Looking for Your Definitive Porto Transit Guide (w/ tips for using it with kids)?

I can still hear the sounds of the city and transiting boats along the Douro.

Porto Transit Guide: Navigating Portugal’s Northern Must-See

Porto is compact, busy, very hilly, and so seductive—perfect for walky types who don’t mind a few steep climbs. The city features reliable public transit and simple intercity options from Lisbon. We've got the maps and apps, rates and routes to make navigation easier for first-time visitors.

WS&T Travel Tip: Trains leave frequently from Lisbon's Santa Apolónia or Oriente stations and arrive in Porto at Campanhã Station (3ish hours). Use local transit to transfer to São Bento in the city center.

Special Considerations for Parents

• Strollers: Most metro stations have elevators, though some hilltop areas require stair navigation. It's kind of intense with a stroller, to be honest.

• Baby Wearing: Great for walking around historic, cobbled areas like Ribeira. Use those handrails on wild and wooly stairs.

• Car Seats: Not required in public transit. For taxis/Ubers, bring your own if needed. Make sure your car seat can be secured by seat belt.

• Accessibility: Metro is fully accessible; buses vary.

Porto Transit Overview

Mode	What It Covers	Key Notes
Metro do Porto	6 lines (A–F) connecting the city and suburbs	Light rail-style metro; clean, safe, and reliable.
STCP Buses	Local and regional bus service	Extensive coverage, especially in areas without metro stops.
Trams	Historic tram lines in tourist areas	Fun and scenic, but not practical for daily transport.
Funicular dos Guindais	Connects Ribeira (riverfront) to Batalha (uptown)	Short but steep ride. Great views.
Taxis / Ride-hailing	Uber, Bolt, FreeNow	Widely available, often cheaper than taxis.
Regional Trains (CP)	Connects Porto to nearby towns (e.g., Braga)	Inexpensive and scenic for day trips.

Ticket Types & Prices (as of 2025)

Ticket Type	EUR Price	USD Price	Notes
Single Metro Ride	€1.60–€2.15	$1.73–$2.32	Based on travel zone (Z2–Z4) with Andante card
Andante 24 (24-hr pass)	€4.15–€7.00	$4.49–$7.56	Unlimited rides in designated zones
Onboard Bus Ticket	~€2.50	~$2.70	More expensive than pre-purchased tickets
Taxi (within city)	€5–€15	~$5.40–$16.20	Depends on time, distance, and luggage
Children under 4	Free	Free	Must be with a paying adult

How to Buy Tickets

• Metro & Bus: Buy an Andante card at metro stations, ticket machines, or convenience shops. Rechargeable.

• Trams: Tickets sold onboard; more expensive than Andante.

• Funicular: Purchase at station or via contactless card.

• Ride-hailing:

  • Uber: Android | Apple

  • Bolt: Android | Apple

  • FreeNow: Android | Apple

Ticket Activation & Usage

• Andante Card: Must be validated by tapping on a yellow reader before each journey.

• Metro: Validate before entering platforms.

• Bus: Validate upon boarding.

• Funicular and Trams: Usually handled via separate ticketing.

Useful Maps & Apps

• Metro do Porto Map: https://www.metrodoporto.pt

• Andante Ticket Info: https://www.linhandante.com

• Google Maps: Android | Apple

• Moovit: Android | Apple

  
  

Travel Like a Local

• The Andante Tour card offers 1–3 days of unlimited travel for tourists.

• For scenic views, take Tram 1 along the river.

• The Funicular is a fun (I'm so sorry) shortcut to avoid a tough climb from the river to the upper town.

• Avoid driving in central Porto—streets are narrow and parking is difficult.

Getting to Porto from Lisbon

Mode	Duration	EUR Price	USD Price (approx.)	Notes
Alfa Pendular Train	~2 hr 50 min	€30–€45	$32.40–$48.60	High-speed, comfortable, with Wi-Fi and food options.
Intercidades Train	~3 hr 15 min	€25–€35	$27.00–$37.80	Slightly slower but still reliable.
FlixBus / Rede Expressos	~3.5–4.5 hr	€5–€20	$5.40–$21.60	Budget-friendly, good for spontaneous plans.
Flight	~1 hour (+ airport time)	€40–€90	$43.20–$97.20	Not usually worth it given train convenience and time savings.

WS&T Family Tip: Porto is a lovely city for families, especially if you stay reasonably near a metro line. Combine the funicular, tram, and riverside strolls. Pre-loading your Andante cards at the start of your trip can help reduce delays when juggling gear or tiny trekkists.

While subject to change due to construction, schedule and route issues, we do our best to keep the Porto transit guide (with kids) up to date. Let us know if you see something that needs revision, or notice any glaring issues with our memory of the system.