Lisbon is one of those cities that invites you to wander its streets at a leisurely pace, but after a while, you realize there's more to it than meets the eye. Between the famous hills, the cobblestone streets, and the distances to neighborhoods like Belém or Parque das Nações, Learning to use Lisbon's public transport properly can save you time, money, and more than one bad leg workout..
The good news is that The Portuguese capital has a fairly comprehensive network of metro, buses, trams, elevators and commuter trainsIn addition to these options, there are modern alternatives like Uber, Bolt, and tourist tuk-tuks. If you combine all of this with a good map (paper or mobile) and choose the right travel card, getting around Lisbon becomes easy, convenient, and, above all, much cheaper.
Transport cards in Lisbon
If you plan to use the subway, trams, buses, elevators, or commuter trains frequently, The first thing you need to decide is which transport card suits you best.In Lisbon there are several main options: the Navegante card (formerly Viva Viagem) and 7 Colinas, the Zapping system, 24-hour passes and the Lisbon Tourist Card.
Navegante (Viva Viagem) and 7 Colinas cards
The Navegante cards (known for years as Viva Viagem) and 7 Colinas are, in practice, Rechargeable cards that are very similar to each other and can be used to travel on subways, buses, trams, elevators and urban trainsThe only real difference is the design: in terms of use they are equivalent.
These cards They cost €0,50They can be purchased from vending machines in the metro, at Carris sales points and at urban train stations, They are personal and are valid for one year from the first use.They are recharged with different types of titles, depending on your interests:
- Travel TicketA single ticket that allows one journey within the Carris and metro network for approximately 1 hour, at an approximate price of € 1,40 if you top up using this method (rates may vary slightly over time).
- Zapping: electronic wallet system where you load an amount (for example, €5, €10, up to a maximum of €20) and Trips are discounted at a reduced price per journey compared to a single ticket purchased on board. With Zapping you can save around €0,50 per trip compared to a single ticket, and sometimes small bonuses are added depending on the amount topped up.
- Daily Ticket (24-hour pass)This option is especially useful if you're going to make many journeys in a single day. It allows you to Unlimited travel for 24 hours from the first validation, with different combinations: only Carris+Metro, or including ferry and commuter trains, with approximate prices from €6,15 for the basic option to just over €10 for the most complete.
In practice, if you plan to use public transport several times a day, A 24-hour pass is usually very worthwhile.For example, a basic day pass for metro, bus, tram and elevators costs around € 6,80while the version that adds trains to Cascais and Sintra is around € 10,80 per day.
Lisboa Card
In addition to pure transport cards, there is the Lisboa Card, a tourist pass that combines unlimited transport with free entry and discounts at attractionsIt is especially interesting if you plan to visit several monuments that require an entrance fee.
Among its main advantages, The Lisboa Card includes unlimited use of the metro, buses, trams and some trains, in addition to:
- Free access to approximately 26 attractions, museums, and monuments, such as the Belém Tower, the Jerónimos Monastery or the Santa Justa Lift.
- Train journeys to Sintra and Cascais includedwhich can represent a good saving if you plan to take those excursions.
- Tourist guide and map, in addition to discounts on tours, shops and partner restaurants.
The indicative prices for the Lisbon Card are €20 for 24 hours, €34 for 48 hours and €42 for 72 hourswith reduced fares for children (approx. €13, €19 and €22,50). Tickets can be purchased online before your trip or directly in Lisbon, for example at the airport, the Lisbon Welcome Center or the Foz Palace.
Lisbon Metro
The subway is, by far, the fastest means of transport to get around Lisbon and to connect to the airport. The network is simple and easy to understand, so it's perfect as a base for your travels.
The system has four lines distinguished by colors: blue, yellow, green and redThree of them are fundamentally north-south, while The red line runs from east to west and directly links the airport to the city centerIn total, there are about 56 stations spread throughout the city.
For the visitor, they are usually especially useful. the red line, which connects the airport to the rest of the network, and the green line, which connects the Baixa area (historic center) with Cais do Sodréwhere you catch the train to Cascais. The blue and yellow lines mainly cover more residential areas to the north and northwest, although they can also be useful depending on your accommodation.
El Lisbon metro operating hours are approximately from 6:30 am to 1:00 amwith frequencies that typically range between 6 and 9 minutes. Reference prices: a single ticket using a round-trip card € 1,50, while the 24-hour pass for the metro and Carris network is around 6,40 € - 6,80 €, depending on the chosen combination.
If you frequently use the subway, trams, and buses, It's clearly worth using a Navegante/7 Colinas card with Zapping or a day pass. instead of buying individual tickets.
Red Carris: buses, trams and elevators
The Carris network brings together Buses, trams, and several elevators and funiculars complete the areas not covered by the subway.In many cases it will be essential, for example to reach neighborhoods like Belém or Alfama.
Urban buses
In total there are Hundreds of buses (around 758 vehicles) operating on approximately 88 routes11 of which are night buses. Regular buses usually run between 6: 00 and 21: 00 hourswhile the night lines maintain service during the night.
The single ticket bought from the driver It costs around €2 per tripHowever, if you pay with a rechargeable transport card it's cheaper. Using the Navegante/7 Colinas card with a Zapping title reduces the cost per trip and it greatly speeds up boarding the bus, as well as avoiding having to always carry loose change.
To get to the airport by bus, There are several regular Carris lines.Although many people opt for the old Aerobus (when it's running) or options like the metro or Uber, which are generally faster. The Aerobus, when it's running, usually has own fare (around €4 one way or €6 round trip) and it is not included in the regular subscriptions.
Trams: the icon of Lisbon
Lisbon's trams are not just a means of transport: They have become a true symbol of the city and a tourist attraction in themselves.Many of them are still the old yellow trams you see on all the postcards.
The network has several lines (about 5 main ones) and about 58 trams in operationTickets purchased on board are usually cost around €2,90 – €3,80 per tripWhereas if you use the Navegante/7 Colinas or Zapping card the price is similar to that of a metro trip, which is much cheaper.
The star line is the 28 line, probably the most famous tram in Lisbon. Visit such emblematic neighborhoods as Graça, Alfama, Baixa and Estrelapassing through narrow streets and impossible hills, making it a spectacular panoramic tour.
Tram 28 It does not work in a closed circuit.: makes a journey between Martim Moniz and the Estrela neighborhoodIf you complete the entire route to the end and want to return, you will have to pay for another ticket or use your transport card againThat's why it's so worthwhile to have your card topped up: each journey costs you around €1,80 instead of the almost €3,80 of a single ticket on board.
Given that it is a very popular line among tourists, It's best to try to use the 28 first thing in the morning or at the end of the day to avoid the biggest crowds, and beware of pickpockets who often take advantage of rush hour.
Another commonly used line is the 15 line, that It connects the center of Lisbon with the Belém districtIt comes from areas such as the Praça da Figueira or Praça do Comércio The journey to Belém usually takes around 40 minutes. If you want a seat, it's generally a good idea to board at the initial stops along the route.
Elevators and funiculars
Lisbon is known as the city of seven hills, and to make the climbs more bearable, It features several elevators and funiculars that are both public transport and historical monuments.Many of them are considered national monuments and they are still in operation.
Actually, Only the Santa Justa Lift is a pure vertical liftThe remaining stations (Bica, Glória, and Lavra) are funiculars on inclines that help overcome particularly steep slopes. All are part of the Carris network and are included in transport passes (including the Lisboa Card).
The Santa Justa Lift is probably Lisbon's most famous and touristic elevatorIt is an iron structure about 45 meters high that It connects the Baixa area with Largo do Carmo, in the Barrio AltoThat is, from the area around Rua do Ouro to the upper part next to the ruins of the Convento do Carmo.
Their schedule usually goes approximately From 7:00 to 22:45 in summer and from 7:30 to 21:00 in winterThe price of a single ticket is around € 6, although With the Lisboa Card, usage is included at no extra cost..
You must bear in mind that During peak season, queues can be very long.The walk can sometimes take up to an hour and a half. Many people use it both for its tourist appeal and to avoid the climb on foot, although the slope, while steep, is not impossible to manage on foot if you take your time.
The Bica funicular is one of the most used funiculars by locals and tourists, and one of the most photogenic. Connects Rua de São Paulo with the Barrio Alto, saving one of the city's iconic hills.
It works approximately From 7:00 to 21:00, Monday to Saturday, and on Sundays it usually starts around 9:00. The price for two trips is usually around €4,10, if a specific ticket is purchased, although it is included in daily passes and the card system.
The Glória funicular allows climb comfortably from Praça dos Restauradores to the São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint area, in the Barrio Alto, one of the most beautiful viewpoints overlooking the city center and St. George's Castle.
Their usual schedule is from 7:15 p.m. to 23:55 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and from 8:45 on Saturdays and Sundays. A round-trip ticket usually costs around €4,10although it is also included in the daily headlines.
Finally, the Lavra funicular has the honor of being the oldest elevator in LisbonIts route It runs from Rua Câmara Pestana to Largo da Anunciada, very close to the central Avenida da Liberdade, making for another quite demanding climb if done on foot.
Commuter trains (urban trains)
To get out of the city center and visit towns like Sintra, Cascais or Estoril, Urban trains connecting Lisbon with its metropolitan area will come into play.They are fast, frequent, and relatively inexpensive.
The main stations for the traveler are Oriente, Rossio and Cais do SodréThe commuter rail network is divided into several lines: Sintra, Azambuja, Cascais and Sado, with a total of about 67 stations.
In practice, the routes that will interest you most as a tourist are:
- Lisbon – Cascais / Estoril: departs from the station of Cais do Sodré and runs along the entire coastline to Cascais. The journey usually takes about 40 minutes and the price is around €4 per person per journey.
- Lisbon – Sintra: part of the station of Rossio (very close to the Baixa) and also takes some 40-minute journey, at a similar cost, around €4 per trip.
In both cases, It is possible to pay for the ticket using your Navegante/7 Colinas card with the appropriate method.or with the Lisboa Card, which includes trips to Sintra and Cascais within its flat rate.
As you can see, the city of Lisbon has its own transport network for locals and tourists.