Lisbon and Estoril ICs

[JPJOULE]

I have a Creation Credit Card Voucher to use on an IHG hotel. Looking at using it in Lisbon or next door. I do have some points to use as well.
Advice would be useful on a 3day/3 day excursion to Lisbon, Estoril and/or Oporto.

How easy (cheap?) is it to move from Lisbon to Estoril? or Lisbon to Oporto.

Thoughts would be appreciated.

[NorthernLass]

It would use a big chunk of a 3 day trip getting from Lisbon to Oporto, I’d stick to one or the other.

[cabal of rabid baboons]

Lisbon to Porto is a scenic three hours on the fast train, Sao Bento station in Porto is on the doorstep of the IC and is a wonderful if hilly city to explore

[JPJOULE]

Thank you for the rapid reply. Looking at more than a 3 day trip – 3days at one and 3 days at another.

[Froggee]

Lisbon to Estoril is the easiest of peasies.

There is a train goes from Lisbon to within spitting distance of the Intercontinental Cascais-Estoril. Although you have to walk up a hill from the station to get to the hotel. But it’s like a couple of minutes.

We took an overpriced transfer (€80) from the airport but I believe the train is only a few euros.

I’m guessing a normal taxi would be €30ish euros?

[NorthernLass]

You can fit them both in then! Check whether the extensive works outside the IC Porto are complete before spending a free night cert or points on it, though, it was a real mess when we were there.

[zio]

I stayed at the IC Porto in October and they said the building works outside wouldn’t be finished before 2025. Certainly an eyesore but didn’t (for me) detract from my enjoyment of the city or the hotel (upgraded room and staff were very good).
Driving the A1 (toll road) between Lisbon and Porto was very easy, but since a car really isn’t much use if you are going to be in the city the train is probably preferable.

[AJA]

The train from Lisbon to Estoril goes from Cais do Sodre Station and is under €3 per person. It takes roughly 40 minutes. You obviously need to get from the Lisbon IC to Cais do Sodre station and possibly again in Estoril as walking up the hill isn’t the most auspicious way to arrive and with luggage I’d suggest a taxi is the easiest and should be under €10 in Lisbon and possibly similar in Estoril assuming a taxi will do such a short journey.

You may want to consider a two centre staying in Estoril and Porto and just go into Lisbon on the train one day.

[memesweeper]

Lisbon is too easy from Estoril to warrant staying in the city centre IC and the Estoril IC unless you have a lot of time on your hands.

A train from the airport to Estoril is a small faff as the connection to Cais do Sodre from airport metro/bus isn’t great, nor is it super quick. A car is quick but charmless. On my last visit I did airport -> centre on the metro, dropped the bags at left luggage, did a day in the city then got the train to Cais do Sodre -> Monte Estoril.

From Monte Estoril station to the hotel — note the hotel is practically on top of the station. If you are feeling super lazy you can enter through the parking garage underneath the building and cut out the few metres of climb. It’s so easy — and visible on Google Street View.

Unless you have a pressing need to maximise every second in the city centre go with IC Estoril (all else being equal, money etc). I’m about to book my next visit to Lisbon, and I do need to be a short walk from Parque Eduardo VII for three days, so considering the super-convenient city centre IC, or the Vignette a slightly longer walk away.

[Blair Waldorf Salad]

This is a niche consideration but the IC Lisbon is on a slopey part of city and I have lost my footing there when walking downhill. Lisbon really requires the right footwear. Don’t be like me who on my first visit took my footwear off to find blistered feet and then couldn’t get them back on. I limped to the door to let room service in but that was it for my first night of my first trip.

[JPJOULE]

Thank you for the info on Portugal. I have a Creation Card night to use. Looks like it will be the last one so wish to spend it wisely = its over 6 months since the card was pulled.

I wonder if Chase is ever likely to offer a UK IHG credit card?

[memesweeper]

I’d expect Chase to launch a regular card first.

[LittleNick]

memesweeper wrote:

I’d expect Chase to launch a regular card first.

I’m really hoping Chase enter the UK credit rewards market this year.

[Blair Waldorf Salad]

I’m at the IC Lisbon this weekend if anyone wants anything checked