Travelling through Portugal with little ones is an incredible experience, from the exciting train rides, to the stunning views along the way. If you want to travel sustainably and explore Portugal beyond Lisbon, you are in luck. Portugal has an efficient and family-friendly public transportation system, including trains and coaches, that can make your journey smoother.
Here’s what you need to know about getting around Portugal by train and coach with young children.
Your transportation options
Portugal offers a variety of convenient and affordable transportation options for families exploring the country.
- Comboios de Portugal (CP) provides an efficient rail network connecting major cities like Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve, with family-friendly amenities. According to CP’s official fare policy, children up to age 3 travel free if they don’t occupy a seat, and children aged 4–12 get a 50% discount.
- For long-distance bus travel, Rede Expressos is a popular coach service, connecting a lot of places unreachable by trains (see network map), allowing infants to ride on a parent’s lap.
- FlixBus is another common and very affordable option — according to FlixBus’s official Terms and Conditions of Carriage, it strictly requires car seats for children under 3, so parents should plan accordingly. You can rent Flixbus-friendly car seats from us.
- For shorter trips around the cities, metros (in Lisbon and Porto) and local buses are budget-friendly and don’t require car seats.
- Taxis in Portugal (including Bolt & Uber) are generally exempt from car seat requirements. Still, parents are responsible for their child’s safety. Pre-booking taxis or airport transfers that provide car seats is highly recommended for family travel. You can also rent a lightweight car seat for your taxi travel or opt-in for a car seat stroller.
Booking your tickets
In the peak season, it is highly recommended to book your train and coach tickets in advance.
According to Rede Expressos’ official terms and conditions (citing Portuguese law DL 9/2015), children under the age of 4 can travel for free on Rede Expressos buses, provided they don’t occupy a seat — though for road safety reasons they can’t sit in the front row (seats 1–4). On Flixbus network in Europe, all children have to have a paid ticket.
Children aged 3 and under can travel for free on Comboios de Portugal (CP) trains in Portugal if they don’t occupy a seat. If a child under 3 requires their seat, they will need to purchase a half-price ticket. Children aged 4 to 12 are eligible for a half-price fare on most CP train services.
In Lisbon, according to Carris and Metro de Lisboa’s official fare policies, children up to the age of 3 travel free on buses and the metro when accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket. In Porto, STCP and Metro do Porto apply the same free-travel rule up to age 4.
Why rent baby gear for your Portugal trip?
Travelling with kids means packing a lot of gear, but you don’t have to haul it all across the Atlantic. Renting baby equipment in Portugal means:
✔ Less luggage stress – No need to check bulky car seats or strollers.
✔ Convenience – Have gear delivered to your accommodation.
✔ Safety compliance – Ensure you meet local transport regulations (like FlixBus’ car seat rule).
Whether you need a stroller for cobblestone streets, a car seat for coach travel, or a portable crib for your Airbnb, we’ve got you covered.
Portugal is a fantastic destination for families, and with the right preparation, getting around can be easy, even with little ones in tow. Ready to explore? Book your baby gear rental today and enjoy a hassle-free adventure!
Have questions about travelling with kids in Portugal? Drop us a message!
About Rent Anything
This article is published by Rent Anything. Here is what the service is, in case you arrived here from a search.
What is Rent Anything?
Rent Anything is a short-term and mid-term equipment rental service operating in Lisbon and Paris.
Equipment rental refers to paying a daily rate for an item you use and then hand back, rather than buying it or carrying it with you. A mid-term rental means that the booking runs for weeks or months rather than days. Five ranges are stocked: baby and children's gear, mobility equipment, remote-work tech, home and living, and travel and outdoors. In short, you travel light and it is waiting when you arrive.
How does renting work?
Four steps: browse the catalogue, book your dates, take delivery or collect, then return the item at the end.
Rates are quoted per day and fall the longer you rent, because every product carries a rate ladder, also known as pricing tiers, rather than one flat price. For example, a week costs less per day than a weekend does. A minimum rental period refers to the shortest booking an item accepts, and it is stated on that item's own page beside its live availability. According to our own how-it-works guide, there is no deposit at any point. Therefore the figure shown for your dates is what those dates cost, not a starting price. Source: How it works.
Where do you deliver?
Across Lisbon and Paris, including both cities' airports and the Lisbon Cruise Terminal.
Delivery refers to us bringing the item to where you are staying - hotels, Airbnbs, serviced apartments and private residences - rather than you finding a depot. Specifically, it is priced from the distance between our warehouse in that city and the address you give, so the fee appears at checkout. In addition, free cancellation means that a booking can be cancelled at no charge up to 24 hours before it starts. Simply put, you book the address you are staying at and we handle both ends. Source: Frequently asked questions.
In summary
Key takeaways
- Equipment rental in Lisbon and Paris, delivered to where you are staying.
- Per-day rates that fall with length. No minimum period, no deposit.
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start date.
- Everything is cleaned and sanitised between rentals.
Live prices and availability for any single item are on its own page. Source: the full catalogue.
