Porto transportation

The centre of Porto is most enjoyable on foot; still we have to keep in mind that Porto is a rather large city so it might come in handy to use public transportation from time to time. The city has an unbelievably advanced metro system, with five lines running across the center and covering some suburban areas, it provides and easy, fast and comfortable way of traveling within the city.

Tickets for the Porto metro can be bought from vending machines, and they must be purchased beforehand! Tickets are printed on a card called "Andante," and they are valid for one hour within the zone you purchased it. Especially if you are staying for a longer time, it is advisable to buy a Day Pass or an "Andante Gold" card for €5, which covers many zones and can be used in all metro lines, funicular and buses. Note that "Andante" card can be re-charged; you have to validate them before you start travelling and for the Gold Pass you need to have a photo!

There are still some areas that cannot be reached by metro, but for these you can use one of the many bus lines that cover Porto. Unless you have the Andante Card, tickets can be bought on board for €1.45 or for less from almost any newspaper stand. Travelling by taxi is another option, though a lot more expensive than public transportation and keep in mind that you might be stuck in traffic! If you happen to come by car, it is advisable you park somewhere and forget about driving in Porto! Roads are messy and crowded, with narrow streets, unfriendly drivers, full is expensive and renting too! Forget about finding a parking place in the center, so it is better to avoid yourself a headache and just go walking or by using public transport.

Helicopter
Though not really considered public transportation, traveling by helicopter is also an alternative and it offers an amazing view of Porto. You will find a heliport near the Douro! You can choose to travel up the Douro River by boat, enjoying the picturesque scenery!

Funicular dos Guindais is also a choice, if you wish to avoid walking up the steep streets of Porto. A single trip costs 1€ and if your Andante Card has recently been validated you can travel for free. For a panoramic view, you can also take the Ascensor da Ribeira (Elevator) running from the Largo da Lada.

Porto get around