Centro is a broad NUTS II region of mainland Portugal stretching from the Atlantic coast to the Spanish border, anchored by the historic university city of Coimbra. It encompasses the mountain wilderness of the Serra da Estrela (mainland Portugal's highest range), the Roman ruins of Conimbriga, the pilgrimage town of Fatima, the canal city of Aveiro, and the big-wave surfing coast around Nazare. Centro pairs deep history with dramatic landscapes, from cliffside fishing villages to granite peaks and pine forests.
Centro Portugal is best explored using Coimbra as a rail hub for Aveiro and the Lisbon-Porto corridor, combined with a rental car for the inland highlights that trains do not reach - Serra da Estrela, Piodao, the Dao wine country, and the Fatima-Batalha-Alcobaca-Tomar monastery route. Intercity coaches from Rede Expressos and FlixBus often beat train fares on advance-purchase tickets, while within Coimbra the SMTUC bus network, the new Metrobus rapid-transit corridor, and the Elevador do Mercado funicular help with the city's steep hillside streets.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
| Option | Cost | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR 2.60 / USD 3.02 metro fare plus EUR 13.75-23.00 / USD 15.95-26.68 train fare | No direct train serves the airport; travelers take the Porto Metro (line E) into the city to Porto Campanha or Porto Sao Bento, then a CP Alfa Pendular or Intercidades train onward to Coimbra-B, a journey of roughly 1.5-2 hours total | ||
| EUR 9-23 / USD 10.44-26.68 | FlixBus and other coach operators run direct services from the airport to Coimbra without needing to transfer in central Porto, taking around 1 hour 50 minutes | ||
| EUR 1.65 / USD 1.91 metro fare plus EUR 17.60-23.00 / USD 20.42-26.68 train fare | The Lisbon Metro red line connects the airport to Oriente station, from which Alfa Pendular and Intercidades trains run directly to Coimbra-B in about 1.5-2 hours | ||
| EUR 9-20 / USD 10.44-23.20 | Rede Expressos and FlixBus run direct coaches from Lisbon's Sete Rios/Oriente terminals (reachable from the airport by metro) to Coimbra, useful when train services are disrupted | ||
| EUR 90-160 / USD 104.40-185.60 per vehicle depending on airport and group size | Pre-booked private transfer companies operate door-to-door service from either Porto or Lisbon airport to Coimbra or Aveiro hotels |
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Overview
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Check cp.pt before travel dates in 2026, as Linha do Norte disruptions have periodically suspended Alfa Pendular and Intercidades services between Lisbon, Coimbra and Porto
Coimbra-B (outside the center) is the main-line station; a short connecting train shuttles to the central Coimbra-A station, so confirm which one a ticket refers to
Rede Expressos and FlixBus advance tickets can be cheaper than CP trains on the same route, especially for Coimbra-Porto and Coimbra-Viseu
A rental car is close to essential for Serra da Estrela, Piodao and Dao wine country, none of which have practical rail access
Aveiro's historic center is small enough to walk; buses are mainly useful for reaching Costa Nova and Praia da Barra beaches
Book Serra da Estrela winter-weekend transport or car rental early, since snow days draw heavy weekend traffic from Lisbon and Porto
Coimbra's steep university-hill streets make the Elevador do Mercado funicular and the new Metrobus worth using instead of walking uphill with luggage