PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN PORTO FOR TOURISTS

Fernando Almeida
12 hours ago
2 min read

🚌 SIGHTSEEING BUS IN PORTO

Porto has several sightseeing bus services (hop-on hop-off tourist buses), which are a practical and comfortable way to discover the city’s main attractions, especially for first-time visitors.

🚍 How sightseeing buses work

Double-decker buses, usually with the upper deck open for panoramic views.
Operate on a hop-on hop-off system: you can get on and off at any stop along the route, using the same ticket for 24h or 48h.
Include multilingual audio guides (normally in 9 languages, including English and Portuguese).
Pass by iconic landmarks such as Ribeira, Clérigos Tower, Casa da Música, Palácio de Cristal, Castelo do Queijo, Jardim do Morro in Gaia, and more.

🎟️ Main operators

City Sightseeing Porto: two routes, tickets from ~31 USD. Includes extras such as a walking tour and Port wine tasting.
Gray Line Porto: offers two lines (blue and orange), lasting 1h30 and 45 minutes respectively. Tickets valid for 24h or 48h.
Civitatis / City Sightseeing: also with two routes, audio guide and wine tasting included.
Combo tickets: some packages combine the sightseeing bus with a Douro 6 Bridges cruise and a visit to Port wine cellars, starting at ~46 €.

⏰ Timetables and frequency

Generally operate between 09:30 and 19:00, with departures every 20–30 minutes.
In winter, schedules may be reduced (last departure around 16:30–17:00).

🚇🚍 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN PORTO FOR TOURISTS

If you visit Porto as a tourist, you’ll find several easy and accessible public transport options: metro, buses, historic trams, suburban trains, and even shared bicycles. The system is integrated with the rechargeable Andante card, which makes traveling much simpler.

🚇 Metro do Porto

Modern and efficient network with 6 lines connecting the city center to the airport, Matosinhos, Vila Nova de Gaia, and other areas.
Frequency: about every 10 minutes.
Perfect for reaching places like Casa da Música, Estádio do Dragão, or Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport quickly.

🚌 Buses

Operated by STCP, covering almost the entire city and surroundings.
Useful for areas not served by the metro, such as Foz do Douro.
Tickets available with the Andante card or directly from the driver (more expensive).

🚋 Historic trams

Three tourist lines along the Douro river.
Nostalgic experience, very popular among visitors.
More expensive than metro/bus, but offer unique views.

🚆 Suburban trains

Depart from São Bento and Campanhã stations.
Connect Porto to nearby cities such as Braga, Guimarães, and Aveiro.
Great for day trips.

🚲 Bicycles and scooters

Bike-sharing and e-bike services available at several points in the city.
A good option for riding along the Douro waterfront or flat areas.

🎟️ Practical tips

Andante card: rechargeable, valid on metro, buses, and suburban trains.
Explore on foot: the historic center is compact and perfect for walking.
Schedules: vary depending on the line and day of the week; best to check before heading out.