Hello. I purchased a Portugal Rail Pass and from the articles have understood that I needed to do that and then I go to the train station and get a ticket for the train I want to travel on and on the date and time I want to travel. SO -- am I correct that I cannot do anything else online after I have downloaded the Portugal Rail Pass and I just go to the train station and get a ticket for a train I would like to travel on? Thank you
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
362 posts
Are you using Portugal’s official rail website? https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/how-to-travel
I recall that tickets could only be booked through them, deep discounts were available even a few days out, no pass required.
…add https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/portugal-rail-passes
Posted by
Wengen
1738 posts
If you are the kind of person that reserves trains days in advance then a pass is not for you. So you should probably not have bought one.
A pass is about flexibility. But it is less useful in countries where reservations are mandatory on long distance trains.
So if you already have bought the pass this is what you do:
- For trains without compulsory reservation (regional trains mostly in Portugal) you just go to the station, find your train and get on, and show your pass to the conductor.
- For trains with compulsory reservation get one beforehand at the station. Note that a ticket office can reserve trains for you in the whole country so you do can arrange several trips at once.