TRANSPORT IN PORTO WITH A DOG: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

As we told you in the post about things to see in Porto with a dog in 2 days, Porto is a relatively small city, so getting around the city is relatively easy, and you can even walk to the city centre. We are also in favour of walking as much as possible, because it is by walking that you really get to know a city. But travelling with a dog is more difficult, as you can't keep them walking all day without stopping. We may be able to stand it, but there comes a time when they need to stop, hydrate and rest. That's why, in this post, we want to show you all the possibilities that exist in Porto to move with your dog, with all the requirements explained, so you have all the information.

• The first thing you need to know is that Porto, just like Lisbon, is a city full of slopes and inclines, so public transport, sometimes, can help us with that.
• It depends very much on the origin and destination of your journey, but in general, the metro is always the fastest option and using the bus you get to almost everywhere.
• In addition to the single tickets for transport in Porto, you have available the Andante Tour Card daily and unlimited that costs 7 euros, with which you can use all transports, except the funicular and the tram.
• If you buy the Porto Card (we will work on a post explaining in detail this card), you have included ALL thw ways of transport and you can use them unlimited times as long as the card is valid.
• Google Maps will be your ally when it comes to deciding which transport is the best way to get to a certain place. We always use it in big cities like London, Paris, etc.

Here are some tips and tricks to help you avoid the hills and slopes that exist in Porto:

• If you want to go up from the Ribeira area to the upper part of the city, where the cathedral is located, you can do it in two ways:
  • Using the Lada elevator or the Ribeira Elevator: it's hidden between arcades and will help you to save half the way (then you'll have to continue climbing stairs, but that's something). It's free, but it's not specified whether dogs are allowed or not, we assume they are, like the funiculars. We'll check it out on our next trip.
  • Guindais funicular: this option, which costs €3.50 per trip, will help you to overcome all the slope from the Dom Luis I bridge to the Batalha area, near the cathedral. The best part? Dogs are allowed.
• To go up from Cais de Gaia to Jardim do Morro, at the top of the Dom Luis I Bridge, you can use the Gaia cable car. It's not cheap, as it costs 6 euros each way or 9 euros if you buy a return trip, but the difference in altitude is significant and the views from here are quite beautiful. And it's also dog friendly, so another option.
• If you have an unlimited travel card, there are many buses that will help you to bridge the gap and they are all included, so take advantage of them. Some interesting examples:
  • The 900, the 901 and the 906 will take you from the lower part of Ponte Dom Luis I to Trindade via Sao Bento or Aliados. You have the geolocated stop on the map below.
  • The 901 and the 906 will take you from Cais de Gaia, in the winery area, to Trindade via Sao Bento or Aliados. 
• If you feel like taking a tram and also want to save yourself some elevation change, you can take the line 18 from Massarelos to Carmo, in the upper part of the city.
• Uber in Portugal is relatively cheap, so don't rule it out if you want to avoid some steep sections.

The metro may be the first choice for getting around Porto, as it is very well connected. It has 6 lines that are useful for tourists (perhaps not so much for locals) and are well signposted. Each one has a colour, and they are especially useful when your hotel is far from the centre or even to go to the airport. The lines are as follows:

• A (blue): Estádio do Dragão – Senhor de Matosinhos.
• B (red): Estádio do Dragão – Póvoa de Varzim.
• C (green): Estádio do Dragão – ISMAI.
• D (yellow): Hospital São João – Santo Ovídio.
• E (purple): Estádio do Dragão – Aeroporto.
• F (orange): Fânzeres – Senhora da Hora.

This is the fastest way to get around Porto, but it does not reach some of the most important points of interest such as Cais de Ribeira, Foz do Douro or Cais de Gaia.

The Porto metro is open from 6:00 to 1:00 and the frequency varies depending on the time of day and day of the week, but waiting times are usually between 4 and 10 minutes.

A single ticket for two zones costs €1.20 (payable with the Andante Card which costs €0.60), but you can also use the day pass or the Porto Card.

All very nice, but... Are dogs allowed? We'll tell you about it:

Unfortunately, only small dogs are allowed in the Porto metro and they must be inside a backpack or carrier. Dogs of PDD breeds are prohibited from travelling on public transport.

The train is usually used to visit more distant places or cities, such as Aveiro or Braga. Trains usually depart from Sao Bento station. The price will depend on the journey you want to make.

Are dogs allowed?

Apparently, there is a law that allows any dog to travel on trains as long as it is on a leash and does not pose any danger to others. But again, PDD are forbidden to travel by train as well.

Dog-friendly routes for dogs of all sizes:

• Alfa pendular and Intercidades: dogs have to pay a full ticket.
• Regional and Interregional: they have to pay half the price of the ticket.
• Lisbon, Oporto and Coimbra urban trains: their transport is free of charge.

In Porto, trams are no longer the most used means of transport for getting around the city. In fact, there are only three lines: 1, 18 and 22. We went in June 2023 and the city was under construction, and the works affected 2 of the 3 tram lines, so it was very rare to see any of them running.

Each tram journey costs €3.50, although there are 'vouchers' available. For example, you can buy two single tickets for the same day for €6 or an unlimited pass for two consecutive days for €10, which can be interesting to take all three lines and enjoy the journeys.

However, neither the Andante Tour nor the Porto Card includes tickets for the trams in Porto (it was already too much to include them too).

The timetable is usually every half hour from 9:00 to 20:00, although it depends on the line.

Are dogs allowed? We'll tell you about it:

Unfortunately, the same as with the metro, only small dogs are allowed in the Porto metro , and they must travel inside a backpack or carrier. Dogs of PDD breeds are not allowed to travel on public transport. Also, trams have the most limited space, so this may make sense here.

Porto has a comprehensive bus network, managed by the municipal transport company STCP, which goes where the rest of Porto's transport does not.

Timetables vary depending on the line, but they normally run from 6:00 to 1:00.

The ticket costs 2 euros if you buy it individually or 1,20 euros if you use an Andante Card, but you can also use the day pass or the Porto Card.

Are dogs allowed? We'll tell you about it:

Unfortunately, the same as with the metro, only small dogs are allowed in the Porto buses and they must travel inside a backpack or carrier. Dogs of PDD breeds are prohibited from travelling on public transport.

• Sightseeing bus:

Another popular option to visit the city. Small dogs are allowed as long as they travel inside a carrier (un coñazo si estás de turismo). El precio es de 24 €.

It is not a means of transport as such, but we have decided to include it because a boat ride is not a bad thing. It's a different activity and gives you another perspective of the city. We did the six bridges boat trip. We won't stop here for too long, because you have ALL explained in this other post.

In addition to the most typical means of transport, there are three other options in Porto that can be interesting for getting around the city at certain times.

• Guindais funicular

Right next to the Dom Luis I bridge you have this charming funicular that will help you bridge the gap between the Ribeira and the highest part of the city. We took it to go up and it really does save you quite a climb.

Each trip costs €3.50 and runs from 8:00 to 20:00 (sometimes even a little later depending on the time of year and day of the week). Please note that neither the Porto Card nor the Andante Tour card includes this funicular, so you will have to pay for it separately. With the Porto Card you will get a 25% discount.

Are dogs allowed?

Only small dogs, but they don't have to travel inside a carrier. We did see a girl with a big dog queuing up and nobody said anything to her, so don't lose anything by trying.

• Gaia cable car

It is not a cheap means of transport, but the views you get are really beautiful. In just 4 minutes you will cross the difference in altitude between Cais de Gaia and the highest part of the Dom Luis I bridge, and enjoy one of the best views of Porto.

The single ticket costs 6 euros per person (9 if you want to go and come back) and you can check the timetables here.

Are dogs allowed?

Well, we can tell you openly that, yes, dogs of all sized are allowed and travel for free. So don't waste the opportunity.

• Lada Elevator or Ribeira Elevator

This curious outdoor lift is located in the Cais de Ribeira hidden between arcades and will help you bridge the halfway point between the Ribeira and the upper part of the city (then you'll have to keep climbing stairs, but it helps).

Apart from the shortcut, this lift is worth it for the views.

It is free and open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00. We don't know if dogs are allowed because they don't specify anything, so you'll have to take a chance and go and ask.