How to Get to the Biblioteca Joanina and the University of Coimbra
Trains to Coimbra-B then Coimbra-A from Lisbon and Porto, the climb up to the Alta, buses, and walking from the city centre.
Coimbra sits almost exactly halfway between Lisbon and Porto on Portugal's main north–south rail line, which makes the University of Coimbra and its Biblioteca Joanina one of the easiest world-class sights in the country to reach by train. The catch is in the last mile, or rather the last hundred metres of vertical climb: the university crowns the Alta, the steep upper old town, and the historic library sits within the Paço das Escolas complex at the very top. Knowing the difference between Coimbra's two stations, and how to get from the riverside up to the hilltop, is the difference between an effortless arrival and a sweaty scramble that risks your timed slot. This guide covers the train journey from both major cities, the crucial Coimbra-B to Coimbra-A connection, buses, taxis and the walk up through the old town — with the timing margin you should leave before your fixed library entry.
By train — and the two Coimbra stations
Coimbra has two railway stations, and confusing them is the classic traveller's mistake. The mainline express trains — the fast Alfa Pendular and the Intercidades — stop at Coimbra-B, on the edge of town. The small central station beside the river is Coimbra-A (signed simply 'Coimbra'), which handles local trains only. From Coimbra-B, a short connecting urban train runs the few minutes down to Coimbra-A in the heart of the city; it is timed to meet the mainline arrivals and is the simplest way into the centre. Always check which station your ticket terminates at, and don't try to board a Lisbon- or Porto-bound express from the central Coimbra-A station — it doesn't stop there.
From Lisbon, the Alfa Pendular reaches Coimbra-B in around 1h43 and the slower Intercidades in roughly 2h; both depart from the city's main long-distance stations. From Porto, departing from Campanhã station — itself a short, free local connection from the central São Bento — the journey is about an hour to 1h15. Both cities run frequent daily services on this north–south corridor, so Coimbra works comfortably as a day trip from either. Staying overnight, though, lets you take the university at an unhurried pace, secure an early and quieter library slot, and give Coimbra's old town the evening it deserves rather than racing back for a return train.
From Coimbra-B into the city
Once you step off the express at Coimbra-B you have a choice. The easiest is the connecting local train down to Coimbra-A in the city centre, a ride of only a few minutes that lands you beside the Mondego river at the foot of the old town. Alternatively, Coimbra-B is roughly a 20-minute walk from the centre along a busy road, or a short taxi ride if you have luggage or limited time. For most visitors heading to the university, the connecting train to Coimbra-A is the cleanest option — it deposits you in the Baixa, the lower town, with the Alta and the university rising directly above you.
From the central station and the riverside, the university is uphill all the way. If you would rather not climb on foot, taxis and ride-hailing run readily from the lower town up to the Paço das Escolas, and city buses serve the upper town; there are also escalators and lifts in parts of the centre that take the sting out of some of the ascent. Give yourself a buffer: between the mainline arrival at Coimbra-B, the connecting train, and the climb up to the top of the Alta, it is easy to lose half an hour or more. The Biblioteca Joanina slot is fixed to the minute on your ticket, so the margin you leave on arrival is the single most important piece of planning for the day.
The climb up to the Alta
The University of Coimbra occupies the highest ground in the old town, and reaching it on foot means a genuine climb through historic streets. From the Baixa and the riverside it is a steep but rewarding 10 to 15 minutes uphill, threading past medieval lanes, the old cathedral and student haunts before the ground opens onto the Paço das Escolas with its iconic clock tower and sweeping views over the city and the Mondego. The route is well signposted, but it is stairs and slopes throughout — comfortable shoes matter more here than at most monuments.
If the gradient is a concern, you have alternatives. Taxis and ride-hailing reach the top directly, city buses serve the Alta, and there are escalators and lifts in parts of the town that ease some of the ascent. The university itself is a historic hilltop site with stairs inside, so the climb up is only the first part of a physically demanding visit. Plan to arrive at the top with time in hand before your library slot, both to find the Joanina entrance within the complex and to catch your breath before the 20 minutes begin.
By car, bus and from further afield
By road, Coimbra is about 1h45 from Lisbon and 1h15 from Porto on the A1 motorway. Driving into the medieval upper town is not advised — its lanes are narrow, steep and largely restricted to residents and permit-holders — so the practical approach is to use paid parking in the lower town and continue up on foot, by taxi or by local bus. Long-distance coaches also link Coimbra with both major cities and are often a budget-friendly alternative to the train, arriving at the central bus terminal near the river, from which the climb up to the Alta is the same as from the railway stations.
However you arrive in Portugal, the final approach is the same: get yourself to the foot of the Alta, then up to the Paço das Escolas at the top. Because the Biblioteca Joanina entry is a fixed timed slot, the golden rule is to build in margin. Aim to be at the top of the hill, oriented and unhurried, a comfortable while before your slot. The rest of the combined ticket — the Royal Palace, St Michael's Chapel and the museums — carries no such deadline and can happily absorb any spare time you find yourself with, so erring on the early side costs you nothing and protects the one part of the day that can't be rebooked on a whim.
Frequently asked
Which Coimbra train station should I use for the university?
Mainline express trains (Alfa Pendular and Intercidades) stop at Coimbra-B on the edge of town. From there a short connecting local train runs to Coimbra-A in the city centre, beside the river and below the university. Don't try to catch an express from Coimbra-A — it doesn't stop there.
How long is the train from Lisbon to Coimbra?
The fast Alfa Pendular reaches Coimbra-B in about 1h43; the slower Intercidades takes roughly 2 hours. Services run frequently throughout the day, so Coimbra works well as a day trip or an overnight stay.
How long is the train from Porto to Coimbra?
About an hour to 1h15 by Alfa Pendular or Intercidades from Porto's Campanhã station to Coimbra-B. Campanhã connects to the central São Bento station by a short, frequent local train.
How do I get from Coimbra-B to the city centre?
The simplest way is the short connecting local train to Coimbra-A in the centre, timed to meet mainline arrivals and taking only a few minutes. Alternatively it is about a 20-minute walk or a short taxi ride from Coimbra-B.
How hard is the walk up to the University of Coimbra?
It is a steep 10–15 minute climb on foot from the riverside and lower town up to the Paço das Escolas, on stairs and slopes throughout. Taxis, ride-hailing and city buses can take you to the top if the gradient is a concern.
Can I drive up to the Biblioteca Joanina?
Driving into the medieval upper town is not advised — the lanes are narrow, steep and largely restricted. Use paid parking in the lower town and continue up on foot, by taxi or by local bus. Coimbra is about 1h45 from Lisbon and 1h15 from Porto by car on the A1.
How much time should I leave before my library slot?
Build in a buffer of at least 30 minutes after arriving in the centre. Between the mainline arrival, the connection and the steep climb to the top of the Alta, it is easy to lose time, and the Biblioteca Joanina slot is fixed to the minute on your ticket.