The options at a glance
| Option | Time | Price seen | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alfa Pendular (CP) | about 1 h 10 | 18.70 EUR (second class, one guide) | Fastest, reserved seat |
| Intercidades (CP) | about 1 h 20 | 14.60 EUR (second class, one guide) | Slightly cheaper, slightly slower |
| Bus (FlixBus and others) | about 1 h 20 | from 4.99 EUR depending on date | Low budget, book early |
| Car | about 1 h 20 to 1 h 30 (120 km) | tolls and fuel | If you continue to Fátima or Lisbon |
| Day tour | 10 to 11 h | from 62 EUR (Fátima and Coimbra) | No planning |
What is the fastest way from Porto to Coimbra? The Alfa Pendular, about 1 h 10 station to station.
The train: leave from Campanhã, arrive at Coimbra-B
Fast trains leave from Porto-Campanhã (from the centre, take a suburban train or the metro from São Bento) and stop at Coimbra-B, a few kilometres from the centre. A short connecting train, a bus or a taxi takes you to Coimbra-A, at the foot of the old town; check on cp.pt. Seats are numbered and popular trains fill up: book ahead.
The bus
The bus is cheapest when booked early, because fares rise with demand. It can be packed on Friday evenings and weekends. The journey is close to the train's.
By car
About 120 km by motorway. It is the right choice if you want to combine Coimbra, Fátima and the coast; otherwise parking in the upper town is awkward.
What to do in Coimbra
The university and its Joanina library are the main visit: see Coimbra from Porto. Go early to get an entry slot. If you would rather not organise anything, the Fátima and Coimbra tour compares group and private offers.
Which option to choose
- One day in Coimbra: Alfa Pendular out in the morning, back in the late afternoon.
- Low budget: the bus, booked early.
- Fátima as well: the organised tour or the car.
- Lisbon next: Coimbra is on the line; see Lisbon from Porto.
Going further
All the city's transport modes are in Getting around Porto.
La rédaction Porto Authority, 25/10/2026.
