Welcome to our Lisbon Transportation Guide where you will find all the information you need about the transportation options in Lisbon: Trams (including the iconic Tram 28), Metro, Funiculars, and more! Also, find out which transportation card suits you best.
We wrote this Lisbon Transportation Guide to help you plan your visit to Lisbon. It is important to know how to get around the city, especially according to the area you stay in Lisbon. If you haven’t chosen one yet, check out our Lisbon Neighborhoods Guide to find out the best areas to stay in Lisbon. Also, use our 3 days in Lisbon Itinerary to ease your Lisbon travel planning.
Lisbon, the colorful capital of Portugal, brings a handful of visitors each year, eager to see this beautiful unique city. If you are here on our Lisbon Transportation Guide, you are probably planning to visit Lisbon and already know why it is worth visiting. So we will jump straight to the matter – transportation! Lisbon offers various transportation options to help the many visitors explore the city conveniently and we will try to help you get to know each way. After we elaborate on each means of transport, we will finish this Lisbon Transportation Guide with a summary of transportation cards that you can use on your Lisbon trip.
But first, we will begin our guide with a brief information about how to get to Lisbon.
Note that all photography on this guide (and throughout our website) was shot by me (Alina) and if you wish to purchase any, it is available at my Etsy shop.
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How to get to Lisbon?
BY FLIGHT – This European capital of Portugal is widely connected with direct flights to the rest of Europe and other continents. Therefore, a flight to Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) is the best and fastest way to get to Lisbon. The airport is just 5 km away from Lisbon’s city center, and Metro is a fast and convenient way to get there.
BY TRAIN – Another way to get to Lisbon is by train, even from big cities such as London, Paris and Madrid. However, it will take a long time, most of them are overnight trains.
BY CAR – Of course, you can always take a car if you are coming from Spain or France, but that will be an even longer journey.
Lisbon Transportation Guide: How to get around Lisbon?
Historic Trams
The traditional yellow ‘Remodelados’ trams are an attraction in itself, operating in Lisbon since the 19th century. Since then, they have been renovated with new electric engines, but the wooden interior remains original and marks a historic remnant in Lisbon. Besides being a symbol of Lisbon and a must-try experience, they are a useful way of transportation as they get you inside the higher hilly neighborhoods where the metro does not go. A single ticket for a tram ride costs around €3.00, however, they are free with the transportation tickets we elaborate on later in this guide.
However, there are some downsides. First, due to their popularity, they could be crowded, especially during rush hours. Second, there could be long waiting lines, especially at the beginning of the routes, such as the Martim Moniz station on Tram 28. And lastly, beware of pickpockets on the trams.
As routes and hours may change, you will find updated information about hours of operation and the routes here.
The Iconic Tram 28
Tram 28 in Lisbon is an iconic scenic route that goes through some of the main attractions in Lisbon’s historic center. The route begins at Martim Moniz and goes to Campo Ourique, through all the central neighborhoods: Graca, Alfama, Baixa, Chiado, Cais do Sodre, and Bairro Alto. Tram 28 route is the most frequent of all the trams, on weekdays it begins as early as 5:40 and finishes at 23:30 (check out the exact times and stations here. It is the busiest route so be prepared to wait in lines to board the tram.
A few tips to skip the lines on Tram 28:
· Go early in the morning or late in the evening.
· Try to catch Tram 28 along the line and not at Martim Moniz.
· If you want to ride Tram 28 the whole route for the experience, start at Campo Ourique and ride it on the way back to Martim Moniz. Although, it is a bit far from the center of Lisbon.
· Tram 12 is a great alternative to Tram 28, as they share most of the scenic route.
· And finally, you can walk along its route and admire its charm from the outside.
Tram 12
The Tram 12 route goes along the historic center of Lisbon and shares part of it with Tram 28, so it is a good option to consider if Tram 28 is too busy. Just like Tram 28, Martim Moniz is the starting point of the Tram 12 route, but it is a shorter journey that finishes at Bairro Alto after traveling through Alfama, Baixa, Cais do Sodre, and Chiado. It is less frequent than Tram 28 and operates between 8:00-20:45.
Tram 24
Tram 24 begins at Praca Luis Camoes in Bairro Alto and travels north along that vibrant neighborhood, then through Principe Real, and ends at Campolida. It is a quieter route, a nice alternative to the busy Tram 28. It can be useful for visiting Parque Eduardo VII, although there is a closer metro station, Parque. The route operates between the hours: 7:00-20:05.
Tram 25
Tram 25 begins at Corpo Santo at Cais do Sodre and travels west to Campo Ourique. This is one of the least popular routes among tourists. It operates between the hours: 6:30-20:35, except Saturdays and Sundays.
Tram 18
Tram 18 begins at Cais do Sodre and travels west to Alto de Ajuda, close to Belem neighborhood, however, the next tram, E15 is the recommended route to get to Belem. Also, it is one of the less popular routes in Lisbon. It operates between the hours: 6:20-20:15, except Sundays.
Modern Trams – E15
Route E15 is used by modern long trams, probably due to the popularity of the Belem neighborhood. On the contrary to the historic trams, riding the modern E15 tram has nothing special to it, it is merely a way to get to Belem and visit many of its attractions, such as the Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, and more. For more information on Belem’s attractions, visit our 3 day Lisbon Itinerary.
Metro
This is the most efficient way to get around Lisbon, with high frequency and a good layout around the city. However, some neighborhoods in Lisbon do not have metro stations, which means you will need to consider an alternative such as the trams. Operating between the hours: 6:30-01:00. It is a fast and safe way of transportation in Lisbon, however, be mindful of pickpockets. A single ticket for a journey within one zone costs around €1.50, and it is free with the transportation card at the end of our Lisbon Transportation Guide.
There are 4 Metro lines:
- Blue Line (Linha Azul): Connects Santa Apolónia in the northeast to Amadora Este in the northwest, passing through major stations like Baixa-Chiado and Terreiro do Paco.
- Yellow Line (Linha Amarela): Runs from Rato in the south to Odivelas in the north, intersecting with other lines at stations such as Marques de Pombal and Campo Grande.
- Green Line (Linha Verde): Extends from Cais do Sodre in the southwest to Telheiras in the northwest, serving popular areas like Baixa-Chiado and Rossio.
- Red Line (Linha Vermelha): Connects Sao Sebastiao in the north to Aeroporto (Airport) in the east.
The Blue and the Green Lines have stops in central Lisbon, and the Red Line connects the Airport with them. The Metro station is located just outside the Arrivals Hall. The last station of the Red Line, Sao Sebastiao, is located north of the city center, hence, visitors staying in the center of Lisbon will have to change stations to a Blue or a Green Line.
Funiculars
There are 3 operation Funiculars in Lisbon, all began operating in the 19th century. The traditional funiculars provide a convenient way to access the hilly neighborhoods. Besides saving you from some tough elevations to climb, it is a great experience when visiting Lisbon and a must-do in our opinion. If you have the time to visit just one, go for the most scenic one – the Bica Funicular. A ticket ticket costs €3.80, and it is free with transportation cards like the Lisboa Card or Navegante Card we explain at the end of this Lisbon Transportation Guide.
Bica Funicular (Elevador da Bica, Ascensor Bica)
The famous Bica Funicular is the most scenic Elevador in Lisbon, with an amazing view of the Tagus River. It connects the Cais do Sodre neighborhood from Rua de Sao Paulo to the Bairro Alto neighborhood on Largo do Calhariz. The Bica Funicular operates between 7:00-21:00 on weekdays and with a later start at 9:00 on weekends. (for updated hours, check here).
Gloria Funicular (Elevador da Glória)
The Gloria Funicular operates between 7:15-23:55 on weekdays and with a later start at 9:15 on weekends. It connects Avenida da Liberdade at Restauradores Square to the Bairro Alto neighborhood right at the beautiful amazing viewpoint, Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara, featured in our guide to the Top 10 Lisbon Viewpoints.
Lavra Funicular (Elevador da Lavra)
The Lavra Funicular is the oldest and the steepest of the three funiculars. However, it is the least popular of the three although closely located to Gloria Funicular. It connects Avenida da Liberdade from Largo da Anunciada to the Pena neighborhood at Rua Camara Pestana. The Lavra Funicular operates between 7:00-20:30 on weekdays and 9:00-20:00 on weekends.
Santa Justa Lift (Elevador Santa Justa)
The Santa Justa Lift is a very popular and unique attraction in Lisbon offering amazing views of Lisbon. Also, just like the Trams and the Funiculars, it is a means of transportation and it is even named 54E by Carris, hence it is part of our Lisbon Transportation Guide. Santa Justa Lift is located on the corner of Rua de Santa Justa and Rua Aurea, it connects the lower streets of the Baixa neighborhood with the Chiado neighborhood at Largo do Carmo. It operates between 10:00-19:00 daily. The ticket to ride up and down the elevator is €5.30, but it is free with one of the transportation cards at the end of this Transportation Guide.
The vistas from the top are a must-see! It’s not for nothing that the photo below is the main picture of our 3 days in Lisbon Itinerary.
Pro Tip to skip the lines at the Santa Justa Lift:
- The lines at the lower station are much longer than at the upper station. You will find the entrance on the right of the Carmo Convent. See the photo below, we have marked the way with red markings.
- It is included in both of the transportation cards stated below.
Buses
Lisbon has an extensive bus network that reaches areas not covered by the metro or trams. They are an efficient and less crowded way of transport, with routes serving both central districts and suburban areas. Buses operate from early morning until late evening, with some routes offering night service. Bus fares are similar to metro fares, with prices based on the number of zones traveled. A single bus ticket typically costs around €1.50, and just like the other transportation options in Lisbon, they are free to use when purchasing one of the transportation cards stated below.
Uber or Taxi
We used Uber several times in Lisbon and found it to be the most convenient way of transport and it wasn’t that expensive. However, having a Lisboa Card (see next) will make this an unnecessary expense. We used it mostly at late hours or when we wanted to save time.
And after we’ve covered all the transportation options, there is always the option to just walk 😊
Now let’s move to the last part of our Lisbon Transportation Guide, where we will cover the recommended Transportation Cards for tourists.
Transportation Cards in Lisbon
Lisboa Card
Just buy it! It is totally worth it! First, you will get free use of all the public transportation we’ve covered in this Lisbon Transportation Guide: metro, buses, trams, funiculars, Santa Justa Lift, and even trains (yes, to Sintra as well! Don’t miss our Lisbon to Sintra Day Trip). In addition, the Lisboa Card gets you free entrance to many of the city’s main attractions, such as Belem Tower, Castelo de Sao Jorge, Rua Augusta Arch, Jeronimos Monastery, and much more. You will also receive discounts on many others. Moreover, besides having a free entrance to Belem Tower, you are entitled for a fast track which we used and found it super helpful and it saved us valuable time. The prices of just a few of these attractions will cover the entire cost of the card, making it a great value.
You can buy a 24, 48, or 72-hour Lisboa Card. We purchased it online and then picked it up at the AskMe Lisboa office at the airport (more locations stated on their website). Note that the hours are calculated from the time you validate it at your first use and not by days. When taking public transport in Lisbon, just tap the contactless validation machine, and when visiting an attraction, show the card at the entrance to receive a free entrance or a discount.
Navegante Card (formerly Viva Viagem Card)
An alternative to the Lisboa Card, the Navegante Card is suited for travelers interested only in transportation in Lisbon and not planning to visit many attractions on their visit (if you are, definitely choose the Lisboa Card!). The Navegante Card, previously called the Viva Viagem Card, is valid for 1 year and costs 0.5€. You can load it with a single-trip ticket on a specific kind of transportation (valid for one hour after validation) or with a 24-hour ticket that gives you free access to all the public transportation in Lisbon for 24 hours.
You can buy a Navegante Card at the vending machines and ticket offices in the metro, train, and ferry stations. Also, there are several local shops in Lisbon where you can buy it as well, such as Payshop, CTT, and MOB stores. For tourists, opt for the Navegante Occasional Card, as there is an option for local frequent users.
With a 24-hour ticket, each time you take any kind of transport, just tap the contactless validator and you are all set. It is an easy and cheap way to travel in Lisbon without paying separately for each ride. Since the prices you pay directly at the transport are generally higher without a Navagante Card. It is valid on the metro, trains, trams (Tram 28 included), funiculars, Santa Justa Lift, buses, trains, and even on the ferry.
Well, this is it. We hope you made our Lisbon Transportation Guide useful and helps you plan your Lisbon trip.
