METRÔ /meh-TROH/
Spelling:
METRÔ (BR with accent)
METRO (PT no accent)
Metro / Subway
Where
Station entrances, maps, signs
Metro / Subway
LINHA /LEE-nyah/
Line
Where
Metro maps, platform signs
Example
"Linha Azul" = Blue Line, "Linha 1" = Line 1
ESTAÇÃO /es-tah-SOWN/
Station
Where
All transit systems
Related
BALDEAÇÃO / CONEXÃO /bal-dee-ah-SOWN/
Transfer / Connection
Where
Stations where multiple lines connect
EMBARQUE /em-BAR-kee/
Boarding
Where
Platform signs, doors
Related
DESEMBARQUE /dez-em-BAR-kee/
Exit / Alighting
Where
Platform signs, doors
Buses
ÔNIBUS /OH-nee-boos/
Also:
ÔNIBUS (BR)
AUTOCARRO (PT)
Bus
Where
Bus stops, route signs
⚠️ Completely Different Words!
This is one of the most obvious BR/PT differences. "Ônibus" won't be understood in Portugal, and "autocarro" will confuse Brazilians.
PONTO DE ÔNIBUS
Also:
PONTO (BR)
PARAGEM (PT)
Bus Stop
Where
Street signs, shelter markings
SENTIDO /sen-TEE-doo/
Direction
Where
Bus stop signs, metro platforms
Example
"Sentido Centro" = Direction: Downtown
LOTADO /lo-TAH-doo/
Full / Crowded
Where
Electronic signs on buses
Trains
TREM /tren/
Also:
TREM (BR)
COMBOIO (PT)
Train
Where
Train stations, platforms
⚠️ Another Big Difference!
In Portugal, you'll see COMBOIO everywhere. TREM is uniquely Brazilian.
PARTIDA /par-TEE-dah/
Departure
Where
Station departure boards
Related
CHEGADA /sheh-GAH-dah/
Arrival
Where
Station arrival boards, airports
ATRASO /ah-TRAH-zoo/
Delay
Where
Station boards, announcements
Example
"Atraso de 15 minutos" = 15-minute delay
VAGÃO / CARRUAGEM /vah-GOWN/
Train Car / Carriage
Note
Brazil uses VAGÃO, Portugal uses CARRUAGEM
Tickets & Fares
BILHETE / PASSAGEM
Ticket
Where
Ticket windows, machines
Note
Brazil often uses PASSAGEM for transport tickets. Portugal uses BILHETE.
BILHETERIA / BILHETEIRA /bee-yeh-teh-REE-ah/
Ticket Office
Where
Stations, entrances
TARIFA /tah-REE-fah/
Fare
Where
Ticket machines, fare information
IDA / IDA E VOLTA /EE-dah ee VOL-tah/
One-way / Round-trip
Where
Ticket machines, counters
CARREGAR /kah-heh-GAR/
Top up / Recharge
Where
Fare card machines
Example
"Carregar cartão" = Recharge card
VALIDAR /vah-lee-DAR/
Validate
Where
Turnstiles, validators on trains
⚠️ Don't Forget!
In Portugal, you must validate your ticket before boarding regional trains. Inspectors fine unvalidated tickets!
Platforms & Stations
PLATAFORMA /plah-tah-FOR-mah/
Also:
PLATAFORMA (BR)
CAIS / LINHA (PT)
Platform
Where
Train and metro stations
ACESSO /ah-SEH-soo/
Access / Entrance
Where
Station entrances, platform access points
ESCADA ROLANTE /es-KAH-dah ho-LAN-tee/
Escalator
Where
Metro stations, malls
ELEVADOR /eh-leh-vah-DOR/
Elevator / Lift
Where
Stations, buildings
PRÓXIMO /PROH-see-moo/
Next
Where
Electronic displays, announcements
Example
"Próxima estação" = Next station
CUIDADO COM O VÃO /kwee-DAH-doo kon oo VOWN/
Mind the Gap
Where
Metro platform edges
📥 Take It With You
Download a printable transit cheat sheet