A new high-speed rail line connecting Madrid and Lisbon is set to begin operations by 2030, coinciding with the FIFA World Cup, which Spain and Portugal will co-host. This route will mark the return of a direct train service between the two capitals since Renfe discontinued its overnight Trenhotel in 2020.
Backed by the European Commission, the route will reduce the journey from over ten hours to just three. EU Commissioner for Transport Apostolos Tzitzikostas confirmed Madrid–Lisbon as a top priority in efforts to enhance cross-border high-speed rail across Europe.
Portugal’s government views the rail project as critical to reducing carbon emissions and expects it to curb short-haul flights. At the same time, plans are underway for a new international airport in Lisbon’s Alcochete region, set to open by 2034.
The first phase of Portugal’s high-speed line—linking Elvas and Évora—is expected to launch this year, cutting travel time between Lisbon and Badajoz. By 2027, Madrid and Lisbon could be connected in six hours, with the full three-hour service realized by 2030.
The network also includes plans to connect Lisbon and Porto in just 75 minutes and expand rail links to Vigo, Santiago, and A Coruña. Meanwhile, Renfe must invest €15 million to adapt its trains for Portuguese infrastructure, with technical challenges like signal compatibility expected to be resolved by 2025.
Source: Swifteradio.com
