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Spain and Portugal are two of the most popular countries in Europe, drawing in millions of visitors every year with their shared heritage, great food, wealth of historical sites, and of course, sun-drenched coastlines.
They're both located in Iberia, Europe's southernmost and hottest peninsula, but surprisingly enough, both of their capitals––Madrid and Lisbon––are not connected by direct trains: traveling between them, tourists must either fly, or switch train lines at least twice.
From 2025, this changes, as a new nighttime service is expected to launch, greatly facilitating travel:
Madrid To Lisbon Overnight!
For years now, authorities in Spain and Portugal have been touting the idea of a high-speed train line from Madrid to Lisbon, set to inaugurate before the end of the decade.
With construction yet to start, that is hardly newsworthy at this point, as it's a long way to go, still, but don't worry: that's not what we're here for.
The new night trains linking the sisterly Iberian cities are ready for activation as soon as early 2025, as they already existed before, prior to it being discontinued in 2020, as a result of… you guessed, the global pandemic.
Called the Tren Hotel Lusitania, this was a rail line linking Madrid to Lisbon via Medina del Campo, a transit hub near Madrid: at that point, it merged with the Sud Expresso train, also traveling to Lisbon, but commencing its journey in Hendaia, France.
Tickets Start From Only $25.43
The train then completed the 388-mile journey to Lisbon in just over 10 hours, with shared cabins and individual accommodation arrangements, all equipped with air conditioning, free WiFi, and depending on your seating category, even a private toilet and shower.
As the name indicates, it's a hotel on wheels, so if you were booked in the upper categories, you could expect a sumptuous breakfast served at the dining car, or in in your cabin, depending on ticket class, and other hotel-like amenities.
Tickets started from only $25.43, though First Class tickets would cost significantly more, due to the all the associated perks, but in a little over four years, those have not been commercialized as the train remained deactivated.
The Lusitania Is Set To Launch In The First Half Of 2025
According to Portuguese media, however, the Lusitania is set to make a triumphant comeback ‘in the first half of 2025', as a proposal put forth by Portugal's Green Party ‘Livre' to reinstate the railway link has been approved.
As read in the official response, ‘the Portuguese Government adopts, together with the Spanish Government, night rail services as part of the Iberian railway strategy, namely in the Portuguese National Railway Plan'.
Despite the encouraging news, no final date has been set for the return of the Lusitania––either way, it's likely to take place sooner rather than later, what with the growing appetite for railway travel across the pond, and the numerous train routes launching all over the Old Continent.
The train will also help travelers cut accommodation and transportation costs, as it is a hotel ‘on the move': you can optimize traveling time, and get a good night's rest all in one, without the added stress of airport commutes, and landing miles outside the city center.
Visit Other Incredible Destinations In Spain And Portugal With The Train
Lisbon is a fascinating riverside city built across seven hills, distinguished by its colorful districts, ancient hilltop fortress, and charming pastelarias selling traditional custard tarts fresh out the oven, while Madrid is all about verdant city parks, stately plazas, and world-class museums like Museo del Prado.
Other than connecting the two capitals, should it follow the old route, the train will stop at a number of historical cities along the way.
These include Salamanca, a sandstone-built town in Spain littered with medieval landmarks, Guarda, a Portuguese town home to a monumental Gothic cathedral, and Coimbra, the ‘Portuguese Oxford', where the oldest university in the country is located.
The complete itinerary can be seen below:
In Spain
- Madrid (Chamartin)
- Avila
- Medina del Campo
- Salamanca
- Cidade Rodrigo
- Fuentes de Onoro
In Portugal
- Vilar Formoso
- Guarda
- Mangualde
- Coimbra
- Pombal
- Entroncamento
- Lisbon (Oriente)
- Lisbon (Santa Apolonia)
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Lillian Dlamini
Friday 6th of December 2024
I would love to start a new life in Europe the plan is to find work and settle there.