CP Cancels Six More Intercidades Trains This Weekend Over Heatwave

Portugal’s national rail operator CP is cancelling six additional Intercidades train services on Saturday and Sunday because of an ongoing heatwave, the company confirmed. The decision comes as forecasts continue to point to exceptionally high temperatures across much of the country.

Why CP is scaling back Intercidades services

CP said the cancellations are meant to “mitigate the impacts of the heatwave” on passengers, suggesting concerns about both comfort and the safe operation of trains in extreme heat. Rail infrastructure, including tracks and overhead power lines, can be affected by very high temperatures, sometimes forcing operators to reduce speeds or suspend services on certain lines.

This is not the first such move recently; CP has already trimmed its Intercidades schedule in response to the same heatwave, and this latest announcement adds six more cancellations to that list for the weekend.

What this means for residents and visitors travelling by rail

For foreign residents who rely on Intercidades trains to move between major hubs like Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra and the Algarve, the cancellations mean some planned weekend trips may need to be rebooked or rescheduled. Anyone with tickets for Saturday or Sunday services should check CP’s official website or app before heading to the station, as further adjustments are possible if the heatwave persists.

Extreme heat events are becoming more frequent in Portugal, and disruptions to rail and other public transport services during peak summer months are increasingly common. Expats new to the country should be aware that public services, including trains and buses, may see altered schedules during official heat warnings issued by IPMA, Portugal’s weather agency.