You can explore most of Lisbon on foot, but the hills, the more distant Belém and the journey to the airport will sooner or later lead you to use public transport.

I mostly combined walking, the metro and trams. I didn’t use a car at all in the city.

At first glance, the ticketing system seems complicated, as the metro, Carris city transport, trains and ferries are operated by different companies. In practice, however, most tourists will find the Navegante card and one of the three fare options sufficient:

• Zapping for several separate journeys
• A 60-minute ticket for 1,90 eur when transferring between Carris services and the metro
• A 24-hour ticket for 7,25 eur for five or more journeys or for extensive sightseeing

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Transport in Lisbon at a glance

Mode of transport	When to use	Price
Metro	Airport, longer journeys, Oriente railway station	from 1,72 eur
Tram	Belém, hilly neighbourhoods and the historic centre	from 1,72 eur
Bus	Places outside the metro area, the castle and night transport	from 1,72 eur
Funiculars	Climbing steep hills	from 1,72 eur
Ferry to Cacilhas	Statue of Christ and a budget sightseeing cruise	from 1,60 eur
Train to Sintra or Cascais	Full-day trip from Lisbon	from 2,05 eur
Uber or Bolt	Airport with luggage, overnight stay and a group of several people	approx. 8 eur to 12 eur from the city centre to the airport

My recommendation: If you’re planning to make at least 5 journeys by metro, tram or bus within 24 hours, buy a 24-hour Carris/Metro ticket for 7,25 eur.

If you’re making fewer journeys, the Zapping pass is better value. For a combination of public transport and a trip to Sintra or Cascais, consider the 24-hour Carris/Metro/CP pass for 11,40 eur.

The best tickets and apps for public transport

Your plan	Best option
A single direct journey by underground	A contactless card for 1,92 eur or Zapping for 1,72 eur
Several individual journeys on the metro or Carris buses	Zapping
A single journey involving a change between a bus or tram and the metro	60-minute Carris/Metro pass for 1,90 eur
Five or more journeys within 24 hours	24-hour Carris/Metro pass for 7,25 eur
Public transport and train to Sintra or Cascais within the same 24 hours	24-hour Carris/Metro/CP pass for 11,40 eur
Public transport, trains and several paid attractions	Compare the 24-hour ticket with the Lisboa Card

Public transport ticket prices

Below are the fares that most tourists will use.

Ticket	Validity	Price
Navegante Occasional Card	Ticket holder, card valid for 1 year	0,50 eur
Carris/Metro	60 minutes, unlimited journeys, but not 2 consecutive metro entries	1,90 eur
Zapping on the Carris network	60 minutes on Carris buses, trams and cable cars	1,72 eur
Zapping on the metro	1 metro journey	1,72 eur
Metro paid for by bank card	1 metro journey	1,92 eur
24 hours on Carris/Metro	Metro, buses, trams, cable cars and the Santa Justa lift	7,25 eur
24-hour Carris/Metro/TTSL	Plus the Cais do Sodré–Cacilhas ferry	10,35 eur
24-hour Carris/Metro/CP	Plus CP commuter trains, including Sintra and Cascais	11,40 eur

You’ll pay more if you buy your ticket directly from the driver or on board:

Ticket purchased on board	Price
Bus	2,30 eur
Tram	3,30 eur
Funicular, maximum 2 journeys	4,30 eur
Santa Justa lift, maximum 2 journeys	6,20 eur

On Carris buses, you can pay in cash, by contactless bank card or via MB Way. However, the cheaper fare on the Navegante card is almost always the better option.

Check the current prices on the Metropolitano de Lisboa and Carris websites.

The Navegante card – where to buy it and how does it work?

The backbone of Lisbon’s transport system is the Navegante Occasional rechargeable card, formerly known as Viva Viagem. It costs 0,50 eur, is valid for one year and can be purchased from ticket machines and ticket offices in the metro and on CP trains.

Each passenger needs their own card. It is therefore not possible to use one card in turn for two people.

You can top up the card with a single 60-minute ticket, a Zapping pass or one of the 24-hour tickets.

However, only one type of fare can be on the card at any one time. If you have Zapping credit left on your card and wish to start using an all-day ticket, the easiest option is usually to buy a second card for 0,50 eur.

Where to buy and top up your card

• At all underground stations
• At railway stations and CP stops
• At Carris customer centres and selected sales points
• Via the Carrisway app, provided your phone supports reading a physical card (top-ups only; you cannot buy a new card this way)

For the time being, a mobile phone does not fully replace a physical card at the validator for the average visitor. The simplest option is therefore to buy a Navegante from a ticket machine on your very first journey.

How to validate your ticket

• On buses and trams, always tap your card against the reader when boarding
• On the underground, tap it when entering and exiting through the turnstiles
• Before travelling by train, validate it at the validator or when passing through the turnstile
• On ferries, tap your card when passing through the turnstile
• Tap your card when changing services, even if you’re travelling on a season ticket

A 24-hour ticket is valid for a full 24 hours from the first validation, not just until midnight.

Can you pay by contactless card in Lisbon?

Only on the metro for single-journey tickets.

It is not yet possible to pay with your own contactless card on trams, buses, ferries or trains.

Mobile apps for buying tickets

In Lisbon, it is not yet possible to buy tickets via the Carrisway or Navegante apps. These apps can only be used to check the balance on, or top up, a physical Navegante card.

Is Zapping better value than a standard fare?

Before paying for your Navegante card, you can decide whether to buy a standard 60-minute ticket, a 24-hour ticket, or top up your card with credit – in other words, use Zapping.

Zappinghasno daily limit.

Zapping is not a single 60-minute ticket valid across all transport operators. When transferring from a Carris tram or bus to the metro, a new fare will be charged:

• A tram followed by the metro with Zapping costs 1,72 eur + 1,72 eur
• The same journey on a 60-minute Carris/Metro ticket costs 1,90 eur

Zapping is therefore best suited to direct journeys using a single mode of transport. If you combine Carris and the metro during a single journey, choose the 60-minute ticket.

It is therefore good value if you make fewer than 4 journeys and more than 1 journey a day within Lisbon. You’ll also find Zapping useful if you want to travel to the towns of Sintra or Cascais.

When using Zapping, you can top up your card with a minimum amount of 3 eur and a maximum of 40 eur.

Transport for children

Children up to and including the age of 3 travel free on Carris services and do not need a card. From the age of 4, standard passengers pay the full fare.

Portuguese discounts and free travel for older children and young people are linked to the Navegante personal card and local registration details. They therefore cannot usually be used for short tourist visits.

Is the Lisboa Card worth it?

The Lisboa Card combines unlimited travel with free entry or discounts to dozens of attractions. It covers the metro, buses, trams, cable cars and CP commuter trains to Sintra and Cascais.

Validity	Adult
24 hours	31 eur
48 hours	51 eur
72 hours	62 eur

We wouldn’t buy the Lisboa Card just for transport. A single 24-hour public transport ticket costs just 7,25 eur. The card is worth it on days when, in addition to transport, you visit at least two or three of the included paid attractions.

Before buying, put together a specific itinerary based on our guide to what to see in Lisbon. For the busiest attractions in Belém, you may need to book a time slot only after collecting your physical card, and available slots may be sold out.

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Trams

Lisbon wouldn’t be Lisbon without its classic, historic yellow trams winding their way up, down, right and left through the city’s narrow streets.

There are two types of tram in Lisbon: the historic yellow trams for which Lisbon is famous (nicknamed ‘Remodelado’) and the modern classic trams (‘Articulado’).

The modern trams run on route 18. On all other routes, you’ll come across the old yellow trams.

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How and where can you take a ride on Lisbon’s yellow tram?

Apart from line 15E, the iconic yellow trams run on all routes. Some are more popular than others (and therefore less crowded).

• Route 28E– the most popular route, running through the Alfama and Bairro Alto neighbourhoods and right through the centre of Lisbon. This route is by far the busiest and most crowded.
  • Jízdní řád: carris.pt/28e
• Line 12E– a complementary route to line 28E, winding its way through the most famous streets of the Alfama district and terminating at the central square in the Bairro Alto district. This route is also very busy.
  • Jízdní řád: carris.pt/12e
• Line 25E– an interesting route from Cais do Sodré through the lower part of the Bairro Alto district and a pleasant alternative to the crowded routes 12E or 28E.
  • Jízdní řád: carris.pt/25e
• Route 24E– a lovely and relatively quiet route travelling north through Bairro Alto.
  • Jízdní řád: carris.pt/24e
• Route 18E– runs from Cais do Sodré to the Ajuda neighbourhood in the west of the city and is the least crowded with tourists.
  • Jízdní řád: carris.pt/18e

The trams stop at every stop.

Passengers board via the front door by the driver and alight via the rear door.

How much does a ticket cost and how do you use the Navegante card?

The fare on all heritage tram routes is the same as for other forms of transport.

You can therefore use 24-hour tickets, 60-minute transfer tickets or ‘Zapping’ fares without any worries.

You only need to tap your Navegante card on the readerwhen boarding. You do not need to tap it again when alighting.

You can also buy a single-journey ticket for 3,10 eur in cash from the driver.

Information on ticket prices can be found on the website: carris.pt.

Tips and tricks for travelling by tram

All the routes are lovely, as the trams on every line wind their way through narrow streets with frequent single-track sections.

The most photogenic routes are those in the Alfama district (lines 12E and 28E).

It is precisely on lines 12E and 28E that you’ll always find the biggest crowds of tourists. Ideally, board at the terminus stops (preferably Martim Moniz) to ensure you can actually get on the tram.

The trams are busiest between 9.00 and 19.00.

The main routes run from around 5.30 am to 11.30 pm.

Underground

The Lisbon Metro has four lines, the most important of which is the red line (Vermelha), which runs to the airport and Oriente station, and the green line (Verde), which you can change to from the red line at Alameda station to travel directly to the city centre.

You can buy a Navegante card at any metro station, onto which you can top up a day pass (see above).

As the metro is the most common form of transport in the city, we provide detailed information in the section on the Lisbon Metro.

Buses

Buses run to places you cannot reach by metro or tram. Lisbon has a very extensive bus network; you can get absolutely anywhere.

The buses are new and clean, and the stops are well signposted, but there is a problem with the ticket machines. These are usually only found at metro stations, whilst the bus driver will only sell single-journey tickets for 2,10 eur. Day tickets are only available from the ticket machines.

All bus stops are request stops, so don’t forget to press the ‘stop’ button before getting off and to signal to the driver that you wish to board when getting on.

Most buses run from 6.30 am until 11.30 pm or midnight.

Detailed timetables: carris.pt.

Night buses

Night services are provided by routes 201 to 210, all of which depart from the central station, Cais do Sodré, and fan out in all directions across the city.

The services run at intervals of 30–60 minutes.

How do you use the Navegante card on the bus?

You only need to tap your card on the reader when boarding. You do not need to use the card when alighting.

Funiculars

As well as the yellow trams, threefunicular railways also run up and down Lisbon’s hills.

The funiculars are very similar to the yellow trams, the only difference being that they climb steep hills and usually only serve one stop.

As well as being a tourist attraction, the funiculars are a great way to overcome the significant difference in altitude.

Where do Lisbon’s funiculars run?

There are currently three cable cars in operation.

• Ascensor Glória (also known as line 51E) – the busiest funicular climbs the hill from Restauradores Street and Rossio Station to the Bairro Alto district
  • Jízdní řád: carris.pt/gloria
• Ascensor Lavra (also known as line 52E) – the shortest and least busy funicular runs to São José Hospital near Rossio Square
  • Jízdní řád: carris.pt/lavra
• Ascensor Bica (also known as line 53E) – starts near Cais do Sodré and runs up to Bairro Alto
  • Jízdní řád: carris.pt/bica

The Santa Justa Lift

A somewhat unusual means of transport forming part of the public transport network is the Santa Justa Lift, a unique feat of engineering and architecture.

It provides a quick way to travel between the two points with a significant difference in elevation in the city centre (from Rua Áurea to Largo de Carmo).

You’ll recognise this unmistakable structure, which resembles a viewing tower (and is, in fact, one), at first glance.

Even a lift ride is covered by a standard 24-hour ticket.

If you don’t have one, you can buy a ticket for 6 eur, which is valid for two journeys. Tickets for just one journey cannot be purchased.

The lift runs at regular intervals of 14–16 minutes. You can view the timetable online at:carris.pt/santa-justa-lift.

Ferries

Whether you simply want to take a leisurely trip across the vast estuary of the River Tagus, or are heading to the statue of Christ in Almada (on the opposite bank from Lisbon), which served as the model for the better-known statue in Rio, you’ll certainly want to take the ‘Transtejo’ ferry.

Transtejo ferries operate on several routes.

The busiest routes run roughly every 10–15 minutes, whilst the less busy routes run every 30–60 minutes.

Official information and detailed timetables can be found on the website:ttsl.pt/passageiros.

How much do tickets cost?

Single fares vary depending on the route.

At the pier, you can buy single-journey tickets or opt for a cheaper fare by using the ‘zapping’ function on the Navegante card (see the ‘Tickets’ section above for full details).

Route	Single ticket	Zapping
Cais do Sodré–Cacilhas	2 eur	1,60 eur
Belém–Porto Brandão–Trafaria	1,50 eur	1,50 eur
Terreiro do Paço–Barreiro	2,95 eur	2,95 eur
Cais do Sodré–Seixal	2,85 eur	2,85 eur
Cais do Sodré–Montijo	3,25 eur	3,25 eur

A 24-hour Carris/Metro/TTSL ticket for 10,35 eur is valid only on the Cais do Sodré–Cacilhas route, not on all ferries.

Current prices and timetables can be found on the Transtejo Soflusa website.

Trains to Sintra and Cascais

CP commuter trains are mainly used for trips outside the city centre:

• Trains to Sintra depart from Rossio station; the journey takes about 40 minutes
• Trains to Cascais depart from Cais do Sodré; the journey takes about 40 minutes
• You don’t usually need to take the train to the airport or into the city centre itself

A single ticket to Sintra or Cascais costs 2,55 eur. When paying with a Zapping credit card, 2,05 eur per direction.

You must start your journey within 90 minutes of validation and without re-entering the toll zone.

If you also wish to use the Lisbon metro, buses or trams within the same 24-hour period, consider the combined 24-hour Carris/Metro/CP ticket for 11,40 eur. It is valid on CP’s urban routes to Sintra, Cascais, Azambuja and on the Sado route.

Validate your ticket or card before boarding the train. Local buses between Sintra station, Pena Palace and other attractions are not included in the Carris/Metro/CP ticket.

Taxi / Uber / Bolt

Taxis in Lisbon are quite cheap, and if you’re travelling with a group of people on a single journey, a taxi can even work out cheaper than public transport.

The Uber and Bolt mobile apps are extremely popular here, allowing you to travel cheaply across the city at any time of the day or night.

For example, a Bolt or Uber journey from the city centre to the airport costs between 8 eur and 12 eur, depending on current demand.

Where to stay for transport convenience

The neighbourhoods around the Baixa-Chiado, Rossio, Restauradores, Marquês de Pombal and Saldanha stations offer the best transport links. From the city centre, you can walk to most of the sights whilst also having easy access to the metro, trams and trains.

Bairro Alto is ideal for nightlife, but be prepared for noise and hills. If you have an early flight, it’s more practical to stay near the red metro line. You can find specific neighbourhoods and our hotel recommendations in the guide on where to stay in Lisbon.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a Navegante card for each passenger?

Yes. Each passenger must have their own card and validate it individually when boarding.

Is a 24-hour ticket worth it?

Yes, if you make at least five separately paid journeys on the metro or Carris services within 24 hours. It’s also handy for trips on historic trams and funiculars, as you don’t have to keep track of individual journeys.

Can I pay by bank card on all public transport?

No. Tapping your bank card directly acts as a ticket on the metro. On Carris vehicles, you can use your card to buy a more expensive on-board ticket, but for transfers and discounted fares you’ll need a Navegante card.

Does Zapping apply when transferring from a tram to the underground?

You can use the card, but an additional fare will be charged when you change transport operator. For a single journey combining Carris and the metro, a 60-minute ticket is better value at 1,90 eur.

Which app to use

Google Maps works well for planning routes. The Carrisway app shows the current locations of Carris buses and trams. Look up train timetables in the app or on the CP website.