How To Get From Porto to Vigo (& Vice Versa)

Porto is the main city in Northern Portugal, and Vigo is the main city in the Spanish region of Galicia. The two cities are relatively close to each other, and many travelers decide to visit both cities on the same trip.

But how do you get from Porto to Vigo (and from Vigo to Porto) in the fastest, cheapest and most efficient way? Let’s take a look at the options.

Fastest way: Going by car on the E1 route. With no stops and normal traffic, it will take just an hour and a half.

Cheapest way: Take the bus for 12€. You can get on the bus at the terminal and buy the ticket from the driver.

Most comfortable way: The Renfe train. Enjoy the trip, sit down to relax, and get there in two and a half hours.

Upon arrival, you might need a place to stay. Read about the best hotels in Porto and the best hotels in Vigo to prepare your journey.

We will elaborate on each method of transportation below.

By train

Taking the train from Porto to Vigo (and vice versa) is the preferred option for most travelers.

It is easy, simple, comfortable, somewhat fast, and somewhat cheap.

The Spanish company RENFE is in charge of the journey, and it takes 2h22min according to the official schedule. In practice, it can be a bit faster or a bit slower. You have to get to the station a bit before the train departs, so that is some extra travel time that you need to factor in.

The Porto-Vigo train is known under the name “Trencelta”. It basically goes from the Porto Campanhã station to the Vigo Guixar station. Along the way it stops in only Nine, Viana da Castelo, and Valença do Minho.

Ticket prices start at 14.95€. Not too shabby for an international journey. You just get a regular seat if you pay 15€. If you pay a bit more, you can get first-class seats, but there isn’t a huge difference. Prices are relatively stable throughout the year, they don’t spike in the summer like train prices do elsewhere in Europe. You can buy your tickets on RENFE’s website.

You can get a small discount on your ticket price if you book a return ticket compared to buying two single tickets.

By bus

Several bus companies cover the route from Vigo to Porto and Porto to Vigo.

ALSA, Rede Expressos, and Flixbus are the main operators. The ticket prices depend on the day and can vary from 10€ to 20€. Usually, it will cost around 12€. If you use one of these main operators, you can buy your ticket online in advance.

ALSA and Rede buses often continue all the way to A Coruña.

However, there are also local buses and smaller private companies covering the journey. With these, you can just buy tickets from the driver. Ask the staff at the bus station and they will surely tell you when the next connection is.

In Porto, there are multiple bus terminals, but most buses depart and arrive from the terminal at Casa da Música which is quite central in the city. Some buses depart from the even more central terminal of Campo 24 de Agosto, near Bolhão.

In Vigo, almost all buses will go through the main terminal, known as Estación de Autobuses de Vigo, a little southeast of the city centre.

For practical reasons, most buses make a stop at Porto Airport, so if you are flying to Porto but vacationing in Vigo (this is quite common), taking the bus is a solid option. Many buses will also stop at other important places along the way, such as Braga and Tui.

By car

Driving yourself is the fastest way to travel between Vigo and Porto.

Assuming you make no stops and assuming traffic is normal or light, it takes only 1h30min to make the drive. This is faster than taking the train or the bus, so it is highly recommended if time is a priority for you.

In Portugal you will be driving on the A3 motorway and in Spain, you will be driving on the AP-9 motorway. These series of roads are both parts of the major European Route E1 in Western EU.

There are toll fees to use the roads, so you have to pay for that. Then there is the gas which also costs a bit since you have to drive around 160 kilometers. Car rental is another cost, in case you need a car. But it’s relatively easy to find solid prices for car rental in both Porto and Vigo.

Rideshare

There are Rideshare websites where you might be able to find others who are driving and by chipping in with some cash, you can tag along.

One of the most popular sites for finding rides is BlaBlaCar – it is very frequently used among Spaniards.

Unfortunately, there aren’t always drivers going from Porto to Vigo, so you might not be able to find something on your intended travel day. But try looking, because you never know. Ridesharing is certainly cheaper than driving yourself, and it’s a good way to get some company on the road.

Conclusion

Porto and Vigo are some great cities that are highly worth visiting. While Porto is a more popular city among international tourists, Vigo is frequently visited by Portuguese people and by Spanish domestic tourists, especially in the summer. So the infrastructure for travel is there, and if you are visiting either city, we certainly encourage you to visit the other one as well.

It is a great opportunity to visit two different countries in a short matter of time. Vigo offers some things that Porto does not, and vice versa. Porto is one of the prettiest cities in Europe and already well known among tourists, whereas Vigo is more industrial, known for its massive port. But they both have great attractions, and you can see some gorgeous nature along the way.