Getting Around Porto: A Local’s Guide to the Best Options

Porto, Portugal, is a city of steep hills, cobbled alleys, and winding riverfront streets. It’s part of what makes the city so beautiful, but it also means getting around can be tricky if you don’t know your options. However, Porto’s public transport is reliable, inexpensive, and much easier to figure out than it first looks.

We use public transportation here all the time; we chose Porto partially because we wanted to live somewhere we wouldn’t need to own a car. Whether it’s a bus ride down the beautiful ocean coast or grabbing the metro to the airport, there are great systems to get you around inexpensively. Once you understand the basics of tickets and zones, you’ll be able to get yourself wherever you need to go.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how Porto’s transport system works, how to get and use the Andante card, and details about using the metro, bus, tram, funicular, cable car, and regional trains. We’ll go over the best ways to get to and from the airport depending on your situation. We’ll also share some easy day trip ideas you can do with the regional trains. Throughout, we’ve got some travel tips to keep you moving in the right direction.

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Most people who live here own cars, but we recommend only getting a car for day trips. Many smaller towns and villages are not on the train line, and some of these are our favorite places to visit!

The main regional trains go up and down the coast, which means you can’t easily access inland towns. To explore these towns, you’ll need to either rent a car, or book a guided tour.

The Porto network of public transportation has some holes- places that are difficult to get to on the metro or take a long time to reach by local bus. For those, we recommend using a ride service like Uber or Bolt. These services are very inexpensive in Porto, and can cut your transport time in half. For example, a 20-minute Uber ride is usually under 10€.

Porto is working to expand the public transportation network; you’ll see a lot of construction sites as they build the “ligna rosa” or pink line, which will connect the Casa da Música metro station with the yellow line at São Bento, looping through heavily touristed areas. This is currently estimated to open in 2027.

They are also adding a Ruby line from Casa da Música across a new bridge being built over the Douro River, to Santa Ovidio in Gaia, though that will be 2028 or later.

If you choose to get a Porto Card, public transportation is included. The Porto Card is the official city sightseeing pass that includes discounts at sights and restaurants. With the card, buses, the metro, and some regional trains are unlimited. Trams are not included.

Is it rainy? Don’t miss our list of the best things to do in the rain! Check out the best seasons to visit to make the most our your trip.

The Zone System

Porto’s public transportation is based on zones. The more zones you travel through, the more zones your ticket needs to cover. For example, a Z2 ticket covers two zones, or the zone you start in and any of the adjoining zones.

For most visitors, a Z2 ticket will cover travel within central Porto. But trips farther out require more zones.

For example, a metro ride from Trindade (city center) to the airport is four zones (Z4). If you bought just a Z2 ticket for that ride, you’d risk a fine. Transport workers randomly check tickets, and fines start at 50€ if you are caught with an incorrect ticket, and go higher with no ticket.

The easiest way to check is with the official city travel planner. Just plug in your starting and ending stations, and it will tell you exactly how many zones you need for your ticket.

You do not need to tap to get off the metro or the bus. If you transfer to another metro line or onto another bus, you will need to validate again, but it will automatically create a transfer, so you won’t be charged twice.

Each Person needs their own Andante Card; you cannot tap for more than one person at a time. Kids 4 and under ride free.

You can buy an Andante card at:

-Ticket machines on the platform or larger metro stations (including the airport)
-Train stations like São Bento and Campanhã
-Andante Stores “Lojas Andante” located in major stations

The card itself costs 0.60€, and then you load tickets onto it.

• You will need to do a separate transaction per person. Buying two “Z2” tickets will put two trips on one card, not provide two different tickets.
  
• A Z2 (two-zone) title (single journey) costs 1.40€. Buy ten tickets, get the 11th free.
  
• A Z3 title is 1.80€. Buy ten tickets, get the 11th free.
  
• You cannot tap to pay; you need to insert a physical credit card to pay.
  
• You can choose a visitor’s pass or a pack of tickets, but for most visitors, single tickets are the best option.
  
• You can switch the machine language to English.
  
• You can reuse the same card and add more titles (rides) at a machine as needed.
  

The Anda App

If you have an Android phone, you can skip the physical card and use the Anda app to tap onto buses and metros. If you use enough single passes to justify a monthly pass, the app will automatically upgrade you and not charge you for additional single rides.

On iPhones, the app can be used to check the balance on your card, load a physical Anda card with either single rides or a monthly pass, but cannot be used to tap onto transportation.

The app can be a bit glitchy, so be patient; it often takes a few tries before the app accurately scans your Andante card and then loads new titles onto it.

Day Pass Options

There are several pass options that allow unlimited travel. This first is a zoned 24 hour pass. Choose the number of zones, and the card is valid for 24 hours from when you first validate it. Z2 is 5.15€, Z3 is 6.65€.

You can also get an Andante Tour, which is unlimited for either 1 day (24 hours), or 3 days (72 hours). All zones are included for a price of 7.50€ for Tour 1, and 16.00€ for Tour 3.

Monthly passes begin on the first of the month, and allow unlimited travel in three zones for 30€ a month, or across all zones for 40€. Discounts for seniors. Monthly passes can be added in the last few days of the previous month using the Anda app or a ticket machine.

With proof of enrollment at a local school, students can get a silver card that allows free travel on all of Porto’s public transportation.

You can check times on Google Maps if you need a specific train. Buses can be unreliable due to traffic, but the trains run on a strict schedule.

Here is a map of the Porto metro. You can also download an app with the map.

Hours and Frequency

• The metro runs from about 6:00 am until 1:00 am. For big festivals or holidays, hours are sometimes extended.
  
• Trains usually come every 10–15 minutes, though they can be less frequent late at night or on weekends. Look for signs on each platform telling you how many minutes until the next train.
  
• Peak commuting hours (8–9 am and 6–7 pm) can be crowded.
  

There are currently six lines (A–F), but you’ll probably only use a few of them. As each train arrives, it will be marked with a letter and the name of the station at the end of the line. For example, A trains going West will be marked “Senhor de Matosinhos”, A trains going East will be marked “Estádio do Dragão”.

• Line E (Purple): Airport to Trindade in the city center. This is the one most travelers start with.
  
• Line D (Yellow): São Bento to Vila Nova de Gaia. Great for crossing the river to visit port cellars.
  
• Line A (Blue): Trindade to Matosinhos. Perfect for beach days and seafood dinners. Line F also runs here, though it’s not always indicated on the map.

Buses are very reliable in the morning (our girls take one every day to school), but get less reliable as the day progresses and traffic interferes. We have stood many times for over 20 minutes in the afternoon waiting for a bus. Bus schedules also change due to national holidays, public school holidays, and even construction.

Bus vs Uber

When we have guests in town, if the metro doesn’t take us where we need to go, we generally take Ubers over buses, as they take half the time and are affordable for the occasional ride.

The exceptions are when the bus ride is especially pretty. We love taking guests on the 500 double-decker bus. It runs from the Ribiera to Foz, and then up the coast to Matosinhos. Whichever direction you ride it, head to the top of the bus, grab those front seats, and enjoy the view.

How To Ride the Bus

To ride the bus, tap your Andante card on the reader as you board in the front, or pay the driver with a credit card. Cash is not accepted. Exit the bus via the back doorway. Tickets bought on the bus are slightly more expensive (2€ instead of 1.40€)

Important: You must wave or signal a bus to stop; they do not automatically stop at every bus stop.

• Tram 1: The most popular line, it runs from Ribeira (just below the São Francisco Church) along the riverfront to Foz do Douro.
• Tram 18 & 22: Shorter loops through central Porto, more for nostalgia than convenience.
  
• Taking Tram 1 to the Museu do Carro Eléctrico (Tram Museum) is one of the activities kids love on our list of activities in Porto.
  

Gaia Cable Car

The Teleférico de Gaia glides between the riverside near the port wine cellars up to the Jardim do Morro, right by the end of the Dom Luis I bridge and the metro stop. It’s more of an experience than a practical commute, and gives you some of the best views of Porto over the Douro River. It’s not a long ride, just a few minutes, but our guests always love taking this! Tickets are 7€ per person.

Afurada Ferry

For something different, you can take the small ferry across the Douro from Foz on the Porto side to Afurada, a traditional fishing village in Gaia. It’s a short ride, but a lovely way to cross the river and explore a part of Porto many visitors miss.

This is a small boat that seats about 20, so on sunny days it can fill up quickly, especially on the Foz side of the river. Plan to get there 15 minutes before the scheduled departure to ensure a seat.

This part of Gaia includes the Marina da Afurada, where a lot of river cruises depart from. A steep hill separates Afurada from the neighborhoods in Gaia on the metro, so this is a great way to get to this neighborhood.

The ferry is included in the Andante system, so you can tap your card as you board or pay 2.25€ with a credit card.

Ferries currently run once an hour, on the hour from the Porto side (called Cais do Ouro), board across from Casa da Cardosa; and on the half hour from the Gaia Side (called Afurada), board across from the restaurant A Margem.

Where to Catch the Train

São Bento Station

Right in the heart of Porto, famous for its blue-and-white tile murals. This is a small station with historic, commuter, and regional trains heading North. Vintage steam trains run to Christmas markets, and to the Douro Valley at harvest season.

Campanhã Station

A larger hub a few metro stops away, this station is more heavily used. Most regional trains start here, especially if you’re heading further out.

Top Day Trips by Train

These are some of the top places you can easily visit on a day trip from Porto using the train system.

Guimarães: About 1 hour from São Bento. Known as the birthplace of Portugal, with a medieval castle and cobbled lanes to explore.

Braga: Around 45 minutes from São Bento. Home to Portugal’s oldest cathedral, and with the striking Bom Jesus sanctuary just outside the city.

Aveiro: About 1 hour from Campanhã. Often called the “Venice of Portugal,” with colorful canals, traditional boats, and sweet ovos moles pastries.

Coimbra: Around 1 hour and 20 minutes from Campanhã. A historic university city with a stunning baroque library and lively student culture.

Tips for Taking the Train

Here are some tips for taking the train when you are headed out of the city for the day.

-Buy your tickets at station machines or on the app in advance.

-Buy children half-price tickets using the “meio bilhete” discount option from ages 4-12. Children under 4 ride free.

-Trains run frequently to most destinations, but check schedules. Be aware that the CP App does not always include the lowest cost, most regional option for many cities. Check at the train station for better information.

-Make sure to bring your passport with you; you will need it to purchase return tickets at any of the ticket offices. We made this mistake and almost didn’t get tickets back from Coimbra!

-If using a paper ticket, validate your ticket at the machine on the platform before boarding the train.

By Metro

The metro (Line E, Purple) runs directly from the airport into the city center. The ride to Trindade station takes about 30 minutes, and trains run every 15 minutes or so. It’s the cheapest option, just a few euros with an Andante Z4 ticket. For most travelers without much luggage, this is the best balance of cost and convenience.

Taxi or Ride-Share

Taxis and ride-shares (Uber, Bolt) are readily available at the airport.

Expect to pay around 12-20€ for an Uber to get into the city center. There is a specific area for ride-share pick-ups, follow the signs on the floor toward the Metro to go down an escalator, across a bridge, and up an escalator to the designated pick-up zone.

You may be waiting 10-15 minutes for your ride to arrive. This is the best option for people with luggage, arriving late at night, or who need door-to-door service.

There are taxi available outside the main door, these generally cost around double to getting a ride share, but can be more convenient. Taxis always use the meter, but expect a 20% surcharge for evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Car Service

If you don’t want to navigate finding the Uber pick-up, and then waiting, or need help with your luggage, a car service is best. Someone will be waiting outside the arrivals area with a sign with your name and will help you get to the car.

While this is the most expensive option, it can be helpful, especially as you can pre-order car seats and not worry about dragging kids on public transport with your luggage, or hoping the Uber provides car seats. We also find this is great for elderly people who struggle with mobility or need a little more help with their luggage.

By Bus

Several bus routes connect the airport to different neighborhoods. Use Google Maps to figure out which is best for you. These are covered by the Andante card, but buses can be slower since they’re affected by traffic. We have taken these buses, but they make a lot of stops, so it can be quite slow, and they don’t drop you right at the front of the airport.

FAQ

There You Have It

Porto is easy to enjoy once you know how to get around. Pick up an Andante card, remember to tap it each time you ride, and use the metro for the longer stretches.

Buses will take you where the metro doesn’t reach, while trams and the cable car are more about the experience than the destination. And when you’re ready to head further afield, rent a car or use regional trains make day trips to Guimarães, Braga, Aveiro, or Coimbra simple and affordable.

If you’re weighing your options from the airport, the metro is the best value; ride-shares are perfect when you’ve got luggage or sleeping kids. For families who want totally stress-free arrivals or car seats ready to go, a pre-booked car service can be worth it.

Ready to keep planning? Build a quick visit with our 1-Day Porto Itinerary or stretch it out with our 3-Day Porto Itinerary.

Don’t miss our tips on delicious regional dishes or how to order a Portuguese coffee.

First-time visitor? Check out travel tips and language tips to make your visit smoother.