The Madrid to Lisbon Sleeper Train Could Be Making a Comeback By Summer 2025

Once the only direct rail link between the two Iberian capitals, this Madrid-Lisbon sleeper train was discontinued by Renfe in 2020, forcing passengers to make at least two and sometimes up to four changes on a journey that can now take over nine hours. It is described as an important route whose absence has highlighted the broader lack of rail links between Spain and Portugal, and its revival has been delayed by prolonged negotiations and disagreements over spending commitments between the two governments. The service is something that many citizens on both sides of the Spanish-Portuguese border are said to be waiting for, and following deepening negotiations, reports suggest it could be reactivated in the first half of 2025, which would make connections between Madrid and Lisbon much easier again. - Liv Kelly