Overview
The Porto Metro (Portuguese: Metro do Porto) is a modern light rail network that serves as a primary component of the city's public transportation infrastructure. The system operates underground in central Porto and transitions to above-ground tracks using low-floor tram vehicles as it reaches the suburbs. To ride the metro, you must purchase a ticket beforehand at station machines. Before boarding your train, you must validate your ticket by scanning it at the yellow machines located at entrances and within stations; a successful validation will trigger a green light and a confirming sound.
The network
The Porto Metro consists of six distinct lines spanning approximately 70 kilometers across seven municipalities. The system includes:
- Line A (Blue Line): Runs between Senhor de Matosinhos and Estádio do Dragão.
- Line B/Bx (Red Line): Connects Póvoa de Varzim to Estádio do Dragão.
- Line C (Green Line): Runs from Senhora da Hora to ISMAI.
- Line D (Yellow Line): Travels between Câmara de Gaia and Pólo Universitário.
- Line E (Violet Line): Connects the Airport Francisco Sá Carneiro to Campanhã and continues to Estádio do Dragão.
- Line F (Orange Line): Runs between Senhora da Hora and Fânzeres.
The network also incorporates other transit modes, including suburban rail (Urbanos) serving stations like São Bento and Campanhã, as well as various bus services provided by STCP.
Tickets & fares
The system utilizes the "Andante" ticketing system, which allows for multi-modal travel across different providers within a specific timeframe. Fares are determined by the number of zones covered by your journey: a Z2 ticket covers adjacent zones, while a Z3 ticket covers even more expansive areas.
- Paper Tickets: Known as Blue Andante (Andante azul), these can be purchased and recharged at station machines for single trips or 24-hour passes.
- Smartcards: Silver Andante (Andante prateado) are personalized PVC cards available at Lojas Andante (Andante Shops).
- Tourist Pass: The Andante Tour is a specialized option for tourists, available as a 24 or 78-hour pass.
- Contactless Payment: On Line E specifically, you can use a contactless credit card (VISA or MasterCard only) at the validation sensor.
- Pricing: A Z4 ticket for travel from the airport is approximately €2.15, plus an additional €0.60 for the rechargeable paper card. A 24-hour pass for both Metro and buses (including the airport zone) is approximately €7.55. Note that these prices are approximate and subject to change.
Children under 4 years old do not require a ticket when accompanied by an adult. Be aware that the system operates on a proof-of-payment basis; traveling without a validated ticket results in a penalty of €95.
From the airport
You have several options for reaching the city center from Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport:
- Metro: Line E provides a direct, fast connection to the city center. It typically runs from 06:00 to 01:00 daily, with trains every 15-30 minutes.
- Bus: STCP operates lines 601, 602, and 604 between the airport and the city center (roughly every 25 minutes). A night bus, line 3M, runs every 60 minutes between 01:00 and 05:00.
- Ride-hailing: Services such as Uber and Bolt are available to transport you to the city center.
Etiquette & customs
While specific social rules like "standing on one side of the escalator" are not detailed in the source, it is vital to follow local safety and compliance protocols. You must validate your ticket at every station's yellow sensor before boarding to avoid heavy fines from random inspections by fare inspectors. Additionally, be aware that while signage is bilingual (Portuguese and English), most audio announcements are made only in Portuguese.
Ensure you validate your ticket at the yellow machines before boarding to avoid a significant fine for traveling without a valid proof of payment.