Porto has a modern, cheap public transport network integrated into the Andante fare system, covering metro, STCP buses, urban trains and some private bus lines. The historic centre is compact and walkable, but the hills are steep: use the metro and funicular for the biggest climbs. It is part of the Porto guide.
The metro
Metro do Porto is a light-rail system, mostly above ground, with six lines identified by letters and colours, sharing a central section between Senhora da Hora and Estádio do Dragão:
- Line A (blue): Matosinhos, Casa da Música, Trindade, Bolhão, Campanhã, Estádio do Dragão.
- Line B (red): towards Póvoa de Varzim on the north coast.
- Line C (green): towards Maia and Trofa.
- Line D (yellow): from Hospital São João to Vila Nova de Gaia via Trindade, Aliados, São Bento and the upper deck of the Dom Luís I Bridge.
- Line E (purple): the airport.
- Line F (orange): towards Gondomar.
A new pink line serving Boavista and Casa da Música and a ruby line between Porto and Gaia are under construction. The metro runs from about 6am to 1am.
The Andante card and tickets
All tickets are loaded onto the rechargeable Andante Azul card, sold at machines for a few cents. The fare depends on the number of zones crossed: central Porto and Gaia are usually Z2, while the airport requires a Z4 ticket.
- Occasional Z2 ticket: about 1.40 euros, valid one hour with transfers on metro, buses and trains.
- Z4 ticket: for the airport, just over 2 euros.
- Andante Tour 1 and Tour 3: 24- and 72-hour tourist tickets with unlimited travel, airport included.
- Porto Card: includes transport and free or discounted entry to museums and monuments.
Validate the card on every journey, including transfers, by touching the yellow readers. Fares are updated each January: check them on the Andante website.
Buses, trams and funicular
- STCP buses cover the whole city; especially useful is bus 500, which runs from São Bento along the river to Foz and Matosinhos.
- Historic trams are run by STCP: line 1 runs along the river from Infante to Foz, line 18 links Foz with Carmo and line 22 loops around the centre between Carmo and Batalha. They have a separate fare.
- The Guindais funicular links the Ribeira with Batalha in a few minutes, saving a very steep climb.
- The Gaia cable car links the Gaia riverfront with Jardim do Morro.
Trains
- São Bento station, in the centre, serves urban and regional trains to Guimarães, Braga, Aveiro and the Douro valley.
- Campanhã station, to the east, is the departure point for Alfa Pendular and Intercidades trains to Lisbon, Coimbra and Braga, linked to São Bento by frequent trains and the metro.
See day trips from Porto.
Taxis, apps and bikes
Taxis are cheap and plentiful, and ride-hailing apps work. Cycling is pleasant along the river and seafront towards Foz and Matosinhos, but the centre is too steep. Driving in Porto is not recommended: narrow streets, one-way systems and difficult parking.
Tips
- To arrive from the airport see Porto airport.
- From the Ribeira, go back up by funicular or by metro from the bridge.
- Remember to validate your Andante card at transfers too, or risk a fine.
See also itineraries.