How to travel by metro in Porto
The Metro is one of the most common ways for travelling in Porto. With a few different lines, the network covers many areas of the city and even different counties.
If you are not hiring a car, this will probably be the transport of your choice when you are in town. It’s a comfortable, clean and easy way to reach the places marked on your map. All carriages have air-conditioning, so there’s no chance you suffocate inside them. And, guess what… most of the lines run above the ground (and not underground like in many world cities), so the journeys became very pleasant and not claustrophobic. And you can see the local living outside through the carriage huge windows.
Find a metro station in Porto
6 different lines and more than 80 stations (and counting) make the equation of Metro do Porto. Many of the stations are on the street level and have absolutely no barriers to get in. And this barrier-question repeats on the inside, so be aware that you must validate your journey ticket before getting in the train (most distracted ones might forget it).
Some metro stations might seem not that easy to find but it’s common to stumble across signs with the logo of metro (a blue/white rounded “M”) indicating the direction of the closest station. Anyway, you can pick up a network map in any station, buy the ticket and you’re good to go!
Where to buy and top-up metro tickets (Andante Card)
To travel by metro in Porto you need to have a card called “Andante”, that you can buy for the duration of your stay (day tickets) or top-up with single/multiple journeys as you go. You can buy this card online before you arrive (included in the Oficial City Pass) or, once you arrive, almost everywhere in the city.
– Online: the Porto.CARD Official City Pass includes unlimited travel in public transports
– Airport: at the Tourist Office shop on the Arrivals hall
– Payshop agents: kiosks, newspaper stands, coffee shops, supermarkets, etc
– Metro and train stations: automatic machines at almost every station
One journey will cost you between 1,40€ and 3,20€, depending on the distance traveled (in the city center 1,40€ will cover almost every stops). If you buy 10 journeys at once, you will get 1 extra for free. You can pay by cash or with credit card.
Please check the Andante website for more and updated information.
Picking the right direction
Once you are in a station it’s time for you to pick the direction you want to go. At a first sight, it may seem a little bit complicated but the system is no different from any other metro or subway in the world.
All stations are equipped with an electronic display showing the final destination and the estimated arrival time of the train. So, you just have to check your pocket map or the big ones at the station. The indoor stations have signs close to the staircases with the correspondent letter of the line. For each case, these are the following line:
– “A” line (blue): between Senhor de Matosinhos and Estágio do Dragão.
– “B” line (red): between Póvoa de Varzim and Estádio do Dragão
– “C” line (green): between ISMAI and Campanhã
– “D” line (yellow): between Hospital de São João and Santo Ovídio
– “E” line (purple): between Airport and Estádio do Dragão
– “F” line (orange): between Senhora da Hora and Fanzeres
The next question is: what side of the line? Close to the staircase there is trajectory information with a yellow line indicating the final destination and all the stations in between. If you can’t find the station you want to go to, maybe you should look on the opposite staircase because you are on the wrong side. In doubt, simply ask someone! :)
Ticket validation
Keep in mind that your ticket is valid for 1 hour after validation, but every time you change lines you need to validate it on the automatic yellow machines, before entering the train. You’ll only be charge once within that hour. DO NOT validate when your way out.
The yellow validation machines will be visible to you. At the outdoor stations, they will be in each end of the platform. At the indoor ones, this might change whether the station have just one line or is a crossing point of lines. Anyway, they will be in your way and you will not miss them! You should not travel without validating your Andante and there’s a chance you may have to show your ticket to an inspector who asks you for it.
General recommendations when riding the metro in Porto
– Both when entering or exiting the trains you have to press the round button at the doors to open them, when the green light is on.
– The frequency changes: weekends and late hours are less crowded, so there aren’t so many trains. If you need, check the schedules at Metro do Porto website.
– Bicycles are allowed!
– From the waiting platform to the train there’s no need to worries about gaps: the level of the floor is basted with the carriage (no “mind the gap” warnings on the speakers).
– If you are colorblind there’s a system especially designed for “translating” the color lines.
Porto metro route map
I am not able to download Porto metro route map from this webpage. In two different browsers I got 404 error.
It’s working from our end. Try the direct link https://www.metrodoporto.pt/metrodoporto/uploads/document/file/471/mapa_de_rede.pdf
Can you pay with paper euros in the metro machines, or only coins?
I’m pretty sure that you can pay with both coins and notes, and also with Visa/Mastercard.
Hi,
I’m thinking to take the monthly andante metropolitan when arriving to Porto airport. Is it possible?
Is there a particular requirement to get it?
Can i get it for October even if I’m getting it in Sept?
Thanks!
I am partially disabled and travel with a transport wheelchair that can be folded to 75x35x64cm. Is it possible to use the Metro with my wheelchair?
Hi Mary! I am pretty sure it is. I have translated the following text from Metro do Porto website. I hope it helps!
At all stations, the vehicle platform (which has no steps or interior barriers) is at the same level as the boarding pier. Access to the underground level of the pier can be done, from the surface, by elevator. All surface stations have access ramps to the quays and ticket vending and loading machines were positioned at a suitable height, allowing their use by people in wheelchairs. In addition to wheelchairs and the like, Metro do Porto allows bicycles, surfboards and body-boards and other leisure equipment to enter its vehicles. Although transporting large animals on the Metro is necessarily prohibited, guide dogs used by visually impaired citizens are excluded from this rule.
Hi, we three London guys just arrived at your airport after a late late flight. Thanks for running a late service! We each bought a zone 4 Andante card and ticket to Trinidade and validated it at the bottom of the stairs. We were confused at the machine about the word ‘titles’. My friend bought two zone4 ‘titles’ by mistake (before we read we needed one andante card each). I think the word should be ‘trip’. We also bought each card with our own bank cards so our names are on the receipt to match our passports.
Is there a time or distance limit with metro regular ticket?
Thank you.
Your ticket is valid for 1 hour after validation. For distance, you have to buy the appropriate Zone deepening where you are and where you want to go.
Are there any special rules regarding luggage going from the Airport downtown on the E line? Do I need a particular end of the train?
I don’t think so. Unless you are carrying total out of format and loads and loads of luggage, I think you will be fine.
how much will a 7 day metro card in Porto costs?
thank you in advance
Hi Isabel! I dont think there is a 7 day pass. Your best option should probably be the Porto Card (1, 2, 3 or 4 days) or just keep buying single or 10 pack tickets. Check it out at https://en.metrodoporto.pt/pages/397
When you leave Porto can you get a refund for the Andante card and can this be done at the airport?
Thanks
Jordan
I don’t believe you can get any refund for the Andante card.. :)
Can two people share adante card for same journey?
No.
Hi. I go to Porto next week.
On the first day a day ticket will be the best option for me.
Based on Metro website ‘With ANDANTE 24 ticket you can travel during 24 hours after the first validation within the zones you choose’.
How to check how many zones have my trips .i.e. Airport-Balhao and Balhao-Levada?
Thank you in advance.
We’re heading to Porto in a few weeks so this was just what I was looking for. :)
There are 4 of us travelling – do we each need a card or can we top up one card with multiple journeys ?
Are each journey 1.20 Euros regardless of destination?
Thanks!
You will need one card per person and price can be different depending on destination.
Hi, It appears on the map that the Sao Bento station is on the orange line but when i do a journey planner or go to google maps it has a number of lines running through it is Trinidade station also called Sao Bento station?
No. São Bento and Trindade are different stations. The yellow line (D) stops at both of them. Trindade is a big station where all the lines meet. You can see that clearly if you download the map.
Hello. The ticket price for 3 y.o.child is the same as for adults?
Thank you
Im not sure about that. Please try to contact Metro do Porto https://www.facebook.com/MetroPorto/
Hi, can I buy a 3-day tourist pass at the airport?
Hi Teresa! Not sure if you can buy in there. But you can buy it online at Ticketbar http://localporto.rgi.ticketbar.eu/en/ticketbar-oporto/porto-card-/ and pick it up at the airport when you arrive. Cheers!
And when I validate my ticket and enter the metro but my time my time is finishing do I have to leave or I can go to the end of this single trip?
If you are able to validate the ticket, you are good to go all the way until the end of that trip.
Excellent summary about the Metro and really useful for me since I am travelling to Porto in July. I wondered how to buy a ticket, now I know !!
Maureen (UK)
Hello, next week I am coming to visit Porto with a group of nine people with mental handicap. Is there any discount for us?