Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Some travelers prefer smaller companies, which can cost a little less and offer a more
personal experience. Your best bet is to comparison-shop the options for the day you
want to cruise, with help from the excellent
Porto Tours
office in Porto. Since it's run
by the city, this agency offers unbiased advice and charges no commission (daily April-
Sept 10:00-19:00, telephone answered daily 9:00-19:00, shorter hours off-season, in me-
dieval watchtower next to cathedral at Calçada Dom Pedro Pitões 15, tel. 222-000-073,
ByTrain:
A regional train connects Porto's São Bento Station with Peso da Régua (3/
day direct, 2 hours; more with a change in Caide or Penafeil, 2-2.5 hours); some of these
trains continue another 30 minutes to Pinhão (5/day). There's also a historic steam train
that choo-choos you between Douro towns on Saturdays (late July-early Oct; 3.25-hour
round-trip from Régua to Pinhão and back-€77; 6-hour round-trip from Régua to Pinhão,
Tua, and back-€125; Douro cruises and train/cruise combos available, tel. 259-338-135,
ByCar:
The region is easy by car. From Porto, zip on the A-4 expressway to Amaran-
te, then N-101 through the mountains to Mesão Frio (total trip to Régua around two
hours). Once in the heart of the Douro, the riverside road follows the north bank from
