Porto to Douro Valley Train: The Most Scenic Train Ride in Portugal
I am OBSESSED with cool train rides, and the Porto to Douro Valley train is seriously one of the most unique train rides I’ve ever taken.
It’s such an easy day trip from Porto into the Douro Valley, Portugal’s famous wine region. I simply can’t believe how many people miss visiting this beautiful region of Portugal.
You can take the train to the little village of Pinhão, where you’ll find one of the most beautiful train stations in Portugal, covered in gorgeous hand-painted tiles.
As soon as the cute vintage train pulled up, I was so excited. My favorite part was that both the windows and doorways open up so you can really take in the views.
And wow, it was one incredible view after another – terraced vineyards, tiny villages, and the Douro River just winding beside you. Don’t miss this experience during your trip to Porto.
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GET MY FULL ITINERARY TO THE DOURO VALLEY HERE
Quick Links if you’re short on time!
🚂 Book the vintage scenic train ride via Omio by searching the route from Porto to Pinhão.
⛵ Enjoy this rabelo boat ride from Pinhão with insane views of the rolling hills in the Douro Valley
⭐ I highly recommend this day tour from Porto. You travel to the Douro Valley by coach, take a 30-minute scenic train ride, enjoy a winery, and take a boat ride!
🚗 I recommend renting a car using Discover Cars in Porto if you decide to stay more than one day!
🏨 Stay at Imaginário D’El Rei if you have a car or Casa Tawny if you don’t!
Why Visit the Douro Valley
The Douro Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and for a very good reason. It’s the most beautiful wine region in the world. Full of endless rolling vineyards, river views, and charming villages. The best way to experience it is by taking the scenic train, where you can enjoy the views from the open windows and doorways. This is a time when the train is the experience, not just a ride.
How to Book the Douro Valley Scenic Train
I found minimal information about this special train journey to the Douro Valley, and so I just had to experience it myself so I could help you learn from my mistakes.
Essentially, you’ll just book an InterRegional (IR) train on the Douro Line (Linha do Douro) from Porto to Pinhão. The train journey takes 2 hours and 20 minutes from Porto.
I use Omio to book the train as it’s a simple platform offered if English or whatever native language you choose. The cost is only €14 one way from Porto or €3 if you choose to do a short 30-minute distance.
Douro Valley Scenic Train Timetable
There are about 6 trains a day. You can check the schedule by searching your route of choice on Omio. It’s subject to change, but you will find trains as early as 6 am and through roughly 8pm.
Douro Valley Tour with Scenic Train Ride
If you don’t want to deal with all the logistics yourself, I highly recommend this Douro Valley Tour. They pick you up by coach from Porto, take you to a winery for lunch, an amazing boat ride, and you get to ride the scenic train for 30 minutes. It’s just the perfect tour really because you get to do a bit of everything. It’s nice that they’ve included the scenic train journey as part of the tour. I found this through another blogger who said it was her favorite tour she’s done. So you know it’s got to be good!
Pinhão Train Station
This is one of the prettiest stations in Portugal. Porto São Bento is way more well-known and is very beautiful, but the train station in Pinhão is really unknown to tourists.
It’s covered in blue azulejo tiles, which you find all over Portugal. But at this train station, it’ truly special because it tells the story of the Douro Valley. Including depictions of the grape harvest to traditional wine-making. It’s absolutely worth stepping off the train for, even if you’re not staying in Pinhão.
Which side of the train has the best views?
If you’re traveling from Porto to the Douro Valley, sit on the right side of the train for the best views. If you’re going the opposite direction (from Pinhão towards Porto), sit on the left side. You will find the best views of the Douro River and the region’s famous terraced vineyards.
Which part of the Train Ride is the Most Scenic?
The most beautiful part of the journey is from Peso da Régua to Pinhão. And if you can go all the way to Pocinho, where the line ends, even better! Those views get even more amazing. But as soon as you’re in the Douro Valley, you can’t go wrong; all the views are spectacular, and you will just find endless views of terraced vineyards. Plus, if you’re short on time or if you’ve driven in and just want to ride a short part of the train, then this is the route I recommend. It’s a short but beautiful 30-minute train journey from Peso da Régua to Pinhão. You can then explore both towns while waiting for the next train back.
Are the trains on time?
My train in Pinhão didn’t show up for 30 minutes, and when I wanted to take it back, it was also 30 minutes delayed. There was no ETA or signage saying there would be a delay. If I was waiting on my own, I would have been concerned it was never coming. But when I exited at Ferradosa, there was not even a train station building. Just the train track and literally no one around. I waited patiently for the train to arrive, but if I hadn’t experienced the delay coming in, I would have been really worried. This was my experience in a single day, so no idea if this is the norm, but just know that it doesn’t seem like these trains are super on time.
Do the Trains Have Air Conditioning?
No, the Douro Valley scenic train does not have air conditioning. The great thing is that the doors and windows open. I visited in June and traveled at noon, and I never felt uncomfortably hot. I loved peeking out the open windows and checking the views from the open doorways. But do keep in mind that it can get hot in the height of summer.
Are the Trains Crowded?
The train is typically not crowded. This is such an underrated activity to do in Portugal. I enjoyed relaxing on the train with so many empty seats. The people who were on the train were all just standing and gazing out the window the whole time. You could easily get shots of the cool interiors without many people, especially if you walk through the different cars.
Boat Tour from Pinhão
Don’t miss a rabelo boat tour from Pinhão. Aside from the train, this was another highlight of my Douro Valley itinerary. You can buy tickets ahead here. The boats depart from Pinhão and last about an hour. I booked the last time slot of the day and got lucky to get on a smaller boat tour with only 4 other guests. It was the perfect way to end the day in the Douro Valley. The views you get from this perspective are amazing. And you can even see the train pass by from the valley while you are riding by on the boat!
For more reading, you may also like:
🏰 The Ultimate Sintra Day Trip from Lisbon
☕ My Favorite Cafes & Brunch in Lisbon
🇵🇹 Best Things to Do in Porto, Portugal
🚂 Douro Valley Train: The Most Scenic Train Ride
🍷 How to Enjoy the Best Douro Valley Day Trip from Porto
☂️ The Colorful Umbrella Street in Agueda, Portugal
⭐ 8 Hidden Gems in Lisbon
