HOW TO GET AROUND PORTO

BY CAR

The main sights of Porto are found within its old town, a warren of narrow cobbled roads made harder to navigate by a complicated one-way system and therefore better explored on foot. Porto is ideally located for exploring the whole Northern Portugal region, making car rental a viable option if you're planning to travel further afield. The A20 ring road (Via de Cintura Interna) is the start point to the highways that head off in various directions and speed you to your destination. National roads indicated as EN, IC and IP are free whilst others have tolls. Locals will use the Via Verde automatic toll device and have dedicated lanes going through the toll gate – you'll need to avoid these. Other than that, Portuguese highways are well maintained and a joy to ride on. The A1 Lisbon, linking to the Algarve; A3 Valença and the Minho, A4 Amarante and Trás-os-Montes, linking to Bragança; A28 to Cerveira and the A29 to Aveiro. Some of these highways are to be paid at the end of the trip with the ticket that must be collected at the beginning of the highway.
If arriving in Porto from outside, it's advisable to park in the outskirts of the city and use the metro system to travel to the centre and add the ride on one of Europes newest transport systems to your trip experience.

Car Rental

​You can rent a car at the airport or at various places throughout the city. Alternatively, you can book online at your connivance and pick it up from your place of choice:

BY METRO

Porto's metro system is the most popular way for people to get around, it's clean, air-conditioned and efficient. It covers a large area and extends as far North as Póvoa de Varzim and as far South as central Vila Nova de Gaia. It joins up major travel hubs such as the Airport and São Bento and Campanhã train stations. This modern light rail system runs both over and underground and even runs across the top tier of the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge.

Six colour coded lines traverse more than 80 stations clearly marked by a distinctive "M" logo. Network maps are available at all stations, the direction of travel is indicated by the last station on the line. Running daily between 06h00 and 01h00, the six lines are:
Line A (Blue) - Estádio do Dragão - Senhor de Matosinhos
Line B (Red) - Estádio do Dragão - Póvoa de Varzim
Line C (Green) - Estádio do Dragão - ISMAI
Line D (Yellow) - Hospital São João – Santo Ovídio
Line E (Violet) - Estádio do Dragão - Aeroporto
Line F (Orange) – Senhora da Hora - Fânzeres

Maps & Timetables |  iMetroPorto Phone App.

ANDENTE CARD

Andante is the smart ticket system for Porto's public transport. It can be used for the metro (Metro do Porto), buses (Espirito Santo, Maia Transportes, Resende, STCP), Funicular dos Guindais and suburban trains (Comboios de Portugal).

You can buy and reload the card at the multilingual machines in every metro stop, at mobility shops located in the main transport interfaces or at many newspaper and shops identified with the Payshop symbol. When buying the card you will need to choose the type of ticket you'll be filling it with. Fares are dependent on the zones you need to cross during your travel. The card must be validated at the yellow machines located in every metro and train stations or inside the buses. You need to validate the ticket each time you change transport
 Ticket Types & Fares

BY BUS

STCP (Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos do Porto) is the company that runs the bus and what's left of the old tram service in and around Porto. Their fleet includes buses of all sizes, from mini-buses, standard coaches, articulated and double-decker buses. As with the metro, the bus network uses the Andante Card payment system, you should validate your ticket once on board the bus. It is also possible to get a Single Trip Ticket (Título Agente Único) from the driver but with cash only.

Porto's buses are reliable, well maintained and comfortable. Their network of routes reaches almost everywhere in Porto and is a pleasurable way of viewing the city as your travel. Increasingly Porto's buses are fitted with access platforms for people with reduced mobility. Bus services run right through the night.
 Lines & Maps |  Timetables |  Website
Daytime Service: 05h00 – 00h30 | Night Service: 00h00 – 05h00

BY TRAIN

Porto’s two main railway stations are São Bento and Campanhã. Campanhã is the busier of the two whilst São Bento is the most central. Urban trains serve to the cities that are closer to Porto, such as Vila Nova de Gaia, Espinho, Braga, Viana do Castelo, Aveiro or Guimarães.

Linha do Minho
Regular trains to/from the Minho region including Barcelos, Viana do Castelo and Valença from Porto Campanhã, use the Regional train service (comboios regionais) Linha do Minho. | Train Timetable

Linha do Douro
When the line first opened in 1887 it was an engineering marvel as it follows the course of the river and up through the dramatic landscapes of the Alto Douro where vineyards are carved into terraces from the living bedrock. Although the branch lines have closed the Linha do Douro is still very impressive and a great way to spend a day. Regular trains leave São Bento and Campanhã and passes 20 tunnels, 30 bridges and 34 stations. The line becomes more dramatic after the town of Régua on to the pretty wine towns of Pinhão (one of the most beautiful railway stations in Portugal), Tua and terminating at Pocinho, (close to the Cão Valley rock art). A picturesque steam train runs along the Linha do Douro on Saturdays from May to October. | Train Timetable

Linha do Aveiro
Urban trains (urbanos) run between Porto and Aveiro along the coast, stopping at resorts such as Ovar, Espinho, and Miramar. Onward connects can be made to Coimbra from Aveiro. | Train Timetable

Linha do Braga
Regular urban trains (urbanos) run between Porto and the Minho's capital city of Braga. | Train Timetable

Linha de Guimarães
Regular urban trains (urbanos) run between Porto and the beautiful town of Guimarães. | Train Timetable

Alfa Pendular
A high speed train service connecting cities the whole length of Portugal from Faro in the Algarve, Lisbon, Aveiro, Coimbra and Porto. | Train Timetable

Comboios de Portugal Website

BY TAXI

There are taxi ranks at the São Bento and Campanhã train stations and airport as well as within the old centre at designated spaces. The minimum charge is between €3 - €4. Taxies are usually quite reasonably priced in Portugal, There is Uber in Portugal which is a cheaper option but there's no guaranteed phone signal in some of the remote areas. Therefore it's useful to have some taxi numbers at hand, you can always use a landline to call them if needed.

BY VINTAGE TRAM

Taking a ride on one of Porto's vintage trams has got to be the most enjoyable way to get around. These iconic carriages from a bygone era were once found all over the city, yet sadly only three lines remain in operation:

1 – Infante/Passeio Alegre, or riverside line, makes the route between the historic centre of Porto and the garden of Passeio Alegre on a single path along the banks of the River Douro;  Timetable

18 – Massarelos/Carmo, or restore Line, which runs between Massarelos and the Carmo on a path which connects the historic parish of Massarelos to the increasingly trendy district of Carmo and its surroundings;  Timetable

22 – Batalha/Carmo, or Low line, which traverses the emblematic streets of the city centre of Porto in a circular route between Casey and Battle/Guindais.  Timetable

The remaining tram network is run by STCP (Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos do Porto) however you can't use the Andante card by rather buy a specific tram ticket, with on board from the driver, at the tram museum or travel agents and kiosks. Timetables can be found at each stop.

Single ticket (valid for one trip, only available on board): € 3.50, 2 travel tickets on some day: €6.00, 2 days adult ticket: € 10.00, 2 days child ticket: € 5.00

BY BICYCLE

The hilly narrow cobbled lanes of old town Porto may seem unsuitable for cycling however cyclists seem to be everywhere in Porto. Drivers are well used to people riding bikes on the road and occasionally will give you a polite beep on the horn to let you know they acknowledge you. There are also great dedicated traffic-free cycle routes which follow more flatter terrains on either side of the river which continue well out of the centre of the city. Cycling in Porto is actually one of the most enjoyable ways to explore this scenic part of Portugal.

Ciclova da Avenida da Boavista

In the heart of Porto, the Avenida da Boavista is a main artery linking the city centre to the coast. This traffic-free cycle route starts at the Parque da Cidade ( 41º 09' 51.9"N | 08º 40' 05.7"W ) and continues 2.2km of the Avenida da Boavista to where it ends at the Sea Life Centre where it joins the Ciclovia da Foz coastal cycle path ( 41º 10' 03.3"N | 08º 41' 15.1"W ). | Map

Ciclova da Foz

This pleasant route runs from the western end of the Parque da Cidade ( 41º 10' 13.8"N | 08º 41' 12.4"W ) and follows the coast south almost 5km to the Douro estuary (Foz) and continues inland to the Foz da Ribeira da Granja by the bird observatory ( 41º 08' 53.1"N | 08º 39' 13.3"W ). Along the way are Portos best beaches, numerous restaurants and bars as well as the Felgueiras Lighthouse. | Map

Ciclovia da Foz da Ribeira da Granja

Starting from the south-eastern entrance to the Parque da Cidade ( 41º 10' 13.8"N | 08º 41' 12.4"W ) and continues south toward the river passing through the Parque Urbano da Pasteleira along the way before ending at the Foz da Ribeira da Granja by the bird observatory ( 41º 08' 53.1"N | 08º 39' 13.3"W ). | Map

A fun way to see Porto is riding the Tourist Road Train which chugs its way passed most of the emblematic places, namely the Porto Cathedral (Sé Catedral), Ponte Infante D. Henrique and Ponte de Dom Luis I bridges, Praça da Batalha, Cáfe Majestic, Torre dos Clerigos, Avenida dos Aliados and São Bento Railway Station.With regular departures throughout the day, you can be flexible, and pick a time that works for you. Listen to audio guides while on the train, and learn about the historic sites you pass. The tour includes a 55 minute stop at the Real Companhia Velha port lodge and the ticket includes admission. The whole tour takes about 100 – 120 minutes.

BOOK ONLINE AND SKIP THE QUEUES

Book online before you travel or from the comfort of your hotel room. Save precious time and money. Choose from regular manual and e-bike options.

• Children under four can join for free, no ticket needed
• Tue-Sat, you'll visit the Real Companhia Velha cellar with two wine tastings.
• Sun-Mon, the Theme Space - Arco e Meio cellar with one wine tasting

Douro River Taxi runs a service across the river between the quayside of Vila Nova de Gaia and the Ribeira on the Porto side. The trip only takes five minutes and the boats used are replica Rabelos, the traditional vessels which once transported port wine from far upstream. Services start at 10h00 and end at sunset each day. They run every 15 minutes.
Adult: €3.00, Child: €1.00, Adult return: €5.00, Child return:€2.00. Buy online:  here or buy at the pier.

Flor do Gás There's also a ferry further downstream running between Afurada in Vila Nova da Gaia to Cais do Ouro in Porto close to the Ponte da Arrábida bridge. Tickets can be purchased on the boat. The boat crosses the Douro River every 15 minutes and has both an open deck and windowed cabin.

The Guindais funicular railway descends 61 metres (200 ft) down a steep cliff from Batalha (on the higher ground of central Porto) to the quayside at Ribeira. The three-minute journey is used by commuters and tourist alike. The original was built in 1891 however the present service dates from 2004. As the self-levelling cars descend it follows a path along the medieval walls and gives a bird's eye view of the Dom Luís I Bridge and beyond over the quaysides of Ribeira and Cais de Gaia, the multitude of port wine lodges and traditional port boats on the Gaia side of the Douro River. The funicular is an ideal way to traverse the steep hill between central Porto and the Ribeira, saving time and tired feet.

It's operated by the Porto Metro company and accessed using the Andante ticket, allowing a trip on the funicular to be combined with a journey on the Porto Metro and selected bus routes. It runs from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, with services running until midnight on weekends and holidays.

One great way to get to the Cais de Gaia is to walk along the top tier of the Ponte Luís I bridge from Porto or take the Metro to Jardim do Morro station and descend the hill using the Teleférico de Gaia cable car. Construction on the Teleférico de Gaia began in March 2009 and the public operations started two years later in April 2011. It's since become a popular way to enjoy the great views over both banks of the river.

25 Oct - 23 March: 10h00 - 18h00, 24 March - 24 April: 10h00 - 19h00, 26 April - 24 Oct.: 10h00 - 20h00
Adult: €6.00/€9.00 Return, Child: €3.00/€4.50 Return
Teleférico de Gaia, Calçada da Serra 143, 4430-236 Vila Nova de Gaia. Portugal
41º 08' 17.7" N | 08º 36' 34.1 W | +351 223 741 440
geral@telef.pt |  Website