Do you want to travel but don’t know how to get around Porto? Then be sure to check out our tips for getting around the city according to your travel priorities and budget.
1. How to get around Porto by car?
This option is very worthwhile for those traveling to Porto, as Portugal is a small country and the journeys within it are very short. We love renting a car when we’re there precisely because of the cost-benefit of being able to travel all over the country and even to Spain, for example.
Another advantage of this option is that, even if you choose to stay in just one city, the schedules are flexible and the convenience is great. This is even better if you’re shopping in Porto, as you’ll have more freedom to travel to your accommodation with all your bags.
If you’re interested in renting a car, you can save a lot of money by hiring the service in advance and online. To help you with this, see the tips below.
Book your car in advance
Make your reservation online as soon as possible, because a great tip on how to get a cheap car is to book as far in advance as possible and online. The earlier you book, the cheaper you’ll pay. It’s well worth it and you’ll save a lot with promotions, paying much less than renting a car on the spot.
Don’t rent a GPS in Porto
Another good tip is not to rent a car with a GPS, as it costs a lot per day. Instead, you can buy a good chip, like the one we listed above, unblocked for international calls and with unlimited Internet. That way, you’ll be able to use the map and location apps with your own cell phone.
Use this incredible price comparator
There are some car rental price comparators in Porto (and throughout Portugal) that are sensational and search all the main car rental companies there, finding the best prices and excellent deals.
We recommend one that you can use by going to the website and entering the date of your trip. It then searches for all the best car rental companies in Porto.
If you want to do the search, click here on Car Rental Comparator. In just a few seconds, you’ll have all the options for renting a car in Porto from the best companies on your screen, and you can choose the cheapest one. You really will save a lot.
More tips: prefer larger and reliable rental companies, such as Europcar, Budget and Avis. Take out basic insurance when booking, which is super important and is usually included in the price. But don’t fall for the companies who, when you pick up the car, try to push extra insurance that isn’t worth it.
2. How to get around Porto by bus?
Porto’s bus system is also very good and works effectively. To give you an idea, they run every day of the week (but not for 24 hours) and tickets can be bought from the driver, on the spot and in cash, or from metro machines.
3. How to get around Porto by metro?
The metro system in the city has 6 lines, running from A to F. It also has cars that work like streetcars, moving on the surface, not just underground.
The metro runs from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. And one of the things that sets it apart is that there are no turnstiles or barriers, but rather “posts” where you swipe your ticket. But be careful, if you don’t validate your ticket you could be fined.
4. How to get around Porto by train
Also called “comboio” throughout Portugal, the train is another traditional option for getting around, especially if you’re visiting other cities. In Porto, the main stations are São Bento and Campanhã.
Extra tip: finding the fastest and cheapest route in Portugal and Europe
A great tip for seeing all the transportation options from one city to another is to use this route finder. The site is sensational, as it shows all the transportation options between one city and another. It searches for all the plane, train and bus options, so you can buy the best and cheapest one for your trip. As well as being the leading service in Europe, the site has unbeatable prices.
Save money on your trip to Porto:
Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to Porto cheap, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!
Tickets: find out where to buy your Porto tickets in the cheapest and safest way – for parks, museums and ticket combos. You can save up to 40%!
Car: if you are thinking about renting one this is the best website. It compares the price at all rental companies and finds unbeatable prices. You can save up to 30%!
Mobile chip: we always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s Internet anywhere in the world.
Hotels: our article on where to stay in Porto. You will find out the best area, the hotels that we have stayed there and how to save a lot on the hotel.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
Transfer: do you need one from the airport to the hotel? Find out here how to book and for the lowest price!
