Would have been interesting to have included a cost comparison. No doubt that Josh's trip was probably substantially less expensive, even if only comparing costs for Kalie alone. I'm guessing what is best depends on what your trip is for and what do you value the most. I'm inclined to think that I would prefer train in most circumstances. Travelling Europe by train is one of the things that I am looking forward to trying if we end up moving there so I'll have to see if reality matches my thoughts.
European plane trips tend to be much less than €100 if you book in advance - anywhere. Internal trips within Portugal - I'm not sure at it maybe TAP their own airline - not budget.
Sorry, we forgot to include that! The flight was €70.99 for Cia & Kalie and the train was €37.55 (1st class). So the train was more expensive, however, Cia could have traveled for free on the train. We didn't want to pay for the dog or luggage, which is the main reason why I took the train. I had hoped that first class would have given me extra room and comfort to work but my hotspot wasn't working well. - Josh & Kalie
Train all the way. The train station is far less hectic than the airport, there's no need to go thru a security checkpoint, you can keep your bags with you, you have more leg room and elbow room, and it's only about 3 hours.
I’m 53 years old and never ridden on a train until I visited Portugal. We took the bullet train from Lisboa to Porto and that was very nice. We both really enjoyed it.
@@rickchandler2570 Oh, wow, I'm originally from Chicago, so train riding was a common thing for me. It is a unique experience for someone that has never been on a train.
@@HoneymoonAlways Awesome. We'll be in TN on Wednesday. We'll have about 2.5 weeks with family and then do a transatlantic cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona on Celebrity Edge. Wanna join us?! - Josh & Kalie
Getting an Uber at the airport in Lisbon is a pain. And since traffic getting there is usually terrible, an Uber driver who’s not already there will be slow to arrive. We just head towards the taxi line - it usually moves fast.
Honestly, for shorter distances, like between Porto and Lisbon, the train is a lot less stressful. There's no real lines, as you just arrive and get on the train. And you don't need to check your luggage, either. And you have a lot more space to stretch out. Not to mention the ability to get up and visit the snack bar train. Plus, you end up getting there in the same amount of time (once you factor in the time you need to get through the airports on both ends).
For me it´s very easy. Train. The "alfa pendular" is very fast, and as a senior, I pay only half the fare. I made Coimbra Lisbon over a dozen of times now, and Coimbra Porto lately. And no more cars, "metro" to both airports. The plane is impossible for me because of the mandatory security check.
Good thing you don't live in the US because we couldn't believe how easy clearing security was last fall LIS versus typical TSA lines here in the US. The agent at LIS was smiling and helpful, no need to take off shoes or belt or remove laptop from carryon.
At Lisbon, we always get the metro - 20mins into Lisbon. We got ripped off, once, getting an airport taxi so we always go via the metro. BUT we haven't got a child!
@@ExpatsEverywhere Hmmm.... but sometimes the escalators stop working at different Lisbon metro stations. Not much fun walking up from the bowels of the Earth! Biaxa Chaido is a very deep station!
@@tinglestingles Our hotel was on the east side of Parque Eduardo VII between Parque and Marquês de Pombal. Good thing because the escalators at Parque were often down--the hotel staff said that was typical. If we were to stay there again and had a large bag, we'd definitely exit at Marquês de Pombal.
@@stephenjarzombek2903 We go to Lisbon one day, every week - just to see the non-tourist parts of the city. I want to know my way around and know the best places to go - just like a local person!
For me, the train was a relaxing experience. So cost effective and fast, no hassles. Trains are the way to go. I loved traveling round trip from Porto to Lisbon.
I had my money on you from the start, Josh, and you did not disappoint! Trains inside Portugal are great, my experience linking into and out of the country haven't been as good.
Thank you for showing us the nitty-gritty details of traveling in Portugal. You guys are such a wonderful resource to our family as we try to plan our future in Portugal. Your videos are so well thought out. Thank you so much!
I was there 3 weeks ago and had a similar experience with the Uber pickup from the Lisbon airport. Luckily my driver was nice about it and didn't cancel. They definitely need to fix that. The driver I had agreed. I did take a train to Porto and stayed for 4 days. The train strike seemed to only impact a few of the early trains, and removed any amenities on the train (food and such). The Omio app was great for buying tickets and informing me of the strike impact. I love seeing Cia grow up and being more vocal in your videos. She is a gem. "Ready to go"
Thanks for adding your experience, Jon! Part of the problem we believe is impacting the Lisbon airport Uber/Bolt pickup is the construction and lack of signage. Thanks for the note about Cia. She's definitely growing up fast and will be speaking more Portuguese on videos in no time. - Josh & Kalie
We were in Lisbon a few weeks ago as well and learned that the "Kiss and Fly" area where you stand for your Uber/Bolt car is now gated, and your driver must pay a 4E entrance fee to open the gates in/out. So many social rides cancel.
Hands down, train, for many of the reasons already given. Far less hassle, far more comfortble. Love staring out at the countryside. And I would add the lower carbon footprint argument too.
I prefer the train because it seems easier in terms of security and boarding and hanging around. But I haven't dealt with the strikes by rail workers so there is that. The trip seems pretty fast on the train though the actual flight time is much less of course. I also have more leg room on the train. But really, either is pretty easy there! Porto airport is great. Lisbon, a bit less so.
In general, we love the comfort of the train. Certainly Porto to Faro is better on a plane if you're traveling light (in our opinion). Porto to Lisbon has a 3rd option, which might actually be the best if the times work for you and that's the bus. - Josh & Kalie
Oh wow! It's that dude again with his animal and accordion at 4:37 of this video. I remember him from when I took that same route 8 months ago.😁🤣 Cia is so big and talking now. I'll be in Portugal in 8 more days. Hitting up mostly Braga this time. Thanks for another great video.
Me too! We also saw that dude and his pooch about a month ago while we were in Lisbon. Must be a regular on the Lisbon Metro. 😁 Glad Josh caught him since we didn’t have our camera ready to show our kids. 📸 👍🏻
He's everywhere! Cia is talking a ton now. Chatterbox. Have a great time in Portugal. We're leaving tomorrow for the US. Thanks for watching. - Josh & Kalie
Tammy and I actually ran into the same exact car ride problem, but at the train station, including our first driver leaving us, so we had to schedule another ride. We had the same basic problem of not knowing where the pickup spot was, so we were on the wrong side of the terminal. We've talked about flying between Porto and Lisbon instead of train. Thanks for testing it out for us!
As noted, buses in PT are a great option. 🚌🚌 We arrived in PT in mid-February 2023 without any reservations and ended up taking the bus for each trip within PT due to TWO train strikes during our 6-week stay. PRO: Tickets are same or less than train, prices even better if done in advance, travel times are same or better as train, wifi was decent, and no strike issues (private operators?). 👍🏻 CON: seats narrower than train, legroom isn’t the best, can’t move around, bathrooms not always open (don’t know why), and you can get that annoying person (like we did) that talked on her cell phone for entire trip from Porto to Lisbon-like she was in her kitchen at home! Super annoying and (apparently) no policy or enforcement to keep your voice low on Flixbus. 👎🏻 Confirm: 1) Signs in Lisbon (if they exist) are horrific. 2) Lisbon Airport. Don’t want to see it, smell it, or think about it-only if I have no choice. 3) Cia is super cute and enjoying life with Mom and Dad at 10:54. Looking forward to Aveiro review.
We agree that overall the bus is probably the best overall due to price, certainty, and travel time. The drawback to the bus can be less time options but now I'm just getting picky. Great summary though, Maurice.- Josh & Kalie
@@ExpatsEverywhere I follow @FrugalTravellers and due to a few of their videos about Rede Expressos, thought we'd just take a bus from Sete-Rios to Porto. I then saw in several later videos that the toilet on board was often out of service, so that's why we opted for the AP between Lisbon and Porto. We bought two second-class fares a few weeks in advance for under €63 total. The AP was only marginally quicker than the IC due to track work, but all in all, it was a great experience. The worse problem we had when returning to Lisbon before flying back to Chicago was that getting down to street level for our hotel a couple of blocks away from Oriente was confusing.
@@stephenjarzombek2903 Thanks for the comment, Stephen. Oriente can certainly be confusing with the different levels and signage design. - Josh & Kalie
Ugh the Lisbon airport ride share pickup area - I never did find it lol - Luckily we had one really nice uber driver meet us on the side of the road in a random spot we found. We usually do metro - but I had a family member fly in w a LOT of luggage lol and I didn't want to hassle with any broken elevators/escalators on the metro (our stop on that trip was one with a LOT of stairs) BTW I'm the lady that yelled "hi" at you a couple of weeks ago near the Marques metro stop ;) I got tongue tied when I actually saw you guys IRL lol. And I blanked and could only remember Cia's name ;) Then I had to explain to my husband and son why I yelled hi at someone randomly on the street lol. We live in the Porto area as well :)
Speaking of elevators/escalators, we had a large suitcase with us on our trip. When we left Lisbon for Porto, we did so from Santa Apolonia so we just wheeled it in from street level. However, we returned the night before our flight to the US to Oriente as our hotel was just a block away. We rode a glass enclosed elevator down from the platform level, but it didn't get us to street level--only one level higher. We never found another elevator to get all the way down. Are there very few that do that? Thanks!
I would take a train everywhere if I could. I used to love flying but they have taken every ounce of joy out of it. Everyone is shuffled like cattle. I only wish that Portuguese trains were connected to the rest of the continent. I can't believe there is no train from Porto to Madrid. But it's a joy on a train to see the passing landscape, to bring full-size toiletries and liquids, to be able to get up and walk around without someone yelling at you and to know that you can get off at any stop and explore if the mood strikes. Trains feel like freedom and flying feels like jail. (and no, I have never been to jail 😂). Just my opinion!
I follow a couple of European railfan channels and was surprised when one of the guys let me know that you can travel between Porto and Madrid via train, if you are willing to invest 11 hours on the journey and walk 1 km. You take the Renfe train from Campanha to Vigo Guixar that departs at 0813, walk to Vigo Urzaiz, and depart at 1430 and arrive in Madrid at 1920. The Renfe site doesn't allow you to book that on one ticket--you must book them separately. I suppose that's why Google Maps only shows transit routes that require one leg to be on a bus!
@@stephenjarzombek2903 I am really hoping for a direct line between Porto and Madrid, but I'm glad there is at least an indirect way. Thank you for sharing that information!
When your favorite team comes to town, you clearly have no choice! What a joyful vibe in the stadium. Cia is such a cutie and what a good traveller. Very wistful for the beautiful clean metros and trains in Portugal. NYC is still as gritty as ever in that department. Very excited to visit Portugal again this summer and to introduce my sister and daughter to the country I fell in love with,
We had that same problem with ride share at Lisbon airport. It’s so poorly done. I forget what we did to get a car as I think I blocked it out of my memory but it took a good hour to finally get a car.
We had a great trip from our home in Setubal to Madeira via Lisbon. So quick and problem free. I really enjoy flying domestic. Next week we are travelling over to Spain by train to Faro then the bus. We are also worried about the CP strikes!!
I dearly want to visit Madeira and the Algarve on an extended trip. If we were to head to Madeira first from Chicago, it would be a no-brainer to use TAP as the combined fare to FNC is usually not more than the non-stop to LIS. Do you have a preference for TAP over easyJet or Ryanair? The fares can be all over the place but TAP seems to be the highest in general. Thanks!
@@stephenjarzombek2903 we travelled from Lisbon to Funchal with EasyJet without issue. I would advise you fully check all charges including cabin and hold baggage allowances, sizes as well as the fare itself.
Getting cabs on a match day is always a bit difficult and you are not far away from the stadium at the airport. I must admit as a Spurs fan I always love a video that ends with Arsenal losing and being knocked out of Europe.
I’d say that I’ve got it now, but I agree that the ride sharing service location at LIS is horribly marked. Sorry for the frustration. But thanks for another delightful video!
We had a great experience taking the train from Lisbon to Porto...You can just hop on! Airports require security and arriving well in advance! As for Lisbon Airport...Always take the metro, so convenient! I actually prefer terminal 2 to terminal 1...Go figure, but security is a zoo, lots of gate changes and it's crowded and confusing!! I love Lisbon public transportation, but can understand a smaller airport can be better!
I would've taken the plane. Was the car from the airport to the hotel chosen because it was more convenient with your daughter? Was the metro not an option from the Lisbon airport? I so enjoy your vids!! (well organized with detailed info) Keep up the great work!!! BTW, your daughter is beautiful, smart and growing so fast!! I hope I can get there b4 she finishes high school😅 I'm hoping to get there for a scouting trip before the end of this year🤞
Thanks for the love! ❤️ Car is much easier to navigate the Lisbon metro with a stroller and luggage under normal circumstances and it's really, really affordable. Thank you for the message. We really enjoy reading ones like this. - Josh & Kalie
oh damn i can understand where kaylee's coming from, i've been to a lot of airports in my life and Lisbon's "uber/grab/bolt" area is terribly confusing. literally have to walk around the whole airport just to go to that parking lot to get picked up. i also had my first ride share cancel because I thought it would be in the "taxi" area but that wasn't the case... they really need to fix that s*** up how annoying, at least we know for next time -.-'
Another great video. It's great to live now in a country where we have the choice. When I lived in Dallas, Texas, I would often face the dilemma of whether to fly or drive to Houston or Austin for a hearing. Most of the time, I drove the ~four hours to Houston or ~3.5 hours to Austin because even though the flight was less than an hour in the air, factoring in getting to the airport, through security, and seemingly inevitable flight delays, it was more reliable and less stressful just to drive. Many times I lamented the fact that we had no train option between these cities. What was the cost differential? Also, you need a content warning on this video: "Cuteness Overload"!
Flixbus is my friend. It’s direct traveled, cheap, flexible, convenient and has many selections. Valencia is so cute. If you want her to be naturally bilingual, only speak English to her and do not worry about her learning portugues.
I signed up for a CP account to buy tickets before we left the US, so I am still receiving email updates with "GREVE" in the subject line. Thankfully the only one we experienced was on the Lisbon metro, and just for one day.
@@jennifermello8063 I believe that if you sign up for an account with CP, even if you don't have any active reservations, CP will send you emails advising which trains are affected by strikes on the particular dates. LOL we have not been in Portugal since last October, but I still get them. The last one was sent March 8, covering which trains would be affected from March 13 through 17. I believe that about 5 days advance notice was typical for the strike emails over the past 7 months or so. The emails have always noted that "minimum services were decreed" and in general, that requires the union must still operate around 5 of the normal 10 daily AP trains in either direction between Braga and Lisbon. Almost all of the normally scheduled IC trains were still shown as being operated on the affected dates. In any case, you should be able to get at least 5 day's notice, and if your train is affected, have time to rebook on another one that is still operating that day.
I always use the metro from the Lisbon airport. It can take an hour plus to get a car or taxi. The one problem is that depending on the time of day getting a card can take a while so I always keep my card with a few euros on it. It's the same line as the Oriente station.
Thank you for this video. Do you always get through security with 30 minutes to board your flight? I really want to know. What if they refuse to board you? I don’t care to wait an extra hour which is the recommended minimum pre flight razz-ma-jazz. Technically Kalie’s trip was 30 minutes quicker …But… How much better is the security check on the Urbano/ AP Trains? My opinion might change over time but free advise is worth what you pay. If the train is 3-1/2 hours or less, I take the train.😂 I will fly Faro to Porto but Lisboa to Faro or Porto I’m happy on the train. Also I’m a senior. So first /comforto class on the AP is €16 (€32 round trip) instead of €176 for a LIS to FAO round trip flight. My next Faro to Porto flight is about €70 one way. Valencia is cute as a June bug! What a joy.
@@antoniof9756 Rick probably assumed there would be one because videos from European railfan channels here show a limited security check before boarding high-speed lines in France, Spain, and Italy.
We LOVE using Accor hotels. We first started staying there when we lived in Spain and have been a tiered member ever since because they have hotels at all price points. Thanks for the comment. - Josh & Kalie
Josh & Kalie, this is an excellent video! Thank you very much for working hard on this video. Cia is adorable! What is the cost of the Mama Shelter Hotel?
You're welcome. 1. Taxi, Bolt or Uber, (or metro) to Oriente. Oriente station you can get the bus or train to Porto. 2. Terminal 1 is for all arrivals and for both international and domestic departures, while terminal 2 is for departures of the low-cost airlines.
So good old taxis are fine! They are registered with the city and are always available at the airports and maby if not most train stations. They cost a couple more euros but so what? We would always pick a train over flying, where that is an option. The trains in Portugal (and much of Europe) are reliable and clean. The carbon footprint is way better, another consideration.
We visited Portugal for the first time last October. Our hotel was close to Marquês de Pombal, and the line at LIS for a Vodaphone SIM was really long, so we opted for a taxi. I had read that the fare from LIS to our hotel should be €20-25. When we got in the cab, the driver agreed that was right. However, when we were about two blocks away, the driver said "Uh oh, I didn't realize that the address you gave me is central Lisbon" and the fare ended up being €38. The desk staff at the hotel thought that was high, but then they realized it was the weekend, when fares are higher. They didn't know anything about a surcharge for a taxi ride into an area that is considered "central Lisbon". We used Uber from that hotel to Santa Apolonia station on a weekday morning and it was €22 for a trip that was the same length, both in km and time.
@@stephenjarzombek2903 so maybe it was your destination. Never heard of the "central Liabon" thing either, but I think we paid under 15 euros to go from the airport to Alfama district with a cab. Hope your experience was a little atypical!
@@stefanieneubert4842 I hope so too. We bought our LisboaCards at the kiosk at the airport, where I had read they sold a voucher good for a taxi trip to any hotels downtown for a flat rate. However, we were told that program was stopped during the pandemic and not restarted. We had planned to use Uber but the line was so long at the Vodaphone kiosk to get a SIM card that we gave up on that. Next time, we'll just use the metro!
Can we please discuss purchasing train tickets ahead of time without getting the massive surcharge of a 3rd party company like Rail Ninja? I noticed something odd. When in Portugal, if I was on wifi, many of my ticket purchases were declined. But if I turn off wifi and used my 5G plan, all ticket purchases worked. Thoughts?
Tim, we would say to just purchase tickets on the CP site. If you purchase in advance, you can get rate deals. Sometimes you can get 1st class for the same or cheaper than 2nd. - Josh & Kalie
The accordion guy has a dog on his shoulder.I love any person, or dog, with an accordion. LOL.BIG TIP: Don't use UBER or BOLT from Lisbon airport. THe Taxis are the best. They are always waiting to go. Okay. Wait for a Taxi has never been very long in my experience.Cheers guys!
Would have been interesting to have included a cost comparison. No doubt that Josh's trip was probably substantially less expensive, even if only comparing costs for Kalie alone. I'm guessing what is best depends on what your trip is for and what do you value the most. I'm inclined to think that I would prefer train in most circumstances. Travelling Europe by train is one of the things that I am looking forward to trying if we end up moving there so I'll have to see if reality matches my thoughts.
European plane trips tend to be much less than €100 if you book in advance - anywhere. Internal trips within Portugal - I'm not sure at it maybe TAP their own airline - not budget.
Sorry, we forgot to include that! The flight was €70.99 for Cia & Kalie and the train was €37.55 (1st class). So the train was more expensive, however, Cia could have traveled for free on the train. We didn't want to pay for the dog or luggage, which is the main reason why I took the train. I had hoped that first class would have given me extra room and comfort to work but my hotspot wasn't working well. - Josh & Kalie
Train all the way. The train station is far less hectic than the airport, there's no need to go thru a security checkpoint, you can keep your bags with you, you have more leg room and elbow room, and it's only about 3 hours.
#teamtrain it is. 3 hours depending on the train, but yes, well said. - Josh & Kalie
I’m 53 years old and never ridden on a train until I visited Portugal. We took the bullet train from Lisboa to Porto and that was very nice. We both really enjoyed it.
I agree. I'm doing Porto to Braga this time by train. I am a major train lover.
@@rickchandler2570 Oh, wow, I'm originally from Chicago, so train riding was a common thing for me. It is a unique experience for someone that has never been on a train.
@@rebeccagutierrez1960 I went for it on this trip. It was the bullet train that leaned into the curves. Super cool!
Makes me miss Lisbon, can't wait to get back. I'll take the train to avoid departing out of Lisbon.
Where in the world are you guys?! Okay #teamtrain FTW. - Josh & Kalie
@@ExpatsEverywhere We're in the Pacific North West for a couple more weeks, then home to Lisbon
@@HoneymoonAlways Awesome. We'll be in TN on Wednesday. We'll have about 2.5 weeks with family and then do a transatlantic cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona on Celebrity Edge. Wanna join us?! - Josh & Kalie
@@ExpatsEverywhere we saw the Celebrity Edge at a few ports in the Caribbean! Would love to join but we get sea sick too easily 🤢
@@ExpatsEverywhere Whatever y'all do, just DO NOT go horseback riding through the Caribbean Sea. ;-)
Getting an Uber at the airport in Lisbon is a pain. And since traffic getting there is usually terrible, an Uber driver who’s not already there will be slow to arrive. We just head towards the taxi line - it usually moves fast.
Hopefully one of the powers that be sees this and makes a change. 😁 Thanks for sharing your experience. - Josh & Kalie
Honestly, for shorter distances, like between Porto and Lisbon, the train is a lot less stressful. There's no real lines, as you just arrive and get on the train. And you don't need to check your luggage, either.
And you have a lot more space to stretch out. Not to mention the ability to get up and visit the snack bar train.
Plus, you end up getting there in the same amount of time (once you factor in the time you need to get through the airports on both ends).
And a cold Sagres was only €1.75, if I recall correctly!
For me it´s very easy. Train. The "alfa pendular" is very fast, and as a senior, I pay only half the fare. I made Coimbra Lisbon over a dozen of times now, and Coimbra Porto lately. And no more cars, "metro" to both airports. The plane is impossible for me because of the mandatory security check.
Good thing you don't live in the US because we couldn't believe how easy clearing security was last fall LIS versus typical TSA lines here in the US. The agent at LIS was smiling and helpful, no need to take off shoes or belt or remove laptop from carryon.
At Lisbon, we always get the metro - 20mins into Lisbon. We got ripped off, once, getting an airport taxi so we always go via the metro. BUT we haven't got a child!
Yea, the child thing is the tough one because Lisbon's metro isn't great for handicap access and strollers. - Josh & Kalie
@@ExpatsEverywhere Hmmm.... but sometimes the escalators stop working at different Lisbon metro stations. Not much fun walking up from the bowels of the Earth! Biaxa Chaido is a very deep station!
@@tinglestingles Our hotel was on the east side of Parque Eduardo VII between Parque and Marquês de Pombal. Good thing because the escalators at Parque were often down--the hotel staff said that was typical. If we were to stay there again and had a large bag, we'd definitely exit at Marquês de Pombal.
@@stephenjarzombek2903 We go to Lisbon one day, every week - just to see the non-tourist parts of the city. I want to know my way around and know the best places to go - just like a local person!
@@tinglestingles Yes, now imagine dragging a baby stroller up that. 😅 - Josh
For me, the train was a relaxing experience. So cost effective and fast, no hassles. Trains are the way to go. I loved traveling round trip from Porto to Lisbon.
I had my money on you from the start, Josh, and you did not disappoint! Trains inside Portugal are great, my experience linking into and out of the country haven't been as good.
Paul, you know me. I know how to move in these situations. 😊 Kalie should have beaten if she knew how to get to the pickup point. 🤣 - Josh & Kalie
@@ExpatsEverywhere I'm not gonna get you into trouble, Josh, so let's go with that :)
@@paulrumohr Thank you. I do well enough getting myself into trouble 🤣 - Josh
How about Lisbon to Faro? Train or flying?
Thank you for showing us the nitty-gritty details of traveling in Portugal. You guys are such a wonderful resource to our family as we try to plan our future in Portugal. Your videos are so well thought out. Thank you so much!
Thank you for the lovely comment! We appreciate it. - Josh & Kalie
I was there 3 weeks ago and had a similar experience with the Uber pickup from the Lisbon airport. Luckily my driver was nice about it and didn't cancel. They definitely need to fix that. The driver I had agreed. I did take a train to Porto and stayed for 4 days. The train strike seemed to only impact a few of the early trains, and removed any amenities on the train (food and such). The Omio app was great for buying tickets and informing me of the strike impact.
I love seeing Cia grow up and being more vocal in your videos. She is a gem. "Ready to go"
Thanks for adding your experience, Jon! Part of the problem we believe is impacting the Lisbon airport Uber/Bolt pickup is the construction and lack of signage. Thanks for the note about Cia. She's definitely growing up fast and will be speaking more Portuguese on videos in no time. - Josh & Kalie
@@ExpatsEverywhere Does she get to jump on the bed at home or only in hotels? 🤣🤣🤣
We were in Lisbon a few weeks ago as well and learned that the "Kiss and Fly" area where you stand for your Uber/Bolt car is now gated, and your driver must pay a 4E entrance fee to open the gates in/out. So many social rides cancel.
Hands down, train, for many of the reasons already given. Far less hassle, far more comfortble. Love staring out at the countryside. And I would add the lower carbon footprint argument too.
I prefer the train because it seems easier in terms of security and boarding and hanging around. But I haven't dealt with the strikes by rail workers so there is that. The trip seems pretty fast on the train though the actual flight time is much less of course. I also have more leg room on the train. But really, either is pretty easy there! Porto airport is great. Lisbon, a bit less so.
In general, we love the comfort of the train. Certainly Porto to Faro is better on a plane if you're traveling light (in our opinion). Porto to Lisbon has a 3rd option, which might actually be the best if the times work for you and that's the bus. - Josh & Kalie
She is growing up -- wow time is moving.
She is indeed. She's talking a lot more and knows where the camera is at all times. - Josh & Kalie
Oh wow! It's that dude again with his animal and accordion at 4:37 of this video. I remember him from when I took that same route 8 months ago.😁🤣 Cia is so big and talking now. I'll be in Portugal in 8 more days. Hitting up mostly Braga this time. Thanks for another great video.
Me too! We also saw that dude and his pooch about a month ago while we were in Lisbon. Must be a regular on the Lisbon Metro. 😁 Glad Josh caught him since we didn’t have our camera ready to show our kids. 📸 👍🏻
He's everywhere! Cia is talking a ton now. Chatterbox. Have a great time in Portugal. We're leaving tomorrow for the US. Thanks for watching. - Josh & Kalie
I don't normally film that stuff but I couldn't help it. - Josh & Kalie
@@ExpatsEverywhere Have a safe trip back to the USA.
@@rebeccagutierrez1960 Thank you. We've arrived back safely and Cia's having a ball this morning with her grandparents. - Josh & Kalie
Tammy and I actually ran into the same exact car ride problem, but at the train station, including our first driver leaving us, so we had to schedule another ride. We had the same basic problem of not knowing where the pickup spot was, so we were on the wrong side of the terminal. We've talked about flying between Porto and Lisbon instead of train. Thanks for testing it out for us!
Can't wait to be back in Lisbon this Fall and to visit Porto. Thanks for sharing both options.
Our pleasure! Also, the bus is a great option at this time. They don't have strikes and also drop off in the city. - Josh & Kalie
As noted, buses in PT are a great option. 🚌🚌 We arrived in PT in mid-February 2023 without any reservations and ended up taking the bus for each trip within PT due to TWO train strikes during our 6-week stay.
PRO: Tickets are same or less than train, prices even better if done in advance, travel times are same or better as train, wifi was decent, and no strike issues (private operators?). 👍🏻 CON: seats narrower than train, legroom isn’t the best, can’t move around, bathrooms not always open (don’t know why), and you can get that annoying person (like we did) that talked on her cell phone for entire trip from Porto to Lisbon-like she was in her kitchen at home! Super annoying and (apparently) no policy or enforcement to keep your voice low on Flixbus. 👎🏻
Confirm: 1) Signs in Lisbon (if they exist) are horrific. 2) Lisbon Airport. Don’t want to see it, smell it, or think about it-only if I have no choice. 3) Cia is super cute and enjoying life with Mom and Dad at 10:54.
Looking forward to Aveiro review.
We agree that overall the bus is probably the best overall due to price, certainty, and travel time. The drawback to the bus can be less time options but now I'm just getting picky. Great summary though, Maurice.- Josh & Kalie
@@ExpatsEverywhere I follow @FrugalTravellers and due to a few of their videos about Rede Expressos, thought we'd just take a bus from Sete-Rios to Porto. I then saw in several later videos that the toilet on board was often out of service, so that's why we opted for the AP between Lisbon and Porto. We bought two second-class fares a few weeks in advance for under €63 total. The AP was only marginally quicker than the IC due to track work, but all in all, it was a great experience. The worse problem we had when returning to Lisbon before flying back to Chicago was that getting down to street level for our hotel a couple of blocks away from Oriente was confusing.
@@stephenjarzombek2903 Thanks for the comment, Stephen. Oriente can certainly be confusing with the different levels and signage design. - Josh & Kalie
Ugh the Lisbon airport ride share pickup area - I never did find it lol - Luckily we had one really nice uber driver meet us on the side of the road in a random spot we found. We usually do metro - but I had a family member fly in w a LOT of luggage lol and I didn't want to hassle with any broken elevators/escalators on the metro (our stop on that trip was one with a LOT of stairs)
BTW I'm the lady that yelled "hi" at you a couple of weeks ago near the Marques metro stop ;) I got tongue tied when I actually saw you guys IRL lol. And I blanked and could only remember Cia's name ;) Then I had to explain to my husband and son why I yelled hi at someone randomly on the street lol. We live in the Porto area as well :)
Speaking of elevators/escalators, we had a large suitcase with us on our trip. When we left Lisbon for Porto, we did so from Santa Apolonia so we just wheeled it in from street level. However, we returned the night before our flight to the US to Oriente as our hotel was just a block away. We rode a glass enclosed elevator down from the platform level, but it didn't get us to street level--only one level higher. We never found another elevator to get all the way down. Are there very few that do that? Thanks!
Hi Tonia, it's okay. We like being randomly yelled at, as long as it's positive. - Josh & Kalie
I would take a train everywhere if I could. I used to love flying but they have taken every ounce of joy out of it. Everyone is shuffled like cattle. I only wish that Portuguese trains were connected to the rest of the continent. I can't believe there is no train from Porto to Madrid. But it's a joy on a train to see the passing landscape, to bring full-size toiletries and liquids, to be able to get up and walk around without someone yelling at you and to know that you can get off at any stop and explore if the mood strikes. Trains feel like freedom and flying feels like jail. (and no, I have never been to jail 😂). Just my opinion!
I follow a couple of European railfan channels and was surprised when one of the guys let me know that you can travel between Porto and Madrid via train, if you are willing to invest 11 hours on the journey and walk 1 km. You take the Renfe train from Campanha to Vigo Guixar that departs at 0813, walk to Vigo Urzaiz, and depart at 1430 and arrive in Madrid at 1920. The Renfe site doesn't allow you to book that on one ticket--you must book them separately. I suppose that's why Google Maps only shows transit routes that require one leg to be on a bus!
@@stephenjarzombek2903 I am really hoping for a direct line between Porto and Madrid, but I'm glad there is at least an indirect way. Thank you for sharing that information!
When your favorite team comes to town, you clearly have no choice! What a joyful vibe in the stadium. Cia is such a cutie and what a good traveller. Very wistful for the beautiful clean metros and trains in Portugal. NYC is still as gritty as ever in that department. Very excited to visit Portugal again this summer and to introduce my sister and daughter to the country I fell in love with,
Thanks for the message, Frances! We agree! - Josh & Kalie
We had that same problem with ride share at Lisbon airport. It’s so poorly done. I forget what we did to get a car as I think I blocked it out of my memory but it took a good hour to finally get a car.
We had a great trip from our home in Setubal to Madeira via Lisbon. So quick and problem free. I really enjoy flying domestic. Next week we are travelling over to Spain by train to Faro then the bus. We are also worried about the CP strikes!!
The CP strikes are real! The bus is a great option! - Josh & Kalie
I dearly want to visit Madeira and the Algarve on an extended trip. If we were to head to Madeira first from Chicago, it would be a no-brainer to use TAP as the combined fare to FNC is usually not more than the non-stop to LIS. Do you have a preference for TAP over easyJet or Ryanair? The fares can be all over the place but TAP seems to be the highest in general. Thanks!
@@stephenjarzombek2903 we travelled from Lisbon to Funchal with EasyJet without issue. I would advise you fully check all charges including cabin and hold baggage allowances, sizes as well as the fare itself.
@@stephenjarzombek2903 If all is the same, we fly TAP. - Josh & Kalie
@@ExpatsEverywhere Does that have anything to do with Terminal 2 at LIS being inconvenient, or that service on TAP is better? Thanks!
Getting cabs on a match day is always a bit difficult and you are not far away from the stadium at the airport. I must admit as a Spurs fan I always love a video that ends with Arsenal losing and being knocked out of Europe.
I’d say that I’ve got it now, but I agree that the ride sharing service location at LIS is horribly marked. Sorry for the frustration. But thanks for another delightful video!
We had a great experience taking the train from Lisbon to Porto...You can just hop on! Airports require security and arriving well in advance! As for Lisbon Airport...Always take the metro, so convenient! I actually prefer terminal 2 to terminal 1...Go figure, but security is a zoo, lots of gate changes and it's crowded and confusing!! I love Lisbon public transportation, but can understand a smaller airport can be better!
What a wonderful surprise, Cia is talking.
:-) And during April she flipped a switch and is talking even more! - Josh & Kalie
I would've taken the plane. Was the car from the airport to the hotel chosen because it was more convenient with your daughter? Was the metro not an option from the Lisbon airport? I so enjoy your vids!! (well organized with detailed info) Keep up the great work!!! BTW, your daughter is beautiful, smart and growing so fast!! I hope I can get there b4 she finishes high school😅 I'm hoping to get there for a scouting trip before the end of this year🤞
Thanks for the love! ❤️ Car is much easier to navigate the Lisbon metro with a stroller and luggage under normal circumstances and it's really, really affordable. Thank you for the message. We really enjoy reading ones like this. - Josh & Kalie
oh damn i can understand where kaylee's coming from, i've been to a lot of airports in my life and Lisbon's "uber/grab/bolt" area is terribly confusing. literally have to walk around the whole airport just to go to that parking lot to get picked up. i also had my first ride share cancel because I thought it would be in the "taxi" area but that wasn't the case... they really need to fix that s*** up how annoying, at least we know for next time -.-'
We've been a few places where we've gone mental because of the drop off points. In recent memory, Manchester was terrible. - Josh & Kalie
Another great video. It's great to live now in a country where we have the choice. When I lived in Dallas, Texas, I would often face the dilemma of whether to fly or drive to Houston or Austin for a hearing. Most of the time, I drove the ~four hours to Houston or ~3.5 hours to Austin because even though the flight was less than an hour in the air, factoring in getting to the airport, through security, and seemingly inevitable flight delays, it was more reliable and less stressful just to drive. Many times I lamented the fact that we had no train option between these cities.
What was the cost differential?
Also, you need a content warning on this video: "Cuteness Overload"!
Thank you, Eric! - Josh & Kalie
What an awesome idea guys! Thanks!
Flixbus is my friend. It’s direct traveled, cheap, flexible, convenient and has many selections. Valencia is so cute. If you want her to be naturally bilingual, only speak English to her and do not worry about her learning portugues.
Flixbus is also a great option. Generally it's very comfortable. - Josh & Kalie
I have a train ticket for next month. I'm worried a out the strike. Another happening in April.
I signed up for a CP account to buy tickets before we left the US, so I am still receiving email updates with "GREVE" in the subject line. Thankfully the only one we experienced was on the Lisbon metro, and just for one day.
I made the mistake of purchasing mine through Ninja Rail and payed more than I should have. I don't have a plan b at the. Fingers crossed.
@@jennifermello8063 I believe that if you sign up for an account with CP, even if you don't have any active reservations, CP will send you emails advising which trains are affected by strikes on the particular dates. LOL we have not been in Portugal since last October, but I still get them. The last one was sent March 8, covering which trains would be affected from March 13 through 17. I believe that about 5 days advance notice was typical for the strike emails over the past 7 months or so. The emails have always noted that "minimum services were decreed" and in general, that requires the union must still operate around 5 of the normal 10 daily AP trains in either direction between Braga and Lisbon. Almost all of the normally scheduled IC trains were still shown as being operated on the affected dates. In any case, you should be able to get at least 5 day's notice, and if your train is affected, have time to rebook on another one that is still operating that day.
I always use the metro from the Lisbon airport. It can take an hour plus to get a car or taxi. The one problem is that depending on the time of day getting a card can take a while so I always keep my card with a few euros on it. It's the same line as the Oriente station.
Thanks for the comment. - Josh & Kalie
Thank you for this video. Do you always get through security with 30 minutes to board your flight?
I really want to know. What if they refuse to board you? I don’t care to wait an extra hour which is the recommended minimum pre flight razz-ma-jazz.
Technically Kalie’s trip was 30 minutes quicker …But… How much better is the security check on the Urbano/ AP Trains? My opinion might change over time but free advise is worth what you pay.
If the train is 3-1/2 hours or less, I take the train.😂
I will fly Faro to Porto but Lisboa to Faro or Porto I’m happy on the train. Also I’m a senior. So first /comforto class on the AP is €16 (€32 round trip) instead of €176 for a LIS to FAO round trip flight. My next Faro to Porto flight is about €70 one way.
Valencia is cute as a June bug! What a joy.
No security check on trains.
@@antoniof9756 Rick probably assumed there would be one because videos from European railfan channels here show a limited security check before boarding high-speed lines in France, Spain, and Italy.
@@stephenjarzombek2903 Yes, that may vary from country to country.
Lol😂😅! Cia's reaction is everything!!!
Thanks, Mo! - Josh & Kalie
OMG! She’s beyond cute!❤
Thank you 😊 - Josh & Kalie
I was thinking of traveling to Porto from Lisbon by train but I was worried about the strikes as well.
I hate flying and love trains. So train for me, unless I had to rush, then fly. But I'd probably book a private car to make sure I had a ride.
Valencia is definitely the star of your videos.
Thank you.
Your hotel looks awesome. I especially love the Batman and Iron Man masks on the lamps.
We love staying there, Kirsten. It's a lot of fun and a soft landing for short trips. - Josh & Kalie
What members of hotels are you? Back in the day for us, hubby did a lot with Radisson. What is your preferred?
We LOVE using Accor hotels. We first started staying there when we lived in Spain and have been a tiered member ever since because they have hotels at all price points. Thanks for the comment. - Josh & Kalie
Looks like a quick but eventful trip! Cia did great!
Indeed! Very eventful but a lot of fun. - Josh & Kalie
Josh & Kalie, this is an excellent video! Thank you very much for working hard on this video. Cia is adorable! What is the cost of the Mama Shelter Hotel?
Thank you very much, Sue. It's around €100-150 per might there but sometimes we use points if we can't get a rate deal with Accor. - Josh & Kalie
Jonnell and I were at the game also. Too bad we didn’t cross paths
Train, despite not being fast is city centre to city centre, with no Airport many hassles and taxis commuting
Love the comparison video!
Thank you! Thanks for watching. - Josh & Kalie
Thanks for this. Arriving from the states into Lisbon, but going immediately to Porto. 2 questions
1. Route to train
2. Terminal to domestic flights?
You're welcome.
1. Taxi, Bolt or Uber, (or metro) to Oriente. Oriente station you can get the bus or train to Porto.
2. Terminal 1 is for all arrivals and for both international and domestic departures, while terminal 2 is for departures of the low-cost airlines.
So good old taxis are fine! They are registered with the city and are always available at the airports and maby if not most train stations. They cost a couple more euros but so what? We would always pick a train over flying, where that is an option. The trains in Portugal (and much of Europe) are reliable and clean. The carbon footprint is way better, another consideration.
We visited Portugal for the first time last October. Our hotel was close to Marquês de Pombal, and the line at LIS for a Vodaphone SIM was really long, so we opted for a taxi. I had read that the fare from LIS to our hotel should be €20-25. When we got in the cab, the driver agreed that was right. However, when we were about two blocks away, the driver said "Uh oh, I didn't realize that the address you gave me is central Lisbon" and the fare ended up being €38. The desk staff at the hotel thought that was high, but then they realized it was the weekend, when fares are higher. They didn't know anything about a surcharge for a taxi ride into an area that is considered "central Lisbon". We used Uber from that hotel to Santa Apolonia station on a weekday morning and it was €22 for a trip that was the same length, both in km and time.
@@stephenjarzombek2903 so maybe it was your destination. Never heard of the "central Liabon" thing either, but I think we paid under 15 euros to go from the airport to Alfama district with a cab. Hope your experience was a little atypical!
@@stefanieneubert4842 I hope so too. We bought our LisboaCards at the kiosk at the airport, where I had read they sold a voucher good for a taxi trip to any hotels downtown for a flat rate. However, we were told that program was stopped during the pandemic and not restarted. We had planned to use Uber but the line was so long at the Vodaphone kiosk to get a SIM card that we gave up on that. Next time, we'll just use the metro!
I would always choose train over plane, unless the train ride exceeded 5 hours. Anything to avoid an airport.
Can we please discuss purchasing train tickets ahead of time without getting the massive surcharge of a 3rd party company like Rail Ninja? I noticed something odd. When in Portugal, if I was on wifi, many of my ticket purchases were declined. But if I turn off wifi and used my 5G plan, all ticket purchases worked. Thoughts?
Tim, we would say to just purchase tickets on the CP site. If you purchase in advance, you can get rate deals. Sometimes you can get 1st class for the same or cheaper than 2nd. - Josh & Kalie
Nice room! Which hotel did you stay at?
Mama Shelter - Josh & Kalie
Why not get the metro into Porto from the airport?
Speed, convenience and cost. - Josh & Kalie
What type of mobile hotspot are you using?
It's a basic one by Vodafone. - Josh & Kalie
Hi guys what was the hotel ?
Mama Shelter Lisboa! - Josh & Kalie
Thanks so much 🙏
How did the costs compare?
Pretty similar because Josh booked the train at full-price and in 1st class in an attempt to have extra space to work. - Josh & Kalie
What’s the name of your hotel?
Mama Shelter Lisboa - Josh & Kalie
The accordion guy has a dog on his shoulder.I love any person, or dog, with an accordion. LOL.BIG TIP: Don't use UBER or BOLT from Lisbon airport. THe Taxis are the best. They are always waiting to go. Okay. Wait for a Taxi has never been very long in my experience.Cheers guys!
Train is far better and faster
We've actually deduced that all things considered bus is the best. - Josh & Kalie
This was a really fun video. I have to go with team train! 🚆
Thank you for watching and commenting, Priyanka. - Josh & Kalie