Porto
Porto public transport: tickets, passes and apps
For one or two rides, buy a single Andante ticket loaded on a rechargeable card; for three or more rides in a day, the 24-hour Andante pass usually wins. Contactless bank cards are not the standard way to pay on Porto's metro and buses, so carry the Andante card. Prices are 2026 estimates — verify at the machine.
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- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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GuidePorto
Key facts
- Best ticketcheck
- 24-hour Andante pass if you ride 3+ times a day; single Andante ticket otherwise
- Where to buycheck
- Andante machines and staffed kiosks at metro stations; some bus drivers sell single tickets
- Contactless bank cardcheck
- Not the standard fare medium on Porto metro and STCP buses — use an Andante card
- Zones
- Fares depend on zones; central Porto is in the inner zones, the airport needs a higher zone
- Airport to centre
- Metro line E (violet) from the airport to central Porto, roughly 25–30 minutes
- Card cost
- Rechargeable Andante card has a small one-off cost, then you top up
Best ticket
The decision comes down to how many rides you take. One or two rides: a single Andante ticket. Three or more rides in a day, or a day of metro plus bus hops: the 24-hour Andante pass. Staying several days and riding often: a multi-day pass or a top-up card you keep reloading.
The Andante system covers the metro, STCP buses and the suburban trains inside the Porto area, so one card works across modes. You tap in at the start of a journey; the fare is deducted by zone.
- 1–2 rides a day: single Andante ticket
- 3+ rides a day: 24-hour Andante pass
- Several days, frequent travel: multi-day pass or reloadable card
- Airport trip: metro line E, higher zone fare
Prices
Fares are set by zone, so the exact price depends on where you start and finish. Central Porto sits in the inner zones; the airport and outer suburbs need a higher zone. Treat the figures below as 2026 estimates and confirm at the machine or kiosk.
A rechargeable Andante card carries a small one-off cost, then you load single trips, day passes or multi-day passes onto it. Buying the card once and topping it up is cheaper than buying a fresh single every time.
| Ticket | Price (2026 estimate) | Zones | Valid for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Andante ticket | check at machine | By zone | One journey, tap in |
| 24-hour Andante pass | check at machine | By zone | 24 hours from first validation |
| Multi-day pass | check at machine | By zone | Set number of days |
| Andante card | small one-off cost | n/a | Rechargeable, keep it |
Prices are 2026 estimates; zone boundaries and fares change — verify at an Andante machine or staffed kiosk.
How to pay
The standard way is an Andante card: buy it once, load trips or passes, and tap it on the validator at the start of each journey. Machines at metro stations take cards and cash; staffed kiosks can help if the machine is unclear.
Contactless bank cards are not the standard fare medium on Porto's metro and STCP buses, so do not assume you can tap a Visa or Mastercard at the gate the way you might in London. Carry the Andante card instead. Some bus drivers sell single tickets on board, but this is slower and not always available.
Apps can help with journey planning and sometimes with buying or topping up, but the physical Andante card remains the reliable option. Check the current app situation before you travel.
- Buy or top up an Andante card at metro station machines
- Tap in at the start of each journey
- Do not rely on contactless bank cards for metro and STCP buses
- Some buses sell single tickets from the driver — slower, not guaranteed
Zones
Porto's fare system is zonal. Central Porto, including the historic centre and the main metro stops, sits in the inner zones. The airport and outer suburbs need a higher zone, which costs more per trip.
If you stay mostly in the centre, an inner-zone ticket or pass is enough. If you plan to reach the airport, Matosinhos or further out, check which zone your journey crosses before you buy, or load a pass that covers the zones you need.
| Area | Zone | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Central Porto | Inner zones | Historic centre, main metro stops |
| Airport (OPO) | Higher zone | Metro line E to the centre |
| Outer suburbs | Higher zone | Check before buying |
| Multi-zone pass | Covers chosen zones | Load the zones you need |
Zone boundaries and fares are 2026 estimates — confirm at an Andante machine.
From the airport
Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro airport (OPO) is connected to central Porto by metro line E (violet). The ride to the centre takes roughly 25–30 minutes, and because the airport is in a higher zone, the fare is higher than an inner-city trip.
Buy or top up an Andante card at the airport metro station before boarding. If you are staying several days, load a pass that covers the airport zone plus the centre so you do not have to think about it again. A taxi or ride-hailing car is faster but costs more; the metro is the default for most travellers.
- Metro line E (violet) from OPO to central Porto
- Roughly 25–30 minutes to the centre
- Higher zone fare than inner-city trips
- Buy or top up your Andante card at the airport station
Tips
Keep your Andante card — you reload it on future trips and it works across metro, STCP buses and suburban trains inside the Porto area. Tap in every time; inspectors do check.
If you are in Porto for a weekend or a few days, work out your likely rides before buying. Two rides a day makes singles fine; three or more makes the 24-hour pass better value. For a longer stay, a multi-day pass or a reloaded card is simplest.
Do not drive in Porto's old centre; the metro and buses cover the sights well. Check current fares and zone maps at the machine or kiosk, since these change.
- Keep and reload your Andante card
- Tap in every journey — inspections happen
- 3+ rides a day: 24-hour pass
- Skip driving in the old centre
Questions people ask
What is the best public transport ticket in Porto?
For one or two rides, a single Andante ticket. For three or more rides in a day, the 24-hour Andante pass is usually better value. For a longer stay, a multi-day pass or a reloaded Andante card is simplest. Prices are 2026 estimates — check at the machine.
Can I pay by contactless card in Porto?
Not as the standard fare medium on Porto's metro and STCP buses. Use an Andante card, bought or topped up at metro station machines or kiosks. Some bus drivers sell single tickets on board, but this is slower and not always available.
How much is a day pass in Porto?
The 24-hour Andante pass price depends on the zones it covers, so it is not a single fixed figure. Central Porto sits in the inner zones; the airport needs a higher zone. Treat the price as a 2026 estimate and confirm at an Andante machine or kiosk.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialMetro do Porto
- officialSTCP
- officialVisit Portugal
- secondaryWikivoyage – Porto