London to Porto train

Trains from Porto to London

As Porto is a fair distance from London, and are furthermore separated from each other by the North Sea. So predictably, there are no direct trains from Porto to London. You will first have to travel between Porto and Vigo which takes around 2h and 22min. From Vigo you will travel to Madrid with a journey time of around 5h and 33min. From Madrid you will go to Barcelona and then Paris which takes around 10h and 20min. Finally you will need to catch a Eurostar to cross the English Channel from Paris to London, taking around 2h and 30min.

Porto to London Train Time: Daily Departures

At the time of writing, there is only one departure a day from Porto to London, and only on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. The single daily departure leaves from Campanhã Railway Station in Porto at 8:13 a.m. every day of the week.

How long is the journey by train from Porto to London?

The total journey by train from Porto to London will take more than 34h, with at least one overnight stop in Madrid. You will first have to travel between Porto and Vigo which takes around 2h and 22min. At Vigo, you will have to wait 3h and 57min before boarding a train to Madrid, with a journey time of around 5h and 33min. Once in Madrid you will need to stay overnight for 9h and 25min. From Madrid you will go to Barcelona and then Paris which takes around 10h and 20min, including a 45min wait in Barcelona. Finally you will need to catch a Eurostar to cross the English Channel from Paris to London, taking around 2h and 30min.

What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Porto to London?

Departure train station: The departure station from Porto is the Campanhã Railway Station slightly east of the city centre. It is a 17 min drive from the city centre, and is also connected to the Porto Metro, with local intercity and commuter services. The station has waiting rooms, vending machines and cafes, toilets, and coin operated lockers.

Arrival train station: London St Pancras International is the station you will be arriving at in London after crossing the English Channel with Eurostar. London St Pancras International is located in the borough of Camden Town, which is slightly north of the London city centre. Sharing a London Underground station with King's Cross St Pancras, you can conveniently catch the tube to anywhere in central London from the station. Facilities include high street and boutique shops, cash machines, free Wi-Fi, currency exchange, and toilets.

London Bus. Source: Shutterstock

Which train companies travel from Porto to London?

As the journey from Porto to London involves multiple train changes between different countries, you will get to experience the services of multiple train companies. The connection between Porto and Vigo is operated by Comboios de Portugal under the name Celta. The high speed trains through Spain from Vigo to Madrid and Madrid to Barcelona are operated by Renfe. The train from Barcelona to Paris is a TGV high speed train operated by SNCF. Finally, the trains from Paris to London going through the Channel Tunnel are operated by Eurostar.

Celta trains between Porto and Vigo

The journey between Porto and Vigo is via an air conditioned regional train. The journey takes around 2h and 22min.

Renfe trains from Vigo to Barcelona

Renfe operates a high speed Alvia train from Vigo to Madrid, which is capable of reaching speeds up to 250 km/h (155 mph) and links Vigo to Madrid in 5h and 33min. Renfe operates the luxurious AVE high speed train from Madrid to Barcelona, which are capable of reaching speeds up to 310 km/h (193 mph) and links Madrid to Barcelona in just 2h and 50min.

SNCF trains from Barcelona to Paris

SNCF operates a high speed TGV train from Barcelona to Paris, which is capable of reaching speeds up to 300 km/h (186 mph) and links Barcelona to Paris in 6h and 45min.

Eurostar trains from Paris to London

Eurostar operates a high speed train from Paris to London through the channel tunnel, which is capable of reaching speeds up to 300 km/h (186 mph) and links Paris to London in around 2h and 30min.

London Purple Bridge. Source: Shutterstock

Train between Porto and Vigo: Services on Board

The regional trains between Porto and Vigo are air conditioned with no classes. Three items of luggage are allowed on board per person as long as they are no bigger than 85 x 55 x 35 cm and they fit in the baggage spaces. Bikes are allowed on board if they are packed or disassembled and measure no more than 120 x 90 x 40 cm. Full sized bikes can only be taken on board if there are less than 3 bikes already on board the train. Unless it is a guide dog, passengers can only take aboard one pet weighing up to 10 kg in a transport box no larger than 60 x 35 x 35 cm.

While guide dogs can accompany blind persons for free, thay have to be kept on a short lead and possess a vaccination card and dog licence. Renfe’s trains have free Wi-Fi and power sockets at all seats. There is a cafe bar which sells hot and cold drinks, snacks and warm food. There are 3 classes, which are: Turista, Turista Plus and Preferente. Preferente includes food and wine at your seat. Three items of hand luggage are allowed on board per person as long as they are no bigger than 85 x 55 x 35 cm and the sum of the three does not exceed 25 kg or 290 cm. Bikes that can be folded and disassembled and put inside a bag, and are considered hand luggage if smaller than 180 cm, or special luggage if larger, with maximum dimensions of 120 x 90 x 40 cm. Unless it is a guide dog, passengers can only take aboard one pet weighing up to 10 kg in a transport box no larger than 60 x 35 x 35 cm. Those who have mobility problems or other disabilities can request a wheelchair, be assisted through the station and receive help getting on and off the train. SNCF’s TGV trains have a 2nd class and a 1st class. 1st class offers more leg and elbow room and all seats have charging points for laptops and mobile phones, while most, but not all 2nd class seats have a power socket.

Most trains have Wi-Fi on board, and there is a cafe bar which serves hot and cold drinks, snacks, and warm food. Luggage is not strictly restricted, but bikes have to be disassembled and covered with a max size of 120 x 90 cm. 2 pets per passenger are allowed on board, which need to be either muzzled or transported in a basket no larger than 45 x 30 x 25 cm, unless a guide dog. Eurostar trains have three travel classes to choose from: Standard, Standard Premier, and Business Premier. Standard Premier includes a light meal and drinks, and extra spacious seats over a Standard ticket. Business Premier includes exclusive lounges; a taxi booking service; hot meals designed by Raymond Blanc, with champagne; in addition to extra spacious seats. Standard class and standard premier allow 2 pieces of luggage and a hand luggage, while Business Premier allows 3 pieces of luggage and a hand luggage. Coaches 3,9,10 or 14 have a ramp for wheelchair access.

How to find cheap train tickets from Porto to London?

Book in advance- the earlier you book, the better your chances are of finding the best deals. Eurostar allows you to change your booking as many times as you want with no exchange fee for up to 14 days. Less popular journeys- ie. ones that are slower or have many changes are usually cheaper. Our Omio magazine also has useful tips to help you discover how to travel.

To London by train—travel tips

From London Bridge and St. Paul’s Cathedral, to the Shard and all manner of exciting exhibitions and displays, London is full of things to see, old and new, with many of them free to visit. Children will have fun with underwater creatures at SEALIFE London Aquarium or learn about the latest in science and technology at the Science Museum. London is abound with other such museums such as the Natural History Museum and British Museum for a journey through time, or Victoria and Albert Museum and Tate Modern for art.