PerkJolt
How do I get from Lisbon to Évora for a day trip?
Short answer: Take the CP Intercidades train or the Rede Expressos coach. Both take about 90 minutes each way, and both drop you within walking distance of the walled old town. The bus has more departures. The train has fewer, so pick your return time before you buy.
The details
- By bus (most flexible): The city of Évora says the Rede Expressos coach takes between 1h30 and 1h45 from Lisbon and that there are many departures. It lists a normal ticket at €11.90 ≈ $13 one way and €21.20 ≈ $24 round trip (checked Oct 12, 2026). The same page puts the bus terminal roughly a 10-minute walk from the historic center (checked Oct 12, 2026). Rede Expressos coaches typically leave Lisbon from the Sete Rios bus station, next to the Jardim Zoológico metro stop on the blue line. Fares vary by date and how early you book. Check rede-expressos.pt for the live timetable and price. That link comes from the University of Évora's directions page (checked Oct 12, 2026).
- By train (most comfortable): The same city page puts the Lisbon–Évora train at about 1h30 and says fares differ by 1st and 2nd class. It has listed only a handful of daily connections (checked Oct 12, 2026). CP's Lisboa Oriente–Évora–Beja timetable marks seat reservation as mandatory on Intercidades trains (checked Oct 12, 2026). Trains typically call at Lisboa Oriente and nearby Lisbon stations. CP also publishes a Lisbon-to-the-south timetable, valid since September 6, 2026, that includes Lisboa Oriente and Évora (checked Oct 12, 2026). Buy tickets on the CP site or app. Check the exact departure and return times there.
- By car: Lisbon airport is about 130 km from Évora (checked Oct 12, 2026). Allow roughly 1.5 hours without traffic. The usual route is the A2 and A6 motorways, then the N114. A car only pays off if you want to add the Almendres Cromlech or a winery. You will pay tolls and need to park, so confirm both before you go.
- By guided tour or private transfer: Many operators sell Évora day trips from Lisbon. They cost more than public transport but remove the logistics.
Tips
- Pick your return first. Because train departures are limited, check the last return from Évora before you commit. The bus gives you more room to change plans.
- Book the train early. Seat reservation is mandatory on Intercidades, so a sold-out train is possible on weekends and holidays.
- Leave early. Aim to arrive in Évora by late morning. That gives you a full afternoon in the old town.
- Check which Lisbon station you leave from. Rede Expressos and FlixBus typically use different stations, and trains stop at more than one. Match your ticket to the right one.
- Skip the extras on a tight day. Treat the stone circles and wineries as a reason to stay overnight, or to rent a car.
FAQ
Is Évora worth doing as a day trip from Lisbon?
Yes, if you are happy to focus on the walled old town. With about 1.5 hours each way, you get a comfortable day of sightseeing. The countryside sights are hard to fit in without a car, so stay overnight if you want those as well.
Is the train or the bus better?
The train is more comfortable but has fewer departures and needs a seat reservation. The bus has more departures and a published single fare of €11.90 ≈ $13 on the city's page. If your schedule is fixed, take the train. If you want flexibility on the return, take the bus.
Where do I buy tickets?
Buy train tickets from CP, Comboios de Portugal, at cp.pt, and bus tickets from Rede Expressos at rede-expressos.pt. FlixBus is the other coach option. Official sites show current times and fares, which change by date and booking window.
Want the whole trip planned? The PerkJolt Lisbon guide puts the routes, timing and points strategy in one place. Get the Lisbon guide
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See every question about Lisbon → /answers/lisbon/
Last verified: 2026-10-12. Train and bus timetables and fares are the most likely to change. Check cp.pt for trains and rede-expressos.pt for buses before you travel.
Good to know before you go
. Confirm hours, fees, schedules and road or trail status on the official page before you book or go.
Sources
- https://www.cm-evora.pt/en/visitante/como-chegar/transportes-publicos-comboio-e-autocarro/
- https://www.iiisirve.uevora.pt/como-chegar/
- https://www.cp.pt/info/en/search?q=horarios+comboios&modified=past-year&sort=createDate+&delta=60&start=9
- https://www.cp.pt/info/documents/d/cp/comboios-alfa-pendular-intercidades-lisboa-norte-sul