Public transport in Portugal

Whether you’re a tourist or an ex-pat, public transport in Portugal can get you around your favourite cities! Let’s explore all your options.

Portugal’s low cost of living attracts thousands of tourists and ex-pats every year. Whether eating, residing or exploring, the country has some of the most economical prices compared to most European regions. But exactly how easy is it to commute around cities? Will public transport in Portugal break your bank? 

Not at all. 

In addition to being quite affordable, it’s reliable, efficient, and well-connected to many regions. So, rest assured, your trips can be planned out nicely no matter where you’re headed. Let’s tell you all the different public transport options along with some tips we’ve gathered throughout the years. 

Is public transport in Portugal good?

Even though Portugal is a small country, it’s a tourist hub nonetheless. Hence, a lot of focus has been set on improving the infrastructure and facilities throughout the years.

You might have heard that buses are the most common way to get around, and that’s true. But there are other options too, like the metros, trains, trams or transport apps. Are they all equally good? Keep reading to find out! 

Buses in Portugal

People love the buses in Portugal! It’s primarily because they’re comfortable enough to spend an hour on board and save you a lot of money. Most cities have inter-connected bus networks that operate independently with local bus schedules for each area.  

Finding the correct bus company website can be a hassle, especially if you’re new here. To make it easier for you, we’ve made a list of companies responsible for each area:

Lisbon: Carris

Porto: STCP

The Algarve: Rede Expressos and Eva Transport 

Coimbra: SMTUC

Bus tickets can usually be purchased at bus stations or online. If you’re a new ex-pat, the Monthly Pack is beneficial to make yourself feel at home by exploring different places.

Now that you know how to identify the correct bus near you, take a look the at tariffs for each: 

It’s important to know that while buses are convenient and efficient, they have limited routes. They’re more popular for daily work commutes, while other options exist for cross-regional trips.  

Pro-tip: Since it might be crowded, saying Com licença (excuse me) and Obrigado (thank you) will be considered polite and friendly.

Metro in Portugal

The metro system is another secure and swift option. However, as of yet, Lisbon and Porto are the only Portuguese cities with a metro system in place. As soon as your flight lands in Lisbon, you’ll find the Aeroporto station as you walk out of the airport. 

Lisbon is a very happening city with lots of hustle and bustle throughout the day. This is why metros are most preferred since they have as little as 3 minutes of waiting during peak hours. The Lisbon Metro operates from 6:30 am to 1:00 am every day, so you can imagine if the city ever sleeps. 

Here’s an example: If you exit the airport around 7:00 am, you can get to the city centre before 7:30 am. That’s around less than 30 minutes! 

Take a look at how affordable both metro systems are: 

The Porto Metro website also has detailed maps, timelines, and tourist routes to help plan out your journey.

Trains in Portugal

Trains are another option for public transport in Portugal. The system is managed by a singular national company named Comboios de Portugal and is very organized. The train network is expanded over regional, inter-regional, and suburban areas to maximize convenience all over the country.

The Comboios de Portugal website is highly efficient when it comes to booking tickets online. You can book any train anywhere, and they’re usually very punctual. 

If you were to go from Lisbon to Porto, the ticket would be €31.90 with no charges for luggage.  From Lisbon to Cascais, which is a stunning holiday destination, the train would cost you only €25.75. 

Pro-tip: Booking a train ticket five to eight days in advance can get you 50-65% discounts on your tickets! 

Trams in Portugal

If you’re wondering what the difference is between trains and trams, let us explain. Yellow trams are mostly vintage streetcars with much lower passenger capacities. Coloured bright yellow, like the Portuguese sun, they’re often considered a tourist attraction and useful for short trips.

People in Lisbon city centre usually take the trams

Trams are shorter, lightweight, and have fewer carriages. They’re not very used, but a few people use them to get by Lisbon and Porto only. 

Back in the day, animals powered trams, and now they run on either electricity or diesel. So you could assume that there’s a certain history attached to it that attracts tourists.

Which Portuguese cities have the best transport system?

Despite being a tourist or a new ex-pat, this is a crucial question. After all, you’re moving to a new country, and you want the freedom to travel places. While public transport in Portugal is easily accessible in all regions, the systems are excellent in some major cities!

Public transport in Lisbon

Lisbon is one of the best cities to live in. The facilities are exceptional since it’s the country’s capital and a vast business hub that supports the economy. There are buses, trains, subways, and yellow trams in the city center, and all of them work great. 

The entire metropolitan area is linked to the public transport system, so there’s rarely a need to own a car. This works out great because the city is small and has narrow streets, so there’s scarce parking space anyway. 

However, if you live in Cascais, which is 40 minutes from Lisbon, having a car might be a good option. It’s not a necessity since there are public transport options in Cascais as well. But you might consider it if you want to explore the captivating Portuguese Riveria on your own.

Public transport in Porto

Porto is similar to Lisbon in some regards. It feels like a small city, and you don’t require a car to get by in Porto. The public transport system is also connected to other big cities such as Guimarães, Braga, and Bragança. 

Lisbon and Porto are some of the cities with the best public transport in Portugal

The metro stations between Lisbon and Porto are connected too, so you’ll find a fast train of outstanding quality. Porto is another city where modes of transport like buses, subways, and trams work perfectly.

Where does public transport in Portugal fall short?

Public transport in Portugal is far from perfect. There are regions where public transport isn’t the best and could improve significantly. Thanks to tourists and ex-pats like you, better amendments have been made to the system over the years. 

Public transport in the Algarve

The Algarve is the famous sunny southern side of Portugal, especially in the summer! With more than a hundred stunning beaches, the Algarve is a go-to for many tourists and ex-pats alike. 

However, many people either walk on foot or rent a car to get around. The region lacks good quality public transport and is much more scarce than in Lisbon and Porto. There are only buses and trains, no subways, and the quality is inferior to that in other cities. 

Since public transport in the Algarve can’t be relied upon, tourists have to rent a car to explore different towns. Although, Eva Transport offers routes from Faro to some popular cities in the Algarve. For example, Faro to Albufeira would be €4.90 and Faro to Olhão would be €3.40.

Train stations by the Comboios de Portugal are often a few kilometres away from the city centre. The limited options are a problem if you want to go from one city to another. 

Public transport on the Silver Coast

The Silver Coast is a scenic region between Lisbon and Porto, roughly an hour north of the former. It’s home to the ever-stunning Aveiro, Coimbra, and Leiria Districts. Some cities are small, but the crowds visiting these tourist hubs are considerable.

Bigger cities like Coimbra and Caldas da Rainha have good connections of buses and trains, but those are some exceptions. The region of the Silver Coast slightly lacks public transport like subways, for example, which could add to its self-sufficiency. Additionally, the rural areas aren’t very well connected to the urban centres either. 

Is public transport in Portugal accessible for the differently-abled?

To an extent, yes. 

Thirty-one out of the fifty-two metro stations in Lisbon have elevators for those who cannot use stairs and escalators. These stations provide full accessibility and assistance to differently-abled people. Public transport vehicles also have reserved seats and wheelchair spaces, and specially adapted toilets at airports.

All modes of transport are still not fully accessible, but advancements are being made gradually. For example, the height of yellow trams and buses is as low as the roads, making them easier to climb. You can also ask for special assistance from the Comboios de Portugal.

Other options for getting around Portugal besides public transport

There’s a possibility that you’d much rather prefer other modes of transport, and that’s completely okay. Let’s guide you in that regard too.

Transport apps and taxis in Portugal

Getting a taxi is very easy since many companies provide services, usually charging according to the meter. It’s better to ask for charges upfront to avoid miscommunications as rates are 20% higher after 9:00 pm. IzzyMove and myTaxi are two of the many options you have. 

Taxis in Portugal also compete with Uber

Another alternative is using Uber or Cabify as a ride-hailing service to get places quicker than public transport. These applications are mostly available in major cities and only have an average waiting time of thirty minutes. 

Pro-tip: Ridesharing can be as cheap as commuting via bus in Portugal, so take your friends along!

Buying a car in Portugal

A significant number of people go down this route, and they have their reasons to do so. Frequent travellers and families can benefit a great deal, especially if they’re living in the Algarve or the Silver Coast. 

For a city like Lisbon, buying a car wouldn’t be such a good decision with regards to the lack of space. There’s also an added responsibility of warranties, insurance, and inspections, so keep that in mind.

Is it worth relying only on public transport in Portugal?

It’s a personal decision and mostly subjective to where you’re living. Many Lisboetas (nickname for people living in Lisbon) rely entirely on public transport in Portugal. 

However, if you’re an ex-pat retiree in the Algarve, having a car might be a good option if you drive.

Article by Viv Europe - Official Legal and Relocation partner to KipperTree.

Read the full article here