GETTING TO AND AROUND PORTO

Arriving by Air

Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport is 11 km (7 miles) northwest of the centre hosting regular flights from all major European airports. Metro Line E connects the airport with the city in around 20 minutes, with services every 20–30 minutes. A one-way ticket costs €2. Bus line 120 runs to the city centre every 25–30 minutes and costs €1.20. A taxi to the city centre costs around €25 and takes 20–30 minutes. 100Rumos runs a shared airport-to-hotel shuttle service; fares start at €6.

Arriving by Train

International rail services and long-distance Alfa Pendular trains, run by Comboios de Portugal, Portugal’s national rail network arrive at the Estação de Campanhã, 2 km (1.3 miles) west of the city centre. Metro services connect Campanhã with Estação de São Bento station in the city centre.

Arriving by Coach

International coach services arrive at the Casa da Música terminal, within walking distance of the centre (or around five minutes by metro). The main national coach company is Rede Expressos, which has regular services to Porto from Lisbon and other parts of the country, arriving at the Garagem Atlantico terminus in the centre. Internorte operates both within the country and to destinations throughout Europe.

Arriving by Car

It takes around four hours to drive to Porto from Lisbon via the main A1 highway. The city can be reached from northern Portugal by the A3 highway, or from Spain and the west by the E80. Driving into the historic centre of Porto is not recommended: those making a stop on a road trip around Portugal should choose a hotel that has secure parking and leave their car there while exploring the city on foot or public transport.

Arriving by Sea

Cruise ships dock at the Porto Cruise Terminal at Leixões, just north of Matosinhos, around 8 km (5 miles) from the centre. Metro trains from Mercado station and trams from the Matosinhos Sul stop connect with the terminal.

Getting Around by Metro, Bus and Tram

Porto has a modern metro rail system run by Metro do Porto, with six lines linking the city centre with the airport and outlying suburbs, including those on the opposite side of the River Douro. It is reasonably easy to navigate, and for visitors wishing to see the city’s main sights, the most useful lines are Line A linking Porto to Matosinhos; Line B to Vila do Conde by the sea; and Line E connecting the city centre to Francisco Sá Carneiro airport. All lines meet at the Trinidade stop at the north end of Avenida dos Aliados. While the centre is small enough to get around by foot, those visiting sights a little further from the centre, such as Serralves or Casa da Música, can make good use of the metro system. Trains run from 6am until 1am.

Buses serve all parts of the city, with key connection points at Jardim da Cordoaria, Praça Almeida Garrett (opposite Estação de São Bento), Praça da Liberdade and Casa da Música metro station. Services operate between 6am and midnight, at which point a reduced night service begins. Tickets or Andante cards must be validated on board.

A city attraction in themselves, Porto’s vintage trams (carros eléctricos) run along the riverside to Foz do Douro, making for a scenic ride. Tickets cost €3 per trip and can be purchased on board from the driver. Both bus and tram services are operated by Porto’s public transport authority, STCP.

For visitors planning to use public transport, the Andante Tour travel card is the most convenient ticketing option, valid on metro, bus and some suburban train lines. Be aware that the Andante Tour travel card is not valid on trams, funiculars, boats or cable cars. The cards can be purchased from ticket machines, shops, tourist offices and train stations for 60 cents, and can be credited for single trips, multiple trips or unlimited travel within a 24- or 72-hour period. Pricing depends on how many travel zones are required. Zones 1 and 2 are sufficient for getting around the city centre, and a single fare will cost €1.20. The airport is in zone 4, and will cost €1.85 for a single trip. Transfers can be made within the hour, be sure to swipe the card again when changing lines.

Getting Around by Funicular

The Teleférico de Gaia cable car is an undemanding route from the Vila Nova de Gaia quayside to the Jardim de Morro high above. The ride takes around five minutes. The Funicular dos Guindais scales a steep hill between Ribeira and Batalha.

Getting Around by Taxi

There are taxi ranks at the airport and at main railway stations and squares in the city centre, including Praça Almeida Garrett and Praça da Liberdade. Taxis are all metered; expect to pay around €25 for a taxi ride from the airport to the city centre. Book online at Táxis Invicta.

Getting Around by Car

Driving around Porto is not recommended. However, it may be worth hiring a car to drive out to the quintas and wineries. Various car hire services such as Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz operate here.

Getting Around by Bicycle

Porto is not a very cyclist-friendly city. Within the historic centre, streets are steep and often bumpy. However, routes along either bank of the Douro are easy and a great way to explore the riverside. Bike rental (including e-bikes for the less energetic) is available from companies including Biclas & Triclas.

Getting Around on Foot

Walking is the best way to discover Porto’s historic centre. The steep streets between the cathedral district and the Ribeira riverside can be challenging, but there are plentiful places to stop for a rest. It is easy to cross the Douro on foot from the centre to Vila Nova de Gaia by the Ponte Dom Luís I.