We're going next month to Barcelona and Salamanca in Spain then onto Portugal. A couple months ago,when we were setting our itinerary, I investigated getting from Salamanca into Portugal, specifically up to Porto. Since the train and bus sites wouldn't go that far out with schedules, I picked a random week day within the 30 days to get schedules. At that time, we could take a bus from Salamanca at 9:15 AM to Coimbra, then a Alfa train from there to Porto, arriving early evening. Now, there is no bus from Salamanca until 2:30 PM with worse connections in Coimbra, ultimately arriving in Porto at 10 PM. The only train leaves Salamanca at 1 AM and gets in about 5 AM. Neither of these appeal to us. I tried looking for something out of Madrid instead, but the same night train goes to Lisbon first, then Porto. It's looking like a car rental is the way to go, unless someone out there has a better idea?? Thanks.
Posted by
Old Pueblo
144 posts
There is a 9:20 train from Vilar Formoso (just across the border) to Porto, arriving 14:46.
Unfortunately the 9:15 bus from Salamanca arrives at Vilar Formoso at 9:30. (time zone change)
Seems like a cruel joke, I know.
I have experienced your dillemma coming from the north (Santiago to Porto) and it took a bit of creativity and a last ten mile cab ride.
Best of luck and happy travels!
Posted by
Porto - Portugal
238 posts
We don't want good transports between Spain and Portugal (you would never understand but we have our reasons). You are not going to find an esay way. You van try hitshchicking, or rent a car.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Can you return the rental car to somewhere in Spain? Otherwise, it gets quite expensive to leave it in Portugal. Are you now within a month of travel and therefore more sure that you're seeing all the bus schedules? Maybe a search engine like BusBud or Rome2Rio could help you find a different bus company, like Flixbus instead of Alsa, for instance. There is for sure no other train.
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1826 posts
Yes, it’s as though Portugal and Spain don’t like one another.....
If I were doing the trip, I would take the bus to Coimbra and spend the night. It’s a lovely town and would be a nice addition to your trip. You could spend a leisurely morning before taking the train on to Porto.
Renting a car won’t work because of the exorbitant drop off rates when picking up and dropping off in another country.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Yes, I've been through Rome2Rio and all the bus companies direct websites. The convenient 9:15 bus only runs on weekends. We are going to Coimbra later in our trip, but have made reservations (and paid) for hotels before that. As we were planning on renting a car leaving Porto anyway, we have decided to bite the bullet and take the drop-off charge. By the time you consider the train and bus tickets we're not buying, it's only a couple hundred $ through Avis. My question now is, since it seems there is no love lost between Spain and Portugal, are we asking for trouble driving for a week in a rental car with Spanish license plates? We don't need broken windows, etc. on top of the drop-off charge! Thanks!
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1826 posts
The love/hate relationship between Portugal and Spain only goes so far. There is absolutely no worry driving in Portugal with Spanish license plates.
Portugal is a favorite destination with the Spanish - especially around Easter for some reason.
Of course, there is history between the two countries, but the animosity only really shows in the difficulty in using public transport between the countries - and how the Portuguese frown on people speaking Spanish and thinking they should speak it, too!
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thanks for the reassurance. I guess the scant train service between Spain and Portugal should have been a tip-off. We'll get our rental car and be on our way.
Posted by
Porto - Portugal
238 posts
The love between Spain and Portugal:
Having a spanish plate, or speacking spanish (IF you are a speanish speacker) are not an issue. Portuguese love their spanish brothers, and would never do them no harm. Neither to people wearing spanish plates!
The only problems are territorial problems. Like what we had in a recent past with Olivença, and are having now with the Savage Islands (Selvagens). We like spanish as if we are brothers/sisters: you may love your brothers but you don't like them to go to your room and steal your toys. Less if they try to steal you room and try to put you sleeping at the garage...