Porto Public Transport: Metro, Trams and the Andante Card

Porto is compact enough to walk, but its hills are steep, and the metro, historic trams, funicular and cable car can save your legs. Here’s how to get around Porto by public transport, and how the Andante ticket system works.

Quick answer: buy a rechargeable Andante card and load single trips or a day pass for the metro and STCP buses. Metro line E runs from the airport to the centre (Trindade) in about 27 minutes. Ride historic tram 1 along the river to Foz, the Guindais funicular up from the Ribeira, and the Gaia cable car. Most of the centre is walkable.

The Andante card

• What it is: Porto’s rechargeable transport card, valid on the metro, STCP buses and suburban trains.
• Zones: fares depend on how many zones you travel through. Most of central Porto is in zone Z2; the airport is further out.
• How to use it: buy and top up at metro station machines, then validate (tap) every time you board, including when changing lines.
• Day passes: worth it if you’ll ride several times. The Porto Card also includes transport in some versions.

The metro

• Six lines (A–F), mostly above ground outside the centre.
• Line E (violet): airport to Trindade in about 27 minutes. See Porto airport to the city centre.
• Line D (yellow): crosses the top deck of the D. Luís I bridge to Gaia (Jardim do Morro).
• Line A (blue): to Matosinhos for the beach and fish restaurants, and the cruise terminal.
• Works: the new Rubi line is under construction, so expect some disruption.

Historic trams

• Tram 1: along the river from the Ribeira (near the Igreja de São Francisco) to Foz, where the river meets the sea. The most scenic ride.
• Tram 22: a loop around the centre, back in service since 2025.
• Tram 18: links to the Tram Museum.
• Trams cost more than the metro and don’t take Andante, so pay on board or buy a tram pass.

Funicular and cable car

• Funicular dos Guindais: from the Ribeira up to Batalha, near the cathedral. Saves a steep climb.
• Teleférico de Gaia: a short cable car from the Gaia riverside up to the Jardim do Morro.

Buses, taxis and Uber

• STCP buses cover the whole city (Andante valid).
• Uber and Bolt are widely used and good value. See Uber vs Bolt vs taxi.

Trains

São Bento station (in the centre) serves suburban and regional trains to Braga, Guimarães, Aveiro and the Douro. Campanhã is the main station for Alfa Pendular and Intercidades trains to Lisbon. See the Portugal train guide.

Tips

• Walk downhill, ride uphill: Porto is steep.
• Validate every time on the metro; inspectors fine people without a validated ticket.
• Keep your Andante card to top up and reuse.

More: things to do in Porto and where to stay in Porto.

Prices and details change, so please double-check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the groups.