HOW TO GET

How to Get Vila Real

Vila Real has good direct overland communications in all directions with the rest of Portugal, and with Spain. It is linked to the capital, Lisbon, via Coimbra, Viseu, and Peso de Régua. (Follow the IP3 Northwards). It takes about 4 hours from the airport.
From Porto take the A4 and then the IP4 to Amarante, then Vila Real. The journey will take just over an hour.
From Spain you can get to Vila Real from Vigo in the Northwest via Porto; from Zamora in the East, via Bragança (IP4); from the South East via Guarda and Viseu (IP5) from Ciudad Rodrigo; and from Santander via Benavente and Verin, then (in Portugal) Chaves (N2, or IP3).

The nearest international airport is at Porto (Oporto), about an hour’s drive away.

Vila Real also has a small aerodrome with flights to and from Lisbon (Lisboa) and Bragança.

Vila Real has no regular direct train link. However there is a direct line from Porto to Peso de Régua, which is half an hour away from the city and has a regular bus service.

Vila Real has several reliable car hire firms, both international and local.

Those of you who would like to try an unusual but thoroughly enjoyable approach to the city should consider travelling by ferry from Porto, along the Douro River to Peso deRégua, and then completing the journey to Vila Real by narrow gauge rail. This route offers some spectacular views of the Port wine-producing area.