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The Andante Card: Your Essential Guide to Getting Around Porto

ByAnh Evardo Updated on

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When visiting Porto, the Andante Card can be your best friend for navigating this city. In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the Andante Card, from types and prices to tips on using it effectively. 

During our first visit to Porto in May 2022, we used the Andante card extensively and definitely liked its convenience. Whether you’re here for a short stay or a long adventure, we’ll help you decide if the Andante Card is right for you and how to make the most of it.

A hand holding three Andante transport cards with the Porto cityscape featuring buildings with orange roofs in the background.

What is the Andante Card?

The Andante Card is a rechargeable travel card that provides easy and convenient access to Porto’s public transportation network. This card covers various modes of transport, including metro, buses, and suburban trains within the Andante zones. 

The Andante Card allows unlimited travel within your selected zones during its validity period. There are different types of Andante Cards available so you can choose the one that best fits your travel plans. 

That definitely beats the hassle of having to buy individual tickets for each journey!

If you’re traveling as a family, children over the age of 4 must have a travel card. 

Types of Andante Cards

Choosing the right Andante Card can make your travels in Porto smoother and more cost-effective. Here’s a quick overview of the main types of Andante Cards, each designed to fit different travel needs and durations.

A hand holds an "Andante Tour" card with an image of a cityscape at night and the number 1 on it, set against a woven texture background.

Andante Tour 1

The Andante Tour 1 card is perfect for those who want unlimited travel within Porto’s public transport network for 24 hours. It’s ideal for one day of intensive exploration (but don’t worry – we have a one-day itinerary for that!).

  • Features:
    • Unlimited travel for 24 hours from first validation
    • Valid across all Andante network zones
    • Covers metro, buses, and suburban trains
  • Price:
    • €7.00
A card with "Andante Tour" text and the number 3 on it, featuring an image of a cityscape at dusk, is placed on a woven surface.

Andante Tour 3 

The Andante Tour 3 Card is designed for tourists, offering unlimited travel for 3 days. It’s great for seeing multiple attractions over several days.

  • Features:
    • Unlimited travel for 72 hours from the first validation
    • Valid across all Andante network zones
    • Covers metro, buses, and suburban trains
  • Price:
    • €15
A hand holds an "andante" card against a backdrop of a cityscape with buildings and a partly cloudy sky.

Andante Azul Simple

The Andante Azul Simple is ideal for occasional travel. It’s a rechargeable card that can be used for single trips within the Andante network.

  • Features:
    • Rechargeable with single trips
    • Valid for 1 year from the first validation
    • When you buy 10 simple occasional trips, you get 1 free
  • Prices:
    • Z2: €1.40
    • Z4: €2.25
    • Z6: €3.20
    • Z9: €4.55
  • Cost:
    • The rechargeable card itself costs €0.60
  • How to Recharge:
    • Recharge at Andante machines, designated shops, or through the Andante app.
A bus numbered 601 with a sign indicating it is heading to the airport is stopped at a bus stop on a city street.

Andante Azul 24

The Andante Azul 24 provides unlimited travel for 24 hours from the first validation. It’s suitable for intensive short-term travel across one zone. So this only makes sense if you know that you are traveling within one zone.

For example, if you’re on a mission to visit the best places to see azulejos in Porto, you’ll only need to travel within Zone 2.

  • Features:
    • Unlimited travel for 24 hours from first validation
  • Prices:
    • Z2: €5.15
    • Z4: €8.30
    • Z6: €11.80
    • Z9: €16.70

For more details, visit the official Andante website.

Close-up of a hand holding public transportation cards in front of a blue city bus with a building in the background.

Which Andante Card is Best for You?

Choosing the right Andante Card depends on the length of your stay and your travel needs. Here’s a guide to help you decide:

Short Stays

For short visits or day trips, the Andante Tour 1 card is ideal. It offers unlimited travel within Porto’s public transport network for 24 hours. This is perfect for a day of intensive exploration.

Medium Stays

If you’re staying in Porto for two or three days, the Andante Tour 3 card is a great choice. With 72 hours of unlimited travel, this card allows you to travel from the Porto airport to city center and see multiple and unique attractions over several days! And you won’t have to worry about additional travel costs. So you can definitely travel from Porto to Matosinhos to visit the nearby beaches!

Occasional Travel

For those who are traveling less frequently or prefer a pay-as-you-go option, the Andante Azul Simple card is perfect. Rechargeable with single trips and valid for 1 year, it provides flexibility for occasional travel.

A ticket vending machine for the Porto metro with a touch screen, card reader, and cash slot. Instructions and information are displayed on the yellow panel above it, including tips for use and accepted payment methods.

Where to Buy the Andante Card

At the Airport

You can purchase an Andante Card as soon as you arrive at Porto Airport. Look for the Andante machines located in the arrivals area or visit the tourism office for assistance.

Andante Shops

You can also buy the Andante cards in “Lojas Andante” or Andante shops. You will find these shops in many metro statins, railway stations, tourist offices, and some hotels.

A yellow and black electronic device is mounted on a metal pole with part of it covered by a protective hood. It appears to be a card reader or scanner.

How to Use the Andante Card

Validation

To use the Andante Card, you must validate it at the start of your journey and whenever you change lines or modes of transport. You can validate your ticket up to 10 minutes before your journey begins.

  • On Trains and Subways: Use the validators in the stations.
  • On Buses: Use the validators at the entrance of the vehicle.

For the Andante Tour and Azul 24 cards, validation on first use activates the unlimited travel period. 

How to Validate

Approach the card (or your phone if using the app) to the validator, keeping it less than 10 cm away from the black circle on the device. Listen for a beep or look for a green light to confirm successful validation.

Proper validation ensures your Andante Card is ready for travel and helps avoid fines.

A person holds a blue Andante card with colorful geometric patterns and lines, displayed over a woven basket surface.

How to Check the Balance of Your Andante Card

If you’re using the Azul Simple card, you’ll need to know how much you have left on it. To check the balance of your rechargeable Andante Card:

  1. At Metro Stations: Use the Andante machines. Insert your card, and the machine will display your remaining balance.
  2. At Designated Shops: Visit any authorized Andante sales point or shop, where staff can check your balance for you.

These methods ensure you always know how much credit you have left on your Andante Card.

A modern yellow metro train travels down a street lined with traditional buildings under a clear blue sky.

Tips for Using the Andante Card Effectively

Planning Your Routes

  • Use Apps and Maps: Use apps like Google Maps or Moovit to plan your routes efficiently. They show real-time schedules and the best connections. You can even plan your trip using the Andante website.
  • Check Zone Boundaries: Ensure you know the zones you’ll be traveling through to select the correct Andante Card and avoid additional charges. The Andante website has a great interactive map to help show you the zones.
  • Off-Peak Travel: Travel during off-peak hours to avoid crowded trains and buses, making your journey more comfortable.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

  • Validate Every Time: Always validate your card before starting your trip. Forgetting to do so can result in fines.
  • Monitor Expiry Times: For Andante 24 and Andante Tour Cards, keep track of your card’s validity period to maximize your unlimited travel time.
  • Recharge in Advance: If using the Andante Azul card, make sure it has enough credit for your planned trips to avoid disruptions.
A child wearing a light pink helmet and a dress flags a bus down from the sidewalk beside a multi-lane road.

Make the Most of Your Porto Adventure with the Andante Card

Exploring Porto is a breeze with the Andante Card, whether you’re here for a day, a week, or longer. By choosing the right card for your stay, you can enjoy unlimited travel and hassle-free access to the city’s public transportation.Ready to explore Porto even further? Check out our detailed guide on How to Get Around Porto for more tips and insights to enhance your travel experience. Happy travels!

Anh Evardo is the founder of Pass to Portugal, a blog dedicated to sharing her passion for exploring this beautiful country. After relocating from the DC metro area to Portugal with her family, she has immersed herself in the local culture and all things Portuguese. Her mission is to provide tourists with practical travel tips and insights for an enjoyable and sustainable trip to Portugal. Through personal stories and valuable advice, Anh helps others create unforgettable Portuguese adventures.

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