As the gateway to northern Portugal, Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (Aeroporto Francisco Sá Carneiro) not only carries the important function of passengers entering and leaving the Iberian Peninsula, but also becomes a model airport of “small and beautiful Europe” in the hearts of many European travelers due to its efficient services, convenient transportation and modern facilities. For tourists planning to travel to Porto and surrounding cities, knowing how to use this airport efficiently, whether it is entry, departure, transfer, or the use of airport services, is an important part of improving the travel experience.
1. Overview of Porto Airport: Efficient Operation of a Medium-sized International Hub
Porto Airport is located about 11 kilometers north of the city center, and it takes about 20 minutes by car. It is the second largest international airport in Portugal. It is named “Francisco Sá Carneiro” in memory of the politician who served as the Prime Minister of Portugal. The airport is operated by ANA, the Portuguese National Airport Authority (affiliated with Vinci Airports), with a single terminal and a compact and reasonable layout, so that even if passengers arrive for the first time, they will not feel “lost”.
The terminal building is divided into three floors:
The underground floor is mainly for transportation transfer area and some staff areas;
The ground floor is the arrival hall, public transportation transfer point, and baggage claim area;
The upper floor is the departure hall, security checkpoint, boarding area and duty-free shop.
The airport is equipped with multilingual signs (Portuguese, English and some French), the service staff generally have good English skills, and passengers can communicate basically without obstacles.
2. Detailed explanation of airport transportation transfer methods: the best choice for city round trip
Porto Airport has a superior geographical location, diverse and efficient transfer methods, suitable for passengers with different budgets and itineraries.
Metro: The most cost-effective choice
Porto Metro Line E (Purple Line) runs directly from the airport station to Trindade Station in the city center, with a total journey of about 25 minutes, which is the most cost-effective way to travel. The subway is about 15 minutes apart and operates from 6 am to 1 am. The airport subway station is about 50 meters outside the terminal building, less than two minutes walk. Line E can connect to many main lines along the way, and can flexibly reach popular areas such as Aliados, São Bento, and Casa da Música.
Suitable for travelers: those with limited budgets, not much luggage, and accommodation near the subway station.
Public transportation: a convenient supplement to the community
Buses provide a good supplement for areas that are not on the subway route, especially routes 601 and 602, which go directly from the airport to many communities in the city, including Cordoaria and Boavista. The journey is slightly longer, about 40 to 60 minutes, but the advantage is flexible routes and low fares.
Suitable for travelers: those who do not stay along the subway line or prefer ground transportation.
Taxis and App taxi services: the most direct door-to-door method
Airport taxis operate 24 hours a day, and the pick-up point is located at the exit of the arrival level. The journey to the city center starts at about 20 euros, depending on traffic conditions. It is worth noting that there is a surcharge of about 20% at night and on holidays.
In addition, the mainstream app taxi services in Porto (such as Uber, Bolt, Free Now, etc.) are fully covered in the airport area. The pick-up point is generally in the P1 parking lot. Some platforms provide advance reservation services, which are suitable for passengers with uncertain arrival times.
Suitable for travelers: those who carry a lot of luggage, are in a hurry, or arrive late at night.
Rent a car and drive: an ideal way to explore the Douro Valley and northern Portugal
Porto Airport is equipped with many international car rental companies (such as Europcar, Avis, Hertz, Sixt, Enterprise, etc.) and local companies. The car rental counter is located on the arrival level. Pick-up and return of the car are both carried out in the P3 parking lot. The process is standard and there are Chinese guide materials.
Suitable for travelers: planning to drive to the suburbs of Porto, the Douro Valley, Braga or Guimarães.
3. Currency exchange and ATM guide: use it reasonably to get the best exchange rate
Although the euro is the currency in Porto, due to exchange rate fluctuations and handling fee differences, it is crucial to arrange currency exchange and cash withdrawal methods reasonably after entry.
Airport currency exchange window: convenient but high exchange rate
Porto Airport has two main currency exchange counters, located on the arrival and departure floors, affiliated with international service providers such as Travelex, supporting multiple currency exchanges. However, their exchange rates are usually not as cost-effective as those from urban banks or ATMs, and the handling fees are also high.
Suitable for travelers: emergency currency exchange or short-distance tourists who have not exchanged euros in advance.
ATM machines: support UnionPay and multi-currency withdrawals
There are many ATMs in the airport arrival area, covering mainstream Portuguese banks such as Millennium BCP, Santander Totta, and Novo Banco. Some ATMs support UnionPay and Visa and MasterCard cards, with low handling fees and exchange rates based on international real-time exchange rates. It is recommended to choose “Exchange rate converted by bank” instead of “ATM recommended exchange rate” to avoid unnecessary exchange losses.
Suitable for travelers: users who need small amounts of cash or have opened overseas cash withdrawal services.
4. Duty-free shopping guide: Don’t miss the Portuguese style when leaving the country
Although Porto Airport is not big, the duty-free shopping area is well-equipped, especially the international boarding area after leaving the country. There is a pedestrian passage connecting multiple duty-free and brand stores, and the product categories are concentrated.
Main duty-free store brands and categories
Including Duty Free Americas, Relay, Parfois, Swarovski, The Portuguese Flavours, etc., mainly selling perfumes and cosmetics, Portuguese wines and liqueurs, olive oil, Portuguese handicrafts, candy, etc. Local brands such as Vista Alegre porcelain and Claus Porto soap can also be found here.
Detailed explanation of the tax refund process (Tax Free Shopping)
Holding a non-EU passport and spending at least 61.35 euros (single transaction) can apply for a tax refund. It is recommended to use platforms such as Global Blue and Planet Tax Free. Ask for a tax refund form from the merchant when checking out, and bring your passport.
On the day of departure, you need to:
Arrive at the airport in advance;
Get your tax refund form stamped before checking in (located at the corner of the terminal, with clear instructions);
After stamping, you can choose to get a tax refund in cash (collected at the counter) or get it back by credit card.
It is recommended to keep the invoice and tax refund form properly to avoid being unable to get a tax refund due to incomplete information.
5. Security check and boarding process: both efficiency and rigor
The security check process at Porto Airport is well-organized, and you generally need to arrive 2 hours in advance to check in and go through security.
Boarding process:
Check in your luggage at the airline check-in counter or self-service machine;
Go to the security check area with your boarding pass (with signs and guidance);
Show your boarding pass and passport. You generally do not need to take off your shoes during the security check, but you need to remove your coat and metal objects. Liquids are limited to less than 100ml and the total amount does not exceed 1L;
Enter the duty-free area and boarding gate area after passing.
It is recommended to arrive at least 2 hours and 30 minutes in advance for international flights; flights within the Schengen area can arrive 90 minutes in advance.
6. Major airlines and third-party booking platforms used by Porto Airport
Common airlines at Porto Airport include:
TAP Air Portugal
Ryanair
easyJet
Lufthansa
Air France
Swiss
SAS
Vueling
Booking platform recommendations:
Skyscanner: suitable for comparing prices across the Internet;
Kiwi.com: suitable for combining transfers with different airlines;
Omio: integrated solutions for European trains, planes, and long-distance buses;
Trip.com, Booking.com: Chinese-friendly interface, support for flight + hotel combinations
8. Strategies for night arrival or stay
If arriving at the airport late at night, passengers can choose:
Wait for sunrise on the departure floor, the terminal is open 24 hours a day;
Use the small quiet area in the airport for temporary rest;
Book a hotel near the airport in advance, such as Park Hotel Porto Aeroporto or Stay Hotel Aeroporto Porto;
Use Bolt or Uber to call a taxi directly to the city.
Although Porto Airport is not as grand as large hubs, it gives travelers the most simple and considerate first impression with its “small but exquisite” efficiency and convenience. From transportation connections to shopping tax refunds, from terminal services to language support, it impresses people with details. For every traveler who goes to explore northern Portugal, a reasonable plan for the use of Porto Airport is not only a guarantee of itinerary efficiency, but also the beginning of a high-quality trip.
