What's the best way to use public transport in Porto?

Explore how to master Porto’s metro, buses, trams, and more—complete with real prices, ticket hacks, and why the Andante card is a game changer for newcomers!

Ivandzhelin

8 minute read

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Updated on 6 Oct 2026

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Living

Porto's public transport network runs on metro, bus, tram, and train, with single tickets from €1.40 and monthly Andante passes starting at €30. Porto is a very walkable city, so you can reach any destination on foot. Yet, sometimes the weather or time prevents you from walking. In those moments you can rely on Porto's excellent public transport network. With 6 metro lines and 75 bus routes, you won't wonder how to reach your destination. Before you start exploring homes for rent in Porto, explore the best ways to get around Porto.

If you're new to the city and planning your relocation, check out plan your move to Portugal for a full checklist of what to sort before you arrive.

• Cost: single rides start at €1.40 (metro) or €1.85 (bus); monthly Andante passes run from €30 to €50 depending on how much coverage you need.
• Cheapest option overall: the Andante card. Paying contactless charges you the full single-trip price every time, with no discount.
• Students: apply for the Passe Sub23 at an Andante shop for free or heavily discounted travel if you're under 23 and enrolled at a school or university in Porto.
• Young professionals and families: the Andante Metropolitano (€40/month) covers unlimited travel across all metro zones, ideal for regular commuting.
• Best overall way to get around: walk short distances, take the metro for daily commuting, and save the tram and funicular for scenic trips rather than daily use.
• Newcomers: buy and top up your Andante card at any metro station machine, Andante shop, or through the Anda app before your first ride.

Public transport prices in Porto depend on which type of public transport you're using. A one-way trip on the bus in Porto costs €1.85. The metro starts at €1.40, and the cost grows depending on how many zones you ride in.

The cheapest way to pay for public transport in Porto is by getting an Andante card. This is a personalized public transport card you can use monthly with the subscription type you want. The 3 best monthly passes for people living in Porto are:

• Andante 3Z/Municipal: €30, and it's valid for 3 metro zones or 1 municipality
• Andante Metropolitano: €40, and it's valid for all metro zones
• Andante + CP/Andante + CIM Tâmega e Sousa: €50, and it's valid for all public transport in Porto and trains operated by Comboios de Portugal (CP) and CIM Tâmega e Sousa.

Want the bigger picture? Here's your cost of living in Porto guide to what you'll actually spend each month — including rent, utilities, and more.

If you're comparing cities, see the full cost of living in Portugal to put Porto's prices into context.

There are several ways to pay for public transport in Porto. You can purchase tickets, get a public transport subscription, or pay contactless.

Here's how to get set up in 3 steps:

1. Buy a physical Andante card. You can get an Andante Azul, which costs €0.60 but is only available for single trips, or the Andante Prateado, which costs €6 and can be recharged with your monthly subscription. You'll need to purchase the Andante card in addition to the cost of the public transport. Buy one at any metro station vending machine, an Andante shop (look for one at Trindade, Campanhã, Hospital São João, or Casa da Música metro stations), or a CTT post office.
2. Load it with single trips or one of the monthly subscriptions listed above, using cash or card at the machine.
3. Tap your card at the metro turnstile, or validate it on the bus or tram before you travel.

If you'd rather skip the physical card, download the Anda app instead. It lets you buy and validate Andante tickets straight from your phone, and automatically works out your zone.

If you choose to pay contactless, you'll pay the price of a single trip every time you use the public transport in Porto. So, you won't be able to get a discount or a lower rate like you get with the Andante card. This is why it's better to get the Andante card, as it will help you maintain a lower cost of living in Porto.

Porto's network combines five main types of transport, each suited to different trips.

Metro in Porto

The metro is the most convenient way to get around Porto. It has 81 stations across 6 lines: A (blue), B (red), C (green), D (yellow), E (purple), and F (orange). Together, they cover the city of Porto and some of the nearby suburbs. As the metro goes over and underground, you can even get a very scenic way home!

Works between 6 AM and 1 AM

Runs every 5 to 10 minutes

Want to know which neighbourhoods are best connected by metro? Explore Porto’s best neighbourhoods to live in to find the right fit for your commute.

Is the metro free in Porto?

No, the metro in Porto isn't free. Starting at €1.40 per ride, the price you pay for the metro in Porto depends on how many zones you're traveling in. Zones 2 to 4 (Z2, Z3, and Z4) are within the city limits, while Zones 5 and 6 are further out. You'll mostly travel in the first 3 zones as those are more central, while the last 2 are more of the suburbs.

Broken down, the costs per zone look like:

The cheapest way to travel with the metro in Porto is to purchase an Andate card. For a monthly subscription, you get unlimited travel on all public transport in Porto.

Bus in Porto

Buses in Porto are a great way to get around the city. With 75 routes, the bus network is extensive and covers the parts of the city the metro doesn't. So, if you don't have a metro station nearby, you definitely will have a bus stop. Buses come in second place to the metro as they can get very crowded.

• Works between 6 AM and 1 AM
• Runs every 5 to 10 minutes

Tram in Porto

Porto's trams are probably the city's best-known means of public transport. There are 12 trams split across 3 lines: 1, 18, and 22, which run mostly around the tourist sights. Porto's trams are mainly used as a tourist attraction rather than part of the city's public transport system. So, while they're pretty and offer picturesque views, the trams aren't great for getting around Porto if you aren't a tourist. Working hours depend on the line:

• Line 1 (Infante—Passeio Alegre): 9:30 AM to 6 PM
• Line 18 (Massarelos—Carmo): 9:15 AM to 7 PM
• Line 22 (Carmo—Guindais Batalha): 10 AM to 7 PM

The Andante card and its subscriptions aren't valid for the trams in Porto. To pay for the trams, you need to buy tickets on board. A one-way ticket for the Porto tram costs €5 per person.

Trains in Porto

Porto has 2 train stations: São Bento and Campanhã. São Bento is the main train station of Porto, so most trains connecting the city with the rest of Portugal leave from here. Whereas regional and suburban trains leave from Campanhã.

Ticket prices and journey lengths vary depending on your origin and destination. For example, to get to Lisbon from Porto, you'll need between 3 and 5 hours, depending on which train you choose. High-speed trains run every day, but they cost €64 one-way. If you're on a tighter budget, you can take a 5-hour train for €32.

But if you use the CP trains, you can use your Andante + CP subscription and save money on travel.

Funicular dos Guindais

The Funicular connects people living in one of the best areas of Porto, Batalha, with the riverside Ribeira. While it's not the preferred means of transport for the locals, the Funicular dos Guindais is a great way to spice up your commute. You'll also get a beautiful view of the city and won't have to climb a very steep hill. A one-way trip on the Funicular dos Guidais costs €3.50.

Yes. If you're under 23 and enrolled at a school or university in the Porto metropolitan area, you can apply for the Passe Sub23, a heavily discounted or free Andante pass for students. To apply, bring your enrolment or acceptance letter and, if you have one, your Portuguese tax number (NIF) to an Andante shop, such as the ones at Trindade, Campanhã, Hospital São João, or Casa da Música metro stations. Staff are used to helping international and Erasmus students, so you can apply even if your Portuguese is limited.

If you're moving for uni, see our tips for studying in Portugal — everything you’ll want to plan as an international student.

Without the Sub23 discount, students and young professionals should still default to a monthly Andante pass over single tickets or contactless payment, since it's the only way to unlock a lower per-trip rate.

The best way to get around Porto is by metro. It has the most extensive public transport network and stops at convenient locations. But if your destination is within 20 minutes of walking, the best way to get around the city is by foot. You can also use the bus for daily commute, but it can get overcrowded during peak hours. For out-of-city travel, definitely go for the trains. Trams and the funicular are great for a scenic route but are very touristy.

Porto transport at a glance

Once you know how you'll get around, it's easier to pick where to live. Choosing a home close to a metro line or a busy bus route means you'll spend less on transport passes and less time commuting. Browse verified listings on HousingAnywhere, message landlords directly, and book your room, studio, or apartment in Porto before you arrive, so you land already knowing your daily commute.

Can I use one ticket for metro, bus, and tram in Porto? You can use one Andante ticket or card for the metro and bus, but not for the tram. Trams require a separate ticket bought on board for €5 per ride.

Where can I find a map of Porto's public transport network? The Metro do Porto and STCP (bus) websites publish official network maps, and the Anda app shows a live map of your route as you travel.

Which app should I use to plan a journey in Porto? Use the Anda app to buy and validate Andante tickets, or Citymapper for live departure times, disruption alerts, and walking directions across metro, bus, and tram routes.

Is public transport safe at night in Porto? Yes, generally. Metro and buses run until 1 AM and are well used by locals and students. Services stop overnight, though, so plan for a taxi or rideshare between 1 AM and 6 AM if you're out late.

What should I know about using public transport as a non-Portuguese speaker? Ticket machines and metro signage are available in English, and Andante shop staff regularly assist international and Erasmus students, so you can get set up without speaking Portuguese.

What common mistakes should I avoid when using Porto's public transport? Don't board without a validated ticket. Fines for traveling without a valid, tapped ticket can run into dozens of euros, even for a short ride, and you need to validate every time you change zones or transport types, not just once at the start of your journey.