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The best independent guide to Porto
Porto-North-Portugal.com
The best independent guide to Porto
Porto trams; a tourism guide to the historic trams of Porto
One of the most enjoyable tourist activities of Porto is a ride on one of the historic trams (Eléctrico in Portuguese).
These delightful trams date from a by-gone era, when vehicles were built with character. They have polished wood interiors, brass controls and dials, and a clanging bell to ask the driver to halt the tram.
In any other city (apart from Lisbon!) these trams would be hidden away in a museum, but in Porto they rattle and screech through the city, even being forced to climb some of the city’s steep hills.
Porto’s tram network once covered most of the city, but sadly it was stripped back during the 60s and 70s, so that today only three lines remain. These three lines are retained in a heritage status, meaning they are maintained for enthusiasts and visitors and are not part of Porto’s public transport network.
Luckily the Linha 1 tram line has remained, and this is the most scenic route that follows the banks of the Douro River to the Foz district. This guide will provide an introduction to Porto’s trams, including details of the lines, fares and links to current timetables.
Related articles: Introduction to Porto – Top 10 Porto – Walking tour of Porto
Note: The historic Linha 18 tram service is currently suspended due to metro line construction works in Porto
The traditional Linha 1 tram
The 1930s wooden interior
Porto Tram Lines
Below is an interactive map of the three tram lines in Porto (Linha 1, Linha 18 and Linha 22)
Please note that while three tram lines are shown on the map, only Linha 1 and Linha 22 are currently operating. Linha 18 service has been temporarily suspended to accommodate metro construction works.
Tram Fares
A single ride on the tram costs €6.00 and a return (or two journeys within 1 day) costs €8.00. There is a two-day unlimited tram pass for is €12 (or €6 for a child ticket), this ticket only covers the historic trams and does not include any of the other public transport in Porto.
The two-day pass is rarely worth the price as there are only three tram lines, and a return trip to the Foz district, along the Linha 1 only requires a return (€8.00). The Linha 1 tram is the more expensive way to travel to the Foz district than taking the 500-bus route (tram €6.00, bus €2,50 (on-board price), but the tram journey is always more enjoyable.
Tram Linha 1
The Linha 1 tram departs from Infante and extends to the Passeio Alegre Park in the Foz district. This is a wonderful route, as the tram trundles along the banks of the Douro River and passes beneath the Ponte da Arrábida bridge.
Being the most popular tram line, it can get very busy during the middle of the day and a significant number of passengers are forced to stand. To experience the magic of the Linha 1, try to ride the tram early or late in the day when it is much quieter.
Along the Linha 1, there is a departure every 20-minutes at peak times, and the latest timetable is clearly displayed at each tram stop. Porto’s trams are operated by Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos do Porto (STCP) and the timetables can be seen on their website:
https://www.stcp.pt/pt/viajar/linhas/?linha=1&sentido=0&t=horarios
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The Linha 1 tram waiting outside the Igreja de São Francisco
The entire Linha 1 tram route is covered by the 500 bus route (Praça da Liberdade to Matosinhos, €1.95 single). If there are long queues for the tram, catch the bus instead. The Linha 1 tram is the only route which does not perform a loop, therefore a trip to the Foz district requires two tram tickets, costing a total of €6.
The Foz district is one of the most charming regions of Porto, but because it does not contain any major tourist attractions, it is sadly often overlooked. Before catching the tram back to central Porto, take a wander along the riverfront past the São João fort to the delightful seafront of Foz.
Related articles: Linha 1 route and tourist guide
Tram Linha 22
The Linha 22 departs from Batalha and performs a one-directional loop of central Porto. The tram route connects to the Linha 18 at the Carmo stop, and here is where the majority of passengers board the tram.
If this is your first visit to Porto, this is the best tram line to begin with, as it forms a complete loop and travels through the more interesting sections of the city.
Another advantage of this tram route is that it passes the beautiful Santo Ildefonso church, which can be seen without having to climb the steep hill from the São Bento train station.
The entire Linha 22 route takes around 30 minutes, although this is often impacted by traffic or badly parked cars.
The timetable for the Linha 22 tram can be seen on the STCP website:
https://www.stcp.pt/pt/viajar/linhas/?linha=22&sentido=0&t=horarios
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The Carmo tram speeding through Porto
The stunning Igreja Santo Ildefonso church
Porto tram Linha 18
The Linha 18 tram route is not currently in service due to ongoing metro construction in Porto. This suspension affects the entire route from Museu do Carro Elétrico to Carmo. Visitors interested in experiencing Porto's historic trams can still enjoy Linha 1 along the riverside or Linha 22 through the historic center.
The Linha 18 tram on its way to Carmo
The tourist tram at the Museu do Carro Elétrico
Timetables
During working hours there is a tram departure every 20 minutes on Linha 1 or every 30 minutes on Linha 18 and 22. At each of the tram stops a current timetable is displayed. The Porto trams are operated by Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos do Porto (STCP) and the latest timetables can be seen on their website:
www.stcp.pt
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The enjoyment of the tram is having a seat and viewing the city from the ancient vehicle; this is no fun if you are forced to stand. More importantly than the timetables, is your position in the queue, if there is more than 15 people in front of you, wait for the next one or come back later for a ride.
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