When is the Cheapest Time to Fly to Porto?
Visiting the city in the low season months of October to April increases the likelihood of finding cheap flights to Porto; the weather gets better from February. The city is very busy during the summer months of May to October, particularly in late June when it hosts the São João Festival, and consequently, prices for Porto flights rise at this time.
When is the Best Time to Book your Flight to Porto?
If you plan to visit the city in the summer or for the São João Festival., then book at least four months in advance to get the best deals on your return flights. In the spring and autumn, you might be able to find great deals on last-minute flights to Porto with one of the many budget airlines that serve the city.
Flying to Porto Airport (OPO)
OPO, also known as Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, is about ten kilometres from the centre of Porto. It is the second-busiest airport in Portugal and serves as the main hub for budget airlines EasyJet and Ryanair.
A number of airlines provide direct flights to Porto from the United Kingdom (UK). British Airways has Porto flights from London Gatwick. EasyJet also offers flights to Porto from London Gatwick as well as London Luton and Manchester Airport. Ryanair has Porto fights from Birmingham, Edinburgh and London Stansted. Portugal’s TAP Air Portugal offers return flights from London Gatwick Airport and from March 2018, London City as well. You can take an indirect flight to Porto from other UK airports, but this may require changing airlines.
On Arrival and Getting Around the Airport
There is one terminal at OPO. The arrivals hall, customs and baggage claim are all located on the ground floor with easy access to ground transportation. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the airport. The airport also has a free app, which has real-time flight information and information for getting from the airport to the city. Business and VIP lounges are available to customers and there are plenty of shops to purchase food and drink or do some duty-free shopping. There is also a bank and ATM in the arrivals hall.
Getting to the City from Porto Airport (OPO)
It is easy to get from OPO to the city centre. Taxis can be picked up at the rank outside arrivals, or you can pre-book them. Cabs run on meters, and you may have to pay extra for toll roads and large luggage. Metro Line E (purple) connects the airport to the city with trains leaving every 20–30 minutes depending on the time of day and week. There are a number of public bus services to the city – running up to every 30 minutes – and shuttle buses that connect with Porto and the wider region. Car hire companies can be found in the arrivals hall.
Why Visit Porto?
This city of medieval cobblestone and bridges has a laid-back charm that will win the hearts of those who haven’t come to indulge in the city’s namesake drink, port. Of course, there is also plenty on offer for those who fancy a tipple of the fortified wine. The city is easily walk-able, and the old city centre in the Ribiera district has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Stroll around Porto and take in its stunning architecture, from baroque churches to the Casa da Musica, the new home for the National Orchestra of Porto and a masterpiece in geometric design from Rem Koolhaas. Take a day trip out to the Douro Valley to enjoy the vineyards before heading back to town for an evening of local cheeses and cured meats accompanied by some more Port (what else?) in one of the city’s many riverbank cafes and bars.
Don't Forget Before you Fly
British passport holders don’t need a visa to travel to any country in the EU – you can stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. You just need to make sure that your passport has at least six months validity left, on the day you travel. Portugal uses the euro as its currency. ATMs and currency exchange offices are widely available and accept most international credit cards.
