Getting around with Porto public transport

Discover public transport in Porto. From prices and subscriptions to the best ways to get around Porto.

Ivandzhelin

4 minute read

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7 Aug 2024

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Living

Porto is a very walkable city, so you can reach any destination on foot. Yet, sometimes the weather or time prevents you from walking. In those moments you can rely on Porto’s excellent public transport network. With 6 metro lines and 75 bus routes, you won’t wonder how to reach your destination. Before you start exploring homes for rent in Porto, explore the best ways to get around Porto.

There are several ways to pay for public transport in Porto. You can purchase tickets, get a public transport subscription, or pay contactless.

Public transport prices in Porto depend on which type of public transport you’re using. A one-way trip on the bus in Porto costs €1.85. The metro starts at €1.40, and the cost grows depending on how many zones you ride in.

The cheapest way to pay for public transport in Porto is by getting an Andante card. This is a personalized public transport card you can use monthly with the subscription type you want. The 3 best monthly passes for people living in Porto are:

• Andante 3Z/Municipal: €30, and it’s valid for 3 metro zones or 1 municipality
• Andante Metropolitano: €40, and it’s valid for all metro zones
• Andante + CP/Andante + CIM Tâmega e Sousa: €50, and it’s valid for all public transport in Porto and trains operated by Comboios de Portugal (CP) and CIM Tâmega e Sousa.

You’ll need to purchase the Andante card in addition to the cost of the public transport. You can get an Andante Azul, which costs €0.60 but is only available for single trips, or the Andante Prateado, which costs €6 and can be recharged with your monthly subscription.

If you choose to pay contactless, you’ll pay the price of a single trip every time you use the public transport in Porto. So, you won’t be able to get a discount or a lower rate like you get with the Andante card. This is why is better to get the Andante card as it will help you maintain a lower cost of living in Porto.

The metro is the most convenient way to get around Porto. It has 81 stations across 6 lines: A (blue), B (red), C (green), D (yellow), E (purple), and F (orange). Together, they cover the city of Porto and some of the nearby suburbs. As the metro goes over and underground, you can even get a very scenic way home! Works between 6 AM and 1 AM Runs every 5 to 10 minutes

Is the metro free in Porto?

No, the metro in Porto isn’t free. Starting at €1.40 per ride, the price you pay for the metro in Porto depends on how many zones you’re traveling in. Zones 2 to 4 (Z2, Z3, and Z4) are within the city limits, while Zones 5 and 6 are further out. You’ll mostly travel in the first 3 zones as those are more central, while the last 2 are more of the suburbs.

Broken down, the costs per zone look like:

The cheapest way to travel with the metro in Porto is to purchase an Andate card. For a monthly subscription, you get unlimited travel on all public transport in Porto.

Buses in Porto are a great way to get around the city. With 75 routes, the bus network is extensive and covers the parts of the city the metro doesn’t. So, if you don’t have a metro station nearby, you definitely will have a bus stop. Buses come in second place to the metro as they can get very crowded.

• Works between 6 AM and 1 AM
• Runs every 5 to 10 minutes

Porto’s trams are probably the city's best-known means of public transport. There are 12 trams split across 3 lines: 1, 18, and 22, which run mostly around the tourist sights. Porto’s trams are mainly used as a tourist attraction rather than part of the city’s public transport system. So, while they’re pretty and offer picturesque views, the trams aren’t great for getting around Porto if you aren’t a tourist. Working hours depend on the line:

• Line 1 (Infante—Passeio Alegre): 9:30 AM to 6 PM
• Line 18 (Massarelos—Carmo): 9:15 AM to 7 PM
• Line 22 (Carmo—Guindais Batalha): 10 AM to 7 PM

The Andante card and its subscriptions aren’t valid for the trams in Porto. To pay for the trams, you need to buy tickets on board. A one-way ticket for the Porto tram costs €5 per person.

Porto has 2 train stations: São Bento and Campanhã. São Bento is the main train station of Porto, so most trains connecting the city with the rest of Portugal leave from here. Whereas regional and suburban trains leave from Campanhã.

Ticket prices and journey lengths vary depending on your origin and destination. For example, to get to Lisbon from Porto, you’ll need between 3 and 5 hours, depending on which train you choose. High-speed trains run every day, but they cost €64 one-way. If you’re on a tighter budget, you can take a 5-hour train for €32.

But if you use the CP trains, you can use your Andante + CP subscription and save money on travel.

The Funicular connects people living in one of the best areas of Porto, Batalha, with the riverside Ribeira. While it’s not the preferred means of transport for the locals, the Funicular dos Guindais is a great way to spice up your commute. You’ll also get a beautiful view of the city and won’t have to climb a very steep hill. A one-way trip on the Funicular dos Guidais costs €3.50.

The best way to get around Porto is by metro. It has the most extensive public transport network and stops at convenient locations. But if your destination is within 20 minutes of walking, the best way to get around the city is by foot. You can also use the bus for daily commute, but it can get overcrowded during peak hours. For out-of-city travel, definitely go for the trains. Trams and the funicular are great for a scenic route but are very touristy.