Plane, train or bus: how to get to Portugal cheaper
Getting to Portugal is harder than it seems. The country lies at the very edge of Europe, there is no direct train from Central Europe, and even from Madrid the bus takes about eight hours. On the plus side, there are three options, and each has its own price and its own pace.
We compared plane, train, and bus by time, transfers, and cost. We checked schedules and routes against official carrier websites in September 2026, so you don't buy a ticket based on last year's schedule.
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What to choose: plane, train, or bus
💡 In short:
- The plane is the fastest: about three hours in the air from Frankfurt.
- The train goes through France and Spain, and from Madrid you need two transfers.
- The bus is cheaper than the train, but you'll spend almost the entire day on the road.
- Schedules and routes: 09/2026, verified on the official CP website.
Each option is good in its own way, and the choice depends on your city and budget. If you just need the bottom line, the table below answers the main question in ten seconds.
Option | Travel time | Transfers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
Plane (Frankfurt-Lisbon) | about 3 h 15 min | 0 | |
Train (via Madrid) | 8.5-11.5 h | 2-3 | |
Bus (Madrid-Lisbon) | about 8 h | 0 |
As of 09/2026, official carrier websites.
The plane saves time, but adds baggage fees. The train gives you scenery outside the window and a stop in Paris or Madrid. The bus wins on price, but you'll be sitting in a seat for a long time.
Air travel
The plane remains the fastest way to get to Portugal. From Frankfurt, direct flights are operated by Lufthansa and TAP Air Portugal, and the flight takes just over three hours (according to TAP airline, 09/2026). Direct flights to Lisbon, Porto, and Faro are also available from Munich, Vienna, Zurich, and Berlin.
The country's main air gateway: Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS). Most international flights pass through it.
© Mister No · CC BYPhoto: Mister No, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsIf there is no direct flight from your city, you fly with one transfer. Madrid and Paris offer convenient connections.
Budget carriers Ryanair, easyJet, and Vueling connect Portugal with dozens of European cities. Their tickets are often noticeably cheaper, but baggage and seat selection cost extra, and some flights involve a connection. You can compare options across all carriers in a single search: find flights to Lisbon.
In high season, direct flights sell out quickly, so it is worth booking them in advance. Overnight flights are usually cheaper than daytime ones, but they require extra stamina.
Train
There is no direct train from Central Europe to Portugal, but you can still reach Lisbon by rail. The route goes through France and Spain: first you travel to Madrid, then continue via Badajoz and Entroncamento.
Until 2020, the Trenhotel Lusitânia night train ran between the two capitals of the peninsula. It was discontinued, and there is no longer a direct Madrid-Lisbon connection (according to Portuguese railway CP, 09/2026). Today the route is assembled from three trains with transfers, and total travel time ranges from 8.5 to 11.5 hours.
In terms of cost, the train is a middle option: a ticket for the entire journey from Madrid usually costs a few dozen euros, and the price rises closer to the date. Advance sales open 60 days ahead (according to the CP website, 09/2026), so it pays to buy early.
From Paris to Madrid, you can take a high-speed train in a single day of travel. From Madrid to Badajoz, a Spanish Renfe train runs. In Badajoz, you transfer to a Portuguese CP train. An overnight stay in Badajoz does not save money, but it splits the long journey into two parts.
Bus
The most budget-friendly way to reach Portugal overland is by bus. There is no direct service from Central Europe, but routes from Spain run regularly. From Madrid to Lisbon's bus station takes about eight hours, and several departures a day operate on this route (according to bus company ALSA, 09/2026).
A bus ticket is usually cheaper than a train ticket, especially when purchased in advance. ALSA and FlixBus operate on the route, and the trip runs without transfers. The catch: the Sete Rios bus station is located away from the historic center, and you will get to your hotel by metro or taxi.
If your city is connected to Madrid or Paris, the bus will get you to Lisbon in one day. Check schedules and prices on the carrier's website right before purchasing.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Germany to Lisbon?
A direct flight from Frankfurt takes just over three hours (according to TAP flight data, 09/2026). From Munich, Vienna, and Zurich, the time is roughly the same. With a connection in Madrid or Paris, the journey stretches to half a day, but it sometimes works out cheaper.
Is there a direct train from Madrid to Lisbon?
No. The Trenhotel Lusitânia night train was discontinued in 2020 (according to carrier CP, 09/2026). Transfers are now made in Badajoz and Entroncamento.
How long is the bus ride from Madrid to Lisbon?
About eight hours (according to the ALSA website, 09/2026). Weekday tickets cost less than weekend ones.
How to get from Lisbon airport to the city center?
The Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) is connected to the center by metro and city buses, as well as taxis and transfers. Metro and bus are cheaper, taxi is faster.
What is cheaper: plane, train, or bus?
The bus is usually the cheapest option, especially if you buy tickets in advance. The train costs more than the bus, but less than a direct flight in high season.
In short: what to book
The bottom line is simple: if time matters more than money, you choose the plane; if price is more important, take the bus; and the train suits those who want to see Europe from the window.
If you only have a couple of days, take a direct flight to Lisbon. If you are not in a hurry and want to save money, choose the train via Madrid or a bus from Spain. If you are traveling with a group and luggage, compare connections first, and only then the price.
It is worth booking your trip in advance: compare flights to Lisbon and buy train tickets.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.