eSIM for Porto
A Portugal eSIM is the one to pick for Porto, and it keeps working on day trips to the Douro Valley, Braga or Aveiro. Visits typically last three days, so a plan of a week gives plenty of margin. Install it at home on Wi-Fi, then switch it on when you reach Francisco Sa Carneiro airport.
Plans for Portugal cover the whole country, including Porto.
For a 3-day visit
How much data for 3 days in Porto
- Light (maps and messages): about 1 GB
- Normal (plus social media and browsing): about 2 GB
- Heavy (video and video calls): about 4.5 GB
An estimate from typical use, not a measurement.
Arriving in Porto
Francisco Sa Carneiro airport is about eleven kilometres north-west of the centre. Metro do Porto line E (the violet line) runs from the airport to Trindade in the middle of town, where you can change to other lines. Several bus routes also serve the airport. The main train stations are Campanha, for long-distance and regional services, and Sao Bento, a terminus known for its tiled hall that handles suburban and some regional trains.
A phone with data is useful from the first minute, since the city is built on steep slopes and a map tells you which exit to use. Put the eSIM on your phone before the trip by scanning its QR code over a home internet connection. After you land, select it as the line for cellular data, allow data roaming for it and keep the data of your home SIM switched off.
Getting around
Porto's Metro do Porto runs six lines and mixes underground and street-level sections. The Andante card is the rechargeable ticket for the Metro, STCP city buses and the suburban trains, and it is sold at station machines. The Anda app is the official app for paying Andante fares by phone, and Metro do Porto and STCP publish routes and times on their sites. Historic trams and a funicular cover a few short routes, mainly for sightseeing.
Bolt and Uber are the ride apps most commonly used here, and taxis can be hailed or called as well. Much of the old centre is walkable, though uphill in places, and a map with transit directions saves time. Booking a port-cellar tour in Vila Nova de Gaia or an entry slot at Livraria Lello is normally done on a phone, and confirmations often come by email.
Where you'll use data
The riverfront of the Ribeira is the postcard view, and the Dom Luis I bridge links it with the port cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia across the Douro. In the centre, Clerigos Tower, Sao Bento station, the Bolhao market and Rua de Santa Catarina draw most people. Further out, Foz do Douro and Matosinhos are known for their beaches and seafood. An offline map is a useful backup in the maze of lanes near the river.
Popular day trips remain in Portugal, so the plan applies: the Douro Valley by train or boat, Braga, Guimaraes, Aveiro and Viana do Castelo. Santiago de Compostela and Vigo lie just across the border in Spain, a different country, and the Portugal plan does not cover them there. A Europe plan can cover several countries, yet its country list should be checked on our Europe page, since regional plans can leave countries out.
For a longer stay
Common questions
- Will the eSIM work as soon as I land in Porto?
- Yes, if it was installed before the flight. Turn on the eSIM line and enable data roaming for it. Toggling airplane mode off and on once fixes most delays.
- How much data do I need for three days in Porto?
- About 2 GB for normal use covers maps, messaging, transit apps and photos. Streaming or lots of video calls can take it to around 4.5 GB. The plan list on this page gives an estimate for each plan.
- Can I pay for the Metro with my phone?
- Most visitors use the Andante card, bought at station machines. The official Anda app can also pay Andante fares by phone, so check the Metro do Porto site for details. The ticket machine and the gate do not use your data plan.
- Does the plan include a Portuguese phone number?
- No, it is data only. Use WhatsApp or similar apps for calls and messages. Keep your home SIM on, with its data off, if you need text-message codes.
- Is a day trip to the Douro Valley or Braga covered?
- Yes, both are in Portugal. A trip into Spain, such as to Vigo or Santiago de Compostela, is a different country and is not covered by a Portugal plan.