Getting around Porto

Public transport

Porto has an excellent public transport network including metro, tram, bus, suburban trains and a funicular. The Metro do Porto (tel: +351 22 508 1000; www.metrodoporto.pt) has six lines, including the violet line which connects the city centre with the airport. Services are frequent, relatively cheap and reliable.

The city’s comprehensive bus network, as well as one tram route, is operated by STCP (tel: +351 808 200 166; www.stcp.pt). Suburban and local trains, including the ones linking the city’s two main railways stations, are operated by CP (tel: +351 707 210 220; www.cp.pt).

The electronic Andante Card (www.linhandante.com) allows holders to travel on the metro, the STCP buses and CP suburban trains and is available at Andante stores, Porto's tourism offices and STCP and train ticket offices. It operates on a fare by zone basis, with 24-hour cards also available.

Taxis

Reputable Porto taxi companies include Raditaxis (tel: +351 22 507 3900) and Táxis Invicta (tel: +351 22 507 6400).

Driving

As with any large city, traffic can be heavy at busy times and parking spaces are at a premium in certain areas. There are some car parks around the city centre, while hotels often have parking spaces too.

Car hire

Recommended car hire companies in Porto include Avis (tel: +351 22 539 0274; www.avis.com), Europcar (tel: +351 22 518 0723; www.europcar.pt) and Sixt (tel: +351 22 578 8199; www.sixt.pt).

Bicycle hire

Porto is hilly, so you need to be fit to consider cycling around. In the Old Town, Porto Tours, Rua Clube dos Fenianos 25 (tel: +351 22 339 3472; www.portotours.com), offers bicycle and electric bike hire by the hour.