Traveling from Lisbon to Coimbra is fairly easy, and you can travel by train, bus, or car.
I recommend you take the Alfa Pendular train, it costs from 8 EUR and takes 1,5 hours to get there from Oriente station in Lisbon.
The next best option is by bus, it takes a little over 2 hours and the price starts at 13 EUR per person.
Many visit Coimbra as a day trip from Lisbon; if you get out of the door early in the morning you get a lot of hours to explore the renowned university, beautiful gardens and much more.
Lisbon to Coimbra by Train
This is the transport method I recommend you take, because you’re comfortable on a train, and it’s by far the fastest way to get there.
The lowest price I’ve seen is 8 EUR, but expect more, an average of 20 EUR per person.
The train leaves from Oriente train station in Lisbon every hour, sometimes more often.
You can either buy your train ticket at the ticket office at the station or in advance via Omio.
Be aware there are 2 trains going to Coimbra, one that takes 3,5 hours and one that takes 1,5 hours.
So make sure you take the high-speed train that drives directly to Coimbra. If you’re in doubt then you can ask the ticket office at the station, they’re super helpful.
Lisbon to Coimbra by Bus
The second best option is to drive to Coimbra by bus. Here you really want to avoid the rush hour, so drive their early in the morning to avoid traffic.
You can take the bus from Oriente station or even from Sete Rios. From Oriente station is the fastest bus trip to Coimbra.
I recommend you buy the tickets in advance at Omio for a smooth trip.
It takes a little more than 2 hours to drive from Lisbon to Coimbra by bus.
Lisbon to Coimbra by Driving
The last option is to drive to Coimbra from Lisbon by car. You can book a trip via Uber, which will cost you an average of €150.
You can also rent a car instead and drive there by yourself; it depends on what you prefer.
Finding parking in Coimbra is easy compared to the nightmare in Lisbon.
It takes around 2 hours to drive to Coimbra from Lisbon.
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What to See and Do in Coimbra
Coimbra is like stepping into a medieval city rich in history and beautiful buildings.
Some of the things you can see in Coimbra are:
- University Campus (A UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Stroll around the city and take in the medieval vibe.
- Experience the 12th-century Cathedral
- See the botanical gardens with panoramic views of the 16th-century tower.
- Visit the Machado de Castro National Museum.
- Walk by the Mondego River and try some of the many restaurants.
- Burning of the Ribbons Ceremony around May.
Not many visit Coimbra, but I recommend doing it as a day trip so you can take it all in without having to stay a night there.
Wrap-Up
Traveling from Lisbon to Coimbra is super easy, and I recommend 1 of 3 methods for getting there.
The fastest is by train. It’s the cheapest, you’re comfortable, and you can get to Coimbra from Lisbon in 1.5 hours.
Secondly, you can take a bus if you prefer that; just avoid rush hour. The last option is to drive there by car, either via Uber or by renting a car.
Coimbra is a beautiful city, and I recommend spending a day there on a day trip from Lisbon.
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