The Porto Metro

We know the Paris metro well, but what about when we arrive in Porto? Rest assured, the operation is not the most complicated, it is mainly a matter of finding your way. To help you, here is a quick summary of the information you need to know when taking the metro in Porto.

How does the Porto metro work?

The metro runs every day in Porto from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. on 6 lines classified from A to F, with a different color for each. It is therefore easy to find your way around when you want to move around. The advantage is that the 6 lanes take the same path and simply divide on the outskirts, you can't go wrong if you drive in the center. To locate you, Trindade is the main station which serves all lines of the service.

Take the metro from the airport to downtown Porto

A very easy way to reach Porto city center from the airport is to take the metro. Hop on the purple-colored E line for a 45-minute crossing if your destination is the historic center of Porto. Get off at Trindade, then change to the Yellow line and get off at Sao Bento, there you go. Be patient when arriving, the metros run every 15 to 20 minutes to take you wherever you want.

Is the Porto Card useful for traveling in Porto?

Of course it depends on your visiting desires and the length of your stay. If you are only visiting the center of Porto, it is not essential, because everything can be done on foot. On the other hand, if you want to escape and visit Porto more widely, it may be interesting. You therefore have unlimited access to the bus and metro, allowing you to travel freely between the different stops. The other advantage of the Porto Card is that 6 free museum entries are provided, as well as discounts of up to 50% for certain monuments. You then have two cards, one for journeys and one for visits, make no mistake! Please note, the card is valid for 24 hours after the first use, do not throw it away if you start your visits at 2 p.m.! Buy the Porto Card as soon as you arrive at the airport or online if you haven't thought about it.

Tips and advice in the Porto metro

Above all, remember to take your ticket and stamp it. Checks are frequent on platforms and in metro trains; have them validated at the terminals in the lobby before boarding. It would be a shame to risk a bad time and a fine for €1.50 to €2 (the cost of the transport ticket). There is no gate like in France, so it is easier to forget to follow the rules. If you buy your tickets from the automatic machines, take your time, they are not necessarily ergonomic even if you can choose the language and select French. If in doubt, do not hesitate to ask the premises or the controllers in the lobby for help. You can also opt for a rechargeable card called “Andante” at a price of €0.60 which you can recharge with 10 journey passes or daily passes to take the metro unlimitedly.

It's your turn to play and put the theory into practice. You will see, it is not that complicated to travel by metro in Porto.

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