Private car transfer from Porto to Lisbon

Fortunately, when you travel from Porto to Lisbon by car, all of these are possibilities. Every stop and detour enriches your experience in Portugal, creating unforgettable memories that you’d just pass by on the bus or train. And unlike public transportation, you can explore on your own schedule, traveling door-to-door in comfort without having to lug your bags around bus stations and train terminals.

If you choose to take a car service like Daytrip rather than rent a car, you can expect unparalleled safety, comfort, and convenience. Your friendly, professional driver will meet you at your accommodation in Porto safely drive you to your final destination in Lisbon. You don’t have to worry about finding parking or navigating narrow streets. Even better, you can easily add sightseeing stops, which they’ll be happy to bring you to. And on the road, they’ll share their insights about local culture and give you tips on what to see and do when you arrive in Lisbon.

Each neighborhood has its own unique identity, from seaside Belem with its iconic Torre de Belem tower to Mouraria, the Moorish quarter that survived the 1755 earthquake. With the famous São Jorge Castle standing watch over the city high in Alfama, and the Monastery of Jerónimos on the opposite side of the city, visiting the top sights in Lisbon may seem like a daunting task. But fortunately, Lisbon’s iconic yellow trams make it easy to move between neighborhoods. Tram 28 in particular brings you to historic areas like Graça and Alfama. The tram ride is an attraction in itself, with captivating scenes rolling by at every hairpin turn as the tram cuts through the cobbled stone streets.

The weather in Lisbon is almost unerringly pleasant, with 290 days of sunshine a year, and temperatures rarely dropping into the 50s (15 celsius) and peaking in the low 80s (28 celsius). This means you’re almost guaranteed perfect weather for relaxing in the broad squares, or exploring the narrow, cobbled alleys. This perfect weather, combined with the city’s architectural beauty and proud history probably explains why Lisboetas are universally warm and inviting. As one of the happiest cities in the world, and one of the most hospitable, interacting with locals is always a pleasant experience, whether it’s asking for directions, or ordering Lisbon’s famous pastel de natas, egg custard pastries that have become Lisbon’s culinary symbol.

Pack wisely for the trip

Even though it’s a short ride, it's wise to have essentials such as water, sunscreen, and a camera ready. The sun can be strong, even through the windows of a car - and as you approach Lisbon, chances are it’s going to be sunny. And if you’re making a sightseeing detour, you’ll want your camera handy so you don’t waste time digging through your luggage.

Communicate with your driver

A knowledgeable local driver can enrich your trip with stories and facts about the region. Daytrip’s drivers love sharing their insights, so don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations or more information. Your driver will happily give you advice on everything from what to do in Lisbon, to some signature dishes to try.

From Porto to Lisbon by plane

While a flight from Porto to Lisbon takes just one hour, and tickets can be even cheaper than the train if you book in advance, we don’t recommend this option. You still need to get to and from the airport in both Porto and Lisbon, which adds to the travel time and cost. And then you also need to arrive an hour early for your flight. Between the added costs of getting to and from the airport, and having to get to the airport early, it usually ends up being the most expensive and slowest option.

From Porto to Lisbon by car

Probably the best way to travel from Porto to Lisbon is by car. It takes about 3 hours, but the travel time doesn’t matter here, because driving lets you explore the countryside and experience more of Portugal’s culture and beauty. With public transportation you can’t swing by Aveiro to see the canals and traditional fishing boats, or marvel at the intricate architecture at UNESCO-listed Batalha Monastery. While you can rent a car and drive yourself, taking a car service like Daytrip is even more convenient; you get all the benefits, including sightseeing, without having to worry about traffic or finding parking. You get all that for not much more than the train.

From the heights of Alfama, head down to the beaches of Belem. Along with swimming and enjoying Lisbon’s perpetually perfect weather, it’s here you’ll find the Torre de Belem, which has commanded the mouth of the Tagus River since the 16th century. Its fusion of every architectural style, from Romanesque to Moorish, Mudejar to Gothic, combined with its picturesque location in the waters of the Targus has made the Torre de Belem perhaps the single most iconic monument in Lisbon. While you’re down by the water, be sure to head to the huge Lisbon Oceanarium. One of the largest indoor aquariums in Europe, you’ll find 16,000 creatures from 450 species. It’s one of only a few aquariums in the world where you’ll be able to see an ocean sunfish (mola mola).

Lisbon has a wealth of other cultural attractions that will vie for your attention. Portugal is world-renowned for its ceramics, and there’s no better place to see the country’s mastery than the National Tile Museum. It will walk you through the history of tile making from when the Moors first introduced the art to Iberia, exhibiting many amazing ceramics, including, of course, incomparable azulejos. The National Museum of Ancient Art showcases a prestigious art collection spanning everything from Renaissance paintings to Baroque decor, metalwork, and ancient Roman sculptures. The Museu do Oriente stands as a fascinating reminder of Portugal’s former far-flung empire, pulling together artifacts from everywhere Portugal had a colony or trading post.

One experience that locals will always recommend is a day trip to Sintra. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with rich churches, mansions, and multiple palaces of former Portuguese kings and queens. The Romanticist Pena National Palace with its bold colors and mix of styles is one of the most unique buildings in the world. But you may want to plan more than a day in Sintra to be able to visit the medieval Castle of the Moors and the Renaissance Sintra National Palace as well.