Cunning plan required to get to Pinhal Novo, Lisbon from London

[30907]

Also does anyone know if the Madrid Atocha train needs a seat reservation to go with my interrail pass?

Depends which.
If it's a MD, then yes, if the earlier train at 0804 then it's classed as Regional Express so probably not but I would check anyway.

 

[Giugiaro]

The Raiano has been reinforced with two coupled railcars, so it should be OK.

 

[Richard Scott]

Looking at doing route from Madrid to Badajoz in early August (Saturday 6th) and then onwards into Portugal but getting information seems to be akin to getting blood from a stone. Latest information indicates a train around 08.30 from Madrid and is shown as IC190. Is this loco hauled or a unit? Can anyone even confirm it runs? Renfe information pretty appalling to say the least. Thanks in advance.

 

[stuu]

Looking at doing route from Madrid to Badajoz in early August (Saturday 6th) and then onwards into Portugal but getting information seems to be akin to getting blood from a stone. Latest information indicates a train around 08.30 from Madrid and is shown as IC190. Is this loco hauled or a unit? Can anyone even confirm it runs? Renfe information pretty appalling to say the least. Thanks in advance.

The first bit of the high speed line opens on 19 July. The service is going to be one Alvia (bi-mode high speed unit), and one intercity (loco + coaches). The intercity is the one leaving at 830

 

[Richard Scott]

The first bit of the high speed line opens on 19 July. The service is going to be one Alvia (bi-mode high speed unit), and one intercity (loco + coaches). The intercity is the one leaving at 830

Thanks for that, explains lack of info. Loco and coaches will be electric part way for 334 forward or 334 throughout?

 

[HS2isgood]

Loco and Talgo VI trainset, 334 (probably two) all the way.

 

[Richard Scott]

Loco and Talgo VI trainset, 334 (probably two) all the way.

Thanks for info. Better option than unit on previous timetable!

 

[Ian99]

Interesting - does that improve the journey time Madrid to Lisbon?

 

[stuu]

The high speed line will reduce the journey time to Badajoz by ~45 minutes. No idea what happens across the border, but Seat 61 says the onward train isn't until the evening so unless that is retimed it just gives you more time in Badajoz.

 

[Richard Scott]

The high speed line will reduce the journey time to Badajoz by ~45 minutes. No idea what happens across the border, but Seat 61 says the onward train isn't until the evening so unless that is retimed it just gives you more time in Badajoz.

The train across the border is still departing at the same time.

 

[HS2isgood]

It's expected that the Madrid-Sevilla train, changing to the Puertollano-Badajoz will give a better connection to Portugal, as they do now. However, that makes the Madrid-Lisbon journey three changes.

 

[Richard Scott]

As an aside there will be two 334 hauled departures from Chamartin Station between 08.00 and 08.30 soon, one to Almeria and one to Badajoz.
Does anyone know if security checks are carried out before boarding? Assume not at Atocha as they use suburban platforms? Does thinking might try and scoop locos by doing a local leap (have done it from Atocha to Chamartin) during the morning when I'm there in August if I can.

 

[HS2isgood]

As an aside there will be two 334 hauled departures from Chamartin Station between 08.00 and 08.30 soon, one to Almeria and one to Badajoz.
Does anyone know if security checks are carried out before boarding? Assume not at Atocha as they use suburban platforms? Does thinking might try and scoop locos by doing a local leap (have done it from Atocha to Chamartin) during the morning when I'm there in August if I can.

There's no control but don't try it, you may be fined. It's not allowed to do Chamartín to Atocha in LD trains.

 

[Richard Scott]

There's no control but don't try it, you may be fined. It's not allowed to do Chamartín to Atocha in LD trains.

Ok, thanks. Not even with an Interrail ticket? Sounds like solution will be to hold relevant reservations for train (to whatever first valid station is) and get off early if needs be?

 

[Watershed]

Ok, thanks. Not even with an Interrail ticket? Sounds like solution will be to hold relevant reservations for train (to whatever first valid station is) and get off early if needs be?

Yes, but it'll cost you an arm and a leg!

 

[HS2isgood]

The first station that tickets are sold to is Torrijos

 

[Richard Scott]

Yes, but it'll cost you an arm and a leg!

Ok, will have to see when I get there! Think a res last year was about 7 Euros so may take Almeria train out to suitable point for return one back, any suggestions of a good mid point location? Somewhere where I could see some freight would be good? Sorry going off topic here but my knowledge of Spanish Railways is very limited as you can tell!

 

[Dren Ahmeti]

I'd be interested in your experience of this trip, whichever options you use.

I'd been planning to do a London-Lisbon journey (sometime post-pandemic) in 24 hours - morning Eurostar to Paris, TGV to Hendaye/Irun, sleeper to Lisbon. Efficient, civilised, and just 2 changes.

However, with the sleeper to Lisbon not returning, it sounds like what might have been possible in 24 hours can now barely be done easily and reliably by rail in 48! If it's that much faff, then I might never make my planned Lisbon trip at all.

I personally did London-Lisbon in just over 24 hours in August 2019.
07:01 ES from St Pancras (avoiding a very early start from Reading)
12:47 TGV to Hendaye (which I nearly missed when I had to wait ages in Burger King, then I promptly dropped my drink on the platform…)
18:35 Sleeper to Lisboa-Sta. Apolonia arriving 07:30.

Absolute bliss - easy connections etc, but I’d definitely do the ferry route nowadays with no sleeper connection - the Badajoz train is a nightmare.

 

[AlbertBeale]

I personally did London-Lisbon in just over 24 hours in August 2019.
07:01 ES from St Pancras (avoiding a very early start from Reading)
12:47 TGV to Hendaye (which I nearly missed when I had to wait ages in Burger King, then I promptly dropped my drink on the platform…)
18:35 Sleeper to Lisboa-Sta. Apolonia arriving 07:30.

Absolute bliss - easy connections etc, but I’d definitely do the ferry route nowadays with no sleeper connection - the Badajoz train is a nightmare.

Yes - that was exactly my plan for this year ... except that the sleeper is no more. It's hard to believe that European transport options are getting worse and less civilised. A day train plus a sleeper (when there is one), with only a couple of changes of train after leaving London, should open up half of Europe for easy access within 24 hours or little more.

So which ferry route would give you good timings for London-Lisbon now? Is there a way that has quick and easy connections?? (Years ago there was the direct weekly Southampton-Lisbon ferry; rather more than 24 hours, but I found it useful.)

 

[30907]

Yes - that was exactly my plan for this year ... except that the sleeper is no more. It's hard to believe that European transport options are getting worse and less civilised. A day train plus a sleeper (when there is one), with only a couple of changes of train after leaving London, should open up half of Europe for easy access within 24 hours or little more.

So which ferry route would give you good timings for London-Lisbon now? Is there a way that has quick and easy connections?? (Years ago there was the direct weekly Southampton-Lisbon ferry; rather more than 24 hours, but I found it useful.)

The only realistic option is Brittany to Santander - at least it docks near the station.
But you then have to tackle a cross-country journey to Vigo - which you might be able to do without an overnight stop - before heading into Porto.

 

[LocoCycle]

The only realistic option is Brittany to Santander - at least it docks near the station.
But you then have to tackle a cross-country journey to Vigo - which you might be able to do without an overnight stop - before heading into Porto.

Last time I looked, Brittany weren't accepting foot passengers, only people with cars.

 

[Peterthegreat]

Last time I looked, Brittany weren't accepting foot passengers, only people with cars.

Some routes, including those to Santander do accept foot passengers. Others don't.

 

[Giugiaro]

Ticket Office and Conductor strike will remain for next month.

 

[Richard Scott]

Ticket Office and Conductor strike will remain for next month.

How far in advance are dates if strikes released? Only asking as going in August for a few days and want to be prepared in case it goes on. Thanks.

 

[Giugiaro]

@Richard Scott the same as in June. Please refer to this post.