Porto/Braga or Lisbon for Semanta Santa? | Portugal - Lonely Planet Forum

ONLINE

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 06:40:02 +0000

Hi,

I'll be in Portugal during the week of Semanta Santa next year. As I'm coming in from Madrid and planning to fly out to Paris, I'm wondering whether I should go to the Porto-Braga area or Lisbon for Semanta Santa. I understand that there are some great festivities going on at Braga during that time, my question is, what's on in Lisbon for Semanta Santa week? If there's more excitement in Braga, I'd rather start north and work my way down to Lisbon.

But then, how do I get to Porto/Braga from Madrid? How much would the cheapest ticket cost for direct, non-transfer overnight buses/trains? I found sleeper trains from Madrid to Lisbon at 33 Euros advance fare, and I don't know how convenient buses/trains are from Madrid to Porto.

Thanks.

ONLINE

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 09:11:01 +0000

All the train options are shown here. There are direct buses from Madrid to Porto here. (Choose "Oporto".)

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ONLINE

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 02:30:38 +0000

Thanks. But I don't really understand the Spanish in the bus website, and I think something was lost in the translated version. Can you tell me how long in advance I have to book the bus seat to secure the advance purchase tickets (which are presumably cheaper?)

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ONLINE

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 07:05:30 +0000

Advance purchase.Portugal

Low cost fares
Purchase more than 10 days in advance
I clicked on the Advance Purchase link and this is what came up in English. I've simply copied-pasted from the site:

Spain - Portugal route
Departures from Spain only.
Type of ticket: Single, closed return
Places limited
No changes allowed
No cancellations allowed
Promotion valid from 21/04/2006 to 31/03/2010
Dates excluded from the offer: None

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