Does anyone have any experience of travelling on the Portuguese railway system, or of travelling overland by rail from Paris on the TGV to Irun, then sleeper train to Lisbon?

The only experience I have is on the service from Faro to Lisbon. We were in CVO last month and drove to Tunes to catch the InterCity train just before 8:00 am to Lisbon for the day. Everything was fine, the trains were clean; breakast served on the way out and dinner on the way back by a charming character who reminded me a little of Jerry Lewis.
Best of luck with the overland journey - it should be fun. Last year as part of our vacation we used the Eurostar from Waterloo to Paris and the TGV to Bordeaux - an excellent way to travel.

Many thanks for the information. It's good to hear that the Portuguese railways are good, and so cheap! E12.50 from Tunes to Lisbon (I presume the meal is not included)!

Unfortunately, having found out the cost of the overland trip from the UK, we certainly can't afford it. We'll do the Algarve-Lisbon one, though.

Whereabouts is Tunes,this train journey sounds interesting?

Tunes is a bit north of Albufeira, and is the junction of the railway from Portimao (ie. the nearest one to Carvoeiro). It is on the main line from Faro to Lisbon. There is only one train each way each day. See http://www.cp.pt/horarios/alfa_ic/e_horarios.html for more information (in English or Portuguese).

I've not even been there yet, but this is what I've found out so far!

Can anyone tell me whether the food on the train which Admiral refers to is included, or only available First Class, or how it is available?

you will find a lot of info if you scroll back thru prevoius requests about going to lisbon

The train has a club/bar car. The usual array of snacks and drinks, including beer, available from the bar. The menu is restricted, but adequate, and as far as I could tell, served just by one attendant. He took orders and served in the first class car; I'm not sure if he did the same in second class, but you can use the bar from all parts of the train. The cost of meals is NOT included in the fare. I believe there are four trains a day from Tunes, but you are limited if you want to do the trip in one day. Note that the intercity trains (leaves Tunes at 7:57am) require reservations.
If you have the time, I would recommend an overnight in Lisbon - we didn't have a lot of time in the city doing it in just one day.

We are planning to drop the car off at Tunes and get the train along to Faro. Does anyone know what motorway junction to get off at for Tunes coming from Carvoeiro. Mike, Chislehurst.