Spain and Portugal Itinerary by Train

Dreaming of exploring the charming Iberia region? Visiting Portugal and Spain is always a good idea, especially while comfortably seated on a train! Coming up with the best itinerary for visiting both of the countries on a train might become a headache; however, it is surely worth it as spectacular sceneries and authentic towns along the way make up for all the hard work you put into it.

1. Think of which cities/regions you would like to visit

While planning the perfect train route for Portugal and Spain, it is always a good idea to start with deciding upon the main locations you want to visit. After you are done listing the placenames, you can then analyze the geographical position and determine the best sequence for visiting them one by one. For instance, firstly, travel Spain by train going from Madrid to Cordoba, Cordoba to Seville, and make your way to Portugal later, starting with a stop at the breathtaking Algarve region. From there, you can continue exploring Portugal by train and soak up some of the most spectacular views of Iberia. You can also start you Spain and Portugal by train itinerary with a visit to the bustling capital of Portugal, Lisbon, and make your way to charming Coimbra, lively Porto, authentic Braga, and all the way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, from which you can grab a train going to Leon, Bilbao, San Sebastian, and finally - to Barcelona for the grand finale. The possibilities for train trips in Spain and Portugal are endless; therefore, start thinking of your bucket list for the two countries right away!

Porto, Portugal

 

2. Come up with an itinerary and a schedule

Planning the train journey of your dreams requires lots of reasoning, arranging, seeking information, and, of course, patience, but for the best traveling experience, it is advisable to determine where you want to go and what you want to see in advance. It is especially important if you have a limited amount of time since every minute of your vacation is significant, whether it is spent wandering the charming streets in Spain, sampling local paella, or enjoying one of the numerous wondrous Portugal trips. That is why coming up with a list of places you want to visit allows you to plan your time better and adjust the itinerary accordingly. Some of the highlights on a Spain or Portugal itinerary include the Alhambra in Granada, Catedral de Santiago de Compostela, the iconic Sagrada Família in Barcelona, the University of Coimbra, the Belem Tower in Lisbon, the Pena Palace in Sintra, and the spectacular Cabo da Roca. Creating a day-by-day itinerary can help you decide on how much time you want to spend in each city; you can then devise a schedule and start looking for train tickets.

Creating an itinerary

 

3. Book your train tickets in advance

Once you have the list of the must-visit locations and an itinerary of when and where to go, it is time for the fun part - getting the tickets and taking your travel plans one step closer to coming true. Using the search system, find the cities of your choice, check the timetable, and choose the route that best suits your freshly prepared Portugal and Spain by train itinerary. Booking train tickets with Rai.Ninja is one of the easiest ways to find the perfect option for you and purchase it in just a matter of minutes!

Granada, Spain

 

4. Start packing and enjoy your trip!

After all of the planning is done and the tickets are already in your pocket, the only thing left to do is to pack all the necessary belongings for your upcoming journey. Don't forget to pack a book, a tablet for watching movies, or a device for listening to music for longer train routes, and you might want to throw in a travel pillow, especially if there are long-haul or overnight train journeys in Spain of Portugal planned. Another thing to consider is medications, which you might need in case of an emergency or an illness, especially if you have motion sickness. Portugal and Spain are two of the sun-soaked destinations in Europe, so make sure to pack some sunscreen as well! Packing your bags is the last step before setting off on the anticipated journey; therefore, make sure you have all the things you might need, grab your tickets, and enjoy the ride!

Sintra, Portugal

If you want to visit the breathtaking Iberia region and find that Spain trips or touring only Portugal is not enough, travel both Spain and Portugal by train and calm down your inner travel warm with some of the most spectacular sights in Europe. Authentic cultures, mouth-watering cuisine, magnificent monuments, and beautiful sceneries through your train window are guaranteed!