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The Lusitanian city boasts an efficient and modern public transport network that connects the center and the suburbs. Subway, bus, funicular and, even, boats: the possibilities for getting around Porto by public transport are endless.
Without forgetting, moreover, the presence of historical means such as the three tram lines and the Guindais Funicular.
GETTING AROUND PORTO BY METRO
The metro (or more correctly the tram line) is undoubtedly the best way for getting around Porto, and to reach every corner of the city.
The metro is the most used means. And it couldn’t be otherwise. Quick. Modern. Efficient. A system which, despite its young age, is particularly reliable. The network extends for approximately 67 kilometers, with a total of 81 stations and 6 operational lines.
Only 8 kilometers along the city center are underground; the remaining section consists of an elevated network or at ground level. For this reason it would be more correct to call it a tramway network.
Photo ©, Tiago Miranda
Here, in detail, are the 6 operational lines with which to move in Porto:
- Line A: Senhor de Matosinhos – Estádio do Dragão.
- Line B: Póvoa de Varzim – Estádio do Dragão.
- Line C: ISMAI – Campanhã.
- Line D: Santo Ovidio – São João Hospital.
- Line E: Airport – Estádio do Dragão.
- Line F: Senhora da Hora – Fânzeres.
The metro runs every day, including Sundays and holidays, from approximately 06:00 to 01:00. Frequencies vary from a minimum of 5 minutes during peak times, to a maximum of 17 after 22:00.
BUS
Road transport is managed by the Portuguese STCP which guarantees daily connections between the center and the suburbs. There are over 60 lines in service from morning until evening.
The buses are modern and comfortable, white and blue, numbered in three digits; the first number indicates the destination.
Among the most interesting lines, we point out the 500 from Pr. Liberdade to Matosinhos (Mercado).
PORTO PUBLIC TRANSPORT TICKETS
To use public transport and move around Porto, the ANDANTE Card is recommended.
The first time, you will have to buy the ANDANTE AZUL. It is a rechargeable, non-nominative card and costs €0.60.
To travel by metro and bus, the fare depends on the number of zones crossed from the origin to the destination. The price starts from €1.30, for a transfer within 2 zones. For three zones, the price is €1.70, while for 4 zones, the price is €2.15. The rate goes up to a maximum of €4.30 for 9 zones.
The ANDANTE 24h version is also available, valid for 24 hours from validation, on the metro and bus for the number of zones purchased. It goes from a minimum of €4.70 for 2 zones, to a maximum of €15.25 for 9 zones.
The fare is the same for all travelers except for children under the age of 4 who travel FREE
Tickets and ANDANTE AZUL CARD can be purchased at the appropriate automatic machines and all authorized merchants.
In our opinion, the best solution is called ANDANTE TOUR 3. We recommend buying it as soon as you arrive in Porto. The card, in fact, allows unlimited travel on all means of transport in the Porto metropolitan area, within 72 hours of the first validation. It costs €15.00 per person.
There is also a 24 hour version, called ANDANTE TOUR 1 which costs €7.00 instead.
Andante Tour can be used on the metro, bus, and some rail routes. Not valid for historic trams and funiculars.