Porto has become the first city in Portugal to introduce free public transport for its registered residents, as local authorities seek to reduce car use and encourage more sustainable urban mobility.
The initiative eliminates the need for eligible residents to purchase tickets for public transport, making buses, metro services, trams, and commuter trains free to use across the city’s integrated Andante network.
Free Travel for Porto Residents
The new policy applies exclusively to people officially registered as residents of Porto.
Free travel is available on all public transport operated within the Andante network, including the metro, city buses, commuter rail services, and historic trams. The city also plans to extend the program to ferry services connecting Porto with the neighboring municipality of Vila Nova de Gaia.
Encouraging a Shift Away from Cars
City officials hope the measure will persuade more people to leave their cars at home and choose public transport for their daily journeys.
According to municipal data, private vehicles currently account for 56.8% of daily trips in Porto, while public transport represents just 23.5%.
The free transport program forms part of a broader strategy to improve air quality, reduce traffic congestion, and promote more sustainable travel throughout the city.
Tourists Will Continue Paying Fares
The initiative does not apply to visitors, who will continue purchasing regular public transport tickets.
To help finance the program, Porto’s municipal government is considering increasing the city’s tourist tax from €3 to €4 per person, per night. The levy currently applies to visitors aged 13 and older for stays of up to seven nights.
Investment in Public Transport Infrastructure
Alongside the introduction of free travel, Porto is continuing to invest in its transport network.
By the end of the year, the city plans to expand its network of dedicated bus lanes from 16 kilometers to 22 kilometers, helping improve journey times and the reliability of public transport services.
The combination of free public transport and infrastructure improvements reflects Porto’s long-term ambition to create a more sustainable and efficient urban mobility system while reducing dependence on private vehicles.
