From Porto in Portugal to Madrid Spain

AFTER A RIVER CRUISE ALONG THE DOURO THAT ENDS IN PORTO IN NORTHERN PORTUGAL, WE ARE LOOKING AT VARIOUS WAYS OF GETTING TO MADRID. A FAST TRAIN WOULD BE ATTRACTIVE BUT OVERNIGHT TRAIN IS NOT AN OPTION. WHAT ARE THE POSSIBILITIES BY RAIL AND AIR?

P. BATTEN, ENGADINE

Train is one option, although it's not particularly fast – bus is quicker. From Porto's Campanha Station – and get there early, the azulejo tilework is really spectacular – take a train north to Vigo-Guixar just across the border in Spain, where you need to change to a train headed for Madrid's Chamartin Station. According to the rail.cc website (en.rail.cc) the best daytime option is the 8:15am train from Porto which arrives in Vigo-Guixar at 11:30am. You've got rather a long connection time before the Alvia train departs from here for Madrid at 3:15pm, arriving at 9:55pm. The Alvia is a high-speed train but that's a shuffling pace, so sit back and enjoy as the train through Spain rambles across the plain.
You can also fly from Porto to Madrid, and since this is fast and simple that's probably going to suit you better. On Momondo (momondo.com.au) there are several airlines operating non-stop flights on this route including TAP Portugal, Iberia, Air Europa and Ryanair. The journey takes just over an hour, there are several flights throughout the day and prices are low.