You have several options to travel from Madrid to Porto:
- Bus
Duration: Approximately 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 48 minutes.
Cost: You can find tickets starting as low as €8 if booked in advance, with the average price around €34.
Operators: Several companies operate this route, including FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, Alsa, and Rede Expressos.
Frequency: There are multiple departures daily. For example, FlixBus and Gipsyy Portugal have several direct services each day.
Departure points in Madrid: Buses typically depart from Estación Sur de Autobuses or Avenida de América.
Arrival points in Porto: Common arrival points include Porto – Terminal Intermodal de Campanhã or Campo 24 de Agosto.
Pros: Generally the cheapest option, direct routes available.
Cons: Can be a long journey.
- Train
Duration: So, how far is madrid from Portugal? The train journey takes approximately 10 hours to 14 hours, including changes. The fastest journey is around 10 hours and 3 minutes.
Cost: Train tickets start from around €28. Booking in advance is recommended for cheaper fares.
Operator: The primary operator is Renfe.
Frequency: There are about 3 trains per day.
Route: There is no direct train. You will likely need to transfer in cities like Vigo Guixar. Trains typically depart from Sol or Chamartin station in Madrid and arrive at Campanhã station in Porto.
Pros: Can be more comfortable than a bus, scenic route.
Cons: Longer travel time, requires changes.
- Flight
Duration: Direct flights take around 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 27 minutes. The total travel time, including getting to and from the airports and security, will be longer.
Cost: Flight prices vary significantly. You can find one-way flights for as low as $26 (approximately €24), but the average round-trip price is around $224 (approximately €207).
Airlines: Several airlines operate this route, including Ryanair, Iberia, Air Europa, Easyjet, and TAP Portugal.
Frequency: There are numerous flights daily.
Departure airport in Madrid: Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD).
Arrival airport in Porto: Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO).
Pros: Fastest option.
Cons: Can be more expensive, especially if not booked in advance; you need to factor in travel time to and from airports.
- Driving
Duration: Approximately 5 hours and 47 minutes.
Distance: Around 551.7 km.
Cost: Estimated to be between €90 and €130, including fuel and tolls.
Pros: Flexibility to stop along the way.
Cons: Can be tiring for the driver, costs can add up.
To help you decide, consider the following:
Budget: Bus is generally the cheapest, followed by train, then flight. Driving costs can vary.
Time: Flight is the fastest overall, though you need to account for airport procedures. Bus and train take significantly longer. Driving is moderately fast if done non-stop.
Comfort: Train and flight often offer more comfort than a bus. Driving allows you to control your comfort.
Which of these factors is most important to you? Knowing this will help in recommending the best option for your trip from Madrid to Porto.
Traveling by Bus from Madrid to Porto: The Budget-Friendly Choice
If you want to save some money, taking the bus is often a good idea.
The bus trip can take anywhere from about 6 hours and 15 minutes to around 8 hours and 48 minutes.
Sometimes, the bus goes straight from Madrid to Porto (that’s a direct route), which is nice because you don’t have to change buses.
Other times, the bus might stop and you might need to get on a different bus (that’s an indirect route), which can make the trip a bit longer.
Some of the main bus companies that go between Madrid and Porto are Rede Expressos and FlixBus. There are others too, like BlaBlaCar Bus and Alsa.
How much the ticket costs can change. If you buy your ticket early, you can sometimes find them for as low as €8. Usually, though, the price is closer to €34.
You can book your tickets online through the bus companies’ websites (like the FlixBus website) or through other websites that sell bus tickets.
Here are some good things about taking the bus:
- It’s usually cost-effective, meaning it doesn’t cost a lot of money.
- Sometimes, the routes can be scenic, so you can see nice views along the way.
- But there’s also a not-so-good thing:
- It takes a longer travel time compared to flying or driving straight there.
So, if you‘re not in a super hurry and want to save some cash, the bus could be a good choice for your trip from Madrid to Porto.
Flying from Madrid to Porto: The Quickest Option
If you want to get to Porto fast, flying is likely your best bet.
The actual time you spend in the air on a direct flight from Madrid to Porto is pretty short, usually around 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 27 minutes.
Of course, you also need to factor in the time it takes to get to the airport before your flight and the time to leave the airport once you land.
Several main airlines fly between Madrid and Porto. Some of these include Ryanair, Air Europa, and Iberia. You might find other airlines flying this route too.
When you‘re in Madrid, to get to the airport (Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport – MAD), you have a few options.
You can take the Metro (Line 8 goes directly to the airport), a bus (like the Airport Express bus), a taxi, or a ride-sharing service.
Once you arrive at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) in Porto, you can get to the city center by taking the Metro (Line E), a bus, a taxi, or a ride-sharing service.
The cost of a flight ticket can really vary. Sometimes you can find a one-way flight for as low as around €24.
However, the average price for a round trip is more like €207. If you want to try and get a cheaper ticket, it’s often a good idea to book in advance and be flexible with your travel dates if you can.
Comparing prices from different airlines and using flight comparison websites can also help you find better deals.
Here are the good things about flying:
- It’s the fastest way to travel between the two cities.
- And here are some things that might not be so good:
- You need to travel to and from the airports, which takes extra time.
- It can potentially cost more than other options, especially if you don’t book in advance or if you check luggage.
So, if getting there quickly is your main goal, flying from Madrid to Porto is a great choice for you!
Taking the Train from Madrid to Porto: A Scenic Journey (with connections)
If you like train travel, this could be a nice option, even though there aren’t any trains that go straight from Madrid to Porto. This means you‘ll need to change trains along the way.
One of the routes you might take is through a city called Vigo. So, you could take a train from Madrid to Vigo, and then catch another train from Vigo to Porto. There might be other ways to go too, with different cities where you‘d need to switch trains.
The main train company in Spain is called Renfe. They will likely be the ones you travel with for at least part of your journey.
The whole train trip will probably take quite a bit longer than flying or driving directly. It could be anywhere from around 10 hours to 14 hours, maybe even a bit more depending on the connections and waiting times.
If you want to book train tickets, you can usually do this online through the Renfe website or other websites that sell train tickets. Booking in advance might help you get better prices.
Here are some good things about taking the train:
- It can be quite comfortable, and you can usually get up and walk around more than on a bus or plane.
- The journey can be scenic, letting you see the countryside.
- But here are some things that might not be ideal:
- It has a longer travel time compared to flying or driving directly.
- You will have to make transfers, which means getting off one train and onto another.
So, if you enjoy a more relaxed way of travel and don’t mind a longer trip with changes, taking the train from Madrid to Porto could be a good experience for you!
Driving from Madrid to Porto: Freedom on the Road
If you like having control over your trip, driving could be a good option for you.
The drive from Madrid to Porto is roughly around 5 hours and 45 minutes without stopping. The route will generally take you through parts of Spain and then into Portugal. You can use a map app on your phone or a GPS device to guide you.
Keep in mind that there will be costs involved. You‘ll need to pay for fuel (gas), and there might be tolls on some of the highways you use. The total cost for this could be somewhere between €90 and €130, but this can change depending on the price of fuel and the exact route you take.
One of the big pluses of having your own car is the freedom it gives you. You can stop whenever you want to see interesting places along the way. This can be great if you want to explore smaller towns or enjoy the scenery at your own pace.
Here are the good things about driving:
- You have a lot of flexibility – you decide when to leave, where to stop, and when to arrive.
- But here are some things to think about:
- The driving time itself can be tiring for the person behind the wheel.
- Finding parking in cities like Porto can sometimes be tricky and might cost extra money.
So, if you enjoy road trips and want the freedom to explore, driving from Madrid to Porto could be a great adventure for you! Just make sure you‘re comfortable with the drive and consider the parking situation once you get to Porto.
Which Option is Best for You?
Here’s a quick look at the good and not-so-good things about each way to travel:
Bus
- Pros: Cheapest way, some direct routes.
- Cons: Longest travel time.
Flight
- Pros: Fastest way.
- Cons: Can be more expensive, need to travel to/from airports.
Train
- Pros: Comfortable, scenic views.
- Cons: Longer travel time, requires changing trains.
Car
- Pros: Lots of flexibility to stop where you like.
- Cons: Driving can be tiring, parking in Porto can be a hassle.
Now, let’s think about what might be most important to you:
- If your main thing is saving money: The bus is likely your best bet.
- If getting there as quickly as possible is what you want: Flying will be the fastest.
- If you want a comfortable journey and enjoy seeing the scenery, and don’t mind a longer trip with changes: The train could be a good choice.
- If you love road trips and want the freedom to explore along the way: Driving is the way to go.
So, what’s most important for your trip? Knowing that will help you pick the perfect way to travel from Madrid to Porto!
Conclusion
So, to wrap things up, you have a few main ways to get from Madrid to Porto: by bus, flight, train, or by car. Each has its own pluses and minuses when it comes to cost, time, and ease.
Think about what’s most important for you and pick the way that fits your needs best!
Porto is a lovely city with beautiful architecture, port wine cellars, and delicious food waiting for you.
Do you have any questions or want to share your thoughts? Let me know in the comments!
