Move

Madrid – Lisbon night train set to return in 2025 ahead of AVE

Posted by Timothy on

The governments of Spain and Portugal are advancing negotiations to reactivate the Lusitânia night train, which will reconnect capitals Madrid and Lisbon before the long-awaited AVE high-speed rail. 

The service is expected to be operational in the first half of 2025, marking a significant step in strengthening international rail connections between the two capitals. That is very soon and sounds (over)ambitious.

A long-awaited resumption

The Lusitânia train service was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, but both governments are now prioritizing its revival. 

While the AVE between Madrid and Lisbon remains a distant prospect, the night train could be reintroduced much sooner. The Portuguese Ministry of Infrastructure has confirmed that conditions are being put in place to make night trains more competitive and to restart operations as soon as possible. Though the Lusitânia line has not been explicitly named, official sources highlight ongoing “frequent and fruitful dialogue” with Spain.

The Portuguese Parliament has already approved a petition urging the government of Luís Montenegro to expedite negotiations with Spain. 

The most recent discussions took place on January 16 in Madrid, where officials explored not only the AVE but also the pressing need to reinstate night trains. The Portuguese Assembly has called on railway operators Comboios de Portugal (CP) and Renfe to relaunch the Lusitânia and to negotiate the return of the Sud-Expresso, which links Lisbon with Hendaye in France.

Interconnecting Iberia

The Lusitânia train’s return aligns with Europe‘s broader push to revitalise night trains as a sustainable and efficient alternative to short-haul flights. Its reactivation is a cornerstone of the Iberian railway strategy, which aims to balance high-speed rail development with more accessible and environmentally friendly transport options.

With existing infrastructure already in place, the Lusitânia’s reintroduction is feasible well before the Madrid-Lisbon AVE, which is not expected to be completed until at least 2034. 

This night train service will enhance mobility between Spain and Portugal and play a crucial role in major events such as the 2030 World Cup, which is set to bring thousands of visitors to the Iberian Peninsula.

Portuguese railway associations have emphasized the urgency of reinstating this service to provide a viable, sustainable alternative to air travel. As momentum builds, the Lusitânia’s return in 2025 signals a renewed commitment to efficient, cross-border rail transport in the region.

Green light for the AVE

While the Lusitânia night train is set to return soon, Portugal and Spain are also making progress on the high-speed AVE connection between Lisbon and Madrid. 

After years of delays, both governments have agreed on a timeline, with the AVE expected to be operational by 2034, reducing travel time between the two capitals to under three hours. 

The project includes the construction of a third bridge over the Tagus in Lisbon and a new connection between Évora and Badajoz, bringing Lisbon closer to Spain’s Extremadura region.

New airport for Lisbon

Additionally, Portugal has resolved a decades-long debate by selecting Alcochete, south of the Tagus, as the site for Lisbon’s new airport. Located on military land, the future Luís de Camões Airport will replace the city’s overburdened Humberto Delgado Airport and is expected to open within a decade. 

The project will begin with two runways and later expand to four, accommodating up to 134 aircraft movements per hour.

The Lisbon-Madrid route is currently the most traveled air corridor from Lisbon, with around 40 flights per day and 1.9 million passengers annually. 

With the introduction of high-speed rail and the new airport, a major shift to rail travel is anticipated, reinforcing Portugal’s commitment to modernizing its infrastructure and improving connectivity across the Iberian Peninsula.

Night trains in Spain and Portugal

2023 Andalusia Whirlwind Tour

  1. PRELUDE | Visiting Gibraltar in 2013.
  2. REVIEW | Eurostar Amsterdam – Antwerp – Brussels – Paris in 2023.
  3. PARIS | Restaurant Le Train Bleu at the Gare de Lyon.
  4. REVIEW | SNCF TGV inOui from Paris-Gare-de-Lyon to Barcelona-Sants.
  5. REVIEW | Hotel Barcelo Sants.
  6. INTERMEZZO | Spain saw a surge of Belgians visiting in the first quarter of 2024.
  7. SPAIN | Renfe Sala Club or Club Lounge at Adif stations.
  8. REVIEW | Renfe AVE in Premium from Barcelona-Sants to Córdoba.
  9. SPAIN | The Mezquita or Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba.
  10. CÓRDOBA | The Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos or Castle of the Christian Monarchs.
  11. REVIEW | Hotel Eurostars Palace Córdoba.
  12. ANDALUSIA | Half a day in Córdoba.
  13. TRAINS IN SPAIN | Iryo in Infinita class from Córdoba to Seville.
  14. ANDALUSIA | Real Alcázar of Seville.
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  16. REVIEW | Hotel Posada del Lucero in Seville.
  17. ANDALUSIA | Half a day in Seville ft. Plaza de España and Las Setas or Metropol Parasol.
  18. TRAINS IN SPAIN | Renfe Avant regional ‘local’ train on high speed lines.
  19. GRANADA | The Alhambra and the Generalife.
  20. REVIEW | Hotel Catalonia Granada.
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  22. INTERMEZZO | Spain demands your personal data before you travel there.
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  24. REVIEW | Restaurante Matiz, Málaga.
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