How to pay for buses in Porto
Porto STCP says the entire bus network accepts contactless bank-card payment for onboard tickets; Andante remains the integrated card/ticket system for metro, bus and rail products.
Best option for tourists
Use Andante for planned metro/bus travel and airport trips. Use contactless bank-card onboard payment on STCP buses as a convenient single-ride fallback.
| Transport | Card | Apple Pay | Google Pay | Cash | Onboard | Advance ticket | Front door | Tap off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porto busSTCP buses accept contactless bank-card payment for onboard tickets across the whole fleet, while Andante products cover wider multimodal travel. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Unknown | No |
Can you pay by card on the bus?
Yes. STCP says the entire bus network accepts contactless bank-card payment for onboard tickets.
Do you need to buy a ticket before boarding?
You can buy an onboard STCP bus ticket by contactless bank card, but Andante products should be bought/loaded before travel when you need metro, transfers or zone products.
Cash, boarding doors and tap-off rules
Cash remains an alternative to the new STCP contactless onboard ticket, but tourists should prefer Andante or contactless card payment to avoid change and fare-product mistakes.
Common questions
Can I pay with card on the bus in Porto?
Yes. STCP says the entire bus network accepts contactless bank-card payment for onboard tickets.
Do I need cash for buses in Porto?
Cash remains an alternative to the new STCP contactless onboard ticket, but tourists should prefer Andante or contactless card payment to avoid change and fare-product mistakes.
Nearby and similar guides
Lisbon
Lisbon has overlapping Carris, Metro Lisboa and Navegante products. Visitors can use Carris onboard payment for a bus ride, contactless at Metro gates, or buy/load a Navegante occasional card for better integrated fares.
Funchal
On Funchal's Horários do Funchal / SIGA buses you pay cash to the driver or tap a pre-loaded GIRO card — bank cards aren't accepted on board, and the driver can't sell or top up a GIRO card.