The airport was opened in 1945 and has only one terminal. Its international code is OPO and its full name isFrancisco Sá Carneiro. The name has a tragic backstory: Francisco Sá Carneiro was the Portuguese Prime Minister, and he died in a plane crash on his way to Porto.
The airport is only 11 km from the center. You can get there by metro, bus, shuttle, cab or shuttle.
Subway
The most popular way to get from Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport to and from the city is by Metro do Porto E-line trains. The Metro does not depend on traffic jams, so it is faster and more predictable than other options.
At the airport, the metro station is on the -1 floor. Go down the escalator opposite the arrivals area, follow the signs and you are there.
You can buy tickets there, in special machines. To get to the center, you will need a z4 ticket — for 4 city zones. With this ticket you can take a bus or train within 4 zones from the airport.
- Fare: 2,60 € (including card)
- Frequency: every 30 minutes
- Travel time: 27 minutes
- Working hours on weekdays: from 06:06 to 01:09 from the airport, from 05:58 to 01:11 — from the center.
- Schedule
- Map of Andante’s zones
The terminus of the line is Trindade, located in the city center.
City buses
There are also 3 STCP city buses between the airport and the center of Porto: the day buses 601 and 602, and the night bus 3M. Route 604 also stops at the airport, but it does not go to the center.
The bus stop is right at the airport exit. Just turn right from the arrivals area and then left to the exit.
You can buy a single ticket from the driver for cash. Another option is the Andante rechargeable card, which is valid for all public transportation. A z4 trip with this card costs the same, but you will have to pay an extra €0.60 for the card and go to the metro machines on the -1 floor to get it. But you can pay with a bank card.
- Fare: 2 € (2,60 € with Andante card)
- Frequency: every 25—30 minutes (routes 601 and 602), once an hour (3M)
- Travel time: 30—50 minutes, depending on traffic jams
- Mode of operation: from 05:30 to 00:30 (routes 601 and 602), from 00:30 to 05:30 (3M)
- Schedule
The bus is a less predictable and faster option than the metro. The daytime routes 601 and 602 go deeper into the city center, to Cordoaria, the terminus of both daytime routes.
At night, the subway doesn’t run at all, and the bus goes to Aliados, the terminus of the night route.
Shuttle getBUS
There are many shuttles from the airport, most of them go to neighboring cities, not to Porto itself. The exception is getBUS. The stop is located right at the exit of the terminal, the landmark is a yellow sign with the letter «A».
Tickets can be purchased from the driver or online by selecting the desired flight on the schedule.
- Fare: 2,80 € one way, 5,10 € round trip
- Frequency: once an hour
- Travel time: 25 minutes
- Mode of operation: from 10:00 to 17:00 towards the center, from 9:30 to 16:30 — to the airport
- Schedule
The getBUS shuttle stops just east of the center, at the Campo 24 de Agosto bus station. There are no other stops along the way.
Cab and transfer
To minimize the waiting and travel time, you can order a cab or shuttle service. This way, you can get from the airport to the center in 15—30 minutes. For a large family or company, this can be even more cost-effective than public transportation.
Cab
Antral 's turquoise and black cabs are on duty right at the exit of the terminal, so there’s usually no need to wait. It’s not cheap, but it’s a convenient option. The only problem is the unstable prices. They depend on the time of day, days of the week and the traffic situation. And if your luggage is larger than 55×35×20 cm, you will have to pay an extra €1.60 for each bag. On average, prices start from 25 €.
To order an Uber will cost 10—15 € cheaper. There is free wifi at Porto airport, so you don’t need to buy a SIM card with internet. Waiting time is usually no more than 5—10 minutes.
Transfer
Personalized transfers can be booked online through KiwiTaxi. The driver will pick you up at the airport with a name plate, and in case of a delay will wait for an hour for free. Prices vary: from 28 € for a three-seater car to 209 € for a minibus.
Another transfer option is 100rumos. It also needs to be booked in advance. A separate car for three people will cost 28 €. You can also book a seat in the shuttle: the price per passenger starts from 6 € for a group and up to 18 € for a single person. The driver will meet you at the right corner of the terminal, near the 100rumos kiosk. If you are late, you can leave on the next shuttle, subject to availability.
What’s the best way to go?
There are many options to get from the airport to Porto and back. The choice depends on the time of day, company and budget.
- If you’re alone and/or don’t want to splurge, I suggest taking the subway or bus.
- During the day it is more convenient to take the subway because of traffic jams.
- At night, only the 3M bus.
- For families or companies up to 4 people, it will be more convenient and cost-effective to order a cab via Uber or shuttle service.
