Understanding the Andante Card System

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You can load your card with individual trips at any station or designated shop. Each card can only hold one type of zone fare at a single time. Buy a separate card if you plan to travel to different zones frequently during your stay. This system ensures you always pay the correct price for your specific journey.

The Andante Silver card is another option, but it is mostly for long-term monthly subscriptions. Most tourists will find the blue Andante Azul card much more convenient for short visits. It is made of thick paper but contains a smart chip for digital scanning. Keep it safe in your wallet to avoid buying a new one every day.

Porto Metro and Bus Fare Zones in 2026

Porto uses a smart zone-based pricing system for all of its public transport options. Most city center attractions fall within the Z2 zone for easy and cheap travel. Prices for a single Z2 trip start at 1.40 EUR in the current year. Check the Porto metro map for 2026 to see your specific zones.

Traveling to the airport or distant suburbs usually requires a Z4 ticket for your journey. This fare costs approximately 2.25 EUR for a single trip during the 2026 season. The new lines have expanded the reach of these zones across the entire metropolitan area. You can find more details in the Porto metro expansion guide 2026.

Always validate your card before you enter the platform or board a local bus. Validation machines are bright yellow and located at the entrance of every metro station. A single validation lasts for a specific time limit based on your zone selection. For Z2 trips, you have 60 minutes to finish your entire journey.

You can change between the metro and the bus for free within your zone. This must happen within the allowed time limit for your specific zone ticket. If you exceed the time, you must validate your card again for a new trip. This will automatically deduct another trip from your card balance if available.

Daily and Multi-Day Pass Options

The Andante 24 pass is perfect for busy sightseers who want to explore many areas. It offers unlimited travel for a full 24-hour period after your very first validation. A Z2 24-hour pass costs 5.15 EUR for travelers in the 2026 season. This is a great deal if you plan to take four or more trips.

For longer stays, you should consider the specialized Andante Tour card for your visit. The 24-hour Tour version costs 7.50 EUR and covers all zones in the city. The 72-hour Tour version costs 16.00 EUR and is ideal for a long weekend trip. These cards work across all zones including the airport and the coastal areas.

You do not need to worry about zones with these specific Tour cards. They are ideal for trips to the airport or the further outskirts of the city. You can buy them at the Porto Airport arrival hall when you first land. These cards are not rechargeable like the standard blue Andante cards.

How to Buy and Validate Tickets

Use the automatic vending machines found at any metro station across the city. These machines accept cash, debit cards, and most major international credit cards. Most machines offer clear instructions in several different languages for international travelers. Follow the on-screen prompts to select your destination zone and quantity of tickets.

You can also use the modern "Anda" mobile application on your smartphone. This app uses Bluetooth to track your travel through the city automatically. It calculates the cheapest fare for all your daily trips at the end of the day. This is the most convenient way to pay for transport in 2026.

Be careful when you use the Porto Pink Line or other new routes. Ticket inspectors frequently check for valid cards on these popular and busy lines. Fines for traveling without a valid ticket are quite high in Portugal. Always keep your card until you have fully exited the station area.