How good is Portugal's flagship tilting train? Alfa Pendular from Porto to Lisbon.

[@Eurobazz]

A very nice video Johnny. Thanks for not including a toilet tour. They never go down well when you're eating dinner.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I'm sticking with the "no toilet tour unless it is particularly interesting " rule. So I cannot guarantee toilet-free vids across your dinner time! Actually the one I'm editing today features a grotty toilet. So advance warning there... Thanks for the kind words 👍

[@luisrodrigues4497]

I really hope you enjoyed your stay, just like you I´m super excited to see the high speed line in action.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

@luisrodrigues4497 i always enjoy Portugal! And i look forward to coming back to try out the new line when it opens. Thanks so much for watching the video 👍

[@arthurtownsend8843]

Lisbon is one of my favourite cities, kept very clean and much for the train enthusiast to enjoy. I await to hear of your four days there, but I expect that at least one of the three funiculars, and the old tram will feature. The modern trams are fine travel too. I hope you had time to travel from Rossi station (a fine piece of architecture) on the local trains to Sintra to see the Moorish castle there.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Haha. Sorry to disappoint, but I meant that I was in Portugal for four days. Was actually in Lisbon for less than 24 hours. But I will probably return and tick off some of that list though! Apologies to disappoint, but thanks for watching 👍

[@joaquimsantos9311]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels Oh... But you really have to go to Sintra! You will love the place (not only the Castle, which indeed is beautiful; but Sintra, all over); And don´t forget to try the "Queijadinhas". P.S.: Very very nice video! And Lisboa Rossio Train Station - well, Arthur just said everything!

[@vetex007]

Hey Jonny, I absolutely loved seeing your video, growing up in Portugal and not having a car all the way through university I was a daily user of rail transport in Portugal. It's nice to see that Portugal remains committed to quality rail infrastructure and that it still remains popular. And isn't it wonderful that now all the world can have a glimpse of what it's like through enthusiasts like you. Well done.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Oh thank you so much. Very nice of you indeed. I have a couple of videos from Portugal already on the channel with two more coming out in the next week or two. Thanks for watching this one 👍

[@ampersand.]

What a lush and sunny trip - it could`ve been summer out there. Thanks for another bright and cheerful report, always much enjoyed here at "& Towers" :)

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

You know me. Mostly bright and cheerful when travelling 😀 Best wishes to all at the "Big &" 👍

[@nicholashall4625]

It’s worth noting a couple of things. If you are over 65 the tickets cost 50% less. When booking online CP Combois they will ask you to enter an identity e.g. passport number. They don’t always check this ID document when they come around but most times they do. So make sure to have it handy. This is especially important if you book the 65+ tickets

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

@@nicholashall4625 good point and thanks for adding it. I'm not quite 65, but no doubt many viewers are! Thanks for watching 👍

[@bluemanchester4344]

Can you buy at a machine or counter and get the discount or just online? And for non nationals?

[@jonhigginson4096]

Do not know why I haven’t visited Portugal yet? Even have friends near to Coimbra. It looks fabulous but all I ever do is fly straight over it on my way to Lanzarote! Another fab film, look forward to the next Johnny. Cheers.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks Jon. Yes, I heartily recommend it, and the flight is a fair bit shorter from the UK too! 👍

[@peterdnreynolds777]

Excellent video, beautiful scenery

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks Peter. I loved making it. It was a great ride! 👍

[@ernestbailey9194]

Had a beautiful ride from Cascais to Cais So Sodre. Just outside Lisbon. Beautiful scenery that follows the sea then the river. The only problem was when trying to buy a ticket, as we didn't speak Portuguese and they didn't speak English,but somehow we managed to get a ticket. We walked into Lisbon and it was unbelievable,so much History and cobbled streets everywhere. The trams were brilliant too. Lovely people and scenery to die for.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

well, just between you and me, I took the ride to Cascais and walked back through Estoril the following day. So you just might be seeing that one quite soon 😉 Best wishes to you and thanks for watching 👍

[@Sim0nTrains]

Some great scenery on this journey, great video

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks Simon 👍

[@horsehollerer]

I've never actually been on a train in Portugal but I do have a lot of time for both Porto and Lisboa. Great stuff. Hope you enjoyed the capital city!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

It was a brief stay in Lisboa... there will be something about that coming out quite soon... Best wishes 👍

[@johnstephens649]

Only did the run from Porto to Aviero and back but seemed very sharp and a good service. Trains in Portugal all felt they were run properly and well funded unlike another country I could mention…

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes it was a great run. But CP is short of new rolling stock, so they not be as well funded as it looks. But the Alfa Pendular is a very decent train. 👍

[@walterfillingham]

Cracking run, I just can’t imagine such modern trains ever existing here in the Highlands in Inverness. The only thing I didn’t like the look of was the rubbish bin in front of you when you were in your seat. It’s just looked like it would be right in my way were I like to put my left leg..

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

haha, that bin would probably be OK. I would have thought a bit of tilting tech on the lines into Inverness could speed things up a bit. Although it does take a bit of trackside investment to make it happen and your votes are a very long way away from London...😉

[@librarian16]

There used to be a lot of fruit stalls on the London Underground. I think the firm was called Walton and I used two branches at Earls Court and another at King's Cross.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Now you mention it, I do recall them. Thanks for watching 👍

[@PAULOSOUSADIAS]

Just a small correction: Vila Nova de Gaia is actually a city in its own right, not the southern part of the city of Porto.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks for that correction. My apologies to the good people of Vila Nova de Gaia. Thanks too for watching 👍

[@uriellobao6643]

Vila Nova de Gaia is a poor outlying village, there should never be an Alfa Pendular stop.

[@trailwayt9HG]

Sir Your this effort is very appreciable for introducing Lisbon - Appalonia railway route. I am really enjoyed this video ❤️

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

You are very welcome. Thank you for the kind words and thank you for watching 👍

[@paulgibsonphotography]

Luv Your Videos Johnny

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks Paul. Very much appreciated 👍

[@seandavies3968]

We did this journey on the Alfa from Faro to Porto via Lisbon. Great trains, like all the trains in Portugal. I really want to visit the Portuguese railways again. Such good value and some beautiful stations. Also want to visit their railway museum.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I agree with all of that, although they really do need some more rolling stock! Thanks for watching 👍

[@kevincollis4768]

Excellent again JH

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks Kevin 👍

[@garrytuohy9267]

Really living the high-life there Johnny. But do they serve any of those Custard Tarts onboard?

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

no, didn't see any. And you can buy them pretty much everywhere else! Thanks for watching another! 👍

[@lidiasantos8412]

Love the vídeo, although im portuguese, i have never riden a train and in setptrmber i Will go by alpha pendular from porto tô lisbon

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

@@lidiasantos8412 as you see, it is a lovely ride. I'm sure you will enjoy it. Best wishes to you from Devon, UK 👍

[@Drago1995]

6:49 thats my home city xP

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yay! Thanks for watching 👍

[@luisagutierrez4174]

Hello Johnny! I would like to travel to Lisbon from Porto from Sao Bento Station, on the train website the ticket said that I need to take a train to Campanha and after to Lisbon (as a connection) but they give only 6 minutes to take the second train. Do you know something about it? Thanks!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

It is probably enough, but why panic? Just get an earlier train from Sao Bento to Campanha. They are quite regular. thanks for watching too 👍

[@imsbvs]

I have travelled a few times on this route, generally the trains have been late. But they are comfortable seem wider than UK trains. Perhaps it's the same gauge track as in Spain?

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yes, Portugal runs on Iberian gauge, so yes, they are just a bit wider. All my travels over the week, the trains were all on time - I must have a lucky face 😉 Thanks for watching another 👍

[@scottguy5452]

I was on it two weeks ago in the opposite direction and it was already 15 minutes late by Oriente

[@mikewestern9925]

Do you have any videos about purchase tickets and should we use a rail pass.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

@@mikewestern9925 there's so many choices. I suggest you start with The Man in Seat 61 Best wishes for your travels 👍

[@marcussharpley5654]

Lived in other countries in Europe and these trains really need an upgrade. I see the gov has announced privatizing the system for future upgrades to new trains, new tracks and an updated systems. The AP is good but 15 to 20 years behind most of the rest of Europe where they have new trains.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

@@marcussharpley5654 ah i hadn't seen that news about future upgrades. Thanks for that. And thanks too for watching 👍

[@marcussharpley5654]

@JohnnyHooverTravels I would appreciate them fixing the darn ticket machines. Those touch screens are horrible. They basically do not work and it's so annoying.

[@mracer8]

If I purchase online. Do I still need to go to ticket booth and get paper ticket?

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

@@mracer8 I'm not sure. You'd better check with the CP website or have a look in the CP app. Things do change... Thanks for watching 👍

[@jcoolbeing]

Hi, love the videos! Question did you need to ask in order to film or are they ok with that? Thanks

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

They seem ok in most countries and places. However, i have been challenged a few times by both station/security staff and members of the public (who would not like to be recorded) and this is always in the UK - obviously i stop when asked and never use any footage where people complain. I try to have as few shots as possible where people feature closely and definitely do not include children unless they are in the very far distance or with their back to the camera... but even then I will only use those shots if i don't have anything that can replace them. Thanks for your interest and thanks too for watching 👍

[@bluemanchester4344]

How long in advance did you need to book for the advance ticket price?

[@bluemanchester4344]

Answer was in the video! But I'll leave the comments for the algorithm!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

@@bluemanchester4344 no problem. Thanks for watching! 👍

[@nunovski2002]

CampaNHÃ, not CamPAnhã. PooSSInho, not "Pohtchinho". "Aveyro", not "Avahyro". I know, I know, Portuguese (not Brazilian) rarely has an exact correspondence between the spoken and written form, but still.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

@@nunovski2002 thanks for that. Will tweet to do better next time in Portugal! Thanks for watching too 👍

[@WINGSANDRAILS]

Cheep prices on Board!!!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yep! 👍

[@knightsafc2]

For a real experience, try traveling tourist/eco class next time. Generally the ride is ok, but at times has its setbacks like inadequate air conditioning systems or damaged seating. The train ride takes 3 hours. Which is approximately the same time you spend if you go by car. Toll makes going by car somewhat more expensive. There are pendular busses that cost not even a third of the train ticket and take three and a half hours. I’ve found the seats more comfortable in the busses. Alfa has too many stops in my opinion to be effective. Not nearly enough baggage space and tourist class could have more comfortable seats (compare to TGV or Sprinter trains) and maintenance of the interior could be better.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

@@knightsafc2 thanks for all that extra information. Most interesting 👍 And thanks too for watching! 👍

[@MrRicmeme]

pendular buses? uh? feels like a typical critic, good luck getting sick on those

[@knightsafc2]

@@MrRicmeme actually the pendular buses are very competitive and comparably comfortable to trains, suffer less from delays and strikes and take almost the same time for around 8€ a fare, depending on when and what you book. Have you ever travelled on a pendular bus between Porto and Lisbon? I have, guess what, didn’t get sick! 😊

[@knightsafc2]

@@JohnnyHooverTravels you’re welcome. I realize your focus is on trains, just wanted to share that info. Also, if you ever want to do the journey again, try taking the intercidades (intercity). It is opersted by the CP’s 5600 Series in general. I found them strangely more comfortable than the Alfa. They do take a tad longer, but not as much as you’d think. :)

[@MrRicmeme]

@@knightsafc2 You missed the point - the train is called Pendular from the original "Fiat Pendolino" train model, and it is so named because it tilts in a curve, like a motorcycle shifting as it hugs the curve left or right, in the case of the train it helps to allow it to reach in excess of 200km/h on curved paths. There's no such thing as a pendular/tilting bus, and if there was, it likely be nauseating for the passengers.

[@vicsams4431]

Loco hauled is better, if slower.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

I did enjoy both. Tomorrow's video is the Intercidades from Lisbon to Faro, so I can promise you some loco-hauled fun there 😀 Best wishes 👍

[@charlo90952]

Too much graffiti. It is a scourge.

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

@@charlo90952 there's a lot of it about in Portugal on their trains for sure 🤷‍♂️ Thanks for watching 👍