Porto Metro System: Six Lines Reaching the Suburbs
Network Structure and Coverage
Metro do Porto operates six color-coded lines covering 67 kilometers and 82 stations across Porto and surrounding municipalities. Unlike Lisbon's Metro which concentrates on the city core, Porto's system was deliberately designed to connect suburbs and satellite cities to the urban center.
The Six Lines:
- Line A (Blue) - Senhor de Matosinhos ↔ Estádio do Dragão: Connects Matosinhos beach district to Porto's eastern areas, serving the football stadium and ISMAI campus
- Line B (Red) - Póvoa de Varzim ↔ Estádio do Dragão: Porto's longest line, extending 45 kilometers north to coastal towns Póvoa de Varzim and Vila do Conde
- Line C (Green) - ISMAI ↔ Fórum Maia: Serves Maia and northern suburbs
- Line D (Yellow) - Hospital São João ↔ Santo Ovídio: Runs south across the Douro River into Vila Nova de Gaia
- Line E (Purple) - Trindade ↔ Aeroporto: Essential airport connection, also serving northern residential areas
- Line F (Orange) - Fânzeres ↔ Senhora da Hora: Serves eastern suburbs including Gondomar
All lines converge at Trindade Station, the central hub for transfers. Most journeys requiring line changes route through Trindade, though some lines also intersect at Casa da Música, Bolhão, and Campanh stations.
Operating Hours and Frequency
Metro do Porto operates from approximately 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM daily. Service frequency varies by time of day and line:
- Peak hours (7-10 AM, 5-8 PM): Trains typically run every 4-7 minutes on core sections
- Off-peak daytime: Every 10-15 minutes
- Evening (after 8 PM): Every 15-20 minutes
- Weekends: Slightly reduced frequency, typically 10-20 minutes depending on line and time
Suburban Reach: A Key Advantage
Porto Metro's suburban coverage is exceptional. Line B extends 45 kilometers to Póvoa de Varzim and Vila do Conde—beach towns that feel like separate cities. This means you can live in a coastal suburb with a garden and beach access while commuting to Porto's center in 45-60 minutes for under €40/month.
Similarly, Matosinhos (Line A) and Maia (Line C) offer more affordable housing with direct metro access. For families and remote workers prioritizing space over city-center proximity, Porto's metro makes suburban living genuinely viable without a car.
Accessibility Features
Metro do Porto's modern design includes comprehensive accessibility:
- All stations have elevators and ramps providing street-to-platform access
- Level boarding - platforms align with train floors for wheelchair access
- Tactile paving for visually impaired passengers at all stations
- Audio announcements in Portuguese and English on trains
- Designated spaces for wheelchairs and strollers in every carriage
The system was built in the 2000s with accessibility as a core design requirement, making it more uniformly accessible than Lisbon's older Metro which has been retrofitted over decades.
Reference guide: Accessibility and Inclusive Public Transport in Portugal
Performance and Reliability
Metro do Porto's 2024 performance data demonstrates reliable service:
- 89.78 million passenger validations (8.9% growth from 2023)
- 93% on-time performance throughout the year
- Modern fleet with air conditioning and real-time information displays
This reliability matters for expats planning daily commutes. A 93% on-time rate means delays are exceptions, not routine—you can trust published schedules for meeting planning.
STCP Buses: Urban Network Complementing the Metro
Bus System Overview
STCP (Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos do Porto) operates Porto's urban bus network, complementing Metro coverage with routes serving neighborhoods not reached by rail. As of May 2025, STCP transports approximately 190,000 passengers daily across dozens of routes.
Fleet and Accessibility
STCP's fleet consists of modern, low-floor buses meeting current EU accessibility standards:
- Ramps deploy for wheelchair boarding at designated stops
- Designated spaces for wheelchairs, strollers, and mobility devices
- Audio-visual stop announcements (though English availability varies by route)
- Air-conditioned vehicles on most routes
The low-floor design means you can board with luggage, strollers, or shopping without struggling with steps—a significant quality-of-life advantage for daily errands.
When to Use Buses vs Metro
Use buses when:
- Your origin or destination isn't near a Metro station
- Traveling within neighborhoods like Foz do Douro, Cedofeita, or Boavista where Metro coverage is limited
- Making short trips where bus routes are more direct
- Traveling late at night (some bus routes operate later than Metro)
Use Metro when:
- Traveling longer distances across the city
- Commuting to suburbs (Maia, Matosinhos, Vila Nova de Gaia)
- Speed is priority (Metro is faster for distances >3km)
- Traveling during peak hours (Metro avoids traffic delays)
Route Planning
STCP publishes route maps and schedules at stcp.pt, but the Anda mobile app (covered in Integration section below) provides the most user-friendly journey planning, combining buses and Metro into single journey options with real-time updates.
Bus frequency varies significantly by route:
- Major routes: Every 10-15 minutes during daytime
- Secondary routes: Every 20-30 minutes
- Evening/weekend: Reduced frequency, typically 30-45 minutes
Heritage Trams: Tourist Services with Separate Ticketing
STCP operates three heritage tram lines (Lines 1, 18, and 22) using vintage electric trams primarily for tourism:
- Line 1: Runs along the Douro River from Infante to Passeio Alegre (Foz)
- Line 18: Circular route from Massarelos through the historic center
- Line 22: Carmo to Batalha via narrow city streets
Important for expats: Heritage trams are not included in standard Andante ticketing. Separate fares apply:
- €4 one-way (on-board payment)
- €8 for two trips same day
- €12 for 2-day pass
While charming for sightseeing, heritage trams aren't practical for regular commuting—they're slow, touristy, and use separate payment systems. Treat them as leisurely city exploration rather than daily transport.
Integrated Ticketing: The Andante System
How the Andante Card Works
The Andante system is Porto's integrated payment solution covering Metro do Porto, STCP buses, and CP regional trains within the metropolitan area. It operates similarly to London's Oyster card or Hong Kong's Octopus card.
Card Types:
-
Andante Ocasional (Occasional Card)
- Cost: €0.60 (one-time purchase, reusable)
- Best for: Tourists, infrequent users, first-week exploration
- How it works: Load with pay-as-you-go trips or short-term passes
-
Andante Pessoal (Personal Card)
- Cost: Free registration online
- Best for: Residents, regular users, monthly pass holders
- How it works: Personalized card linked to your profile, supports subscriptions
Zone-Based Pricing
Porto's transport uses a zone-based fare system. The metropolitan area is divided into zones (Z2, Z3, Z4, etc.), and your fare depends on how many zones you cross:
- Z2: €1.25 - Most central Porto trips (e.g., Trindade to Bolhão)
- Z3: €1.60 - Extending to Matosinhos, Maia (e.g., Trindade to Matosinhos)
- Z4: €2.00 - Airport, Póvoa de Varzim, Vila Nova de Gaia suburbs
- Z5-Z12: €2.45-€4.15 - Distant suburbs and regional train zones
Important: Validate your card at the start of each journey. Transfers between Metro and buses within the same zone validity period (typically 1 hour) don't require revalidation.
Monthly Passes: Best Value for Residents
Monthly passes (Assinatura Andante) offer unlimited travel within selected zones:
- Z2 Pass: €30/month - Covers central Porto
- Z3 Pass: €33.75/month - Includes Matosinhos, Maia
- Z4 Pass: €40/month - Includes airport, Vila Nova de Gaia
- All-Zones Pass: €40/month - Unlimited travel across entire metropolitan area
Critical insight: The Z4 and all-zones passes cost the same (€40/month). If you'll ever travel to the airport, suburbs, or beach towns, choose all-zones for maximum flexibility.
Tourist Passes
For short-term visitors or your first week before committing to monthly passes:
- Andante Tour 1: €7 (24 hours unlimited travel, all zones)
- Andante Tour 3: €15 (72 hours unlimited travel, all zones)
These are excellent for exploring neighborhoods before deciding where to live. Load them onto your Andante Ocasional card at any Metro station ticket machine.
How to Get an Andante Card
Andante Ocasional (Immediate):
- Go to any Metro station ticket machine
- Select "Buy Andante Card"
- Pay €0.60 cash or card
- Load trips or passes immediately
Andante Pessoal (Recommended for residents):
- Register at linhandante.com
- Provide email, Portuguese address (temporary address accepted)
- Choose card pickup location (Metro station) or delivery (€1.50 fee)
- Activate and load subscription online
- Pick up physical card at selected station (bring ID)
Pro tip: Get your Andante Pessoal card in week 1-2. It enables online pass management, automatic renewals, and protects your balance if lost (Ocasional cards can't be replaced).
Using the System
Validation process:
- Tap your Andante card on the validator when entering Metro stations
- Tap again when boarding buses
- Validators are yellow machines at Metro entrances and inside buses
- The display confirms your trip validation and remaining balance/validity
Transfers:
Within your ticket's validity period (typically 1 hour), you can transfer between Metro and buses without additional charge. The system automatically recognizes you're continuing the same journey.
Inspection:
Plainclothes inspectors randomly check tickets on Metro and buses. Fines for fare evasion are €100-€150. Always validate, even if gates are open or validators seem optional.
Mobile Integration: The Anda App
The Anda app revolutionizes Porto public transport for non-Portuguese speakers:
Key features:
- Journey planner combining Metro, buses, and regional trains into single itineraries
- Real-time arrivals for all services
- Service alerts in English
- Mobile ticketing (purchase and validate trips directly from your phone)
- Offline maps (download network maps for use without internet)
- English interface - complete translation, not just partial
How to use mobile ticketing:
- Download Anda app (iOS/Android)
- Create account (no Portuguese ID required)
- Add payment method
- Purchase trips or passes in-app
- Validate by opening the app and tapping "Validate" when boarding
Advantages over physical cards:
- No need to visit ticket machines
- Immediate purchase and use
- Works as backup if you forget your Andante card
- English language support - critical for new arrivals
Download the Anda app before you arrive. It will answer 90% of your journey planning questions and works offline for route planning once you've loaded the network map.
System Integration: How Metro, Buses, and Trains Connect
Seamless Transfers
Porto's transport integration means you can transfer between Metro and STCP buses using the same Andante card with no additional charge within the same validated journey (typically 1 hour from first validation).
Example journey: Take Metro Line A to Casa da Música, transfer to STCP bus 502 to Foz beach, all on one €1.25 trip (using Andante Ocasional zapping).
Regional Train Integration
CP regional trains integrate with Andante for metropolitan travel. Key routes for expats:
- Braga Line: Campanh → Braga (serves Nine, Trofa, Santo Tirso)
- Aveiro Line: Campanh → Aveiro (serves coastal towns)
- Guimarães Line: Campanh → Guimarães
Regional trains are faster than Metro for longer suburban routes but run less frequently (typically hourly). They're ideal for living in Braga or Aveiro while working in Porto.
Major Transfer Points
Campanh Station: Porto's main railway station, connecting Metro (Lines A, B, C, E, F), STCP buses, and CP regional/intercity trains.
Trindade Station: Central Metro hub where Lines A, B, C, D, E, F converge—you'll transfer here frequently.
Casa da Música: Metro Lines A, B, C, E, F intersection plus major bus terminal.
São Bento Station: Historic city-center train station (CP long-distance services) with Metro access via Line D at Aliados station (5-minute walk).
Practical Tips for Expats
Suburban Commuting Strategy
If you're considering suburban living (Matosinhos, Vila do Conde, Maia, Vila Nova de Gaia), verify two factors:
-
How far is your home from the Metro station? Porto's Metro stations can be 1-2 kilometers apart in suburbs. Check walking distance or local bus connections.
-
What's your realistic commute time? Add 10-15 minutes buffer to Google Maps estimates for peak-hour platform waits and transfers.
Remote workers: Suburban Porto is ideal. Lower housing costs, more space, beach/green space access, while maintaining ability to reach city center 2-3 times per week.
Daily commuters: Consider trade-offs carefully. A 60-minute commute from Póvoa to central Porto is doable but tiring daily. Maia (25 minutes) or Matosinhos (20 minutes) offer better quality-of-life balance.
English Language Resources
Good news: Porto's transport system is reasonably English-friendly:
- Metro ticket machines have English interface options
- Anda app fully supports English
- Station names announced in English on trains
- Metro staff at major stations (Trindade, Aeroporto, Campanh) typically speak English
Portuguese-only gaps:
- STCP bus driver interactions (drivers rarely speak English)
- Bus stop signage (typically Portuguese only)
- Some older Metro ticket machines (being phased out)
Strategy: Download the Anda app and Metro do Porto app before arrival. These apps will eliminate 90% of language barrier issues for journey planning.
First-Week Survival Guide
Day 1-3: Use Tourist Passes
Purchase an Andante Tour 3 (72-hour pass) at the airport Metro station. This gives you unlimited travel to explore neighborhoods, test commute routes, and identify your most-used connections without cost anxiety.
Day 4-7: Analyze Your Patterns
Track which routes you actually use. Most expats discover they use 2-3 regular routes (home-center, home-grocery, home-work/coworking).
Week 2: Get Andante Pessoal + Monthly Pass
Once you know your regular patterns, register for Andante Pessoal online and load a monthly pass. You'll need:
- Email address (no Portuguese ID required initially)
- Portuguese address (can use hotel/Airbnb during transition)
- Payment method (credit card accepted)
Apps to Download
Essential:
- Anda app - Journey planning, timetables, mobile ticketing
- Metro do Porto official app - Real-time Metro arrivals, service alerts
- CP app - For regional train booking and schedules
Optional:
- Moovit - Third-party journey planner some expats prefer
- Google Maps - Includes Porto public transport routing with reasonable accuracy
Airport Connection
Porto Airport (Francisco Sá Carneiro) is served by Metro Line E (Purple) with direct service to city center:
- Journey time: 25-30 minutes to Trindade (central hub)
- Frequency: Every 20-30 minutes (varies by time of day)
- Operating hours: First train ~6:00 AM, last train ~1:00 AM
- Cost: €2.60 single trip with Andante card (airport is Zone 4)
Late arrivals: If your flight arrives after 1:00 AM, you'll need a taxi or ride-share. The Metro does not operate overnight, and night buses don't serve the airport directly.
Reliability and What to Expect
Porto's Metro 93% on-time performance is excellent by European standards. When delays occur, they're typically 2-5 minutes, not 20-30 minutes. The electronic displays at stations show real-time arrivals, which are generally accurate.
STCP buses are less punctual due to traffic variations, but major routes run frequently enough that a 5-10 minute delay isn't critical. Use the Anda app's real-time tracking to see bus locations.
Weather impacts: Porto's rain (particularly October-March) doesn't typically stop services, but heavy rain can cause minor delays on exposed Metro sections. Services are rarely cancelled.
Where the System Doesn't Reach
Public transport limitations in Porto:
- Northern Douro wine country (Peso da Régua, Pinhão) - requires car or organized tours
- Rural areas outside metropolitan zone - limited or no service
- Late-night service (after 1:00 AM) - except some night buses on limited routes
- Some suburban residential areas - may require 15-20 minute walk to nearest Metro station
For exploring Portugal beyond Porto, you'll need CP trains (intercity travel) or a rental car for rural regions.
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