Which airport to choose?
Train connections between Lisbon and Oporto are equally good (Coimbra is one of the stops of the Lisbon to Oporto line). Thus, our advice is to chose based on the flights available.
Step-by-step guide from Lisbon airport to Coimbra:
1. Once you arrive at Lisbon you should go to the railway station “Gare do Oriente” you can:
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1.1. Take the subway red line straight from the airport to Gare Oriente (1.9 Euros).
1.2. Take the bus Carris #44 to Oriente. The ticket (1.5 euros) may be purchased from thee driver as you board the bus.
1.3. Take the aeroshuttle bus Carris 96, available everyday, every 30 minutes between 7am and 11pm. The ticket (3,50 euros) can be purchased onboard and also in the Tourism Office at arrivals (public area).
2. Take a taxi (about 10 minutes and should cost 5-8 euros). Both the airport and Oriente station lie to the north east of the town centre.
3. “Gare do Oriente” can be slightly confusing due to the lack of signs. You arrive at the ground floor. You can buy the tickets on the 1st floor. The train-lines are on the 2nd floor. Once you arrive you go to the 1st floor, search for the stairs that lead to lines 1 and 2. In front of those stairs (still on the 1st floor) there is a ticket office where you can buy your ticket. Alternatively, you can buy your ticket, consult schedules, etc. on the green ATM-like machines on the side of the ticket office. Tickets can also be bought online or in any ATM machine, but this is only advisable if you know your departure time in advance.
4. What type of ticket to buy? You should buy a ticket for an Alfa Pendular or Intercidades train to Coimbra. The cost depends on the type of ticket you buy and range from 16.5 euros (Intercidades, 2nd class) and 32,5 euros (Alfa Pendular, 1st class). If you chose Alfa and buy a first class ticket you can have a meal while you travel. Other than that there isn’t much difference between first and second class.
5. You can consult the schedules here: http://www.cp.pt/. The Alfa and Intercidades services are punctual and reliable. Travel times range from 1h:30m to 2h00m (approximately).
6. Get off the train when you arrive at Coimbra B (the main railway station). You can take another train for Coimbra A station on the same ticket from where all the hotels are within walking distance. However, you can also get off at Coimbra B station and take a taxi to your hotel (approximately 4 euros).
Step-by-step guide from Oporto airport to Coimbra:
1. Once you arrive at Oporto take the Tram-train to the Campanhã railway station (line E). You should buy a Z4 ticket (4 zones) which costs 1,5 euros. The travel takes, roughly, 30 minutes. You can download the timetable from this address.
2. Once you arrive at Campanhã you should buy a ticket for an Alfa Pendular or Intercidades train to Coimbra. The cost depends on the type of ticket you buy and range from 11.5 euros (Intercidades, 2nd class) and 21,5 euros (Alfa Pendular, 1st class). If you chose Alfa and buy a first class ticket you can have a meal while you travel. Other than that there isn’t much difference between first and second class. Tickets can be bought at the ticket office or on the green ATM-like machines at the railway station. Tickets can also be bought online or in any ATM machine, but this is only advisable if you know your departure time in advance.
5. You can consult the schedules here: http://www.cp.pt/. The Alfa and Intercidades services are punctual and reliable. Travel time is, roughly, 1h00m.
4. Get off the train when you arrive at Coimbra B (the main railway station). You can take another train for Coimbra A station on the same ticket from where all the hotels are within walking distance. However, you can also get off at Coimbra B station and take a taxi to your hotel (approximately 4 euros).
