How to transport your Bike on a Train in Portugal

The train transport system in Portugal is great. Here's what you need to know how to make it work for your bicycle journey by following our guide to fuss-free bike travel on trains when you visit Portugal.

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If you are going to start or finish a route in Lisbon, Faro or Porto in Portugal you will most likely use the national train operator, CP (Comboios de Portugal) Intercidades trains.

The CP train routes go to the following destinations in Portugal: Lisbon – Oporto / Guimarães / Braga / Viana do Castelo, Beira Alta, Beira Baixa, Alentejo (Lisbon Oriente / Évora) and Algarve.

Below is the CP list of conditions for taking your bicycle on a train in Portugal:

The 2nd class carriages on Intercidades trains have dedicated supports for traditional bikes, allowing 2 bikes to be taken in each carriage. The supports in the carriages do not have padlocks.

• Only one bike per passenger.
• The bike must weigh 15kg or less (may restrict E-Bikes use).
• The carriage of bicycles is limited to the space available
  
• Places 15 and 17 in the 2nd class carriages on the Northern line Intercidades: Lisbon-Oporto / Guimarães / Braga / Viana do Castelo
  
• Places 12 and 18 in the 2nd class carriages on the Beira Alta, Alentejo Lisbon Oriente / Évora and Sul line trains.
  
• If these places are not available, only bikes than can be folded or disassembled and stored as hand luggage can be carried.
• Transport is free.
  
  

The fast trains, Alfa Pendular, require that you fold, disassemble and / or box your bike, so we recommend you avoid travel on their service. There are other trains to choose from depending on your requirements and the bike you are traveling with.

More information can be found in English here:
https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/passenger-information/Useful-information/bike-transport

The Regional, InterRegional and Coimbra urban trains allow you to take your bike. These trains are used more for shorter distances, to cross the Algarve or the Douro, for example.

On the platform before boarding, go to the ticket inspector, who must issue the ticket (the passenger's) and say whether the bike can go on board as the space is limited depending on the type of train.

There are a few temporary restrictions on bikes on the Regional and InterRegional trains.

It is advisable to use the carriages and spaces indicated by a bike symbol on outside of the regional trains.

More information about traveling by public transport in Portugal can be found here:
https://euroveloportugal.com/en/public-transport-connections

By Vanya Maplestone & Enrique Díaz

We are both cycling tour guides and travel all year round in Portugal, sometimes by train or motorhome but mostly on two wheels. After 5 years traveling in this amazing country together we have many useful things to share with you!
Follow our adventures @Wonderland_Locations & @Wonderland_Food