Vouga Line

Blue 9000-series diesel locomotive with green historic coaches at a station framed by bougainvillea

The Vouga Line

Portugal's last working narrow-gauge railway, winding through the Aveiro district on metre-gauge track first opened in 1908.

Main stations, north to south

  1. Espinho-VougaNorthern end
  2. Santa Maria da Feira
  3. São João da Madeira
  4. Oliveira de Azeméis
  5. Sernada do Vouga
  6. Macinhata do VougaRailway museum
  7. Águeda
  8. AveiroSouthern end

A small railway with a big following

The Vouga Line runs for about 96 km between Espinho and Aveiro, through Santa Maria da Feira, São João da Madeira, Oliveira de Azeméis, Albergaria-a-Velha and Águeda. Its first stretch opened in 1908, and it's now the only narrow-gauge line still in service in Portugal, which gives it a loyal following among locals and rail fans.

The whole line is being renovated in stages by Infraestruturas de Portugal. The aim is for trains to run from one end to the other again. Today the line works as two separate sections, with the historic train running on the southern one.

Tourist services

On summer dates, CP runs a heritage train along the southern part of the line, with stops for a railway museum and the colourful town of Águeda.

Black steam locomotive with green and blue historic coaches rounding a curve under a plume of steam
Steam on the Vouga in earlier editions
Passengers leaning from the windows of green wooden coaches behind a blue diesel locomotive
Open windows on the early 20th-century coaches
Steam locomotive and historic coaches at Eixo station
A stop at Eixo station

Vouga Historical Train

Five coaches from the early 1900s, hauled by a vintage CP 9000-series diesel locomotive, run from Aveiro to Macinhata do Vouga. There's entertainment on board, and at Macinhata you're welcomed with music, a traditional Águeda pastry and a small market of regional produce, followed by a guided tour of the Macinhata do Vouga Railway Museum.

On the way back, the train stops for a few hours in Águeda for a guided walk around town, its street art and the famous Umbrella Sky. In July this also takes in the AgitÁgueda art festival.

CP also runs a Christmas special on the line in some years.

See dates and book Christmas special
  1. Leave Aveiro, with entertainment on board
  2. Arrive at Macinhata do Vouga: welcome, regional market and railway museum tour
  3. Leave Macinhata do Vouga
  4. Arrive in Águeda for a guided tour of the town
  5. Leave Águeda
  6. Back in Aveiro

Times from the 2026 programme, which has now finished. CP will publish the next edition's dates and prices on its website.

Regional services

Everyday trains use CP's 9630-series narrow-gauge railcars, run as two separate services.

Red and stainless-steel CP 9630-series railcar number 9637
Railcar 9637 in CP red and steel
CP railcar 9635 at a rural station surrounded by green hills
Railcar 9635 at a country station

North: Espinho to Oliveira de Azeméis

Trains run daily between Espinho-Vouga and Oliveira de Azeméis, stopping at Santa Maria da Feira and São João da Madeira. Part of this stretch is covered by Porto's Andante travelcard.

South: Aveiro to Sernada do Vouga

Trains link Aveiro with Águeda and Sernada do Vouga, the same stretch used by the historical train. The middle section between Sernada and Oliveira de Azeméis has been renovated. Check CP's timetables for when through services there return.

Regional trains Check timetables

Plan your trip on the Vouga Line

Buy train tickets Group bookings

Information based on CP – Comboios de Portugal. Timetables, fares and historical train dates are set by CP, so please confirm details on cp.pt before travelling.

TopRail on Instagram

TopRail on LinkedIn