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If you’re touching down in Portugal via Porto’s Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO), getting to Porto’s city center is your first mission. You’re in luck, because Porto Airport is very well connected to public transportation networks and is often more efficient than Lisbon Airport.
This guide covers every option you have to reach the heart of the Invicta city, whether you're looking for a fast, budget-friendly ride or a comfortable taxi. Plus, we’ll include tips on what to do with your luggage, so you don’t have to drag a suitcase through Porto’s famous steep hills.
*Price includes the Z4 ticket (2.30€) + reusable card cost (0.60€).
Arriving Before Check-in? Store Your Luggage in Porto
If you have an early flight and check-in isn’t until later in the afternoon (or have a late flight after your check-out), finding a place to store your luggage in Porto is a must. LUGGit is a service that picks up your bags from the airport and delivers them later to your accommodation (or anywhere else in Porto). This means you don’t waste time going back and forth to a locker, and you maximize your time in the city.
Use code BLOG10 for 10% off your booking
Reaching Porto City Center by Metro
The metro is the smartest choice for most travelers: it’s cheap, reliable, and avoids traffic. From the airport station (just follow the "Metro" signs downstairs from Arrivals), take Line E (Purple) towards Estádio do Dragão and exit at Trindade. This is the city’s central hub. From here, you are a short 5-minute walk from the main square (Aliados) and most hotels.
Trains run from roughly 6 AM to 1 AM. They depart every 20-30 minutes, depending on the time of day, and the trip takes about 30 minutes. Check the official Metro website for up-to-date information on schedules.
How to buy tickets: You need to buy a rechargeable blue Andante Card (0.60€) at the station vending machines and load it with a trip. To get from the airport to the city, you need a Z4 (Zone 4) ticket, which costs 2.30€. Do not buy Z2 or Z3, as they won't cover the full distance. Each passenger needs their own Andante card, and remember to always tap your card on the yellow machine before getting on the train.
Contactless payment: Currently, there’s a pilot project for contactless payment in selected stations, including the Aeroporto and city center hubs like Trindade and São Bento. If you see a validator with the Visa/Mastercard symbol, you can simply tap your contactless bank card or phone. The price is the same as the Z4 ticket (2.30€).
Reaching Porto City Center by Bus
The municipal buses (STCP) take longer than the metro, but they are a good backup, especially if you have a late-night fight.
- Lines 601 and 602 run from the airport to Cordoaria (near the Clérigos Tower). The trip takes 45-60 minutes.
- Night Bus (3M): If you arrive between 12:30 AM and 5 AM when the metro is closed, the 3M Night Bus is your savior. It runs hourly from the airport to Aliados Avenue (City Center) and takes about 30 minutes.
You can use the same Andante card as the metro (Z4 ticket), which would cost you 2.30€ + 0.60€ for the card, or pay 2.50€ in cash directly to the driver (try to have small change). You can validate your ticket by tapping your card on the validator when you enter the bus.
Reaching Porto City Center by Uber or Bolt
Ride-hailing apps like Uber and Bolt are incredibly popular in Portugal and are often cheaper than traditional taxis. Prices fluctuate based on demand, but a ride to the center usually costs between 15€ and 25€. The ride takes around 20-30 minutes, so it’s significantly faster than the bus and saves you the walk from the metro station to your accommodation.
Ride-share drivers can pick up passengers at the departures or arrivals area, so check with the app for the exact pick-up location.
Reaching Porto City Center by Taxi
Official taxis are beige or black with a green roof and are lined up right outside the Arrivals hall. They are available 24/7.
Unlike rideshare apps, taxis use a taximeter. The fare to the city center typically ranges from 25€ to 35€. Be aware that there may be surcharges for luggage (usually around 1.60€) and for travel during weekends or holidays (20% higher tariff).
FAQs - Porto Airport to city center
Is there a metro at Porto Airport?
Yes. You can find the metro station by following the “Metro” signs downstairs from arrivals.
Can I pay contactless on Porto Metro?
Yes, but only in specific stations, including the Airport (Aeroporto) and the main city center stations (Trindade, Bolhão, São Bento, Aliados, Campanhã).
Can I pay cash on the bus in Porto?
Yes, but it is more expensive than using a prepaid card. Drivers often carry limited change, so try to pay with coins or small bills.
What is the cheapest way to get from Porto Airport to the city center?
The Metro (Line E) and the STCP Bus are the cheapest options. Both cost approximately 2.25€ (plus 0.60€ for the initial card purchase).
Travel Light in Porto with LUGGit
Porto is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but its steep hills are not luggage-friendly. If you land early or have a late flight after check-out, don't waste energy dragging your suitcase up and down the cobblestones. LUGGit collects your luggage at the airport or your accommodation, and delivers it to you when you're ready.
Use code BLOG10 for 10% off your booking
