Guimarães is known as the birthplace of Portugal and its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s under an hour from Porto, making it perfect for a day trip or as the first stop on a tour of the Minho region. Here’s how to get there from central Porto or Porto Airport.
By train
CP urban trains link São Bento and Campanhã with Guimarães in about 1h10 to 1h20. Tickets are around €3.60 per adult each way (indicative). Guimarães station is a 10–15 minute walk from the old town.
It’s a good option for a day trip from central Porto. From the airport, you’ll first need to take the metro into the city.
By bus
Buses run between Porto and Guimarães throughout the day, and an express bus leaves from the airport a few times daily, taking about 50 minutes. Always check timetables, especially at weekends.
By car
Via the motorway (A3 and A7, or A41), it takes about 45 to 55 minutes from Porto. Traffic is restricted in the old town and parking is in paid car parks.
Private transfer
With a transfer you leave when you like, from your Porto hotel or straight from the airport, and arrive at the door of your accommodation in Guimarães. It’s also the easiest way to do Guimarães and Braga in one day without worrying about timetables.
- Airport pickup with flight tracking.
- Fixed price per vehicle for the whole group.
- Room for luggage and child seats on request.
Porto or the airport → Guimarães
See the fixed transfer price and travel with no timetables or changes.
Compared
| Option | Time | Approx. price | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | 1h10–1h20 | ~€3.60 per person | Fixed timetable |
| Bus | ~50 min–1h15 | Per-person ticket | Fixed timetable |
| Rental car | 45–55 min | Rental + tolls + parking | Total |
| Private transfer | 40–55 min | Fixed per vehicle | Total, door to door |
Porto Airport to Guimarães
Guimarães is about 50 km from Porto Airport, or 40–45 minutes by car. The alternatives are the express bus, with a few departures a day, or the metro into Porto and a train from São Bento, which can take over two hours with changes. Arriving with luggage or in the evening, a direct transfer to your hotel is usually the simplest option.
A day in Guimarães
- Morning: Guimarães Castle and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, side by side.
- Midday: walk down Rua de Santa Maria to Largo da Oliveira and have lunch in the old town.
- Afternoon: cable car up to Penha for views over the city and valley.
- Late afternoon: back to Porto, or on to Braga.
What to see in Guimarães
- Guimarães Castle and the Church of São Miguel do Castelo.
- The Palace of the Dukes of Braganza.
- Largo da Oliveira and Praça de São Tiago in the old town.
- The cable car and Penha Sanctuary, with views over the city.
Continuing around the north? See how to get from Porto Airport to Braga or from Porto to the Douro Valley.
