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

I've heard great reports of the Alfa Pendular tilting trains in Portugal, so I was really looking forward to an afternoon ride from Porto to Lisbon. This is undoubtedly Comboios de Portugal's flagship service and we are travelling 1st Class. So let's hope it is impressive!
One thing we can be sure of before we start is that it is a beautiful January day and therefore the views of Portugal's towns and countryside on the journey will be excellent.
Departure: Porto - Campanhã, Portugal
Destination: Lisbon - Santa Apolónia, Portugal
Distance: 337 km / 209 miles
Duration: 2 hrs 58 mins
Average speed: 114 km/h 70 mph
Cost: Adult single
1st Class: €47,40 / £40.50 (full price)
€28,50 / £24.40 (advance)
2nd Class: €33,90 / £29.00 (full price)
€20,50 / £17.50 (advance)
Date of Travel: January 2024
Operator: Comboios de Portugal (CP)
Motive power: CP Class 4000 Alfa Pendular EMU
Manufacturer: Fiat Ferroviaria (1999)
Thank you to everyone that supports the channel by subscribing, liking, commenting or just watching these videos. I really appreciate it!

[@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 👍

[@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 👍

[@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 👍

[@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 &" 👍

[@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 👍

[@kevincollis4768]

Excellent again JH

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks Kevin 👍

[@paulgibsonphotography]

Luv Your Videos Johnny

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks Paul. Very much appreciated 👍

[@Sim0nTrains]

Some great scenery on this journey, great video

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Thanks Simon 👍

[@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 👍

[@trailwayt9H337]

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 👍

[@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!

[@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. 👍

[@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 👍

[@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 👍

[@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! 👍

[@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 👍

[@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 👍

[@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! 👍

[@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

[@WINGSANDRAILS]

Cheep prices on Board!!!

[@JohnnyHooverTravels]

Yep! 👍

[@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 👍