How to Travel Quickly to Northern Portugal

Getting to Northern Portugal is very easy! There are many options that will ensure you can explore this wonderful region.

You can reach the north of the country by land, air, or sea. If you want to discover this region, famous for its gastronomy, hospitality, and breath-taking landscapes, keep reading our article. We’ll give you all of the tips you need for your journey here.

By Air

Porto Airport (Francisco Sá Carneiro) is the main airport in Northern Portugal, receiving national and international flights from various parts of the world.

Numerous airlines fly to this airport: Aegean Airlines, Air Baltic, Air Europa, Air France, Air Serbia, Air Transat, Austrian, Azores Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, EasyJet Airlines, Eurowings, Iberia, Jet2.com, KLM, Lufthansa, Luxair, Norwegian, Play, Royal Air Monaco, Ryanair, SAS Scandinavian, Sun d’Or International Airlines, Swiss International, TAP Portugal, Transavia, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Volotea, Vueling Airlines, and Wizz Air Hungary.

Upon arrival at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, you can choose to travel to other destinations by metro, taxi, rental car, or Uber to downtown Porto (just 12 kilometres away), or by using the options we’ve discussed.

By Land

If you decide to reach Northern Portugal by land, you have several options:

By Train

CP – Comboios de Portugal is a railway company established in 1860.

There are various options for those wishing to travel by train to the beautiful northern region of the country:

• Alfa pendular – The fastest and most comfortable option, connecting Lisbon to Porto, Braga, and Guimarães.
• Intercidades – In addition to Alfa Pendular routes, it also connects to Valença and Guarda.
• InterRegional – Faster than the regional service and with fewer stops. Operates on the Northern (between Porto and Lisbon), Minho (from Porto to Valença), and Douro (mainly serving the Douro Valley) lines.
• Regional – The most basic CP service, but it allows you to explore areas you might otherwise miss. Many regions are covered by this line, details of which you can find on the CP website.
• Urbanos – Available in Portugal’s three largest urban areas. On Porto’s Urban Lines, you can travel on the Northern, Douro, Minho, and Guimarães routes.

You can check all options, prices, and schedules at www.cp.pt.

By Road

Highway – There are two main highways:

• A1, connecting Lisbon to Porto;
• A3, which takes you from Porto to Valença.

Additionally, many other highways connect various cities for those who want to travel around Northern Portugal:

• A4, linking Matosinhos to Bragança, passing through the country’s northern interior;
• A7, known as the Gerês Highway, connecting Póvoa de Varzim to Vila Pouca de Aguiar;
• A11, connecting the interior to the coast (from Castelões to Apúlia);
• A20, also known as Porto’s Inner Ring Road;
• A24, the Interior North Highway, joining Viseu to Vila Verde da Raia, near Chaves;
• A27, which links Viana do Castelo to Ponte de Lima;
• A28, another coastal highway, joining Porto to Caminha;
• A32, Entre-Douro-E-Vouga (from Oliveira de Azeméis to Vila Nova de Gaia);
• A41, Porto’s Outer Ring Road (from Freixieiro to Espinho);
• A42, the Douro Litoral Highway, connecting Seroa to Felgueiras.

Did you know that Portugal has the fourth largest highway network in Europe? Most highways are tolled, and many offer views of fields, mountains, and plains. There are also roads along the coast, where you can travel alongside the Atlantic Ocean.

For stunning views, leave the highway and take one of the many national roads in Northern Portugal that link cities, towns, and historic villages.

Car Rental: If you don’t have your own car, you can rent one. Whether at airports or in major cities, this option offers more flexibility to explore towns and cities in the North.

Bus: You can also opt for buses, as several companies connect northern regions like Braga, Viana do Castelo, and Vila Real. This is a more economical choice, and you can enjoy the journey by relaxing, listening to music, or reading a book.

These are the main options:

• Rede Expressos – One of the largest intercity bus companies in Portugal, connecting major northern cities with each other and other parts of the country. You can buy tickets online and travel between Porto, Braga, Guimarães, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, and Chaves.
• Transdev – Ideal for reaching smaller towns and exploring rural areas and less accessible destinations.
• FlixBus – A good option for longer routes, offering connections within Northern Portugal, with stops in Porto and Braga, for example. Known for its affordable fares.
• Gipsyy – A regional service connecting several northern cities like Famalicão, Barcelos, and Esposende, ideal for shorter trips and for those looking for a more region-focussed service.
• Alsa – An excellent option for travelling through Northern Portugal and into Spain, with connections from Porto, Braga, and Guimarães to Spanish destinations like Vigo and Santiago de Compostela.
• GetBus – This company establishes direct and affordable connections between Porto Airport and three of the main cities in Northern Portugal: Braga, Porto, and Guimarães.

 

By Sea

Though less common, it’s possible to travel by boat to Northern Portugal! Options are limited, but we wanted to present this alternative for a unique experience:

• Maritime Cruises – Stopping at the Port of Leixões in Matosinhos (very close to Porto), this is Northern Portugal’s main cruise port. From there, you can connect to other cities using various options mentioned above.
• Douro River Cruises – You can depart from Salamanca, descending the Douro River towards Porto. There are also local cruises departing from Porto into the heart of the Douro wine region.
• Private Yachts and Sailboats – There are several marinas and smaller ports that accommodate private vessels. In the north, in addition to the Port of Leixões, there’s the Douro Marina (Porto) and smaller ones like Viana do Castelo and Póvoa de Varzim. Northern marinas provide refuelling services, electricity, and nautical support, with customs processes for arrivals.

 

As you can see, the only reason not to visit Northern Portugal is simply if you don’t want to! There are plenty of options to choose from, and you’ll get to see for yourself how this region offers stunning views, food that’s “to die for” and people ready to welcome you with open arms.

 

The best choice is to travel to Northern Portugal!

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