Travel to Porto and the Douro Valley

Given the wide range of travel options, our standard package prices do not include travel. If you are wondering how to get to the Douro Valley, the principle options are as follows:

How to Get to Porto and the Douro Valley

Fly

If travelling from the UK, there are direct flights from London Gatwick (Easyjet and TAP Portugal), London Stansted (Ryanair) and Liverpool (Ryanair) from the UK to Porto airport. British Airways operates flights from Heathrow airport during the summer and Gatwick year round. While there are no direct flights to the Douro valley, Porto Airport serves as the main gateway to the region.  

If you are travelling from elsewhere in Europe, there are direct flights to Porto available from most European countries, including Spain, Italy and France. There are also direct flights available from New York and Boston for those flying direct from the US.

Grape Escapes is ATOL registered, number 10831 and we would be happy to book your flights at cost, however, a booking fee of £50 per person applies.

Porto airport is approximately a 20 minute drive from the city centre and taxis are commonly waiting at arrivals. Alternatively, the metro will take you to the city centre in 30 minutes and costs approximately €1.50 per person for one ticket. 

For those travelling from Porto to the Douro Valley, the journey typically takes around 75 minutes by car, depending on your destination within the region. Porto Airport is conveniently located just 30 minutes away from the city centre and 75 minutes away from most hotels in the Douro Valley. 

We can happily arrange for a private transfer for your onward journey to Porto or the Douro Valley. Please contact us to receive a quote for this service.

If you are travelling from elsewhere in Portugal, such as Lisbon to the Douro Valley, we can also assist with tailored transfer options to ensure a smooth and comfortable journey.

Train 

If you are travelling from within Europe, Porto is well connected by rail via Spain, with frequent services from cities including Madrid and Vigo. For those that enjoy slow travel, our travel experts recommend the cross-border train from Vigo to Porto, which offers a particularly scenic route along the Minho River into northern Portugal.

Porto’s main stations, Campanhã and São Bento, are both centrally located. Campanhã is the primary hub for long-distance and international arrivals, while São Bento sits in the heart of the city. The latter is also considered one of the must-see attractions in the city thanks to its charming interior walls decorated with traditional Portuguese tiles.

Hire a Car

Please free to use the competitive car hire search engine on our website for vehicle rental prices.