Changes to the Porto-Vigo rail connection

Changes have been in effect since December 14 on the Porto-Vigo rail connection, operated by the international Celta train. This is the only rail link from Portugal that allows travelers to travel to and from Santiago de Compostela by train via Vigo, and it is therefore widely used by pilgrims returning after completing the Camino de Santiago.

The changes affect both the route and how the service operates. The Celta train now stops at Barcelos station, making the journey a few minutes longer. At the same time, the transfer at Viana do Castelo has been eliminated, which had been introduced in recent months, making the journey simpler and more comfortable.

The most significant change is on the late-day Vigo-Porto service. The afternoon train now arrives at Porto-Campanhã at 7:35 p.m., almost two hours earlier than under the previous timetable. This earlier arrival now makes it possible to connect the same day to long-distance trains, including the Intercidades service to Lisboa at 7:45 p.m., which was not feasible before because the train reached Porto too late.

Unfortunately, in the opposite direction, travel from Porto to Vigo is still not as convenient as it could be. The afternoon train arrives in Vigo at night, which does not allow travelers to continue by train to Santiago on the same day and makes an overnight stay in the city necessary. Even so, the changes now in place represent a clear improvement for pilgrims returning to Portugal by train.

Celta schedules in effect since December 14:
Vigo-Guixar-Porto-Campanhã:
8:58 a.m.-10:24 a.m. (146 minutes) | 6:05 p.m.-7:35 p.m. (150 minutes)

Porto-Campanhã-Vigo-Guixar:
8:10 a.m.-11:44 a.m. (154 minutes) | 7:10 p.m.-10:40 p.m. (150 minutes)

Relevant connection at Campanhã:
Intercidades to Lisboa at 7:45 p.m.

More information here.