Arriving at Porto’s Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) is a straightforward and hassle-free start to your trip. The modern, single-terminal airport is located just 10km north of the city and offers several convenient and inexpensive options for travelling to the city centre.

For most visitors, the Metro is the best choice. The network connects directly to the airport, providing a reliable and low-cost journey into the heart of Porto. For a faster transfer, licensed taxis and ride-hailing services like Uber are readily available just outside the terminal. The most convenient, door-to-door option is a pre-booked private transfer, which can be surprisingly cost-effective, especially for groups or families.

This guide will provide a detailed comparison of all the transport options from Porto Airport to the city centre, including information on fares, journey times, and practical tips for each service.

 

 

Porto’s airport is contained within a single, modern terminal, making your arrival and onward journey exceptionally straightforward. The design is intuitive, and all transport options are clearly signposted from the moment you enter the arrivals hall.

After clearing customs, you will find the main transport links are logically arranged. The official taxi rank is located directly outside the arrivals exit. To reach the Metro, you will need to descend via the escalators or lifts, which are clearly visible from the main hall. The pick-up point for ride-hailing services like Uber and Bolt is a short walk to the right, at the far end of the terminal building.

You have four main transport options for travelling from the airport to Porto’s city centre: the Metro, a licensed taxi, a ride-hailing service (Uber or Bolt), or a pre-booked private transfer. Each offers a different balance of cost, speed, and convenience.

• Metro – This is the most cost-effective option and the best choice for most travellers. The metro is clean, safe, and reliable. Its only drawback is that the network within the historic centre is limited, which may require an uphill walk to your final destination.

• Taxi – The fastest and most direct way to get to your accommodation. Taxis are the most expensive method, but they provide a hassle-free, door-to-door service, which is ideal if you are travelling with heavy luggage or arriving late at night.

• Uber/Bolt – Ride-hailing services offer a balance between the cost of the metro and the convenience of a taxi. They are almost always cheaper than a regular taxi, and the fare is fixed before you book. You will need a smartphone with data, and the designated pick-up zone requires a short walk.

• Private Transfer – The most seamless arrival experience. Your driver will meet you in the arrivals hall, assist with luggage, and take you directly to your hotel. For families or groups, the cost can be surprisingly competitive with a taxi.

For most circumstances, the Metro provides an outstanding balance of price and performance. If you are tired from a long flight or travelling as a family, a taxi or a pre-booked transfer removes all hassle. For those already comfortable with ride-hailing apps, Uber or Bolt presents a modern and cost-effective alternative.

Porto’s Metro system offers a direct, reliable, and inexpensive connection from the airport into the heart of the city, making it the outstanding choice for most visitors. The service is modern and efficient, with the airport's dedicated Metro station situated directly below the terminal, easily reached by escalators and lifts in the main arrivals hall.

The airport is served by the E Line (Violet) and there are three departures per hour (every 20 minutes) dropping to every 30 minutes outside of peak times. The first service is at approximately 6:00 and the last is around midnight. Outside of these operating hours, you will need to take the night bus or an Uber/Bolt.

It is important to note that while the metro is excellent for reaching the city, the network within the historic centre is not extensive. Depending on your accommodation's location, you may face a significant uphill walk from the nearest station, a key consideration if travelling with heavy luggage.

The metro pulling into Trindade station

Tickets, Fares, and Zones
The journey from the airport to the city centre crosses four transit zones, which requires a Z4 ticket. The fare is loaded onto a reusable paper 'Andante Azul' card that you purchase with your first ticket.
• Single Z4 Journey: €2.25
• Reusable Andante Card: €0.60 (one-time cost for the physical card)
• Total for first journey: €2.85

Tickets are available from machines and the staffed ticket office in the station. Be prepared for potential queues at the ticket machines, especially after a flight has landed, as it can take time for travellers to navigate the zone map and complete their purchase.

The Andante ticket must be validated before starting your journey by tapping it on one of the yellow machines located before the platforms and need to be re-validated when changing to other lines. Once initially validated the Z4 ticket is valid for 75 minutes, which is sufficient to travel to your final stop.

Key Metro Destinations and Journey Times
The Metro’s E Line provides direct service to two important hubs: Trindade (a 27-minute journey), the main interchange station for the entire network, and Campanhã (36 minutes), Porto’s primary train station for services to Lisbon and the rest of Portugal.

For most tourist destinations, a simple change at Trindade is required. To reach the historic heart of the city, transfer to the southbound D Line (Yellow) for the short trip to São Bento station. To get to the famous port wine cellars, continue one stop further across the bridge to Jardim do Morro in Vila Nova de Gaia.

Travel Tip: When travelling to the train station, be careful to select Campanhã. There is another station with a similar name, Campainha, which is a small residential stop. All mainline trains depart from Campanhã.

Ride-hailing apps like Uber and Bolt are a very popular and inexpensive way to travel from Porto Airport to the city centre. Fares are dynamic and vary depending on demand, but a typical transfer to the centre of Porto (e.g., Trindade or Bolhão) costs between €15 and €22, making it a significantly cheaper option than a standard taxi, especially at weekends or at night.

One of the main advantages of using these apps is knowing the exact fare before you confirm your ride. The process at Porto Airport is generally very efficient, though you may experience slightly longer waits for a car during major events or peak holiday periods.

Unlike some airports where the pick-up location can be confusing, Porto’s is quite straightforward. There is a single, dedicated area for all ride-hailing services (known in Portugal as TVDE).

To find it, exit the arrivals hall, urn right and walk along the front of the terminal building, past the taxi rank and bus stops. The designated pick-up area is at the far northern end of the arrivals kerb. Look for a large blue sign that says “TVDE / Electronic TVDE”. Your driver will meet you there.

This short walk takes only 2-3 minutes, but it's important to note that your driver cannot legally stop for you directly outside the arrivals exit.

Uber and Bolt are very similar; ask any Portuguese citizen and you'll find there will be an equal split on which they prefer. Generally, Bolt is cheaper (trying to win Uber's customers), but the standard of their cars (and drivers) is slightly lower. An Uber car has to be at least a Peugeot 308, whereas Bolt has no such requirement. Also, many drivers work for both companies.

Insight: Although it's not standard practice to tip Uber or Bolt drivers in Portugal, a €1 or €2 coin is always appreciated.
Keep in mind that you'll need mobile internet to book an Uber or Bolt. If you're experiencing issues, make sure your phone's data roaming is turned on. If you're arriving from outside of Europe or have a longer trip to Portugal, you may wish to purchase a Portuguese SIM card for your phone.

For ultimate convenience, a pre-booked private transfer is an excellent choice. This service removes all uncertainty from your arrival; your driver will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall, ready to assist with luggage and guide you to a waiting vehicle. It is the most comfortable and hassle-free option, especially for weary travellers after a long flight or for those travelling with children.

A private transfer starts from around €30. While more expensive than Uber, it offers a fixed price and can be competitive with a taxi, especially for families or groups who may require a larger vehicle. We have worked with Getyourguide.com for the previous 7 years, and some of their best private transfers include:

There is no need for tourists to consider the public bus from the airport to the city, as the metro is faster and more convenient.
There are two regular public bus services (routes 601 and 602) from the airport to Cordoaria (Torre dos Clérigos) in central Porto. A single bus fare costs €2.25 (as it is a zone 4 ticket), but the bus takes longer than the metro, and has little room for luggage. More information about Porto’s bus routes can be seen on the STCP website: https://stcp.pt

A taxi transfer is always the fastest option to travel to central Porto, but will be significantly more than the metro or Uber. The transfer will take 20-30 minutes depending on traffic and will cost between €25-35.

When taking a taxi in Porto, by law, the driver must use the taximeter. The official fares are displayed inside the vehicle. For a journey during the daytime on a weekday (Tariff 1), the fare is comprised of a €3.25 initial charge, plus €0.94 per kilometre.

Be aware that fares are approximately 20% more expensive at night (21:00 to 06:00), on weekends, and on public holidays (Tariff 3), when the rate increases to €1.13 per kilometre. There is an additional surcharge of €1.60 for stowing large luggage in the boot.

Sadly, some taxi drivers will try to exploit tourists, giving a bad reputation to the honest majority, and encourages customers to use ride-hailing apps.

If you have problems or are grossly overcharged, note the taxi number and demand the (legal) complaints book (Livro de Reclamações) Asking to see this red book will often resolve most issues. If you do wish to file a complaint, it can be completed online at: www.livroreclamacoes.pt/

Porto airport is connected to the city by the 3M night bus route. This hourly service departs the airport 30 minutes past the hour; from 00:30 to 5:30. The 3M bus terminates in the Avenida dos Aliados (central Porto) where it returns to the airport on the hour (00:00 until 5:00).

The bus fare is €2.25 and further details can be seen on the Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos do Porto (STCP) website: stcp.pt/pt/linha?line=3M

Note: If you have an early flight leaving Porto and need to be at the airport before 6am, the 3M bus is the only (and therefore the best) public transport option. This bus will be cheaper than a night taxi, Uber or private transfer.

While the freedom of a rental car can be tempting, it is generally not recommended for visitors whose trip is focused primarily on Porto. Navigating the city's historic centre by car is notoriously difficult, characterized by a web of narrow, one-way streets, steep hills, and extremely limited and expensive public parking. For travel within the city, you will find a car to be more of a hindrance than a help.

Furthermore, the region's excellent public transport network makes a car unnecessary for the most popular day trips. The historic cities of Braga and Guimarães, for example, are easily and inexpensively reached by regular train services, offering a much more relaxing journey.

A rental car becomes an asset, however, if your itinerary includes extensive travel outside the main urban areas. For exploring the terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley, driving the scenic coastal routes of the Costa Verde, or discovering the rural Minho province at your own pace, a car provides unparalleled flexibility.

In the City Centre (Trindade Station)
For convenient luggage storage in the city centre, there are automated lockers in Trindade Metro Station, Porto's main transport hub. The service is run by City Lockers. The lockers are rented on a daily (24-hour) basis, making them ideal for storing your bags on your arrival or departure day. More information can be found on the City Lockers website
www.citylockers.pt/porto-trindade/
At Porto Airport Porto
Airport has a staffed left-luggage facility located in the public area of the arrivals hall (Floor 0). This is a secure option if you need to store bags at the airport itself. The service is significantly more expensive than city lockers, with a standard price of approximately €10 per item for up to 24 hours.