The last flight lands at 10:30 am. Allow 30–45 min to clear customs, collect bags, and regroup all 7 people. You'll be airport-side by roughly 11:15–11:30 am. Oriente is your target — it's the long-distance train hub and much closer to the airport than Santa Apolónia.
You'll arrive at Oriente around noon. Lunch here makes sense — the station area has several solid options, and you can store luggage in lockers at Oriente while you eat (or bring it to the restaurant if that's easier). No need to drag everyone to a fancy neighborhood on Day 1.
| Train | Departs Oriente | Arrives Campanhã | Duration | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP 127 | ~13:15 | ~15:55 | 2h 40m | Alfa Pendular | Good if lunch is quick |
| AP 131 ⭐ | ~14:15 | ~16:55 | 2h 40m | Alfa Pendular | Recommended — comfortable lunch window, arrive ~5 pm |
| AP 135 | ~15:15 | ~17:55 | 2h 40m | Alfa Pendular | Flexible option, arrive before 6 pm ✓ |
| AP 139 | ~16:15 | ~18:55 | 2h 40m | Alfa Pendular | Latest comfortable option |
First night in Porto! You want quality without breaking the bank. These are all within walking distance of Rua das Flores (most are under 10 minutes).
Pickup is at Sé Cathedral (Calçada da Vandoma) at 8:20 am. These options are all within a 5–8 min walk of both your hotel and the Sé, and open early.
Operated by Living Tours. Meeting point: Calçada da Vandoma (next to Sé Cathedral). Look for staff in red. The tour runs in English and includes hotel pickup as an option (confirm at booking).
After a big day with wine and food included in the tour, you may want something lighter. But if you're ready to celebrate, this is a perfect night for a Michelin experience.
Choose one main activity for the morning — you'll return to the hotel for an hour around 1–2 pm before heading out again.
Lunch around 12:30–1:30 pm, then back to hotel for a rest before the afternoon.
Back to the hotel for an hour — off your feet, rehydrate, and refresh before the afternoon session. July in Porto can hit 30°C / 86°F, so the midday break matters.
If you haven't done a Michelin dinner yet, tonight is the night. Or go relaxed and memorable — your call.
Checkout is 11 am. Ask the hotel if you can store bags for a couple of hours if you want to explore a bit more before your train. Campanhã is about 10–15 min by taxi from Rua das Flores (~€10). Have 2 taxis/vans arranged. Buy train tickets on cp.pt in advance.
To arrive in Lisbon by 2 pm, you need to depart Porto by around 11:15 am at the latest. All AP trains from Campanhã take ~2h 40m.
| Train | Departs Campanhã | Arrives Oriente | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP 102 ⭐ | ~11:20 | ~14:00 | 2h 40m | Best option — arrives right at 2 pm in Lisbon |
| AP 104 | ~10:20 | ~13:00 | 2h 40m | Earlier option if checkout allows |
| IC 532 | ~11:40 | ~14:45 | 3h 05m | Intercidades — cheaper but slower |
The Epic Sana Marquês is in the Marquês de Pombal / Avenida da Liberdade area — Lisbon's upscale hotel district.
Check in, freshen up. The Epic Sana Marquês has a pool — if the 13-year-old (or any of you) needs a recovery afternoon, this is the moment. Or do a gentle first walk down Avenida da Liberdade — Lisbon's elegant Champs-Élysées equivalent, lined with lime trees, luxury boutiques, and café terraces. A beautiful introduction to the city.
This is the last dinner of the trip and the biggest birthday celebration opportunity. Go all out or keep it memorable in a different way.
Flight departs 10:00 am. For an international flight, arrive at the airport by 7:30 am at the very latest (3 hours before), ideally by 7:00 am to allow for check-in, security, and possible queues in July. That means leaving the hotel no later than 6:30 am.