Portugal Enters a New Era as Lisbon–Porto High-Speed Rail Construction Begins, Promising Travel in Just 75 Minutes

Portugal has officially begun construction of its long-awaited Lisbon–Porto high-speed railway, launching work on 12 October 2026 on a 71-kilometre section between Porto Campanhã and Oiã in the Aveiro district. Led by Portugal’s national railway infrastructure authority, Infraestruturas de Portugal, the development aims to transform travel between the country’s two largest metropolitan areas, strengthen regional transport and support more sustainable tourism. Designed for trains operating at approximately 300 km/h, the complete railway is expected to eventually reduce direct journeys between Lisbon and Porto to just one hour and 15 minutes. The first section is targeted for completion around 2030, with further construction stages continuing into the following decade.

The start of construction marks a significant milestone for Portugal’s transport infrastructure. For years, the country has sought to improve railway connections between its principal cities while reducing pressure on its existing Northern Line. The new high-speed corridor is intended to address both challenges by introducing faster long-distance services and creating additional capacity for regional passengers and freight. Faster journeys could make it easier for visitors to combine Lisbon’s historic neighbourhoods and waterfront attractions with Porto’s riverside heritage, wine tourism and cultural experiences. Destinations such as Aveiro, Coimbra and Leiria could also gain from improved connections, supporting more flexible travel itineraries and greater visitor movement across central and northern Portugal.

Portugal Begins Construction of a Major 71-Kilometre High-Speed Rail Corridor

The first construction stage covers the railway between Porto Campanhã and Oiã, near Oliveira do Bairro in the Aveiro district. The section forms the northern starting point of the future Lisbon–Porto high-speed route and represents one of Portugal’s most substantial railway construction programmes in recent decades. The project will introduce a new double-track electrified railway designed for operating speeds of up to 300 km/h. Unlike the existing Northern Line, which accommodates a mixture of long-distance, suburban, regional and freight trains, the new infrastructure will provide a dedicated high-speed corridor capable of handling faster intercity services.

The initial route passes through ten municipalities, including Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Santa Maria da Feira, Espinho, Oliveira de Azeméis, Ovar, Estarreja, Albergaria-a-Velha, Aveiro and Oliveira do Bairro. Its development will require new railway infrastructure, bridges, tunnels and connections with existing transport networks. The Porto–Oiã concession agreement was signed on 29 July 2025. It covers a 30-year period, including five years for development, construction and certification, followed by 25 years of maintenance and infrastructure availability.

New Douro Bridge, Underground Station and Modern Rail Infrastructure Take Shape

The first phase involves extensive engineering works designed to overcome geographical barriers while integrating high-speed trains with existing transport systems. Approximately eight kilometres of tunnels and 19 kilometres of bridges and viaducts are planned along the 71-kilometre section. These structures will allow the railway to cross valleys, rivers and established transport routes while maintaining the alignment required for high-speed operation. One of the most prominent developments is a new bridge across the River Douro. The structure will accommodate both railway and road traffic, providing an additional transport connection between Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia.

Porto Campanhã station will also be expanded and adapted for high-speed services. The improvements are intended to strengthen interchange opportunities with existing rail connections, five Porto Metro lines and the city’s intermodal transport terminal. Another important component is a new underground station at Santo Ovídio in Vila Nova de Gaia, designed to connect with two Metro lines and a future road transport terminal. The project additionally includes an approximately 8.3-kilometre connection to the existing Northern Line near Canelas. This link will allow high-speed services to access the current Aveiro station, which is planned for adaptation to the new network.

Nearly €2 Billion Investment Places Portugal’s Railway Modernisation in the European Spotlight

The Porto–Oiã section represents an investment of approximately €2 billion, supported by a combination of European financing, public contributions and private-sector funding. The European Investment Bank approved a wider €3 billion financing package for Portugal’s high-speed railway programme in 2024. An initial €875 million financing agreement was signed in July 2025 to support construction of the Porto–Oiã section.

The project also benefits from €480 million in Connecting Europe Facility grants, forming part of a broader €813 million European grant allocation for the first phase. Additional financing includes approximately €900 million secured from national and international financial institutions and €150 million in co-financing from Infraestruturas de Portugal. The investment reflects the strategic importance of the railway within Portugal’s National Investment Programme 2030 and the European Union’s Trans-European Transport Network. The European Investment Bank estimates that the completed Lisbon–Porto high-speed railway could serve approximately 10 million passengers annually. This is a long-term forecast rather than a confirmed ridership figure.

When Will Portugal’s High-Speed Trains Begin Operating Between Lisbon and Porto?

The railway will be developed through several stages, meaning passengers will experience the improvements gradually rather than through one nationwide launch. According to the latest published planning information from Infraestruturas de Portugal, the first section between Porto Campanhã and Oiã is targeted for completion in 2030. The next section, between Oiã and Soure, is currently scheduled for completion in 2032.

The Soure–Carregado section is planned for completion in 2033, while the final dedicated high-speed connection from Carregado to Lisbon Oriente will be constructed later.

The latest official projections indicate that direct Porto–Lisbon journeys could take approximately 79 minutes following completion of the second major phase around 2033. Trains stopping at Gaia, Aveiro, Coimbra and Leiria are expected to complete the journey in approximately one hour and 45 minutes. The final Carregado–Lisbon section would reduce the direct journey towards the ultimate 75-minute target. Until that section is built, high-speed trains will use an upgraded Northern Line approach into Lisbon. These dates remain planning targets and are subject to construction progress, certification and operational readiness.

Lisbon, Porto and Central Portugal Could Gain a Powerful New Tourism Connection

The railway’s most visible benefit for international travellers will be the possibility of moving between Lisbon and Porto much faster than today. Lisbon attracts visitors with its historic districts, waterfront attractions, museums, traditional neighbourhoods and access to nearby destinations such as Sintra. Porto offers a different experience through its UNESCO-listed historic centre, Douro riverside, wine heritage and northern Portuguese culture.

At present, railway journeys between the cities take approximately two hours and 50 minutes on the faster established services. Reducing this to around 75 minutes could make combined city holidays more practical, particularly for visitors with limited time. The benefits could extend to central Portugal. Aveiro is known for its canals and coastal surroundings, while Coimbra attracts visitors through its historic university and cultural heritage. Leiria provides access to historic attractions and destinations across central Portugal.

Santo Ovídio Underground Station Creates Debate Over Local Access and Construction Disruption

Despite the project’s national significance, the planned underground station at Santo Ovídio in Vila Nova de Gaia has generated local concerns. The station is planned approximately 60 metres below ground, raising questions about construction disruption, traffic management, business access and connections to nearby healthcare facilities. Local objections have also focused on whether alternative locations around Mafamude and Vilar do Paraíso could offer a more suitable solution.

The disagreement reflects a wider challenge for major infrastructure developments. While new railway stations can improve long-term accessibility, construction in densely developed urban areas can affect existing roads, commercial activity and daily travel. The government’s published project position continues to identify Santo Ovídio as the planned station location. Infraestruturas de Portugal’s October 2026 construction announcement also confirms the station as part of the Porto–Oiã concession.

Portugal’s Existing Northern Line Could Benefit From More Trains and Better Regional Connections

Although shorter Lisbon–Porto journeys dominate attention, the new railway could also transform services on Portugal’s existing Northern Line. The Northern Line currently supports different types of railway traffic, including long-distance passenger trains, suburban services, regional connections and freight operations.

This mixture places pressure on available track capacity because faster and slower trains operate along shared infrastructure. The new high-speed railway is intended to transfer faster long-distance passenger services onto dedicated tracks, creating additional capacity on the conventional network.

The principal expected benefits include:

• More capacity for suburban and regional passenger trains.
• Improved opportunities to increase service frequencies.
• Greater flexibility for rail freight operations.
• Better connections between major cities and smaller communities.
• Reduced pressure on one of Portugal’s busiest railway corridors.

The high-speed network is also being designed to connect with existing lines rather than replace them. Links to the Northern Line will support Aveiro and Coimbra, while connections with the Western Line will improve access to Leiria. This arrangement could extend the benefits of faster rail travel beyond the cities located directly on the new route. The infrastructure authority’s operating plan allows for up to 60 high-speed services per day in each direction. Actual timetables, station stops and service frequencies will be determined by future railway operators.

Lisbon–Madrid High-Speed Rail Plans Could Open New Opportunities for International Tourism

Portugal’s railway ambitions also extend beyond domestic travel. A separate high-speed connection between Lisbon and Madrid is being developed as part of wider efforts to improve transport links between Portugal, Spain and the European railway network. The international project aims to reduce direct railway journeys between the two capitals to approximately three hours by 2034.

An intermediate target envisages a five-hour direct journey by 2030, reflecting the phased delivery of infrastructure and cross-border improvements. These developments could create new opportunities for international tourism, allowing travellers to combine Portuguese and Spanish destinations through faster railway connections.

The wider Portuguese high-speed programme also includes a planned Porto–Vigo connection, with an eventual journey-time target of approximately 50 minutes. Together, these projects are intended to strengthen Portugal’s position within Europe’s railway network, although their delivery schedules and operational arrangements remain separate from the Lisbon–Porto construction programme.

What Happens Next as Portugal Moves Towards a New Era of High-Speed Travel?

The immediate priority is construction of the Porto–Oiã section, including its tunnels, viaducts, Douro crossing, station improvements and links with existing railway infrastructure. The Oiã–Soure concession was retendered in January 2026 after the previous process failed to attract valid proposals. The infrastructure authority’s published programme anticipates a concession award before the end of 2026 and a contract signing during the first half of 2027. The Soure–Carregado section will also require further procurement and construction work before the projected 2033 completion.

As the network develops, attention will increasingly turn towards railway operations, passenger capacity, ticketing, station accessibility and integration with regional transport services. Portugal’s high-speed railway has now entered its construction phase. The coming years will determine how quickly its planned infrastructure becomes a functioning transport network and when passengers can begin experiencing the shorter journeys promised between Lisbon, Porto and beyond.