Madrid to Lisbon

[amgirl5]

Hi,

I've been wanting to walk the Camino Portuguese for a few years, and finally found an affordable flight from Seattle (in the USA) to Madrid. I'm hoping to catch a train to Lisbon, and then make my way up to Porto (I'd like to see Lisbon and Tomar before setting out.) Has anyone taken that train? Is there a better way to get to Lisbon from Madrid? Also, does anyone know where I can store my backpack in Madrid for the day? My flight gets in early in the morning, and I'll have all day to wander around before catching a train or bus. I'm arriving in Madrid mid-September.

Thanks in advance for any advice. Enjoy all your caminos!

[peregrina2000]

Hi, amgirl5,

I'm new to the forum and am obviously doing something wrong. I tried to post a reply a few days ago but nothing appears to have made it to the forum. So, I'll try again.

The only train service between Madrid and Lisbon is one night train every day, leaving about 10:30 pm, arriving in the early morning. It's called a "trenhotel" and has 6-berth, same sex train cars. I've used it a couple of times and it's fine, there's a dining car, etc.

The other options are bus or plane. There are several companies doing the Madrid-Lisbon bus route, and it's typically an all day ride. Cheaper than the train, though. I can find the schedules and prices if you're interested. The plane may actually be the cheapest. I've flown Madrid-Lisbon several times, and since the arrival of Easyjet several years ago, the prices are quite low. Even TAP and Iberia have lowered their fares to compete, so it would be worth checking all three airlines. The flight is an hour, and I've gotten a ticket as low as 30E, if memory serves.

Lisbon to Tomar is the easy part -- there are many trains every day from Lisbon to Porto, and many stop in Tomar. The train station isn Tomar is about two minutes on foot from the central historic core, then about a km or two up the hill to the convent.

Bom caminho to you. Laurie

[amgirl5]

Thank you! That's really helpful. Is the train really expensive? I've only taken an overnight train from Madrid to Paris, can't remember what the fare was, it was the only ticket left. Have you walked the Portuguese route? I'll look into the airplane route, it does give me an extra night either in Madrid or Lisbon. Thanks again.

Liz

[peregrina2000]

Hi, amgirl,
I think the train is about 50 or 60 E for just a seat, 80 if you want a sleeper. And yes, I have walked the Portuguese route. You can find two online guides at the Confraternity of St. James website, Pilgrim Guides on-line (you can download them for free, but they ask for a donation to keep the operation going). Part I covers Lisbon to Porto, and Part II from Porto to Santiago. The Portuguese route from Lisbon to Porto is nearly all on asphalt. But it's well marked and goes through some interesting places, like Tomar.
Bom caminho, Laurie

[amgirl5]

Obrigada. I have John Brierley's guide, I was originally going to walk from Lisbon to Tomar, but I also want to walk to Finisterre, and I didn't book enough time between flights, so will bus to Tomar, I think. I'm really looking forward to being in Portugal.

Buen Camino,
Liz