Portugal captivates visitors with its dramatic Atlantic coastline, historic cities adorned with colorful azulejo tiles, and a rich maritime heritage. From the vibrant streets of Lisbon to the port wine cellars of Porto, ancient castles of Sintra to the golden beaches of the Algarve, this sun-drenched country offers an irresistible blend of culture, cuisine, and coastal beauty.
- Public
- Excellent metro systems in Lisbon (4 lines) and Porto (6 lines) covering city centers and airports; comprehensive bus networks; iconic trams; affordable day passes €6.50-7
- Taxi
- Licensed green taxis and ride-hailing apps (Uber, Bolt) work well in cities; metered fares; Bolt often cheapest; widely available 24/7 in Lisbon and Porto
- Rental
- Highly recommended for Algarve coast, Douro Valley, Alentejo, and multi-destination travel; electronic toll roads require transponder arrangement; parking difficult in city centers
- Walking
- Historic city centers of Lisbon (Alfama, Belém), Porto (Ribeira, Bonfim), and smaller cities are excellent for walking; Lisbon's hills can be challenging; Alfama cobblestones require sturdy footwear
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Metro Red Line to city center - €1.50, 20 minutes
- Shuttle
- Aerobus shuttle to downtown - €4, 30-40 minutes
- Bus
- Taxi to center - €15-20, 15-25 minutes depending on traffic
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
- Availability
- Extensive network in all cities and towns
- Lisbon
- Carris buses, single ticket €2 onboard (€1.50 with Viva card), 24-hour pass €6.50
- Porto
- STCP buses, single €2 onboard (€1.85 with Andante card), day pass €7
- Payment
- Cash onboard (exact change helpful) or transport cards
- Tips
- Night buses (Carris) run after metro closes
Alternatives
metro, tram, taxi, rideshare, bicycle, ferry
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- €3.25-4 depending on time
- Apps
- Uber, Bolt (cheaper), Free Now
- App Names
- Uber, Bolt (cheaper), Free Now
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Routes: Lisbon porto Every 30-60 minutes, €20-25, 3-3.5 hours, Lisbon faro Multiple daily, €20-25, 3-4 hours, Lisbon lagos 5+ daily, €22-28, 4 hours, Porto coimbra Frequent, €12-15, 1.5 hours
- Operators
- Rede Expressos (national), FlixBus (budget), Eva Bus (Algarve), Renex (regional)
- Advantages
- Cheaper than trains, more routes, reaches smaller towns
- Booking
- Online recommended (rede-expressos.pt, flixbus.com), bus stations, advance booking for peak season
- Amenities
- WiFi, AC, bathrooms on most long-distance buses
- Tips
- FlixBus often cheapest, Rede Expressos more comfortable, arrive 15 minutes early
Routes
- Lisbon porto
- Every 30-60 minutes, €20-25, 3-3.5 hours
- Lisbon faro
- Multiple daily, €20-25, 3-4 hours
- Lisbon lagos
- 5+ daily, €22-28, 4 hours
- Porto coimbra
- Frequent, €12-15, 1.5 hours
Flights
Routes: Mainly to/from Azores and Madeira islands. Mainland cities well-connected by train/bus
- Airlines
- TAP Air Portugal, SATA (Azores), Ryanair
- Tips
- Book flights to islands well in advance, limited alternatives for island access
Typical Routes
- Lisbon azores
- 2-2.5 hours, €60-150
- Lisbon madeira
- 1.5 hours, €50-120
- Porto azores
- 2.5 hours, €70-160
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Lisbon Portela Airport (Humberto Delgado)
From centre: 7 km
Options: Metro Red Line to city center - €1.50, 20 minutes; Aerobus shuttle to downtown - €4, 30-40 minutes; Taxi to center - €15-20, 15-25 minutes depending on traffic; Uber/Bolt to center - €10-15, 15-25 minutes; Private transfer - €25-40 pre-booked
Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport
From centre: 11 km
Options: Metro Line E to city center - €2.50, 30 minutes; Airport bus line 601/602 - €2.50, 30-45 minutes; Taxi to center - €25-30, 20-30 minutes; Uber/Bolt to center - €15-20, 20-30 minutes; Private transfer - €30-50 pre-booked
Faro Airport
From centre: 7 km from Faro city, varies to Algarve resorts
Options: Bus 14/16 to Faro center - €2.35, 20 minutes; Taxi to Faro - €12-15, 15 minutes; Taxi to Albufeira - €50-60, 45 minutes; Taxi to Lagos - €70-80, 60 minutes; Rental car pickup available; Resort shuttle buses (pre-book)
Ponta Delgada Airport (Azores)
From centre: 2 km
Options: Taxi to city center - €8-10, 5-10 minutes; Airport bus - €3, 15 minutes; Rental car highly recommended for Azores exploration
Funchal Airport (Madeira)
From centre: 16 km
Options: Aerobus to Funchal - €5, 30-40 minutes; Taxi to Funchal - €30-35, 25 minutes; Hotel shuttle (check with accommodation); Rental car available
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Bolt
Best ride-hailing app for Portugal — cheaper than Uber, widely available in Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, and Algarve; also has scooters and bikes
Uber
Reliable in major cities; slightly more expensive than Bolt but familiar interface for international travelers
CP App (Comboios de Portugal)
Official train booking app for all Portuguese railways; buy Alfa Pendular tickets and check schedules; advance booking gives significant discounts
Rede Expressos
Book long-distance bus tickets for routes not covered by train; essential for Lagos, Vila Real, and smaller cities
Gira (Lisbon bike share)
Lisbon's electric and regular bike sharing with docking stations throughout city; €2/day unlimited 45-min trips; app required
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy Viva Viagem card (€0.50) in Lisbon for metro and bus; top up for single journeys (€1.50) or day pass (€6.50)
Porto uses Andante card (€0.60) for all public transport including airport Metro Line E
Alfa Pendular high-speed trains are fastest for Lisbon-Porto (2h45m) and Lisbon-Faro (3h15m) — book online at cp.pt for up to 50% off
Download Bolt and Uber before arrival — both work in all major Portuguese cities and are 20-30% cheaper than metered taxis
Electronic toll roads (auto-estradas) are cashless — arrange a Via Verde transponder or use the CTT post office registration service
Tram 28 in Lisbon is iconic but extremely crowded and a major pickpocket target; use it early morning or for short sections only
Ferries cross the Tagus in Lisbon (€1.30 with Viva card) to Cacilhas — combine with a trip to Cristo Rei or Almada old town