Travelling to River Cottage
River Cottage is located just 10 minutes drive from Castanheira de Pera Town and 15 minutes from Figueiro dos Vinhos.
Airports
We are situated centrally between Lisbon (Lisboa) and Porto Airports, both are approximately 2 hours drive (A1, IC8).
For first time visitors driving from Lisbon airport is easier because the airport is located in the city with very easy access to the A1 toll road. Porto airport is located on the North side of the city and further from the A1.
Motorways
If you are diving up from Lisbon (lisboa) join the A1 toll road heading north and exit at junction 10 signed Pombal.
If you are driving down from Porto follow the signs for A1 and join the A1 heading south to Lisbon. Exit the A1 at junction 10 signed Pombal.
Important Note The A1 is a toll road, you must take a ticket from the machine at the toll barrier and do not go though the barrier marked Reservado a Aderentes this is for Via Verde subscribers only.
After you have exited the A1 (and paid) you will be on the IC8 heading towards Pombal and Castelo Branco.
After a couple of minutes the IC8 will fork into 2, righthand lane heading to Pombal, lefthand lane heading to Castelo Branco, take the Castelo Branco fork.
Stay on the IC8 heading towards Sertã / Castelo Branco.
After approx 30 minutes driving exit the IC8 at the Castanheira de Pera / Figueiro dos Vinhos junction (N236) and head towards Castanheira de Pera.
Trains
Portugal has an excellent rail network which is fast, clean and on time.
If you are flying into Lisbon airport you can take a taxi to the mainline station Lisboa Oriente (Estação Oriente).
You have a choice of two high speed trains, both of which stop at Pombal and Coimbra B railway stations:
Alfa Pendular
Journey time 1 hour 30 minutes
Cost €18.00 (2nd class - Turística/2ª)
Intercidade
Journey time 1 hour 50 minutes
Cost €14.00 (2nd class - Turística/2ª)
If you are flying into Porto airport you can take either a taxi or the metro to the mainline station Porto Campanhã (Estação Campanhã).
Alfa Pendular
Journey time 1 hour
Cost €15.00 (2nd class - Turística/2ª)
Intercidade
Journey time 1 hour 10 minutes
Cost €11.00 (2nd class - Turística/2ª)
Journey times and prices quoted above are subject to change and for trips terminating at Coimbra B station.
Car Hire
There are many car hire companies thoughout Portugal in all major towns and cities, but you are advised to reserve your car hire in advance. August is a particularly busy month in Portugal and hire cars can be very difficult to book at the last minute.
Car hire prices vary so its worth shopping around.
Travel and Health Insurance
It is recommended that you purchase travel insurance to cover your trip, you can also obtain a european health card for emergency medical treatment abroad from
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