Inter-rail Portugal single country ticket

[peteb]

Probably just me but although I can see the pass on the website I cannot find the link to the pricing structure! Could anyone please post a link to the page which shows fares for the Portuguese pass (purchasing in UK).

 

[biko]

I found it on this page: https://www.myinterrail.co.uk/interrail-passes/one-country-pass/portugal/

Assuming you are not under 28 or over 60 the prices are:
3 days within 1 month £78.00
4 days within 1 month £97.00
5 days within 1 month £114.00
6 days within 1 month £131.00
8 days within 1 month £162.00

 

[peteb]

Many thanks!

 

[30907]

Many thanks!

There is also a Portugal Rail Pass which seems to be somewhat cheaper
https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/how-to-travel/For-leisure/pt-railpass

 

[peteb]

Thanks! I see from the map there appears to be no train line between Covilha and Guarda but reference to CP timetable suggests trains now running. Can anyone confirm this as it makes a useful circular trip, much of which can be done on loco hauled IC trains which appeals to me!

 

[30907]

Thanks! I see from the map there appears to be no train line between Covilha and Guarda but reference to CP timetable suggests trains now running. Can anyone confirm this as it makes a useful circular trip, much of which can be done on loco hauled IC trains which appeals to me!

Yes, it reopened earlier this year. Times in ERT (and I assume on the CP site).

 

[peteb]

This is promising for a future trip thanks for intel.

 

[158722]

Thanks! I see from the map there appears to be no train line between Covilha and Guarda but reference to CP timetable suggests trains now running. Can anyone confirm this as it makes a useful circular trip, much of which can be done on loco hauled IC trains which appeals to me!

All of it can be done on IC services. As it happens, I have friends who are doing just this today - IC511 Lisboa SA to Guarda via the Beira Alta, lunch break, IC542 to Entroncamento via the Beira Baixa, then IC731 north to Porto, thus covering the section as far as Pampilhosa twice in one day. Connections anti-clockwise do not work, unless you want a long break in Guarda.

 

[yorkie]

All of it can be done on IC services. As it happens, I have friends who are doing just this today - IC511 Lisboa SA to Guarda via the Beira Alta, lunch break, IC542 to Entroncamento via the Beira Baixa, then IC731 north to Porto, thus covering the section as far as Pampilhosa twice in one day. Connections anti-clockwise do not work, unless you want a long break in Guarda.

What are these trains like, and are they loco hauled? It would be interesting to hear what their experiences are as I may be interested in doing this some time.

 

[peteb]

What are these trains like, and are they loco hauled? It would be interesting to hear what their experiences are as I may be interested in doing this some time.

IC trains Porto to Lisbon and vice versa are electric loco hauled French design Corail type sets, usually (using UK terminology) TSO, TSO, TSO, Brake/Buffet/FO, FO. The CP timetable shows other IR trains from Porto some of which are loco hauled and others are units. I assume IC trains on other routes are similar. If you go on the CP website and try booking tickets you can see the seat layout for the relevant IC train, so can change seats etc. This gives you a clue as to length and composition of the IC train. To avoid having to pay inter rail seat booking fees just get a Portugal pass as post #4 above, but this still requires you to get a (free) ticket and seat reservation from the booking office before travelling, so beware of tight connections!!

 

[30907]

IC trains Porto to Lisbon and vice versa are electric loco hauled French design Corail type sets, usually (using UK terminology) TSO, TSO, TSO, Brake/Buffet/FO, FO. The CP timetable shows other IR trains from Porto some of which are loco hauled and others are units. I assume IC trains on other routes are similar. If you go on the CP website and try booking tickets you can see the seat layout for the relevant IC train, so can change seats etc. This gives you a clue as to length and composition of the IC train. To avoid having to pay inter rail seat booking fees just get a Portugal pass as post #4 above, but this still requires you to get a (free) ticket and seat reservation from the booking office before travelling, so beware of tight connections!!

The Guarda trains are rather shorter - several photos towards the end of this, all loco +3 Corail.
https://www.drehscheibe-online.de/foren/read.php?030,9853985,9868330#msg-9868330

 

[Giugiaro]

Leaving the IC Casa Branca - Beja aside, being the only (fake) IC train done with a multiple unit, all IC services are done using an Eurosprinter loco + Corail or CIM.
AFAIK, the three Class 2240 EMUs that were converted for use in IC on the Beira Baixa Line have long been relegated back to U, R and IR.

For the two "Beiras" the usual car choice are the CIMs, or Refurb. Sorefames.
For me, personally, they're much more comfortable cars than the Corails, due to the fact that they were rebuilt much more recently, having a better interior design and being better equipped than the 70's/80's approach from the Corails.

I once did the journey from Porto through the Beiras Loop, but I first went from Porto to Entroncamento, then through Baixa to Covilhã, then towards Coimbra via Guarda, and finally changing back at Coimbra to Porto.
This was years back, when the section between Covilhã and Guarda was closed and 2240's were used, so the best approach might be different.

Though, the best approach would be to start and finish the journey from Lisbon, as all IC trains start and end from there.
This way you'd only require two trains to do the whole journey, instead of four.