The most magical time of the year is upon us, which is why themed initiatives such as the Vouga Historic Train – Christmas Edition are multiplying . As in previous years, CP – Comboios de Portugal is promoting Christmas journeys aboard the famous Vouguinha, on a guided tour to the Biggest and Smallest Santa Claus in the World.
Between December 7 and January 4, 2026 ( weekends only), nine trips are planned, departing from Aveiro to Macinhata do Vouga. The route includes a (mandatory) stop in Águeda to enjoy one of the biggest Christmas attractions in the country.
Table Of Contents
What to expect from Vouguinha ‘dressed up’ for Christmas?
Although it’s not the first time that CP – Comboios de Portugal has promoted this themed initiative, the truth is that it’s always worthwhile, especially for those who love walking around and exploring Christmas destinations with the family during the festive season.
A trip along the only narrow gauge line in operation in Portugal, on board one of the five carriages from the early years of the 20th century, hauled by the historic 900 series diesel locomotive,” reads the official CP website.
As we mentioned earlier, the meeting point for this themed journey is Aveiro station at 13h45. The return trip is scheduled for 19h20 from Águeda and arrives in Aveiro at 20h07.
The route includes a stop in Macinhata do Vouga, where you can visit the local Railway Museum. However, the main attraction of this trip is the stop in Águeda.
There, you can see the World’s Largest and Smallest Santa Claus, the former about 21 meters high and illuminated by more than 250,000 LEDs, and the latter in a nano-structure visible under the watchful eye of a microscope.
Useful tips
Tickets for this Christmas experience are already on sale at CP counters or on its officialwebsite, and these are the prices for the 2025 edition:
- 41€ for adults
- 25€ for children aged 4 to 12
- 37€ for groups of at least ten people
It is recommended that tickets are booked in advance, as there are limited places available. Please note that tickets are only valid for the day and are non-refundable.
How to get there from Porto?
One of the most convenient ways to get to the starting point, at Aveiro train station, is by car via the A1 highway, a journey of around 45 to 60 minutes over a total of 75 km, depending on traffic.
However, our suggestion is that you take the urban train from Porto to Aveiro, departing from Campanhã or São Bento station (one of the most beautiful in the world).
Don’t miss out! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and now WhatsApp too!