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The most convenient way of travelling to Portugal is, without a doubt, by air. It is the easiest way to jump from one continent to another. When it comes to travelling to Portugal by plane, you have a lion’s share of options as Portugal has 5 international airports with scheduled international flights all year round from all over the world.
Lufthansa, British Airways, Turkish Airways, Air Canada, TAP Portugal, KLM, Emirates, Iberia and other carriers are the major airlines flying to Portugal. Ryanair, Aer Lingus, Easyjet, Monarch and Vueling are the low budget carriers that fly to Porto, Lisbon and Faro.
From India, you have flights to Portugal from most of the metropolitan cities - New Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Goa and Chennai. They all have one stop flights to airports in Lisbon, Humberto Delgado, Portela, Madeira and Faro. Air India most international airlines from above regularly operate these routes. It takes about 9.5 hours to reach Portugal from India.
While there are 5 international airports, Lisbon International Airport is the best connected with the national carrier, TranportesAerosPortugueos.
Most of the countries that belong to the European Union are a part of the Schengen Agreement, including Portugal. That is why people travelling from India need a Schengen visa instead of a Portuguese one along with a valid passport. If you have a Schengen visa, you can travel to all the countries that have signed the Schengen Agreement.
Travelling to another continent by road is very difficult, especially if you are surrounded by water from all sides except one. Portugal only shares land borders with Spain, so anyone who is interested in travelling to Portugal by road has to go through Spain.
Portugal is a gorgeous country along the Atlantic Ocean. It is easy to understand why travel via water is so big here. Apart from commercial traffic, you will find cruises filled with passengers from all over the world. Unfortunately, there are no cruises between India and Portugal. If you really want to travel to Portugal by water, you may have to travel to another country first to find the cruises that sail to Portugal.
Plane
There are 25 airports in Portugal. Not all are international - some are domestic while some are reserved for private charter flights. These also include air force bases. However, taking a flight within the country is expensive and so short, that they are not recommended. Nevertheless, TAP Portugal has daily flights from Lisbon to Porto and Lisbon to Faro, and these flights are less than an hour. If you want to travel from Porto to Faro, you can change flights in Lisbon.
Train
You will find train connections between all the major cities in Portugal. The main junction is in Entroncamento. From here, all the lines branch out. It is an extensive network, which makes for the most beautiful scenic route between destinations. Lisbon and Porto are two cities with their own suburban train networks. The Lisbon railway network goes to Sintra, Sebútal, Cascais and Tejo valley while the Porto network runs to Guimarães, Braga and Aveiro. Most rails have bars and aisle service while some international trains have restaurant cars.
There are mainly four types of trains for long distance travel.
You will find the schedule on Comboios de Portugal and can even buy tickets there. If you book your tickets 5 days before the journey, you will also get a 40% discount on the ticket.
Bus
While the rail network is extensive, it is still limited when compared with other European countries, which makes the bus network a popular way to get around. Lisbon and Porto are the only two cities with underground metro systems. However, it is not the same for the rest of the country. That is why there is a dense system of buses running across the country. The biggest bus companies are Rede Expressos, Algarve and Rodonorte. Just like the trains, there are 4 types of buses as well -
Car
The easiest way to travel in Portugal is to rent your own car and drive to major cities. Most of the big cities are connected by highways and toll roads. While you are renting a car, make sure that you do not accept a dirty vehicle. Moreover, check the vehicle with the agent for any damages and scratches to the interior as well as exterior. Keep in mind that Portugal has very strict rules in place for driving. Driving under the influence or without a license has serious consequences.
Bicycle / Hiking
Even though there are not many dedicated trails for cyclists, this is a popular way of travelling in Portugal. You cannot cycle to different cities, but it is a good way to travel in a city and explore all the tourist attractions.
Ferry
While not a popular way of travelling, you will find cross river ferries to and from Lisbon and Rio Tejo and between Setúbal and Tróia.
Tram
You will also find charming trams in the streets of Porto and Lisbon. Every tourist should experience it. Trams may not be more getting from point A to B, but, serve as great tours of the cities.
Now that you have a full guide on how to reach Portugal, you have to keep this stunning country in your mind while planning your next holiday! Check out our packages to get started.
