Pre- booking train in Portugal

[auburnfive]

Hello,
We are a group of 6 travelling from the Algarve to Porto on Easter Sunday. Any idea of how crowded trains are likely to be? Wondering if I should pre-book online now or if it is OK to do it in person once we get there on April 1? Thanks!

 

[trecile]

Hello,
We are a group of 6 travelling from the Algarve to Porto on Easter Sunday. Any idea of how crowded trains are likely to be? Wondering if I should pre-book online now or if it is OK to do it in person once we get there on April 1? Thanks!

I don't know about the trains in Portugal, but in Spain you can get a much better fare if you book in advance.
If you are sure of your dates, I don't see any reason to wait to purchase your tickets.

 

[jungleboy]

Hello,
We are a group of 6 travelling from the Algarve to Porto on Easter Sunday. Any idea of how crowded trains are likely to be? Wondering if I should pre-book online now or if it is OK to do it in person once we get there on April 1? Thanks!

It sounds like you already know your dates and you're going to book a bit in advance anyway, so I'd say you might as well just book now. There are discounts for advance bookings with CP and you never know what Easter travel might be like.

 

[Camembert]

Look at the website of comboios de Portugal and find all your info

CP - Comboios de Portugal

At CP - Comboios de Portugal, you can check train times and discounts and buy tickets online. Further details.

www.cp.pt

an hour ago I consulted their website too for my coming journeys on March 2 th and March 28th


trains are not busy in Portugal

if you are over 65 years old ask for special discount when traveling by train in Portugal and Spain too
it is called “disconto para terceira idade “. Discount for the “third age”
so mention it when you buy a ticket at the counter or check it on the website

in Spanish it is tercera idade

 

[camino.ninja]

The Omio App is really good for booking trains, busses and flights

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

Look at the website of comboios de Portugal and find all your info

CP - Comboios de Portugal

At CP - Comboios de Portugal, you can check train times and discounts and buy tickets online. Further details.

www.cp.pt

an hour ago I consulted their website too for my coming journeys on March 2 th and March 28th


trains are not busy in Portugal

if you are over 65 years old ask for special discount when traveling by train in Portugal and Spain too
it is called “disconto para terceira idade “. Discount for the “third age”
so mention it when you buy a ticket at the counter or check it on the website

in Spanish it is tercera idade

In Portuguese it's called being a "reformado." You just mention it, when you buy your ticket, and they'll use your passport info to confirm it when you pay for your ticket. You get a 50% off rate, so unless it's an incredibly good deal pre-booking, it's not really worth it for over-65s. Of course, if you're concerned about the trains being full, you still might want to do so, but there are a LOT of trains!

 

[Camembert]

The Omio App is really good for booking trains, busses and flights

Cheaper is to book directly at CP.pt. this kind of apps/ websites charge a lot of money
since many years I come to Portugal or Spain I book directly at Comboios de Portugal or RENFE in Spain.

 

[trecile]

Cheaper is to book directly at CP.pt. this kind of apps/ websites charge a lot of money
since many years I come to Portugal or Spain I book directly at Comboios de Portugal or RENFE in Spain.

Yes, but language barriers (translated versions are not always perfect) can make it worthwhile for some to pay a little extra to use Omio.

 

[jungleboy]

Yes, but language barriers (translated versions are not always perfect) can make it worthwhile for some to pay a little extra to use Omio.

The CP app has an English version:

 

[DoughnutANZ]

The CP app has an English version:

View attachment 119811

Ah, those were the days. Super cool in my sunnies and leather jacket with a blonde on my arm. Oh what memories.....

 

[Camembert]

In Portuguese it's called being a "reformado." You just mention it, when you buy your ticket, and they'll use your passport info to confirm it when you pay for your ticket. You get a 50% off rate, so unless it's an incredibly good deal pre-booking, it's not really worth it for over-65s. Of course, if you're concerned about the trains being full, you still might want to do so, but there are a LOT of trains!

Or aposentado as I often use to mention I am a pensioner. or in Spanish (Castillano ) jubilado .