Gare do Oriente, Lisbon - Traveling to Lisbon I arrived at this great sci-fi looking, Bladerunner-like train station. A huge place with not many people in it, this made it feel even weirder.
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Gare do Oriente Lisbon

4
·2k reviews·Lisboa, Portugal

A futuristic architectural marvel and Lisbon's primary intermodal transport hub, connecting trains, metro, and buses.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday afternoons

Fewer crowds, easier navigation

CrowdLow
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Gare do Oriente, Lisbon - Traveling to Lisbon I arrived at this great sci-fi looking, Bladerunner-like train station. A huge place with not many people in it, this made it feel even weirder.

Gare do Oriente Lisbon

Best Time

Weekday afternoons

Fewer crowds, easier navigation

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A futuristic architectural marvel and Lisbon's primary intermodal transport hub, connecting trains, metro, and buses.

4
(2k reviews)

"More than just a station, it's a modern architectural masterpiece and a vital gateway to Portugal."

Vertical photo
TIP

Book Train Tickets Early

For intercity travel (e.g., to Porto), book train tickets in advance on cp.pt for better prices and guaranteed seats.

Metro to Oriente

Easily reach Gare do Oriente from Lisbon Airport via the Metro's Red Line. It's a quick and efficient transfer.

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Santiago Calatrava's Architecture

Santiago Calatrava's Architecture

Entire Station

Marvel at the futuristic, Gothic-inspired design of this architectural masterpiece. Its soaring arches and intricate details are a sight to behold.

Instagram
Intermodal Transport Hub

Intermodal Transport Hub

All Levels

Experience the seamless connection between intercity trains, metro, and buses, making travel across Portugal effortless.

Instagram
Vasco da Gama Tower Views

Vasco da Gama Tower Views

Adjacent to Station

While the tower itself requires reservations, the nearby SKY Bar Oriente offers stunning city views, especially at sunset.

TikTok

Planning Your Visit

Navigating Gare do Oriente

This modern transport hub connects trains, metro, and buses. Plan your connections in advance, especially if transferring to other cities like Porto. Consider booking long-distance train tickets ahead for better prices and peace of mind, particularly during peak travel times. Reddit

Time Your Arrival

If you have a layover between your flight at Lisbon Airport and a train from Oriente, head to the station rather than waiting at the airport. Oriente offers amenities like a mall for food and a pleasant waterfront stroll. Reddit

Best Times

When
Weekday afternoons
Why
Fewer crowds, easier navigation
Crowd
Low
When
Early evenings
Why
Good for sunset views from nearby
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Welcome to Cascais, just 20 minutes away from Lisbon you can find this beautiful town. Full of palatial houses, good food, beautiful people and blue beaches. How to go : 🚌 bus from Oriente (40 minutes) 🚂 train from Cais do Sodré 40 minutes ( more easy) save & share if you like it 🩷 #andrechaicafood #cascais #bougain #corleone #lisbon
@andrechaica
121.8K likes • 1.2M views

Book Train Tickets Early

For intercity travel (e.g., to Porto), book train tickets in advance on cp.pt for better prices and guaranteed seats. Reddit

Metro to Oriente

Easily reach Gare do Oriente from Lisbon Airport via the Metro's Red Line. It's a quick and efficient transfer. Reddit

Vem conhecer o SKY Bar Oriente! Em Lisboa #lisboa #lisbon #viveremportugal #visitportugal #visitlisboa #moraremportugal #brasileirosemportugal
@startbeglobal
49.2K likes • 967.5K views
- A Gare do Oriente, também conhecida como estação do Oriente em Lisboa, é uma das estações mais bonitas, modernas e importantes da cidade por conectar trens interurbanos, ônibus e metrô no bairro Parque das Nações. 📷 Manuel Palma. Para conferir mais conteúdos como este, além de curiosidades, dicas e informações sobre Portugal, siga-nos em nossas redes sociais: ————————————————— 🇵🇹 Facebook...
comunidadeportuguesadobrasil
236 likes • 0 views

Explore the Waterfront

If you have time before your train, store your luggage and enjoy a stroll along the waterfront near the station. Reddit

Mall Amenities

Oriente station is connected to a mall with plenty of dining options, perfect for a quick meal or snack. Reddit

Gare do Oriente📍 "Também conhecida como Gare Intermodal de Lisboa (GIL), ou Estação Ferroviária de Lisboa - Oriente, ou Estação de Concentração de Lisboa Oriente, é uma das interfaces ferroviárias e rodoviárias mais importantes de Lisboa, em Portugal. Projetada pelo arquiteto e engenheiro espanhol Santiago Calatrava, ficou concluída em 1998, integrando a Expo’98, e, posteriormente, o Parque das N...
portugal_best_spot
118 likes • 0 views

Tips

from all over the internet

Book Train Tickets Early

For intercity travel (e.g., to Porto), book train tickets in advance on cp.pt for better prices and guaranteed seats. Reddit

Metro to Oriente

Easily reach Gare do Oriente from Lisbon Airport via the Metro's Red Line. It's a quick and efficient transfer. Reddit

Explore the Waterfront

If you have time before your train, store your luggage and enjoy a stroll along the waterfront near the station. Reddit

Mall Amenities

Oriente station is connected to a mall with plenty of dining options, perfect for a quick meal or snack. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4
(2k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Gare do Oriente is widely praised for its stunning, futuristic architecture and its efficiency as a major transport hub. Visitors appreciate the seamless connections between trains, metro, and buses, as well as the convenience of the adjacent shopping mall. Some minor concerns include occasional 'weird vibes' in the surrounding area late at night, but overall, it's seen as a modern and functional gateway to Portugal.

"Been here several times when I took a bus from Porto - Lisbon - Porto. It has easy access to the shopping mall of Vasco de Gama. To go to the city center, you can simply take the metro, bus, uber, or taxi. The station smells of pee in some parts."

Rita

"This train station is a work of art. Even if you do not want to go anywhere by train, you must visit this place.
It truly is amazing from an engineers perspective and you'll be in awe at the details and scale of it."

Cristian Andreescu

"This was a superb station for arrival and departure, set in a grand structure that attracts with its unconventional design. The ticket office has staff readily available who speak English and platforms are large, where we travelled on a double-decker train notably!"

K. Peake

What People Like

Impressive architecture
Efficient transport hub
Convenient amenities

What People Dislike

Late-night atmosphere

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The easiest way is to take the Metro's Red Line directly from Lisbon Airport to the Oriente station. The journey takes about 20 minutes. Alternatively, Ubers and taxis are readily available and relatively inexpensive. Reddit

It's generally recommended to head to Gare do Oriente. The station has a mall with dining options and is located by the waterfront, offering a more pleasant waiting experience than the airport. Reddit

While Google Maps might suggest a walk (around 30 minutes), it's not the most practical option, especially with luggage. The sidewalks can be cobblestoned and uneven. Taking the metro or a taxi is far more convenient. Reddit

Gare do Oriente is a major intermodal hub, connecting intercity and regional trains, the Lisbon Metro (Red Line), and numerous bus services, making it a central point for travel within and beyond Lisbon. Instagram

The Lisbon Metro's Red Line provides direct access to the city center and other key areas. Numerous bus routes also serve the station, connecting you to various neighborhoods. Instagram

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

You can purchase tickets for national trains (like the Alfa Pendular to Porto) directly on the official CP website (cp.pt) or at the ticket counters within Gare do Oriente. Booking in advance is recommended, especially for popular routes and times. Reddit

It's advisable to buy tickets in advance, particularly for long-distance journeys, to secure better prices and ensure availability. Avoid purchasing last minute if possible, especially around holidays. Reddit

Gare do Oriente is a public transport station, so there are no entrance fees to enter or explore the main concourse. You only pay for the transport services you use. Reddit

For the fastest and most comfortable journey to Porto, book the Alfa Pendular (AP) train. Second class is generally comfortable and more affordable than first class. Book via cp.pt. Reddit

It's best to book flexible tickets if you're concerned about flight delays. Otherwise, contact CP customer service as soon as possible to inquire about options for changing your ticket, though this may incur fees. Reddit

🎫 📍 Onsite Experience

Gare do Oriente is connected to a large shopping mall (Vasco da Gama Shopping) with numerous shops and restaurants. The waterfront area offers pleasant walking paths and views. Reddit

Yes, the adjacent Vasco da Gama Shopping mall offers a wide variety of dining options, from fast food to sit-down restaurants. There are also cafes within the station itself. Reddit

Yes, luggage storage facilities are typically available at major train stations like Gare do Oriente, allowing you to explore the area unencumbered. Reddit

While generally safe during operating hours, like any large transport hub, it's advisable to be aware of your surroundings, especially late at night. Some Reddit users have noted a 'weird vibe' or presence of homeless individuals in the vicinity. Reddit

Designed by Santiago Calatrava, the station is renowned for its futuristic, bird-like canopy structure and its integration of natural light. It's considered a significant piece of modern architecture. Instagram

📸 📸 Photography

Capture the soaring canopy from the main concourse, the intricate steelwork, and the interplay of light and shadow. The exterior architecture is also very photogenic. Instagram

Yes, personal photography is generally allowed inside Gare do Oriente. However, always be mindful of other travelers and avoid obstructing pathways. Instagram

Daytime offers the best natural light to showcase the station's architecture. Early mornings or late afternoons can provide interesting lighting conditions and fewer crowds. TikTok

Focus on the expansive, wing-like roof structure, the supporting columns that resemble trees, and the way light filters through the translucent panels. Instagram

While the tower itself might have restrictions, the surrounding area offers good vantage points for capturing the station's exterior and the nearby waterfront. TikTok

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Gare do Oriente is a great starting point for family adventures. The adjacent Vasco da Gama Shopping mall offers entertainment and dining options that can keep children happy while waiting for a train. Consider a visit to the nearby Oceanário de Lisboa, one of Europe's largest aquariums, which is easily accessible from the station. Reddit

For a unique experience, the Teleférico (cable car) offers panoramic views of the Parque das Nações area, which is adjacent to the station. This provides a fun and engaging way for families to see the modern district. The station's open spaces and modern design can also be less intimidating for younger travelers compared to older, more complex stations. Reddit

✈️ Day-Trippers & Layover Travelers

If you have a layover at Lisbon Airport and a few hours before your next flight or train, Gare do Oriente is an excellent place to spend your time. You can store your luggage and enjoy a meal at the mall, or take a refreshing walk along the Tagus River waterfront. Reddit

From Gare do Oriente, you can easily catch a train to nearby towns like Cascais for a coastal escape, or explore other parts of Lisbon via the metro. The station's efficiency and amenities make it a convenient hub for maximizing your time in the city, even on a short visit. TikTok

🚆 Long-Distance Train Travelers

Gare do Oriente is the primary station for high-speed trains like the Alfa Pendular, connecting you to major cities such as Porto and Faro. Travelers recommend booking tickets in advance on cp.pt to secure the best fares and ensure availability, especially during peak seasons. Reddit

When planning your journey, allow ample time for transfers, particularly if arriving from Lisbon Airport. The metro connection is efficient, but unexpected delays can happen. The station itself offers comfortable waiting areas and amenities, making the transit experience smooth. Reddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

Architectural Marvel by Santiago Calatrava

Gare do Oriente is a testament to modern architectural innovation, designed by the renowned Spanish architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava. Completed in 1998 for Expo '98, the station's design is inspired by a bird in flight, with a vast, undulating canopy of steel and glass that shelters the platforms. Its structure is characterized by soaring arches and intricate latticework, creating a dramatic and light-filled interior space. The station seamlessly blends functionality with artistic expression, making it more than just a transport hub but a destination in itself. Instagram

Calatrava's signature style is evident in the organic forms and the dynamic interplay of structural elements. The station's design not only provides shelter but also creates a visually stunning environment for travelers. The use of light is particularly noteworthy, with translucent panels allowing natural light to flood the concourse, reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day. This thoughtful integration of design and sustainability contributes to its iconic status. Instagram

Visitors often express awe at the sheer scale and beauty of the architecture. It's a popular spot for photography, with many travelers sharing stunning images of its unique structure online. The station's design has been praised for its ability to transform a utilitarian space into an engaging and memorable experience. TikTok

A Gateway to Portugal: Transport Connections

Gare do Oriente is one of Lisbon's most crucial intermodal transport hubs, serving as a vital link for travelers heading to various destinations. It efficiently connects long-distance trains, the Lisbon Metro, and a comprehensive network of bus services. This makes it an ideal starting point for exploring Portugal, whether you're heading north to Porto, south to the Algarve, or venturing into the surrounding regions. Instagram

For intercity travel, the station is a primary departure point for the Alfa Pendular (AP) and Intercidades (IC) trains, offering high-speed and comfortable journeys to major cities like Porto and Faro. The Lisbon Metro's Red Line provides direct and rapid access to the city center, including connections to other metro lines, making it easy to reach attractions like Baixa, Alfama, and the airport. Reddit

Beyond trains and metro, Gare do Oriente also serves as a major bus terminal, with numerous national and regional bus companies operating from its facilities. This extensive network ensures that virtually any corner of Portugal is accessible from this single, modern station. Travelers often highlight the convenience of having all these transport options under one roof. TikTok

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