Have you decided to take some time off and go on a nice little vacation in Porto, Portugal, but don’t know how to use the transportation system here? Or are you maybe a student studying in Porto for the first time, and you don’t know how to commute to your classes? Well have no concerns, for Falesia Jovial Consultants is here to help!
In this blog I will:
Help you know your way around the Porto metro system
Explain to you how the metro operates (the lines and stops it has, where it goes, and what times it operates from)
How to buy a metrocard (how much it costs, and where to buy them), and how to use it.
THE METRO SYSTEM
The most popular method of transportation in the metropolis of Porto is the metro. The metro (also known as the subway in some countries) will take you anywhere you need to go in the city. With its 6 lines and around 80 metro stops (maybe even more), the Porto metro is guaranteed to take you to your desired destination.
Not only does it travel through the city of Porto itself, but the metro also passes through six other regions around Porto (making it seven in total). These regions are:
Porto
Gondomar
Maia
Matosinhos
Póvoa de Varzim
Vila de Conde
Vila Nova de Gaia
The six metro lines are known by letters and colors:
Line A - Blue Line
Line B - Red Line
Line C - Green Line
Line D - Yellow Line
Line E - Purple Line
Line F - Orange Line
Operating from 06:00 am to 01:00 am every day (including weekends), the metro usually takes more or less 3 minutes to go from one stop to another. The waiting time between each metro is between 4-10 minutes, although it can be longer on certain days such as holidays, or if you are heading to the airport. It is easy to learn how to use the Porto metro, and once you have gotten a hang of it you’ll be “cruising” from place to place in no time.
The metro consists of zones, and at the ticket vending machines (which are at the metro stops) you ca
n find on them a list of the zones.
METRO CARDS
Metro cards are cheap and easy to buy. You can find them at places such as ticket vending machines (which are located at metro stops), andante stores, and tourist shops. There are three types of metro cards:
1) Andante Azul
2) Andante 24
3) Andante TOUR.
The price of an Andante Azul card is 0.60€, and it is between 1.20€ and 4.05€ for one way. You can add multiple trips on it though. The price is dependent on the travel zones you pass through. Depending on what zone you are traveling to, an Andante Azul card lasts between 1:00 - 2:30 hours. It is rechargeable for a certain period of time.
The price of an Andante 24 card is also 0.60€, and it costs between 4.20€ and 13.90€ depending on the zones you pass through. It lasts for twenty-four hours: if you buy it at, let’s say for example, 11am on one day it will last until 11am the next day.
There are two types of Andante TOUR cards:
Andante TOUR 1
Andante TOUR 3
After it is validated, the Andante TOUR 1 is valid for 24 hours and the price is 7€. After it is validated, the Andante TOUR 3 is valid for 72 hours and the price is 15€. The purpose of the Andante TOUR cards is for tourists. It gives you access to the STCP buses and as well as certain other bus lines. You will also have access to the metros and urban trains in the Andante area.
HOW TO GET ON/OFF THE METRO
The process of getting on and off the metro is very simple: you just need to scan your card before getting on the metro. There are scanning machines all throughout the metro station/stops, so you should have no problems scanning your card.
It is very easy to know when your stop is, as there are three ways that you can find out. First, on the inside of the metro there will be maps of the six metro lines. On these maps are listed the stops of each metro line, making it simple and easy to find your stop.
Second, also on the metro, is a small screen in which the name of the upcoming stop will appear; and third, at each metro stop there is the name of that stop. With these three ways it will be easy for you to find your destination.
When you have arrived at your desired stop you simply need to get off. You do not have to validate your ticket again, as you will only do that when you get ON the metro, not off. It is important to validate your card as there are security personnel on the metros who will scan them.
THE METRO LINES: WHERE THEY GO AND HOW TO CHANGE LINES
As was previously mentioned, the Porto metro has six lines. These lines are interchangeable, you can easily go from one line to another. To switch to another line you simply need to go to the other side of the metro station once you are off of the metro. In every metro station there will be signs for where to go for each line and stop. Remember: when you switch lines you must VALIDATE your card again.
Another thing to take note of is the Trindade metro stop. Located right in the city center, Trindade is one of the most important stops as it not only connects all six lines, but from there you have access to other ways of transportation. You can catch the bus, taxi, and even train from there!
The metro lines begin and end at different points and they have various stops, so it can be a bit confusing to understand especially if this is your first time in Porto. Therefore, to facilitate your traveling experience I have compiled a list of where each of the six lines begins/ends, and what stops are on each line. You can find this list below.
Even though it may appear complicated, traveling in Porto is fairly simple, and all the information you need to know about using the transportation systems here is easily accessible. Even if you do find yourself having a hard time understanding it all, many of the Porto locals speak English and will help you find your way.
Thank you for reading this blog! I hope that you found it to be very informative and helpful. Just know that Falesia Consultants is always here to help.
Until next time!
–Isabella Harding
HERE IS THE LIST OF THE METRO STOPS:
Line A (Blue Line)
Estadio do Dragao (Beginning of line)
Campanha
Heroismo
24 de Agosto
Bolhao
Trinidade
Lapa
Carolina Michaelis
Casa de Musica
Francos
Ramalde
Viso
Sete Bicas
Senhora da Hora
Vasco da Gama
Estadio do Mar
Hospital Pedro Hispano
Parque de Real
Camara de Matosinhos
Matosinhos Sul
Brito Capelo
Mercado
Senhor de Matosinhos (End of line)
Line B (Red Line)
Estádio do Dragão (Beginning of line)
Campanhã
Heroismo
24 de Agosto
Bolhão
Trindade
Lapa
Carolina Michaelis
Casa da Música
Francos
Ramalde
Viso
Sete Bicas
Senhora da Hora
Fonte do Cuco
Custoias
Esposade
Crestins
Verdes
Pedras Rubras
Lidador
Vilar Pinheiro
Modivas Sul
Modivas Centro
VC Fashion Outlet Modivas
Mindelo
Espaco Natureza
Varziela
Arvore
Azurara
Santa Clara
Vila do Conde
Alto de Pega
Portas Fronhas
Sao Bras
Póvoa de Varzim (End of line)
Line C (Green Line)
Estádio do Dragão (Beginning of line)
Campanhã
Heroismo
24 de Agosto
Bolhão
Trindade
Lapa
Carolina Michaelis
Casa da Música
Francos
Ramalde
Viso
Sete Bicas
Senhora da Hora
Fonte do Cuco
Candido dos Reis
Pias
Araújo
Custió
Parque Maia
Fórum Maia
Zona Industrial
Mandim
Castêlo da Maia
ISMAI (End of line)
Line D (Yellow Line)
Santo Ovidio (Beginning of line)
D. Joao II
Joao de Deus
Camara Gaia
General Torres
Jardim de Morro
Sao Bento
Aliados
Trindade
Faria Guimaraes
Marques
Combatentes
Salgueiros
Polo Universitario
IPO
Hospital Sao Joao (End of line)
Line E (Purple Line)
Trindade
Lapa
Carolina Michaelis
Casa da Música
Francos
Ramalde
Viso
Sete Bicas
Senhora da Hora
Fonte de Cuco
Custoias
Esposade
Crestins
Verdes
Botica
Airport (End of line)
Line F (Orange Line)
Senhora da Hora (Beginning of line)
Sete Bicas
Viso
Ramalde
Francos
Casa da Música
Carolina Michaelis
Lapa
Trindade
Bolhão
Campo 24 de Agosto
Heroísmo
Campanhã
Estádio do Dragão
Contumil
Nasoni
Nau Vitória
Levada
Rio Tinto
Campainha
Beguim
Carreira
Venda Nova
Fanzeres (End of line)
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