Living in Portugal

Portugal Trains: How to Buy Tickets, Get Around, and When It’s Better To Take The Bus Instead

A train station platform with several people sitting on benches under a canopy, waiting beside the yellow and white train. Train tracks run parallel in the foreground, and the sky is partly cloudy.

Last verified: July 2026. Portugal’s train prices and rules change often, and a lot of what’s written about them online is years out of date. Everything below was checked against cp.pt in July 2026. Portugal’s trains are old and they’re slow. But the train is still one of my favorite things about living here. It’s cheap, at least if you plan ahead. It goes to a lot of the main cities. Sometimes the AC even works. What follows is how …

A display of beef jerky products labeled "Azores Beef Jerky," with one package of pork jerky in the center. Each packet is paired with a bowl of jerky pieces. The setup is decorated with a festive red and green plaid border on a burlap cloth.

In this interview, Tricia Alker explains how she moved from the US to the island of Pico in the Azores. She talks about how they had initially planned to start another business within the seafood industry, but life had other plans and they ended up starting Azores Jerky, a beef jerky company. What motivated you to move from California to Pico island in the Azores? In 1998 my husband was asked by a colleague/friend in California to help in a …

View from an airplane window showing a blue sky with a few wispy clouds above and farmland below. The airplane's wing extends from the bottom right corner of the image. The window frame is partially visible.

Thousands of people move to Portugal every year and the vast majority of them end up staying, at least for a good few years. But some people decide that Portugal just isn’t the right fit for them. The reasons people decide this are endless, and are often very personal, but having spoken to lots of expats who’ve made this big decision, there are a few common reasons. The purpose of this article isn’t to present a list of reasons you …

A white and red Rede Expressos bus is parked at a bus station on a sunny day in Portugal. The bus station has a shelter and a few people sitting on benches. In the background, there are trees, residential buildings, and a tall apartment complex.

Following on from the article about getting around Portugal by train, I’ve put together a guide to getting around Portugal by bus. I’ve travelled extensively by bus here – taking buses throughout the country and even into Spain as well. Portugal has an extensive bus network that is made up of two types of buses which I think of as “local buses” and “coaches.” The coaches are usually for trips lasting for several hours but can be as little as …

A person is holding a tablet displaying an Amazon webpage. The webpage shows a search for Portuguese dictionaries, featuring listings for "Oceano Pocket Dictionary" and "Dicionário de Portugais 100% Visual." The handheld tablet has a black case.

Yes, you can shop at Amazon from Portugal. Amazon doesn’t have a warehouse in Portugal so you’ll have to shop at one of the Amazon stores in another country (for example Amazon UK, Spain, or Germany). Which Amazon should you shop at? Generally speaking, Amazon.es (Amazon Spain) is the best option for several reasons: The second best option is Amazon.de (Amazon Germany). The products are sometimes cheaper here, but you will typically need to pay for postage and, due to …

12 Of the Most Expat-Friendly Places in Portugal

In this guide, we’ll take you on a fun and exciting journey through the best places to live in Portugal as an expat. We’ll explore the vibrant city life of Porto and the beauty of the North of Portugal, the peaceful charm of the Silver Coast, and the laid-back lifestyle of the Algarve in the south. Along the way, we’ll give you a taste of what life could be like in each of these amazing locations, so you can find …

A blue and red Commuter train labeled "2295" rides on a double-track railway under clear skies. The train, belonging to Comboios de Portugal (CP), is moving through a rural area with power lines and a bridge visible in the background, showcasing the scenic beauty of Portugal.

If you don’t drive, or just don’t want to drive, you can easily get around mainland Portugal by public transport (Madeira and The Azores can be a little trickier). Public transport in Portugal is good, particularly if you’re going to large towns or cities. Some of the smaller towns and villages are a little harder to get to, and usually have fewer services, but it’s almost always doable, although sometimes you’ll have to rely on taxis as well. Cities like …

A narrow, steep staircase in Alfama lined with colorful buildings on both sides in an urban setting. The left side features pastel yellow and pink walls, while the right side has earthy tones. A pigeon is walking near the bottom, and a person is visible in the distance.

As a prospective expat considering a move to Portugal, safety is likely one of your top concerns. This article explores various aspects of safety in Portugal to help you make an informed decision about relocating. Overall Safety The main takeaway is this: If you come from most countries in the world, Portugal will feel a lot safer. Coming from the UK? Much safer. From the US? Much, much safer. From South Africa? Much, much safer. Portugal is generally considered one …

A hand is holding a clear glass under a chrome kitchen faucet, filling it with water. The background features white tile walls.

When you move to Portugal, sorting out your water supply is key, along with sorting out other utilities like electricity and gas and arranging home internet. In Portugal, water services are managed by local municipalities. This means you don’t get much choice with your provider; it depends on where you live. Each area has its own supplier, and information about your specific provider is available through your local municipality. For example, Aguas de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo looks after …

A person wearing black-rimmed glasses looks upwards, with a contemplative expression. Above their head, "CONS." and "PROS." are written, separated by a vertical and horizontal line, suggesting a comparison chart. The background is grey and plain.

You’ve done your research, watched the videos, read the blog posts. Sunshine, beaches, cheap wine, €10 lunches. That sounds perfect. A little too perfect maybe? Don’t get me wrong—there’s a lot to love about Portugal. And I truly think it’s a great place to live. But the Portugal that’s advertised online—by lawyers, realtors, and YouTubers who’ve only been in the country for about five minutes—is very different from the reality. I think that’s why you sometimes see those Portugal SUCKS …

Portugal Trains: How to Buy Tickets, Get Around, and When It’s Better To Take The Bus Instead

Interview: How Tricia & Griff Alker Started a Beef Jerky Business in the Azores

16 Honest Reasons People End Up Leaving Portugal

Getting Around Portugal by Bus: How It Works and When to Use It

How To Shop At Amazon from Portugal

12 Of the Most Expat-Friendly Places in Portugal

Public Transport in Portugal: Trains, Buses, Metro — What Goes Where

Is Portugal Safe to Live In? An Honest Look Beyond the Glossy Crime Statistics

Getting Your Water Connected in Portugal

16 Honest Cons of Living in Portugal That Nobody Talks About (and 11 Pros)