We're wanting to travel from Oporto across the border to Salamanca in Spain. On the map it looks as if it should be simple, maybe a train via Coimbra, but I've heard stories that it takes an extraordinarily long time and involves very awkward arrival times.
Can anyone recommend an easy way to make this journey? We're open to train, plane or bus.
Many thanks for any advice.
rideshare may be an option - i believe train/ bus quite long as not really direct service, tales about 8 plus hours.
Just took a look at www.cp.pt for train info - EN button at to right of screen gives translation.
Porto to Salamanca around 8 hours travelling time with two changes. Overnight journey too with an early morning arrival time.
If the technology has worked, this is one of the options I found..
http://www.cp.pt/sites/passageiros/en/train-times/Train-time-results#!
There used to be a boat that goes from Oporto to Salamanca.
I think it was expensive, but I believe the journey worth it.
Takes some time but the views are breath taking.
All the best,
There used to be a boat that goes from Oporto to Salamanca.
This seems strange because Salamanca is not situated on the Douro. On top there are a number of dams in the river and I don't know if these can be bypassed by a boat.
Yes it sounds weird, but it's true. =)
In the dams there are elevatory passages for the boats. Passing these dams is a show by it self.
The river Tormes that pass by Salamanca, ends on Douro or Duero (since it is in Spain already), so that's how the connection is made.
I've made some research and I found this.
http://www.roteirododouro.com/cruzeiros-no-douro/cruzeiro-vale-do-douro-e-salamanca-5n#tabela
It's a cruise of 5 days and arrives at Salamanca only on the 4th day.
And it was necessary to negotiate the one way only ticket.
I think it's expensive and probably out of plans.
Lol =)
You are very welcome. I was starting to feel kind of stupid with that suggestion. I'm glad that the information ended being useful.
Note that the 7 days cruise is cheaper then the 5 days one!! :-\
Thank you too. =)
I did actually once sail quite a long way up the Douro, though nowhere near as far as the Spanish border. I remember one truly spectacular deep lock where our boat was floated to a much higher level.
If Salamanca is so hard to reach from Portugal, what's the nearest easy entry point to Spain?
Don't give up yet.
I found this link with a lot of interesting info.
http://infocomboio.com/search-comboio-de-oporto-cidade-para-salamanca.html
It might help.
Cheers