Portugal Aligns with Spain on Rail Europe B2B Platform to Supercharge Iberian Train Travel

Rail Europe has been able to add Portugal’s national railway operator, Comboios de Portugal (CP), to its B2B rail platform. The integration was announced on 11 November 2026. It allows travel agents and other travel industry partners to sell Portuguese trains through RAil Europe’s API and Rail Portal, responding to demand from its travel trade clients. Among the Portuguese services that are now integrated into Rail Europe’s rail distribution platform are Alfa Pendular premium long-distance trains, Intercidades long-distance services and Regional and Inter Regional connections. The expansion also offers an alternative to travel professionals to book journeys in Portugal and expands Rail Europe’s reach throughout the Iberian peninsula. For international travel agents, it is mostly relevant to customers exploring multi-city holiday ideas, cultural and scenic itineraries and journeys that take in both Portugal and Spain.

Portugal’s national rail network joins Rail Europe

The integration makes CP services available through two of Rail Europe’s established distribution channels: its API and Rail Portal. These systems allow travel businesses to search for train journeys and manage bookings through a centralised platform.

Rail Europe’s API is designed for businesses that want to connect rail inventory with their own booking systems, while the Rail Portal provides a dedicated interface for travel professionals. The availability of both channels gives agencies different ways to incorporate Portuguese rail services into their travel products.

The addition follows requests from travel agents for better access to Portugal’s railway network. CP joins Spanish operators Renfe, Iryo and OUIGO Spain in Rail Europe’s existing Iberian portfolio, giving travel professionals broader access to rail services across the peninsula.

The integration is also significant for agencies that handle European itineraries involving several countries. Instead of treating Portugal as a separate rail-booking requirement, agents can now access its participating services through the same B2B distribution environment used for other European operators.

Three categories of Portuguese train services

The new integration covers three main categories of CP services, offering different travel options depending on distance, route and passenger requirements.

Alfa Pendular is CP’s premium long-distance train service, connecting major Portuguese destinations. It operates on important routes, including Lisbon–Porto and connections extending towards Braga and Faro. The trains offer two classes: Conforto, the first-class option, and Turística, the second-class option.

The service is designed for longer journeys and offers onboard facilities such as Wi-Fi, power sockets, reclining seats and a cafeteria. CP lists a maximum operating speed of 220 kilometres per hour for Alfa Pendular trains.

Intercidades provides another long-distance option, connecting major cities and regional centres across Portugal. These services are important for passengers travelling beyond the principal Alfa Pendular corridors and provide additional options for domestic itineraries.

Regional and InterRegional trains extend connectivity to smaller towns and destinations beyond the main intercity routes. They link different parts of the country and connect with urban and long-distance services, helping passengers reach locations that may not be served directly by premium trains.

Together, these categories give travel agents access to a wider range of journeys, from major city connections to regional travel experiences.

Booking conditions and ticket availability

Rail Europe has highlighted two important booking conditions for the newly integrated services. Seat reservations are mandatory on Alfa Pendular and Intercidades trains, and both categories offer Conforto and Turística classes.

CP tickets are generally released up to 60 days before departure. The availability of journeys depends on the publication of train timetables, so travel agents should check the booking system when arranging travel dates, particularly around timetable changes.

These conditions are important when preparing multi-destination itineraries. Agents need to account for reservation requirements and ensure that passengers have confirmed seats on the relevant long-distance services.

The 60-day booking window also means that travellers planning well in advance may need to wait until the relevant dates become available in the reservation system. Checking availability regularly can help agencies manage customer expectations and coordinate connecting journeys.

Opening up Portugal beyond Lisbon and Porto

The integration could also help travel professionals introduce international visitors to destinations beyond Portugal’s two best-known cities, Lisbon and Porto.

Portugal has an extensive railway network connecting coastal cities, historic towns and regional centres. With CP services accessible through Rail Europe’s B2B channels, agents can incorporate additional destinations into itineraries without relying entirely on road transfers or private transport.

Several destinations offer opportunities for more varied rail-based holidays:

• Aveiro: Known for its canals, colourful traditional boats and Art Nouveau architecture, Aveiro offers an appealing stop between Lisbon and Porto.
• Guimarães: Its historic centre is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it an attractive destination for visitors interested in Portuguese history and architecture.
• Évora: Located in the Alentejo region, the city is known for its Roman heritage, historic streets and traditional regional character.
• Tomar: The destination is associated with the Knights Templar and the Convent of Christ, another UNESCO-listed heritage site.
• Douro Valley: Rail journeys along the Douro provide access to a landscape of vineyards, river communities and wine-producing areas.

These destinations can help travel agencies develop itineraries that combine major urban attractions with heritage tourism, regional food experiences and scenic journeys.

Strengthening Spain–Portugal travel connections

The addition of CP further expands Rail Europe’s coverage of the Iberian Peninsula. With Renfe, Iryo and OUIGO Spain already part of its portfolio, the platform now offers travel professionals access to a broader selection of Spanish and Portuguese rail services.

This creates opportunities to develop multi-country itineraries connecting destinations across both countries. Travellers could combine a visit to Madrid or Barcelona with time in Lisbon, Porto and other Portuguese cities, depending on available connections and schedules.

The development is particularly relevant to international visitors seeking alternatives to domestic flights or car-based travel. Rail journeys can make it easier to explore several destinations within one holiday while allowing passengers to experience different landscapes along the way.

However, journey availability, connections and ticketing conditions will depend on the individual services and booking dates. Travel agents should verify the complete itinerary before confirming connecting journeys.

A wider distribution strategy for European rail travel

Rail Europe’s latest integration reflects the growing importance of centralised rail distribution for the international travel trade. Travel agencies increasingly need access to multiple railway operators through systems that can simplify searching, booking and after-sales management.

The company offers distribution solutions through APIs, its trade booking portal and other partnership channels. Its agent platform advertises access to more than 200 train providers, alongside rail passes and different booking options.

Adding Portugal strengthens this proposition by expanding the range of destinations available to travel professionals through its B2B ecosystem.

For CP, wider distribution through an international rail platform creates another channel through which travel agencies can access its domestic services. For Rail Europe, the integration addresses demand from trade partners while strengthening its position in European rail distribution.

What the integration means for Portugal tourism

Adding Portuguese train services gives travel agents more options to plan holidays around Portugal’s cities, sightseeing sites and regions, and a way to fold rail journeys into broader European breaks. What’s more, today’s announcement may help to facilitate B2B distribution of CP’s rail services, not necessarily a widespread announcement about what changes might be happening within Portugal’s railway network. Its importance in this context is that more CP services can now be available via Rail Europe’s existing trade platform, which is increasingly important as tourist traffic to multi-country European breaks booms, creating opportunities for travel traders. By including Comboios de Portugal within its B2B platform, Rail Europe has moved closer to extending its European railway network and helping to make Portugal more accessible to travel professionals.

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