Vila Nova de Gaia is directly connected to Porto and is easily reached from the city. The Porto Metro Line D (Yellow line) runs across the Ponte Dom Luís I and into Gaia, with stations at Jardim do Morro (for the upper waterfront area and Serra do Pilar) and General Torres (for the lower waterfront and town centre). Journey time from central Porto is about five minutes.
On foot, the Ponte Dom Luís I is the main crossing: the lower deck is at street level on both sides, the upper deck requires a short climb but rewards you with the best view of the river. Walking from Porto's Ribeira to the Gaia waterfront takes about twenty minutes.
By car, Gaia is directly connected to Porto by the Dom Luís I bridge (lower deck) and several other crossings upstream and downstream. Paid parking is available along the waterfront and in municipal car parks near the centre.