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The best independent guide to Central Portugal
MyPortugalHoliday.com
The best independent guide to Central Portugal
Lisbon to Tomar, by train or bus
Tomar is a historic and fascinating destination, which was the original stronghold for the Knights Templar religious order. Tomar makes for an enjoyable destination as part of a tour of central Portugal, or can be visited as a day trip from Lisbon.
There are good public transport connections between Lisbon and Tomar, with both bus and rail services. The frequency of departures means that it is possible to visit Tomar from Lisbon as a day trip, but it will be a very long day with four hours of train travel.
This article will provide a guide to travelling from Lisbon to Tomar by train and bus, and includes links to timetables, fare information and station guides.
Related articles: Tomar introduction with day trip with a map – Day trips from Lisbon
The Convento de Cristo, Tomar
Sete Rios in Lisbon, is the main terminal for Rede Expresso buses
Lisbon to Tomar an overview
Tomar is situated 140km northeast of Lisbon. The fastest method of travel is by car, and the journey via the A1 toll expressway takes 1 hour 20 minutes.
There is no need for a rental car to visit Tomar, as there are both intercity bus services and a regional railway. Both modes of transport have comparable journey times and fares, the main difference is that the train has more daily departures.
The railway is the recommended means of travel and train journeys in Portugal are relaxing and hassle-free. The following section first details train services between Tomar and Lisbon and then the intercity bus services of the route.
Lisbon to Tomar by train
The railway that connects Lisbon and Tomar is a slow regional service, and Tomar is the final stop of the line. The railway is operated by Comboios de Portugal (CP) the national train company of Portugal.
As the service is a regional line there are multiple stops along the route and the total journey takes just over 2 hours.
There are 18 departures Monday to Friday and reduces to 11 at the weekend and on public holidays. The frequency of departures means that Tomar can be visited as a day trip from Lisbon, so long as you can endure 4 hours of train travel in a single day.
The regional train waiting in Tomar train station
The latest timetable can be downloaded from the CP website:
www.cp.
(the above link is to a PDF so may download on certain mobile phones)
Traveling by train in Portugal is inexpensive and a single from Lisbon to Tomar costs €9.80 (departure from Lisboa Oriente) or €10.10 (from Lisboa Santa Apolonia). A return ticket is 10% less than the price of two singles (€7.65/€18.15) .The tickets are purchased from the ticket office on the day of travel and cannot be pre-booked. There is no need to pre-book as there is always plenty of space.
Note: There is an intercity/regional train service, with an express train to Entroncamento and then the regional train to Tomar. This train route is no faster due to the connection, and uses the same regional train for the final section. Also, a ticket costs significantly more at €14.00 for a single.
Train stations
In Lisbon the train departs from the Santa Apolonia and passes through Oriente station, which is the main train station of Lisbon.
Santa Apolonia station is on the edge of the Alfama district, and is connected to the blue metro line by the station of the same name. Santa Apolonia station is convenient for tourists who are based in the downtown area of Lisbon.
Related articles: Santa Apolonia guide
Santa Apolonia station in Lisbon
Oriente train station is situated in the Parque das Nações district, to the north-east of the city. This station is more convenient for visitors who are traveling to/from the airport and is attached to the red metro line.
Oriente station is an ultra-modern complex while opposite is the massive Vasco da Gama Shopping Centre.
Related articles: Oriente guide
Orient station was inspired by classical Gothic architecture
Tomar train station is located to the south western side of the town but it is less than a 10-minute walk to the historic centre. Tomar station is significantly quieter than the train stations in Lisbon but there is a ticket office and café close by. Taxis will be waiting just outside the station for onward journeys.
Lisbon to Tomar by Bus
There are many less bus services between Lisbon and Tomar and there are almost no departures from Lisbon in the morning. There are four daily express services and the journey takes 1 hour 45 minutes and a single ticket costs €10. The coach service is operated by Rede Expressos and the latest timetable can be viewed on their website www.rede-expressos.pt.
The Lisbon to Tomar bus service departs from the Sete Rios bus station in Lisbon and this bus station is served by the Jardim Zoológico metro station on the blue line. The bus station in Tomar is opposite the train station.
Related articles: Sete Rios guide
Rede Expressos operate safe and modern coaches
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