Which means of transport to use à PORTO?

Organize your stay à PORTO

From the airport to the city centre à PORTO

Porto airport is close to the city (11 km) and can be reached by metro on line E (the purple line). A bus service (Getbus) takes you to the city center in 25 minutes. If you'd like to take a cab to avoid having to change connections, pick one up in the departure area. Be sure to check that it belongs to one of the official companies, as some cabs are illegal, as they are all over the world. You can also order a VTC, which will be less expensive.

Arrival by train à PORTO

Portugal's train company is called comboios de Portugal (www.cp.pt). Two stations are located in Porto, providing connections to major cities in Portugal, the northern region and a few cities in Spain. You'll probably arrive at São Bento, the central station. Otherwise, it's Campanhã, to the east of Porto. From these stations, you can take the metro or bus to your accommodation.

Arrival by boat à PORTO

There is currently no regular sea link between France and Portugal. Only cruises will enable you to make this type of connection, with a short stopover, by sea (consult a specialized agency).

Public transport à PORTO

Porto has a network of metros (www.metrodoporto.pt), buses and streetcars. The metros (6 lines) operate from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., with a frequency of between 4 and 15 minutes. Not all tourist attractions are served. A new line, the "pink" line, is due to be inaugurated in the next few months, but construction is behind schedule (scheduled to open by the end of 2025). This 2.7 km line will link São Bento to Casa de Música.

Bus frequencies are a little more random, and buses can get stuck in rush-hour traffic. They can be used, for example, to reach Vila Nova de Gaia and other areas not served by the metro or the tourist streetcar (3 lines). The easiest and cheapest way to use public transport is to buy the Andante Azul card (€0.60, valid for one year) and load it with a specific number of journeys according to the zones you'll be visiting. For example: 10 journeys + 1 offered on a Z4, 5 journeys on a Z3, etc. With a Z4, it's possible to travel in a Z3, without having to buy another trip. Andante 24 allows you to travel for 24 hours in the maximum zone chosen (between Z2 and Z12). Unlimited use of transport in all zones for 24 hours costs €7.50; for 3 days €17. This is the Andante Tour card, aimed mainly at tourists who don't want to take the hassle (and they're right!). It is valid from the first time it is "stamped" at the yellow terminal of a bus, metro or streetcar. An Andante Tour can be loaded onto the classic Andante. You'll find the Andante Card in Andante stores (airport info points, metro terminals, etc.), and at train stations, among others. With the Porto Card, transport is unlimited. The Guindais funicular links the Ribeira to the upper part of the city for €4; it can be taken opposite the Luis I bridge.

Bike, scooters & co à PORTO

With its ups and downs, narrow roads and cobblestones, the city isn't really bike-friendly, except of course for a ride along the coast where, this time, it's all flat and very bike-friendly. There are, however, a number of companies offering electric bikes, scooters and scooters for hire. Although bicycles are not yet freely available, electric scooters are beginning to flourish all over Porto, but especially on the banks of the Douro, and even as far as Matosinhos. To use them, download the scooter brand's app and follow the directions.

With a driver à PORTO

In recent years, Uber and other VTC companies (Bolt, Blacklane, Kapten...) have set up shop in Porto. For Uber, as in France, you have several options depending on whether you want to order an eco-friendly, comfortable, top-of-the-range or shared vehicle. The fare is announced in advance and changes in real time according to demand. This may or may not be cheaper than a cab.

You'll recognize official cabs by their color (black and green) and the obligation to display their license number. If you're lucky, you'll reach your destination quickly, as the drivers know the city like the back of their hand. Fares increase by 20% at weekends, on public holidays and every day between 9pm and 6am. This increase is effected automatically by the taximeters. From the airport to the city center, it costs around €25-30, and a trip to the city center is around €6-10.

By car à PORTO

As in all major Portuguese cities, driving is exhausting and parking spaces are scarce. One solution is to park outside the city center at Arrabida Shopping, Vila Nova de Gaia, or Edificio América, and take public transport. There are cheap underground parking lots such as Palacio de Cristal (€12/day), Lapa (€3 for 7 hours) and Cristal Park (€15). In metered zones (paid for on weekdays from 8am to 8pm), you can park for up to 4 consecutive hours. Be careful, though, as the company controlling parking seems to be very vigilant, and you could find your car taken to the pound very quickly. Also, in some residential areas, parking spaces are reserved for holders of a resident's card.

The other tip is to reserve a parking space in advance on the Internet, to gain peace of mind and pay less.

Accessibility à PORTO

Public transport accessibility in Porto is very good. The metro is 100% adapted (elevators, ramps, etc.), as are most buses and the Guindais metro. Many tourist sites are wheelchair accessible, but this is not the case for access to churches, for example. If you're bringing a child, remember to bring a sturdy baby carriage.

Tourist traps à PORTO

Beware: some cab drivers take advantage of your unfamiliarity with the city to make detours and increase the fare. Be sure to ask for a price range at the outset and check that the meter is switched on. If in doubt, check the fare list on the window of the left rear door (it's compulsory for the fare list to be displayed). Good to know: luggage in the trunk is subject to an additional charge of €1.6.