Four Simple Ways to Travel from Porto Airport to City Centre 

Located just over 11km from the beautiful city of Porto, Francisco Sa Carneiro International Airport is likely to be most travelers’ first port of call when arriving in Portugal’s Northern region. The good news is there are several options available to you when it comes to getting from Porto airport to city centre, so read on to plan your trip to Cidade Invicta (the invincible city). 

Best ways to get from Porto Airport to City Centre

Taxi/Uber

Let’s begin with the quickest, easiest, and safest way to travel from Porto airport to the city center: a taxi. You can hop in a taxi directly outside the airport terminal, and it should cost around 23 euros for a 20-30 minute drive to the city. However, if you arrive in Porto between 9.00 pm and 6.00 am, you should expect your taxi fare to cost 20% more (closer to 30 euros). 

Alternatively, you can order an Uber when you’re waiting for your bags after arrival at the airport. The Uber pick-up points are just outside the terminal, and the ride takes the same amount of time to travel to the city but may be slightly cheaper than a taxi.

Metro

Porto is served by an efficient Metro system, which connects the airport with various locales in the city. The Metro station is helpfully located at level -1 in the airport, which you can reach by taking the lift opposite arrivals. The Metro connects with the city every 20-30 minutes and operates from 08.30 am – 08.00 pm on weekdays and 06.00 am – 00.30 am on weekends. 

You will need to purchase a ticket before boarding, which currently costs 2.45 euros. You will also be charged a 0.60 euros non-refundable ticket fee. You can use the automated ticket machines in the station or approach one of the counters if you’re having issues. Check out this handy Porto Metro map so you can plan your trip from Porto airport to the city center. 

Bus

As an alternative to the Metro, you can take the bus from Porto airport to the city center. Airport buses are operated by STCP and Resende and follow different routes to the city. You can hop on the 601, 602, 604, 119, 3M, or 105N to get to Porto city center. Your ticket will cost anywhere between 1.95 euros and 2.95 euros, depending on which bus you take. 

You can also buy a single directly from the driver to save yourself the hassle of purchasing a ticket in advance. The bus stops are directly opposite arrivals, and you can follow the signage within the airport if you get lost. While the bus is the cheapest option, it’s probably best to take the Metro unless you know precisely where you need to get off in the city.

Hire Car

If you’re planning to venture further afield than Porto’s city limits, you may want to hire a car to give you the ultimate sense of freedom. There are several hire car companies operating from Porto airport, but you should probably hire a car in advance to get a better deal. You can expect to pay upwards of 15.00 euros a day for car hire during your stay in Porto.

Need Some More Information?

Now you know of the best ways to travel from Porto airport to city centre, you’re all set and ready to explore this fabulous, ancient city. If you need any more information about the layout of Porto airport and where to go upon arrival for your connection or onward travel, click here. 

You might also like to read about Port Tasting in Porto!