Getting Around Porto

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Posted by gardn128 on 10/23/18 12:18 AM

Two questions for anyone familiar with Porto, info would be greatly appreciated.

Flying into Porto and then staying downtown and will be travelling around the city for two days, with an afternoon/early evening out in Matosinhos. When we leave Porto, it will be from the train station heading to Lisbon. Does it make sense to buy an all access public transportation pass, or are the subway and buses and what not all handled via different companies that require different payment mechanisms?
We plan to do a walking tour of the city for a few hours, as well as the Six Bridges Cruise, and then just walk around and see some of the recommended sites. Is it recommended to buy one of the full day bus tours of the city where you can hop on and off? If so, anyone have any specific recommendations for a tour company to use?

Thanks so much everyone.

Posted by Andrew H.

Portland, Oregon

10/23/18 01:15 AM

5687 posts

Porto has a subway system, buses, and trams. You may not need them much to get around. Central Poto is pretty small. It's an easy walking city other than the steep hills in parts. I bought day passes for transit in Lisbon but not in Porto. I used the subway to get to/from the airport.

A smart phone will be very handy to get you around. I used Google Maps extensively. It will give you both walking and public transit directions - saved me tons of time.

Posted by Alan

Folsom

10/23/18 02:33 AM

2707 posts

Don’t buy an all access pass. You’ll find as Andrew said, this is a very walkable city and the walking is a big part of the adventure. If you need to get from A to B and it looks farther than you wish, Uber works exceedingly well. That is how we found our way here https://www.taylor.pt/us/visit-taylor-fladgate/port-cellars for a great tasting and a very good lunch.

Posted by Pab

Elmwood, IL, USA

10/23/18 06:57 AM

362 posts

I would taxi/Uber from airport directly to hotel.
I loved to walk Porto, they take tile art to a whole different level than any other city in Portugal both outside and inside buildings. The city map is decent. Taking a walking tour of the city is smart to do the soonest you arrive in a new city, really helps with locations and directional feel for the city.
I use Airbnb experiences for all my city walking tours, you get a good local guide and they limit tour participants. I find some schedule afternoon hours so it works well with the early arrival flights.
I would recommend the 500 public bus to Matosinhos for 1.95 euros each way. On Saturday it was a double decker bus( not sure if it’s double decker daily), sat on the left for views of the Atlantic. You catch this bus directly across from the Imperial McDonald’s.
Never took the Metro but never had any rain either.
The funicular was 2.50 one way.
There is never a separate charge from Sao Bento to Campanha as every train leaving Sao Bento stops in Campanha, so even if your ticket says Porto Campanha no need to pay for the 5 minute ride. Found this out last month during the taxi strike and Uber’s upcharge!
So no no no a waste of money for that hop on hop off bus.
I love Porto and can now say it’s my favorite Portugal city! Prices are cheapest there.
FYI my Rick Steves Portugal book was incorrect on almost all fees, so plan accordingly.

Posted by geovagriffith

10/23/18 09:48 PM

7688 posts

We visited Porto in 2016 and at that time, I was 68 and my wife and I walked everywhere in Porto. The hills can be steep, but we managed quite well. Our B&B was the wonderful InPatio Guesthouse in a great city location and we never took a bus or taxi, until we taxied to the rail station for our train to Lisbon.