Train services have returned to the Beira Baixa Line, restoring direct rail connections through Castelo Branco, Fundão and Covilhã after months of disruption caused by severe storm damage.
The railway fully reopened on 20 September, following the completion of major repair works between Mouriscas-A and Ródão, where the infrastructure had been seriously damaged by Storm Kristin earlier this year.
The reopening means Regional and Intercidades services can once again operate along the full Beira Baixa Line, ending the replacement bus arrangements that passengers had relied on for several months.
€3.4 Million Repair
Infraestruturas de Portugal invested approximately €3.4 million in repairing the damaged section.
The railway had been affected by two major landslides, which destabilised the railway platform and required substantial engineering works before trains could safely return.
The intervention included around 5,500 cubic metres of rockfill to stabilise the slopes, as well as the construction of two reinforced-concrete structures supported by micropiles.
Engineers also reinforced the railway platform, improved drainage and restored the track, telecommunications and other infrastructure damaged by the storms.
Geotechnical monitoring equipment has now been installed to continuously monitor the repaired structures and railway platform.
Direct Trains Return to Beira Baixa
For passengers across the region, the most significant change is the return of normal rail travel without the need to transfer to replacement buses.
During the closure, Intercidades trains operated only between Lisbon Santa Apolónia and Abrantes, with replacement coaches carrying passengers onwards towards Guarda.
Regional services were also divided, with trains operating between Entroncamento and Mouriscas-A and between Vila Velha de Ródão and Castelo Branco.
With the damaged section reopened, CP has restored rail services across the line under new timetables.
Passengers should therefore check current schedules before travelling.
Important for Castelo Branco, Fundão and Covilhã
The reopening is particularly important for Beira Baixa.
The railway provides one of the region's principal public transport connections with Lisbon and serves communities including Castelo Branco, Fundão and Covilhã.
It is used by residents travelling for work, healthcare and other services, as well as students attending the University of Beira Interior (UBI) and visitors travelling to the region.
For people without access to a car, the return of direct rail services is especially significant.
The restoration of the line also removes many of the difficulties associated with replacement coaches, which were unable to transport bicycles, scooters or wheelchairs.
Freight Route Restored
The reopening is important for more than passenger transport.
The Beira Baixa Line also provides an alternative to the Beira Alta Line for international rail freight, giving Portugal's railway network additional resilience and providing another route towards the Spanish border.
Restoring the damaged section therefore reconnects an important national and international freight corridor as well as restoring passenger services.
Earlier Than Initially Feared
When Beira Buzz reported on the disruption in July, the Government was predicting that normal services would return sometime during September or October.
The confirmation of 20 September therefore brought the reopening towards the earlier end of that estimate.
For communities that had endured months of replacement buses and longer journeys, the reopening marks the return of an important transport link connecting Beira Baixa with the rest of Portugal.
Check the New Timetables
CP introduced updated timetables when services resumed on 20 September.
Passengers travelling from Castelo Branco, Fundão, Covilhã or other stations along the line should check the latest CP timetable before travelling, particularly if they have not used the railway since before the closure.
Sources
- https://beira.pt/portal/noticias/linha-da-beira-baixa-reabre-a-20-de-setembro/
- https://www.infraestruturasdeportugal.pt/pt-pt/intemperies-reabertura-da-linha-da-beira-baixa
- https://www.cp.pt/info/w/beira-baixa-line
- https://cimbeirabaixa.pt/comunicacao/noticias/linha-da-beira-baixa-circulacao-ferroviaria-e-restabelecida-a-20-de-setembro-apos-investimento-de-3-44-milhoes-de-euros/
- https://radio-covilha.pt/2026/09/noticias/linha-da-beira-baixa-reabre-a-20-de-setembro/
- https://beirabuzz.pt/articles/beira-baixa-rail-line-expected-to-reopen-autumn-2026