How to get to Douro Valley: From Porto and Lisbon

Porto is closer to Douro, with more travel options, making it a better base than Lisbon. The Valley is almost 100 kilometers by road east of the city and you can reach Douro Valley from Porto via land journey, boat ride, or quick flight.

• Duration: 2 to 6 hrs

Setting sail from Porto to Douro Valley aboard a river cruise is the most popular and most stylish transportation in our list. There’s no better way to take in the scenery. Convenient pick-up points for river cruises are located at Porto’s Cais da Estiva and Cais de Gaia. Fares typically range from USD 50 to USD 100 and are provided by various cruise companies.

Pro tips:

• If you don’t have many days to spare, join a day-long river cruise from Porto to Douro Valley. Most of these day cruises will also have lunch onboard, wine-tasting sessions and of course excellent views. It is a great deal!
• Further downriver, the Douro slims down, so ships set to go further along the river have to be narrower. Consider this when deciding how far down the river you wish to go.
• If you want to bring your own alcohol on board, check the cruise line’s policy first. Some allow it but do not allow drinking it in public. Most river cruises also have their own bars.

• Duration: 4 hrs

While a river cruise is popular, a road trip to the Douro Valley in your own car gives you the freedom to stop over at multiple spots of your choice. A road trip starting in Porto and ending in Douro Valley, following the A4 Highway, takes close to 4 hours.

Peso da Régua and Pinhão are two other popular end-points for a road trip to Douro Valley from Porto. Heading out from Porto Center, the A4 East gets you to Peso da Régua in one and half hours. Situated on the banks of the Douro River, it is the gateway to the valley and sets the tone for the region. Stay on the route for 110 kilometers before taking Exit 11 towards Régua. From here, we suggest you take the N222 to Pinhão. This stretch on the N222 from Peso da Régua to Pinhão is considered one of the most scenic routes in Portugal, a meandering 27 kilometers along the Douro River, past picturesque valleys, small villages, and 93 bends. It is definitely worth the few extra miles. From Pinhão, tracing your way back to A4 is the quickest route to get to Douro Valley.

Pro tips:

• Car rentals in Porto range from USD 30 to USD 50 (inclusive of insurance) per day, with options for self-driving or a hired driver.
• The A4 motorway charges a toll; be prepared with cash and a credit card.
• The entire journey is pleasant with lush landscapes and rivers following you throughout. We recommend hiring a driver so that you can enjoy the views to the max.
• Be vigilant when picking up your rental car. Photograph any marks and scratches beforehand to avoid problems with the rental company.

• Duration: 3+ hrs

There is no straightforward bus journey from Porto to the Douro Valley. Hence, it is not the most popular means to get there. While there are some routes available from Porto, they only go as far as Vila Real, operating on an hourly basis. This journey will set you back around 1 hour and 20 minutes, with a fare of roughly USD 5. Reaching the Douro Valley wine region from Vila Real involves getting on a once-per-day southbound evening bus from Vila Real to Douro Valley provided by Rede Expressos which takes two and a half hours.

However, if you are okay without exploring the heart of the region, you can still head to Peso da Régua. An afternoon bus service runs from Porto and Peso da Régua six times weekly. The journey takes 2 hours.

Pro tips:

• Since the bus services are so infrequent, plan your trip to Douro Valley carefully and be mindful of the bus departure time. It is better to arrive at the departure point early and wait than to miss the bus.
• You can always take a river cruise back to Porto.

• Duration: 2 hrs

The scenic train ride from Porto to Douro Valley is highly recommended. 10 to 12 trains depart daily from Porto to Régua. From here you’ll need to transfer to a train continuing to Pinhão and finally Pocinho. The pleasant journey follows the Douro River with stunning views of terraced vineyards and lush valleys while only setting you back a very reasonable USD 10.

Pro tips:

• The river is on the right-hand side for viewing when traveling from Porto to Pocinho. Choose your seats well andi n advance.
• If you want to make your train journey special, we recommend booking with MiraDouro trains. They use classic carriages with gorgeous wide-opening windows—perfect for the views.
• The train and river cruise journeys both offer different perspectives, so consider alternating them to and from Porto to absorb the most of the spectacular sights on offer.

While getting to Douro Valley is possible from Lisbon, it’s not the most straightforward option. Lisbon is around 400 kilometers away from Douro Valley, and although it is a scenic journey, it is not as connected as Porto and there are fewer options. You can travel directly via bus or car.

• By bus

Buses depart from many bus terminals in Lisbon such as Lisbon Oriente station and Sete Rios several times each day. The bus journey ends in Régua in Douro Valley and typically is under 6 hours. The fare generally ranges from USD 20 to 30. From Régua you can take a boat up to Pinhão.

• By car

Taking a car from Lisbon to Douro Valley is perhaps the fastest option. Although keep in mind that if you’re driving departing from Lisbon, as opposed to Porto, an extra 3 hours are needed for the drive. The journey takes under 4 hours, if driving non-stop. Take the A1/E1 Highway for about 200 kilometers before reaching Coimbra. Here, take exit 13 to join the E801/IP3 Highway to reach Régua in Douro Valley. It is a scenic drive that passes through Parque Natural das Serras de Aire e Candeeiro.

A direct journey from Lisbon to Douro Valley can be done via bus or a car ride.

• By flight or train

Buses depart from many bus terminals in Lisbon such as Lisbon Oriente station and Sete Rios several times each day. The bus journey ends in Régua in Douro Valley and typically is under 6 hours. The fare generally ranges from USD 20 to 30. From Régua you can take a boat up to Pinhão.

There is no doubt that Douro Valley is a must-visit destination on a trip to Portugal, and there are many tour options available to explore it. Most tours depart from Porto or Lisbon, can last a day or a week, and usually include Douro River cruises, wine-tasting tours, and hiking or cycling in the valley. Arranging a trip by yourself can be daunting, and if you’re looking for support or less hassle. We recommend joining a packaged trip or contacting our local travel experts to help you create your own customized tour to Douro Valley.