way, and you travel right by the Roman ruins in Merida. At Badajoz you change onto a Portuguese train which travels slowly to Entroncamento, stopping at typical tiled country stations. Entroncamento is on the main railway network in Portugal, and from there you can get trains to Porto or Lisbon. Takes about ten and a half hours altogether. Badajoz is a delightful small historic town for an overnight stop. More information here:

Madrid to Lisbon by train | Timetable, fares, tickets

How to travel by train from Madrid to Lisbon or Lisbon to Madrid, with schedule, fares, and how to buy tickets.

www.seat61.com

I haven't travelled the route via Vigo which has less time on the train but which involves an overnight in Vigo. More information here https://www.seat61.com/international-trains/trains-from-Madrid.htm#Spain-Porto.

Unless you have to get from A to B as quickly as possible train is a good way to go.

 

[GaleW]

In that case, quick pro tip: when traveling in Europe between larger cities, it's good to keep in mind the possibility of low-cost airlines. Even if there's a high-speed train connection, then a flight on something like RyanAir may be much cheaper. (A common example would be Santiago de Compostela -> Madrid.)

When I had to get back from SdC to Malaga (city on the south coast of Spain) last year, it was cheaper and faster for me to buy a last-minute plane ticket than take the train. Which is pretty crazy if you think about it.

Thank you Krystianw! I will check RyanAir!

 

[Faire]

I flew from Madrid to Porto
Had a lovely night in Madrid walking around before flying to Porto the next morning. Train from airport in Porto to my hostel
.One afternoon amd evening in Porto, orientated myself for the Camino the next day.

 

[GaleW]

I am very happy to announce that I have completed all my air travel from the US to Spain and part therein! Thanks to all!