We will be traveling to Portugal for the first time in September for 3+weeks. We will be arriving in Lisbon, picking up our rental car on the way out of town after a couple night stay in the city, and then working our way up to Porto. Our original plan was to fly out of Porto but that didn't work out so we'll be flying out of Lisbon. So we have options: drive back to Lisbon with the rental car; drop the rental at the Porto airport and either fly back to Lisbon or take the train to Lisbon (need to get from airport to train station for that); or drop the car at the rail station and take the train. We aren't concerned about drop off fees. We plan to stay one more night in Lisbon as we have an early morning departure.
What are your thoughts on these options? Considering ease, cost, and enjoyability. I understand the drive back is pretty boring!
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6580 posts
I would suggest returning the car when you arrive Porto. Then take the train from the gorgeous Sao Bento train station back to Lisbon.
Posted by
USA
137 posts
Taking train back to Portugal is pretty straightforward and most commonly used alternative when open jaw out of Porto does not work out
You may want to note that there is ZERO direct train out of San Bento station to Lisbon. It requires taking a local train to Campanha station and then change
This connection is NOT guaranteed.
San Bento station has beautiful tile work and is covered as a stop on RS suggested walks.
But is also prime target of pick pockets and it is lot more efficient to take Bolt directly to Campanha for the direct train to Lisbon.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6580 posts
We used the Sao Bento station a few times when we were in Porto and returned to it a couple times to take photos. We didn't see or have any issues. It is more central to where many stay in Porto. The commuter trains are timed for making the connection at Campanha. If there is concern about making the train at Campanha, just take an earlier train out of Sao Bento. In regards to transportation to Campanha, we actually had to do that because when we were leaving Porto in Spring of 2023 there was a train strike. Our BnB encouraged calling a taxi when punctuality was important. The BnB had problems with Ubers and Bolts not showing up.
This link may be helpful:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/portugal/transportation-porto-to-lisbon