Getting Around Portugal: Trains, Metro, Buses, Trams & More

One of the things I liked about traveling through Portugal was how easy it was to get around without renting a car.

I traveled between Porto, Lisbon, Lagos, and Faro entirely by public transportation. Along the way, I took trains between cities, a local bus to Matosinhos, a FlixBus to Faro Airport, and the Metro from Porto Airport into the city.

There are a few different types of public transportation in Portugal, along with different ways to pay for them, but don’t let that intimidate you. Once you understand the basics, it’s very easy to get around.

My biggest tip is to give yourself time when using a new transportation system. I like arriving early so I can find where I need to go and watch what other people are doing. I also wasn’t afraid to ask for help when something didn’t make sense.

If you’re planning a trip to Portugal, start with my solo travel in Portugal travel guide where I share the places I visited, where I stayed, what I ate, and what I learned traveling solo.

One thing I didn’t realize before my trip was that you don’t always need to buy a transportation card. In many cases, you can simply tap your credit card or phone to pay for your ride.

Before we get into all the transportation options, here’s what I’d recommend after traveling around Portugal myself.

My Recommendation

If you’re wondering what I’d do after traveling around Portugal, here’s my advice:

• Only taking a ride or two? Use tap to pay whenever it’s available. It’s the easiest option.

• Using public transportation often? Buy an unlimited pass, like the Lisboa Card, a Navegante day pass, or the Andante Tour in Porto.

• Skip loading individual rides. I tried it to save money but didn’t think the savings were worth the extra hassle.

If you’d like to understand how the different transportation cards work, keep reading.

If you’re spending time in Lisbon, there’s one option that’s even easier than buying a transportation card.

The Lisboa Card: An Easy Option for Lisbon

If you’re spending time in Lisbon and plan to visit several attractions, the Lisboa Card may be the easiest option.

The Lisboa Card combines unlimited public transportation with free admission to many museums and attractions, along with discounts at other sights and activities. It is available for 24, 48, or 72 hours.

If you’re planning to visit several of the included attractions, the Lisboa Card can easily pay for itself.

Planning to buy one? Check the current price and everything that’s included with the Lisboa Card.

Transportation Cards in Portugal

The two transportation cards you’re most likely to hear about when visiting Portugal are the Navegante card in Lisbon and the Andante card in Porto.

They are separate systems, so the card you use in one city does not work in the other.

Lisbon: The Yellow Navegante Card

The Navegante occasional card is yellow and is used for Lisbon’s public transportation system.

You load the card with the different rides you want. If you’re only taking a ride or two, I’d skip buying a transportation card and simply use tap to pay when it’s available.

If you’ll be using public transportation throughout the day, you’ll want to get a Navegante day pass card instead. If you’ll be taking several rides in one day, the day pass will usually cost less than paying for each ride individually with tap to pay.

The Navegante card can be used on:

• Metro
• Buses
• Trams
• Elevators and funiculars
• Some train services within the Lisbon transportation network

If you plan to see several attractions, the Lisboa Card is still going to be the simpler choice because transportation is already included. It means one less thing to figure out while you’re traveling.

Porto: The Blue Andante Card

Porto uses a different system called Andante.

Although you can load individual rides onto the blue Andante card, I honestly wouldn’t recommend it for most first-time visitors. I found the process confusing because you have to choose the correct zone, and the machines use terminology that isn’t very intuitive.

If you’re only taking a couple of rides, I’d rather pay a little more and use tap to pay instead.

If you’ll be using public transportation throughout your stay, I’d choose the Andante Tour card. Andante Tour gives you unlimited rides.

Andante cards can be used on:

• Metro
• Buses
• Some regional train services within the Porto transportation network

Note: Porto’s historic trams are not included in the Andante system. You’ll need to purchase a separate ticket if you want to ride them.

Can You Use Tap to Pay Instead of Dealing With a Transportation Card?

Yes, instead of buying a transportation card, you can use tap-to-pay. You would just tap your credit or debit card on the yellow validator.

The downside is that tap to pay may not be available on everything. And it’s a little more expensive than using one of the transportation cards. Expect to pay roughly $1 more per ride compared with using a transportation card.

If you only need transportation once in a while, the convenience of tap to pay may be worth the extra cost. You don’t have to buy a card, figure out which option to load, or worry about having unused trips left over.

Where to Get Transportation Cards

Transportation cards are usually available at Metro stations and train stations, and some larger bus stations may also sell them.

I bought both of mine from self-service kiosks (they have an English language option) at the train station, but you can also purchase them at a ticket counter.

Validating Your Transportation Card

Validating was something I wasn’t really aware of when I first started using public transportation in Portugal.

If you are using a transportation card, like a Navegante or Andante card, you need to tap it on the validator before you travel.

Simply hold your transportation card against the yellow card reader and wait for the green light, beep, or confirmation message that it was accepted.

The validator may be:

• Built into a Metro gate
• Attached to a turnstile
• On a small post
• Mounted inside a bus or tram

If you forget to validate your transportation card, don’t panic, but make sure you tap it as soon as you remember. Transportation cards are checked by inspectors, and an unvalidated card may be treated as if you don’t have a valid fare for your trip.

Choosing the Right Transportation Option

If you’re visiting Portugal for the first time, here’s what I recommend.

If you’re visiting Lisbon

If you plan to visit several museums and attractions, I’d get the Lisboa Card. It includes unlimited public transportation along with admission to many of Lisbon’s most popular sights, so there’s less to think about while you’re exploring.

If you’re not planning to visit many attractions but expect to use public transportation more than a couple times in a day, I’d choose a Navegante day pass. It gives you unlimited rides for the day, so you won’t have to keep track of individual fares.

If you’re only taking public transportation once or twice, I’d simply use tap to pay whenever it’s available.

If you’re visiting Porto

If you’re planning to use public transportation several times during your stay, I’d recommend the Andante Tour card. Having unlimited rides makes getting around much less stressful because you don’t have to think about loading more trips onto your card.

If you’re only taking public transportation once or twice, I’d use tap to pay whenever it’s available instead of loading individual rides onto an Andante card..

One thing I learned: The cheapest option isn’t always the best one. I tried loading individual rides because it saved a little money, but I spent more time standing at ticket machines trying to understand zones and fares than I would have liked. Looking back, I would have happily paid a couple of extra euros to make transportation easier. When you’re traveling solo, reducing stress is often worth far more than saving a few dollars.

Taking the Bus in Portugal

Bus from Porto to Matosinhos

I used buses for shorter trips around Portugal.

I took a local bus from Porto to Matosinhos and later used a FlixBus from Faro to Faro Airport. These are two different types of bus service.

Local Buses

Local buses are a great way to get around cities and nearby towns.

For my trip from Porto to Matosinhos, I used the kiosk in the Sao Bento station across the street to get my blue Andante card. Looking back, I would have simply used tap to pay instead of buying the transportation card. It would have been easier for the one bus ride I took.

When boarding, look for the validator as soon as you get on.

FlixBus

FlixBus is a long-distance bus company, so it works differently from local buses that use the transportation cards.

I used FlixBus to get from Faro city center to the airport for my flight home. If you’re spending time in Faro before you leave, check out my One Day in Faro guide for ideas on what to see and do.

You purchase your ticket ahead of time through FlixBus, either online or in the app, then simply show your ticket when you board.

Before getting on, check the destination displayed on the front of the bus to make sure you’re boarding the correct one.

Taking the Metro

I only used the Metro once during my trip, to get from Porto Airport into Porto.

If you’re flying into Porto, the Metro is an easy and affordable way to get into the city. The airport is served by Line E (the purple line), which connects directly with central Porto. You can either use tap to pay or an Andante transportation card.

If you’re only taking the Metro into the city after your flight, this is another situation where I’d consider tap to pay instead of buying a transportation card.

Riding the Historic Trams

Lisbon and Porto both have those iconic historic trams.

In Lisbon, you can ride them with a Lisboa Card, a Navegante card, or by tapping your credit card or phone when you board.

In Porto, the historic trams are not included in the Andante system, so you’ll need to purchase a separate ticket to ride them.

Uber and Bolt in Portugal

If public transportation isn’t the best option, or it simply isn’t your thing, Uber and Bolt are both widely available in Portugal.

Traveling Between Cities by Train

Good news: You don’t need a transportation card or to validate anything for long-distance train travel. Just purchase your train ticket in advance and board your assigned train.

If you’re traveling from one city to another in Portugal, the train is one of the easiest options, and this was how I traveled between the major cities on my trip.

I took the train from Porto to Lisbon and later from Lisbon to Lagos.

Portugal’s national railway is CP (Comboios de Portugal). For these longer-distance trips, you’ll buy a ticket for your specific journey rather than using a local transportation card.

Buying Train Tickets

I recommend buying your tickets online ahead of time, especially if you’re traveling between major cities or want a specific departure time.

You can buy tickets online through the CP website or app, or purchase them at the station.

At the Train Station

When you arrive at the station, check the departure board for your train.

I actually had to ask for help the first time because I couldn’t find my train. I was looking for my stop on the departure board, but the board listed the train’s final destination instead. Always look for the train’s final destination on the route.

Your ticket will show your train number, departure time, coach, and seat assignment if one is included.

My Tips for Getting Around Portugal

Using public transportation in another country can feel intimidating at first, especially if it’s your first solo trip.

I found Google Maps incredibly helpful. I simply entered where I wanted to go, and it showed me whether I should take a train, Metro, bus, tram, or just walk.

Give yourself a little extra time, don’t be afraid to watch what other people are doing, and ask for help if you need it. That’s exactly what I did when I couldn’t find my train on the departure board.

The transportation itself is easy. For me, figuring out the fare system was the hardest part. Once I was actually on the train, Metro, or bus, everything became much simpler.

Final Thoughts

I traveled all around Portugal without renting a car, and I never felt like I needed one. Once you understand the basics, Portugal’s public transportation system is easy to use and a great way to explore the country.

If you’re planning your own trip, be sure to check out my Portugal travel guides, where I share my itineraries for Porto, Lisbon, Lagos, and Faro, along with restaurant recommendations, things to do, and practical tips I learned while traveling solo.