If you’re planning a visit to Porto for a few days or perhaps a week, understanding your transportation options is key, especially if you’re eager to explore beyond the immediate vicinity of your accommodation. For landmarks and attractions not within walking distance, opting for a transportation card that offers easy access to the city’s public transport system is far more convenient than purchasing individual tickets each time you travel. Discover how the Andante Card (that’s how Port’s public transport card is called) can enhance your visit to Porto, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the city’s rich heritage and vibrant culture without the hassle of ticket lines.
What is the Andante Card?
The Andante Card is Porto’s comprehensive solution for public transportation, designed to simplify travel across the city and its surrounding areas. It serves as a digital ticketing system that accommodates buses, metro, and some train services, allowing for smooth transitions between different modes of transport. The card is available in several formats, catering to both occasional travelers and frequent commuters, ensuring that everyone’s travel needs are met efficiently. The Andante Card aims to offer flexibility and convenience, reducing the need for multiple tickets and providing a unified system that covers the vast network of Porto’s public transport. With options ranging from single-use tickets to monthly subscriptions, the Andante Card is an essential tool for anyone looking to navigate Porto with ease.
Important Information for Families:
It’s useful to know that children under the age of 4 can use Porto’s public transport for free, eliminating the need for a separate Andante Card for them. However, beyond this age, complimentary travel is exclusively available to children who are residents of Porto and possess a U13 pass.
Types of Andante Cards
The Andante Card system in Porto offers various card types to cater to different travel needs, whether you’re an occasional visitor or a regular commuter. Understanding the types of cards and how the zoning system works is crucial for choosing the most cost-effective option for your stay.
Andante Azul (Blue Card)
The Andante Azul is a flexible, rechargeable card designed for those who travel occasionally, allowing for a specific number of trips across different zones.
Zones and Pricing:
| Zone | Single Ticket (€) | 10+1 Ticket Bundle (€) | Maximum Duration |
| Z2 | 1.40 | 14.00 | 1h00m |
| Z3 | 1.80 | 18.00 | 1h00m |
| Z4 | 2.25 | 22.50 | 1h15m |
| Z5 | 2.75 | 27.50 | 1h30m |
| Z6 | 3.20 | 32.00 | 1h45m |
| Z7 | 3.65 | 36.50 | 2h00m |
| Z8 | 4.10 | 41.00 | 2h15m |
| Z9 | 4.55 | 45.50 | 2h30m |
Andante 24
Ideal for travelers who need unlimited access to public transport within a 24-hour period, tailored to the zones of travel.
Zones and Pricing:
| Zone | Price (€) |
| Z2 | 5.15 |
| Z3 | 6.65 |
| Z4 | 8.30 |
| Z5 | 9.90 |
| Z6 | 11.80 |
| Z7 | 13.45 |
| Z8 | 15.10 |
| Z9 | 16.70 |
- Funicular dos Guindais: This iconic funicular railway requires separate tickets.
- STCP Tramway: The iconic yellow trams operating primarily in Porto require dedicated tickets.
- Private Operators: Some private bus or ferry companies operating outside the main network might not accept Andante cards. Double-check their specific ticketing system.
Andante Tour
The Andante Tour card offers unlimited travel for tourists over 1 or 3 days, facilitating access to a broad range of transportation options within the Andante network. The difference between Andante Tour (1 day) and Andante 24 is that Andante Tour will allow you to travel to Zone 9 while with Andante 24 it would cost you €16.70 vs €7.50.
Pricing and Validity:
- Andante Tour 1: 7.50 euros (24 hours after first validation)
- Andante Tour 3: 16.00 euros (72 hours after first validation)
Access with the Andante Tour includes STCP buses, the metro, CP trains (between Espinho and Valongo), and other Andante bus lines, enabling unlimited journeys within the validity period.
Limitations:
- Specific Services: Similarly to the regular Andante card, the Andante Tour card specifically excludes the Funicular dos Guindais and STCP Tramway.
- Limited Zone Coverage: While offering unlimited travel within its validity period, the Andante Tour has its own zone limitations. It’s not valid in Zone 10 (Espinho).
Understanding Zones
The Porto metro system utilizes a convenient “zone” system to determine fares and travel boundaries. Grasping this concept is crucial for purchasing the right ticket and avoiding any confusion during your journey. Here’s a breakdown of how zones work:
Imagine zones as concentric circles radiating outwards from a central point. Each station belongs to a specific zone, denoted by a number (Z1, Z2, etc.).
Think of your ticket as a key unlocking certain zones. The number on your ticket (Z2, Z3, etc.) dictates how far you can travel from the starting station’s zone. Let’s explore different scenarios:
Z2 Ticket: This key grants access to your starting zone and all zones directly touching it. So, if you start in Z1, you can travel freely to Z2, but not Z3 or beyond.
Z3 Ticket: This key opens your starting zone, its direct neighbors, and their neighbors too. So, starting in Z1, you can explore Z1, Z2, and Z3 with a Z3 ticket.
Purchasing Your Andante Card
Acquiring an Andante Card in Porto is designed to be a straightforward process, enabling quick access to the city’s public transportation system. Here’s how and where you can purchase the different types of Andante Cards:
Locations to Purchase
Andante Shops: Found in strategic locations including the airport and several metro stations, offering personalized assistance.
Train Stations: Select stations equipped with Andante service points cater to commuters and tourists alike.
Tourist Offices: Convenient for visitors, these offices provide Andante Cards along with valuable travel information.
Some Hotels: A selection of hotels offer Andante Cards, simplifying the process for their guests.
Kiosks and Small Convenience Shops: Identified with the Andante Tour symbol, these agents offer an easy way to purchase tourist-focused transport tickets.
Automatic Vending Machines: Located at all metro stations, these machines are user-friendly and offer immediate card issuance.
Initial Cost and Top-Up
Andante Azul: The card itself costs 0.60 EUR, with the option to load it with trips across various zones. Top-up amounts depend on the zones and the number of trips purchased.
Andante 24: Also requiring the initial 0.60 EUR card cost, this card can be loaded with a day’s worth of unlimited travel within selected zones.
Andante Tour: Priced at 7.50 EUR for 1 day or 16.00 EUR for 3 days, this card does not require an additional card fee and is not rechargeable.
How to Use the Andante Card
Navigating the public transport system in Porto with an Andante Card couldn’t be simpler. A few straightforward steps are all it takes to ensure your journeys across the city and its surrounding areas are smooth and hassle-free. Familiarizing yourself with the card’s usage is key to making the most of your travel experience in Porto.
Validating Your Card
Upon Boarding: Always validate your Andante Card at the start of your journey. Look for the yellow validation machines on buses, and at the entrance of metro stations.
During Transfers: When switching lines at metro stations to continue your journey, it’s necessary to validate your card again at the new line’s validator. This process does not deduct additional trips from your card nor does it extend your ticket’s validity period, but it ensures that your travel complies with the system’s regulations.
The Porto.CARD: A Comprehensive Tourist Option
While the Andante card offers a convenient and cost-effective way to navigate Porto’s public transportation network, tourists seeking a more comprehensive experience have another excellent option: the Porto.CARD.
The Porto.CARD serves as a dual-purpose tool, not only providing unlimited rides on the metro, buses, and trams within specified zones but also offering a wealth of tourist discounts and benefits. Available in various validity periods ranging from 24 hours to 7 days, this card opens the door to free or discounted access to many of Porto’s top attractions, museums, and leisure activities, enhancing your sightseeing opportunities.
In addition to transportation and discounts, certain Porto.CARD packages include complimentary walking tours and river cruises, offering even more ways to discover the city’s charms. While the Porto.CARD may come with a higher price tag compared to the Andante card, the added value it provides can significantly enhance your Porto experience.
For visitors focused primarily on transportation within certain zones, the Andante card is an efficient choice. However, if you’re looking to maximize your exploration of Porto with the added benefits of discounts and exclusive offers, the Porto.CARD could be your ideal travel companion.
Learn more about the differences between both cards here: Andante Card Vs Porto card
My Recommendations
Choosing the right Andante Card depends on your travel needs, duration of stay, and the areas you plan to visit in Porto. Here are our recommendations to help you make the best decision:
For Short Stay Visitors
Choose the Andante Tour card if you’re visiting Porto for a short period (1 to 3 days) and plan to explore extensively, the Andante Tour card offers unlimited travel and is the most cost-effective option. It’s especially beneficial if you’re arriving by plane, as the airport is located in zone Z4, making single tickets more expensive.
For Long Stay Visitors
The Andante Azul will be suited for visitors staying longer or those making occasional trips, the rechargeable Andante Azul card provides flexibility. It allows you to pay only for the trips you make, which can be more economical for infrequent travel. Load it with trips according to your travel plans and top up as needed.
Exploring Beyond Porto
If your travel plans include exploring beyond the immediate surroundings of Porto, look into extending your Andante Card’s coverage. Supplementary tickets for regional trains or buses might be required, so plan accordingly.
Visitors Staying in the City Center
The Andante 24 will work fine If you’re centrally located and plan to use public transport for a day of intensive sightseeing, the Andante 24 card might be your best choice. It provides unlimited travel for 24 hours within your selected zones.
Considering the Porto.CARD
For a comprehensive tourism experience, the Porto.CARD not only facilitates unlimited rides across metro, buses, and trams within specific zones but also unlocks a host of discounts and perks at major attractions, museums, and activities. It’s an attractive option for those eager to soak in as much of Porto as possible, offering benefits like free entry or reduced prices at key sights, and sometimes even free walking tours and river cruises. While slightly pricier than the Andante card, the added value can significantly enhance your visit.
Traveling From/To the Airport
If your trip to Porto spans a weekend or a similar short period, consider purchasing the Andante Tour 3 card. This option is particularly advantageous for visitors arriving and departing by plane. The airport, located in zone Z4, can be a more costly trip if paid for individually. By buying the Andante Tour 3 card at the Andante shop in the airport upon arrival and starting its use (validating it) there, you ensure unlimited travel across the entire Andante network for 72 hours. This covers your journey from the airport to the city upon arrival and back to the airport at the end of your stay, along with unlimited travel within Porto and its surrounding areas during your visit.
Is there an app for the Andante ticketing system?
Yes, there is an app for the Andante ticketing system known as the Anda app. However, it’s worth noting that this app may not be the most convenient option for all travelers, particularly visitors. Currently, the app is only available for Android devices, which may limit accessibility for those using other operating systems. Additionally, while the app offers various features, the payment and card loading services it provides are somewhat limited for visitors. These services are primarily designed with locals and residents in mind, who may find the app more suited to their regular commuting needs.
For more detailed information, you can visit the official Anda app page at Andante’s website.
Can children travel for free on Porto’s public transport with the Andante Card?
Children up to 4 years old can indeed travel for free on Porto’s public transport without the need to purchase an Andante Card. This makes exploring Porto with young family members more convenient and cost-effective. After reaching the age of 4, free travel is only available to resident children who have obtained a special pass, known as the U13 pass. This pass is designed to facilitate free movement for young residents within the city, emphasizing the importance of accessible public transport for families living in Porto.