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The short answer: fastest, cheapest, easiest
There is no direct train from Lisbon to Seville. The two cities are about 460 km apart, and the choice is between the bus, a short flight and the car.
- Fastest: a direct flight, about 1 hour in the air, or about 4 hours door to door with airport time
- Cheapest: the bus, about 7 hours, several departures a day including overnight buses, from about €25–50
- Most flexible: a car, 4.5 to 5 hours, if you want to stop in the Alentejo or the Algarve
- Remember the time change: Spain is one hour ahead of Portugal all year.
Comparison table (train, bus, car, transfer, flight)
| Option | Time (approx.) | Price (approx.) | Frequency | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | about 1 h in the air; about 4 h door to door | Varies with season | A few a day | Airline websites |
| Bus (FlixBus and others) | about 7 h | €25–50 | Several a day, including overnight | Omio |
| Car | 4 h 30–5 h | Fuel and Portuguese tolls, plus a one-way fee on a hire car | Any time | DiscoverCars |
| Train | No direct train | Several changes; much slower than the bus | ||
| Private transfer | 4 h 30–5 h | Very expensive | Pre-booked | Only worth pricing for a group |
Step by step
By plane
Direct flights between Lisbon and Seville take about 1 hour. Because of the time change, the clock jumps about 2 hours: a flight leaving Lisbon at 10:00 lands in Seville at about 12:00 local time.
With check-in, security and travel to and from both airports, count on about 4 hours in total. It is still the fastest option, and a good choice if you are short of time or the fare is low. From Seville airport, the EA bus or a fixed-fare taxi takes you to the centre: see Seville airport to the city centre.
By bus
- Choose your bus. FlixBus and other companies run the route, some through the Algarve and some via Badajoz. Compare times and fares on Omio.
- Consider the overnight bus. It saves a day and a night’s hotel, but you arrive early in the morning, usually before hotel check-in. Ask your hotel if you can leave your bags.
- Find the station. In Lisbon, most buses leave from Oriente or Sete Rios. Check your ticket.
- Bring your passport or ID card. There are normally no border checks, but you must carry ID.
- Arrive in Seville, usually at the Plaza de Armas bus station, 15 minutes’ walk from the cathedral. Check your ticket for the exact stop.
Check the times carefully. Timetables show local time. A daytime bus that leaves Lisbon at 8:00 and arrives in Seville at 16:00 takes 7 hours, not 8.
By car
The drive is about 460 km and takes 4.5 to 5 hours without stops. Two routes take about the same time:
- Via the Algarve: south on the A-2, east on the A-22 along the coast, then the A-49 from the border to Seville. Easy to combine with a few days on the coast.
- Via Badajoz: east on the A-6 to the border at Elvas and Badajoz, then south through Mérida, with its Roman theatre, to Seville.
Tolls: most Portuguese motorways have tolls, some paid electronically only. Hire cars usually have an electronic toll device; ask when you pick up the car. Spanish motorways on both routes are toll-free.
Hire car: hiring in Lisbon and returning in Seville means a cross-border one-way fee, which can be high. Compare prices and conditions on DiscoverCars. It is often cheaper to take the bus or fly, then hire a car in Seville for the days you need it: see car hire in Seville.
In Seville: don’t drive into the historic centre, which has camera-controlled access and very little parking. See getting around Seville.
A car is worth it if you are combining Portugal with a tour of Andalusia. See our Andalusia road trip.
Why not the train?
There is no direct train, and no convenient rail route between Lisbon and Seville. Going by rail means several changes and takes much longer than the bus.
Both directions
Seville to Lisbon works the same way, but you gain an hour:
- Flight: about 1 hour; a flight leaving Seville at 10:00 lands in Lisbon at about 10:00 local time.
- Bus: from Plaza de Armas, about 7 hours, with daytime and overnight departures.
- Car: 4.5 to 5 hours, via the Algarve or Badajoz.
For the trip back to Seville airport, see Seville airport to the city centre. Only visiting the Algarve on the way? See Faro to Seville, and for all other routes, how to get to Seville.
FAQ
Is there a train from Lisbon to Seville?
No, there is no direct train. The bus (about 7 hours), a flight (about 1 hour) or the car (4.5 to 5 hours) are the practical options.
How long is the bus from Lisbon to Seville?
About 7 hours, depending on the route and stops. Overnight buses run on this route, which saves a night’s hotel.
Is it better to fly or take the bus from Lisbon to Seville?
Fly if you are short of time: about 4 hours door to door instead of 7. Take the bus to save money, or the overnight bus to save a day.
What is the time difference between Lisbon and Seville?
Seville is one hour ahead of Lisbon all year round, because Spain and Portugal are in different time zones.
How long is the drive from Lisbon to Seville?
About 4.5 to 5 hours for around 460 km, via the Algarve or via Badajoz. Portuguese motorways have tolls; the Spanish ones on these routes are free.