Trains in Portugal With Kids: What It’s Really Like With Toddlers, Luggage & a Stroller

Wondering what it’s really like to take trains in Portugal with kids—stroller, luggage, and toddlers in tow? It’s doable but definitely not effortless.

Last month, I traveled across Portugal by train with my two toddlers (ages 2.5 and 4) and a friend traveling solo with her 3-year-old. Our route took us from Lisbon to Porto, into the Douro Valley, and back—all without car seats or rental cars.

We chose trains for the ease (no car seat installs, no driving unfamiliar roads) and the experience. And while parts of it were smooth, others were sweaty, stressful, and harder than I expected, especially when navigating platforms with young kids and tight timelines.

If you’re considering train travel in Portugal with kids, here’s exactly what it looked like for us—what worked well, what I’d do differently, and what I wish I’d known before booking.

Why We Chose Trains (and Not a Car)

We considered renting a car, but with five of us (and three in car seats) it just didn’t feel like the easiest option. (Read more about how I travel without car seats here.) In the end, trains felt like the better call: no need to install car seats, no navigating foreign roads, and a chance for the kids to experience something totally new.

We also had this idea that train travel in Europe is easy and romantic. Spoiler again: it can be—but only after you sweat your way through logistics and juggling gear while trying not to lose your children on a platform.

Where We Went

There’s no direct train from Lisbon to Régua, so we went through Porto both times. It added time, but it was the most straightforward option with kids.

Which Trains We Took

From Lisbon to Porto, we took the Alfa Pendular (Portugal’s high-speed rail system) and booked Conforto class—equivalent to first class. We wanted the seat selection, guaranteed spots together, and hopefully a smoother ride.

Important to note: some of the seats on this train are backward-facing and that wasn’t clear to me on the seat map. I struggle with motion sickness, and the backward seat nearly did me in. If you (or your kid) are prone to it, definitely do a little extra research before booking.

The second leg, Porto to Régua, was on the InterRegional line. No seat selection, no first-class options, and a much more old-school vibe. Same for the return trip.

What It Cost

Just a heads-up: train prices in Portugal vary depending on the route, date, and time of day—so use this as a ballpark, not a guarantee. I’m sharing our specific fares below just to show how affordable train travel can be, especially with kids.

• Lisbon to Régua (two legs, including first class): €52.15 for adult ticket in first class, €29.85 per kid (50% discount), total: €111.85
• Régua to Porto: €10.85 for adult, €4.45 per kid (50% discount), total: €19.75

Getting to the Train Station in Lisbon

We left from Lisboa-Oriente, one of the main train stations in Lisbon. We chose this one from Lisbon’s many stations simply because it was closest to our hotel, Hyatt Regency Lisbon. Since we were traveling with 2 adults, 3 kids, 2 strollers, and all of our luggage, we split into two separate Ubers (Ubers in Portugal don’t require car seats—more on how I travel without car seats here).

My driver asked which type of transportation I was taking and dropped me right where I needed to be for trains. My friend’s driver didn’t—and she got dropped on the opposite end of the station. Lisboa-Oriente station is huge, and we had a really hard time finding each other, which added a lot of stress right at the start.

Once we were actually looking for our train, it was easier to navigate. There were signs pointing to where we needed to go, and a big board listing the track numbers for upcoming trains. But our train wasn’t on the board yet, so we asked at the ticket counter. The woman there was super helpful and told us our track number.

Platform Access and Delays

Boarding the Train: Chaos, But Doable

Boarding was exactly what I was dreading. This was the part that had always held me back from train travel with kids. The idea of juggling two toddlers, a folded double stroller, a spinner suitcase, and a backpack while boarding and exiting a train… just thinking about the logistics made me anxious. In fact, I’ve actively avoided it on past trips. When we visited London, I spent way more money than I needed to on a taxi from Heathrow to our hotel—just to avoid the stress of figuring out the train situation with kids and luggage in tow.

But this time, we didn’t have much choice. And I’ll be honest—it was chaotic. We made it work, but those few minutes of trying to wrangle everything and everyone onto the train had me sweating (literally and figuratively). It was the part I dreaded most, but it wasn’t quite as tricky as I’d feared.

Getting off the train was hard, as well. We had to line up before the train even stopped, get the kids off safely, and make sure they didn’t take off while I wrangled the stroller and luggage. I was so glad to have a friend with me. She got off first, then the kids, then I followed with the gear. If I had been solo, I’m honestly not sure I could have done it since my kids weren’t old enough to stay close and follow directions perfectly.

Onboard Experience: What It’s Really Like

Alfa Pendular’s Conforto class was very comfortable. I stored the folded stroller and suitcase in the luggage compartment at the front of the car without issue and kept my backpack with me.

The bathrooms were very much like airplane bathrooms—tight, but manageable. There was a power issue on our train that meant the air conditioning wasn’t working at full capacity and not all food options were available, but we were still able to charge our phones. Thankfully, it didn’t impact us too much. The seats were comfortable, and the kids were content, so it still felt like a relaxing part of our travel day.

Once the train started moving, a staff member came around to check our tickets and they also asked a few passengers for their passports. It wasn’t every single person, but it’s a good idea to keep your phone and passports handy and easily accessible just in case. Digging through bags with a toddler on your lap isn’t ideal.

Arriving in Porto Campanhã

When we got to Porto, we headed to the ticket counter to figure out a new train to Régua. The station was smaller and easier to navigate than Lisbon’s, but we still had to go down under the tracks and come back up to the lobby. The same tight elevators worked with the stroller, thankfully.

But then we hit a wall: the line at the ticket counter was 30 people deep, the station was insanely hot, and our kids were starting to melt down. It quickly became clear that waiting in that line with three overtired toddlers wasn’t going to end well. We needed a new plan.

Switching to Uber: Our Douro Valley Pivot

We checked the Uber app and found an Uber XXL van that could fit all of us plus our gear. After grabbing a snack from the station café—which, by the way, has a private customer bathroom that is way nicer than the public restrooms—we booked the ride. (See how I handle bathrooms when I travel solo with toddlers here.)

It cost about $190 USD, but by that point, it felt more than worth it. We were tired, sweaty, and needed a break from logistics.

Régua to Porto: Gorgeous, Easy, and My Favorite Leg

When it was time to leave the Douro Valley, we boarded the InterRegional train from Régua to Porto. This station was a dream compared to Lisbon—it’s small and simple, just a lobby that opens to a few outdoor tracks.

Getting on was still a balancing act with luggage and toddlers, but we made it. We stored the gear like before, and because it wasn’t crowded, we easily found seats together.

This train was older and cozier—leather bench seats, windows that opened, and a bathroom that felt like a real room rather than an airplane closet. Honestly, I liked it more than first class on the high-speed train.

That being said, if you find yourself on this route during a peak travel time when the train is packed, it might not feel quite so magical. We had plenty of space, but I could see the experience being very different if every seat was full.

And the views were breathtaking. The ride through the Douro Valley alone was worth the train ticket.

Arriving in Porto (Again)

We returned to Porto Campanhã station in Porto, and getting off the train was another round of “who’s grabbing what and where are the kids?” But this time, we had arranged private transport through our hotel (Hilton Porto Gaia), and the driver was waiting when we arrived. That alone made the ending feel smooth and put-together.

Final Thoughts: Trains in Portugal With Kids

Would I do it again? Honestly—probably not until my kids are a little older, unless I absolutely had to (or had more adults with me). There were moments of juggling, sweating, and more than one panicked “stay away from the edge!” yelled across the platform. But if you’ve got just one kid, or your little ones are a bit older and more independent, it’s a dream. The views, the value, and the ease (once you’re on board) really can’t be beat.

If you’re planning to travel to Portugal with kids, trains in Portugal are a great option—as long as you know what to expect, pack your patience, and maybe recruit a friend for backup.

Have questions about these tips or want advice from other solo parents? Join my free Facebook group for parents traveling alone with babies, toddlers, and young kids. You’ll find support, real-life answers, and tips from parents who’ve been there, wherever you’re headed in the world.