After a six-year break, Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia are once again linked by a passenger ferry, offering hourly crossings and stunning views of the Douro River. The four-month pilot project aims to gauge demand for a permanent river connection.

A new passenger boat service has officially resumed, reconnecting the cities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia across the Douro River after a six-year pause. Starting this Friday, the ferry will operate hourly between Cais do Ouro (Porto) and Afurada (Gaia), offering a practical and scenic transport alternative for locals and tourists.

Spearheaded by the Porto Metropolitan Transport Company (Transportes Metropolitanos do Porto, TMP), the service is being launched as a four-month pilot project aimed at assessing its long-term viability. The initiative results from a partnership with the Ports Administration of Douro, Leixões and Viana do Castelo (APDL), as well as the Porto harbour authority.

The vessel has a maximum capacity of 20 passengers and will run daily, with each journey lasting approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Aboard the boat, passengers can pay using the Andante transit pass system, with the standard fare set at €1.40. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased on board for €2.25 per trip. Both metropolitan and municipal passes are also accepted.

Operating Hours and Frequency

From Monday to Thursday, the ferry will depart from Afurada between 7:30 AM and 7:30 PM, and from Cais do Ouro between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM. On Fridays, the schedule is extended until 8:00 PM from Afurada and 10:00 PM from Porto, with 15 crossings in each direction throughout the day.

Weekend menus vary slightly:

Saturdays: Departures from Afurada run from 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM, and from Cais do Ouro between 10:00 AM and 10:00 PM.

Sundays and Holidays: Services from Afurada operate from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM and from Porto between 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM.

This revived river link is seen not just as a transportation solution, but also as an opportunity to bolster tourism and strengthen the cultural and economic ties between Porto and Gaia.