How to Get to Porto: Flights, Airport and Transport

Flying to Porto

Porto is served by Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport (OPO), located about 11 km northwest of the city center. From Brazil, there are no direct flights to Porto, but TAP Air Portugal operates convenient one-stop connections via Lisbon from Sao Paulo (GRU), Rio de Janeiro (GIG) and other Brazilian cities. Airlines like Azul also fly to Lisbon, from where you can catch a short domestic connection or take the train north.

From other European cities, budget carriers like Ryanair and easyJet offer direct flights to Porto from London, Paris, Barcelona, Rome and many other destinations, often for under 50 EUR if booked in advance.

From the Airport to the City Center

Metro (Line E - Violet)

The easiest and cheapest option is the Porto Metro Line E (Violet Line), which connects the airport directly to the city center. The journey to Trindade station takes about 25 minutes and costs around 2.50 EUR with an Andante card (0.60 EUR for the reusable card plus the Z4 zone fare). Trains run every 20-30 minutes from early morning until around 1:00 AM.

Taxi and Rideshare

A taxi from the airport to central Porto costs between 20-30 EUR and takes 20-30 minutes depending on traffic. Uber and Bolt are also available and tend to be slightly cheaper, usually around 15-20 EUR.

Airport Bus

The GetBus shuttle runs between the airport and downtown Porto with stops at key locations. A one-way ticket costs around 5 EUR.

Getting to Porto from Lisbon

By Train

The Alfa Pendular high-speed train operated by CP (Comboios de Portugal) connects Lisbon Santa Apolonia or Oriente stations to Porto Campanha in about 2 hours and 40 minutes. Tickets start at around 25 EUR in second class if booked early on cp.pt. The Intercidades (Intercity) service is slower (about 3 hours) but cheaper, starting around 20 EUR.

By Bus

Rede Expressos and FlixBus operate frequent services between Lisbon and Porto. The journey takes about 3.5 hours and tickets start at around 15 EUR. Buses depart from Lisbon's Sete Rios terminal and arrive at Porto's Campo 24 de Agosto station.

By Car

The A1 motorway connects Lisbon to Porto in roughly 3 hours. Expect to pay around 22 EUR in tolls. Car rental is widely available at both airports and city locations.

Getting Around Porto

Porto's compact historic center is best explored on foot, but the city has an excellent public transport network for longer distances:

• Metro: Six lines covering the city and suburbs. A single trip within the central zone (Z2) costs about 1.55 EUR with an Andante card.
• Bus: STCP operates an extensive bus network. Same Andante card works on buses.
• Tram: Three heritage tram lines run along the Douro riverfront and through the old town. Line 1 along the river to Foz is a scenic must-do.
• Porto Card: Available for 1-4 days (from 13 EUR), it includes unlimited public transport and discounts at museums and attractions.

For day trips to the Douro Valley or nearby cities like Braga and Guimaraes, trains from Porto Sao Bento or Campanha stations are frequent and affordable.