A train to Porto gives you the chance to see Portugal’s second-biggest city, which also happens to be the home of port wine… mmm, tasty. But there’s also a lot more to Porto, from historic buildings and subterranean wineries to riverside cafes and bars. São Francisco church and Mercado do Bolhão are just two of the must-see attractions, and one cannot leave Porto without sampling the scrumptious francesinha sandwich.
Visiting Porto
Campanha Station is Porto's central railway station where trains to Porto terminate. It is the principal entry and exit point for most people who visit the city via the train. The station was first opened in the late 19th-century and still bears much of the original facade and traditional interiors sadly now extinct in many major stations.
São Bento Railway Station is the city's second station which is mainly used for local services and trains heading to the far north of the country. The station's main vestibule is particularly impressive and is festooned with 20,000 azulejo tiles.
The journey between Lisbon and Porto is one of Portugal's most well-frequented routes. The Alfa Pendular trains operate along the route and travel at an impressive 125 mph with a journey time between Porto and Lisbon of just 2h 44m. Intercity trains also operate along this line and, while still making for a comfortable journey, they do take slightly longer at just over 3h.
Between the high-speed Alfa Pendular and Intercity services, there are on average 32 trains per day between Porto and Lisbon. Trains start at 06.00 and continue at regular intervals throughout the day until approximately 21.30.
While we don’t currently offer train tickets for services within Portugal, we can help you get to Porto from nearby stations in Spain. For example, you can hop on a train from Vigo to Porto through us. The trains on this route are operated by Renfe and can get you to Porto in as little as 2h and 22m. Alternatively, we also offer vast bus routes in Europe, giving you a cheaper way to get around.
Travelling around Porto
The central station in Porto is connected to the city by the metro which is just one of the many ways to travel around. Buses, bikes and taxis are also readily available to transport visitors around this beautiful Portuguese city.
Porto's metro system connects Campanha Station to the Old Town where many of the city's most significant tourist attractions are located. The blue, green, orange and red lines (A, C, D and B) all connect Campanha to São Bento from where one can easily continue to the likes of the Monument Church of St Francis on foot. A single journey between the two stations costs €1.70, though be aware that if you are travelling further, this may well fall into a more expensive zone. Day tickets are also available, starting at €4.15 and can be used across all lines within the specified zones.
Travelling by bus in Porto is cheaper than using the metro system and has the advantage of enabling visitors to see this picturesque city while moving between locations. With the rechargeable “Andante” paper tickets, a journey on the bus is €1.20. However, it is possible to pay the driver directly, though this will cost slightly more at €1.80. If paying on the bus, only cash is accepted, and it’s advisable to have coins rather than notes. Andante Cards can be picked up easily across the city at metro and train stations, the airport, newsagents and a select number of bus stops.
When travelling at night, or heading to a special event, taking a taxi might be the best way to travel around the city. Taxis in Porto are generally of a high standard. The green light on a taxi indicates that it is free and one can flag a taxi almost anywhere in the city. All major stations, tourist attractions and streets have a stand – simply jump in the taxi at the front. Taxis in Porto operate on the metre, and Uber is available in the city for those who prefer to travel with an app-based service.
While bikes in Porto aren't yet common, largely because of the city's many steep hills, it’s possible to make small journeys with one. If you do want to hire a bike, then there are plenty of rental facilities dotted around the city. Urban circle cafes are repair shops and coffee houses where 'picnic bikes' are up for hire. In addition to a bike, you'll also get a picnic basket that comes with a selection of delicious goodies. DouroBike is an innovative rental solution to Porto's challenging terrain. They rent electric bikes which help tackle the challenging hills. It's a quirky concept store, and the rental also includes maintenance if customers choose to rent a bike for a long period.
Porto’s culinary delights
To explore the cultural and culinary highlights of Porto, take the metro from Campanha to São Bento. Lines A, B, C and D all connect these two stations. A short walk south from Bento brings you to Porto's Ribeira. A stroll along the river will take you past the famed World Heritage area with its resplendent architecture. Just across the river is Ribeira de Gaia, the location of the Port wine cellars. A visit to the cellars is an excellent way to escape the hot afternoon sunshine and sample Portugal's most famous tipple. Also nearby the Ribeira are the São Francisco church and Mercado do Bolhão – a colourful market selling fruit, vegetables and a range of other food products.
Traditional foods to sample in the city include alheira (a delicious and cheap sausage which is sold all over the city), Cataplana (a hearty seafood stew) and francesinha (a sandwich with sausage, steak, chorizo and cheese), which is Porto's signature dish and a must when visiting the city. Café Santiago is famed as one of the top places serving the francesinha and is open from early in the morning to late evening – though it's also ideal for a quick lunch. Despite being another budget offering, Chien Qui Fume is one of the oldest restaurants in the city and serves rustic dishes in a traditional environment – reservations here are highly recommended. If seeking somewhere a little more upmarket, then O Filipe and Café Majestic are excellent options.