If you’re planning a trip from Madrid to Lisbon, one of the options you might be considering is taking a high-speed train. Spain and Portugal have a well-developed train network, but is there a high-speed train that connects the two cities? Let’s find out.
Train Options from Madrid to Lisbon
There are two main types of trains that operate between Madrid and Lisbon: regular trains and high-speed trains. Regular trains are slower and make more stops along the way, while high-speed trains are faster and usually only stop at major cities.
Regular Trains
Regular trains from Madrid to Lisbon are operated by Renfe, the national train company of Spain, and CP, the national train company of Portugal. These trains take around 10 hours to complete the journey, with several stops along the way. While they might be cheaper than high-speed trains, they can also be less comfortable and take up more of your time.
High-Speed Trains
As for high-speed trains, there is currently no direct connection between Madrid and Lisbon. However, there are plans to build a new high-speed rail line that would connect both cities in around three hours. This project is called the Atlantic Corridor and has been under development for several years.
In addition to the Atlantic Corridor project, there is another option for those who want to travel by high-speed train from Madrid to Lisbon: taking a connecting train in another city. For example, you can take a high-speed train from Madrid to Seville (around 2 hours) and then transfer to another high-speed train that will take you from Seville to Lisbon (around 5 hours). This option will take around 7 hours in total but will save you some time compared to regular trains.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while there is currently no direct high-speed train connection between Madrid and Lisbon, there are plans to build one in the near future. In the meantime, you can take regular trains or connect through other cities to travel by high-speed train. We hope this article has helped you understand your options better and make an informed decision for your next trip.