Welcome to the ultimate guide for navigating Lisbon! While the best way to explore this charming city is often on foot, this guide covers all the transport options for when you want to save your feet — from iconic trams and scenic ferries to convenient buses, bikes, and tuk-tuks. With insider tips on using the Navegante Card, you’ll be ready to experience Lisbon with ease and efficiency.

Portugal

Lisbon, Portugali

Getting Around in Lisbon | 2025

The Navegante Occasional card is a convenient and economical option for using Lisbon’s public transportation system, especially with the Zapping feature, which works much like a prepaid travel balance. 

Zapping rates are typically lower than buying single tickets individually, making it ideal for frequent, short trips. For example, each metro ride with Zapping costs €1.61 compared to €1.80 for a single fare, and on trams, it’s €1.61 compared to the onboard price of €3.10.

The Zapping option is particularly useful if you're exploring multiple areas in Lisbon without needing unlimited daily travel. You can top up the card at metro stations, Carris outlets, and other kiosks, with a minimum recharge amount of €3.

However, you can’t mix Zapping and other travel pass types (like day passes) on a single card. If you plan a day with heavy travel, consider loading a 24-hour pass separately.

Navegante Occasional Card - Metropolitano de Lisboa

Remember: Lisboa Card provides unlimited journeys

The Lisboa Card offers great value for visitors who plan to explore Lisbon's landmarks and frequently use public transportation. Available for 24, 48, or 72 hours, it includes unlimited access to Lisbon’s buses, trams, metro, and some suburban trains. Additionally, the card provides free entry to top attractions.

Lisboa Card - The Official Lisbon Card

To reach downtown Lisbon from Lisbon Airport, head to the Red Line metro station, conveniently located outside the Terminal 1. 

Board a train and travel nine stops to Alameda station. There, switch to the Green Line toward Cais do Sodré if your destination is central Lisbon, or continue on other Green Line stops depending on where you're headed. 

This metro journey typically takes around 30-35 minutes, including the transfer time at Alameda.​

The Lisbon metro is a modern, well-maintained, and extensive network that makes exploring the city quick and convenient.

Covering over 40 kilometers with four color-coded lines (Blue, Yellow, Green, and Red), it connects key districts, including downtown Lisbon, neighborhoods like Baixa-Chiado, and even Lisbon Airport on the Red Line. 

The stations are generally clean and safe, with surveillance and frequent metro service, especially during peak hours​. 

 Navigating the metro is straightforward, thanks to clear signage in Portuguese and English. Many stations are also noted for their unique architectural and artistic designs, making the metro not only functional but also visually interesting. 

Overall, Lisbon’s metro system is highly regarded for its accessibility, affordability, and ease of use, with frequent services that make it a reliable choice for tourists and locals alike.​

The metro runs from 6:30 AM to 1:00 AM every day. Wheelchair accessible stations are marked on a map.

By loading credit onto a Navegante card, you can pay-as-you-go on various modes of transportation, including buses, trams, metro, funiculars, and even ferries. 

The trams in Lisbon are not only a popular means of transportation but also an iconic part of the city's charm, often showcased in photographs of Lisbon’s historic neighborhoods.

The tram network includes both vintage and modern trams, offering different experiences for travelers. 

 The historic Remodelado trams, such as the famous Tram 28, date back to the 1930s and provide a nostalgic journey through narrow streets and steep hills, particularly in neighborhoods like Alfama, Graça, and Baixa. 

Tram 28 is a tourist favorite but also a prime spot for pickpocketing due to its popularity, so it’s best to be cautious and keep belongings close. The best time to ride Tram 28 is early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid crowds and secure a good view. 

 In addition to the historic trams, modern trams, like those on Tram 15, serve routes to destinations like Belém. These newer trams are larger, more accessible, and offer a smoother ride but lack the vintage character of Tram 28. Tram 15 is ideal for sightseeing while heading to iconic stops such as the Jerónimos Monastery and Pastéis de Belém. 

 For the best experience on Lisbon trams, consider getting on at the starting points of each route, like Martim Moniz for Tram 28, as this increases your chance of finding a seat.

Lisbon’s three iconic funiculars — Glória, Bica, and Lavra — are more than just transportation; they’re part of the city's historic charm, helping travelers and locals navigate the steep hills with ease while offering scenic views.

Elevador da Glória, the most famous of the three, connects Restauradores Square to the Bairro Alto neighborhood. It provides access to the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, offering fantastic views over the city.

Elevador da Bica is a favorite among photographers, running along Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo and showcasing picturesque views of Lisbon's narrow streets and classic architecture. Starting in the riverside neighborhood of Cais do Sodré, it’s a scenic choice if you want to experience Lisbon’s postcard-perfect streets​.

To enjoy a quieter experience, try visiting early or late in the day. And don’t forget to bring a camera, as these funiculars provide memorable photo ops on every ride​.

Elevador do Lavra is the city’s oldest funicular, opened in 1884. It links Avenida da Liberdade with the peaceful Jardim do Torel, a lesser-known viewpoint that offers a quiet escape from the busy city streets. Lavra’s charm lies in its quaint, nostalgic feel​. 

Lisbon’s bus network is extensive, covering areas that the metro doesn’t reach, making it a convenient option for exploring the city more comprehensively. 

Buses generally run from around 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with a few night routes for late-night travelers.

Bus Routes

Lisbon’s train network is served by two major stations that tourists frequently use: Estação do Oriente and Santa Apolónia.

In addition to Lisbon’s robust metro, trams, buses, and trains, other transportation options make it easy to navigate and explore the city at your own pace. Here’s a look at taxis, ride-sharing services, bikes, and e-scooters. 

 Oriente Station is a modern, architectural landmark designed by Santiago Calatrava, situated in the Parque das Nações area. As one of the busiest transit hubs, it offers extensive connections across Portugal, including high-speed trains to Porto, Coimbra, and Faro. It's also conveniently connected to Lisbon’s Red Line Metro, which goes directly to the airport, making Oriente a strategic starting point for travelers coming into the city. Aside from long-distance trains, it’s also a hub for local buses and metro, making it an easy choice for exploring Lisbon and beyond​.

It is customary to wave to stop the bus. Always enter at the front to validate your ticket with the driver or at the card reader.

Press the stop button when getting off at the next stop. Exit the bus from the centre door.

Lisbon's ferry services provide a scenic and convenient way to cross the Tagus River, offering quick access to the city’s southern suburbs and nearby attractions. 

These ferries are operated by Transtejo and Soflusa, with routes from several terminals, including Cais do Sodré, Terreiro do Paço, and Belém, each connecting to different locations along the southern bank.

For visitors, the most popular routes depart from Cais do Sodré. The ferry to Cacilhas, just a 10-minute ride, is particularly appealing as it provides views of the 25 de Abril Bridge and quick access to the Cristo Rei statue. 

Other routes include trips to Montijo and Seixal, offering views of Lisbon’s skyline and its riverside neighborhoods. From Belém, ferries also go to Porto Brandão and Trafaria, a quieter choice for those exploring the Belém district who wish to cross the river​.

Ticketing for Lisbon’s ferries is straightforward; travelers can use the Navegante card, recharging them at metro stations or ferry terminals. 

Ticket prices vary by route, with trips ranging from €1.30 to €2.80 per crossing. Ferries are also an affordable way to sightsee — especially if you want to capture Lisbon’s scenic waterfront from the water.

Lisbon’s black-and-green taxis are readily available and quite affordable compared to many other European cities. While metered fares are generally low, nighttime, weekend, and holiday rates come with slight surcharges. 

You can hail taxis on the street or find them at designated stands near popular areas and train stations. 

Ride-sharing services like Uber and Bolt are popular alternatives that often offer lower rates than taxis, with a convenient app-based booking system. Both options are reliable, but Uber is often preferred for a smoother experience, especially by tourists.​

For a more active way to explore, Lisbon has various bike-sharing and e-scooter options. While Lisbon’s hilly terrain may present a challenge, dedicated bike lanes are common in flatter areas and along the waterfront, making biking easier and more scenic.

Companies like Gira provide bike rentals, while e-scooters from Lime and Bird are scattered around the city center. E-scooters are ideal for short trips within central neighborhoods and can be rented and unlocked through their apps, offering flexibility to navigate narrow, winding streets​.

Tuk-tuks have become a popular, if somewhat controversial, mode of transport for tourists in Lisbon. These electric three-wheelers provide an accessible way to explore the city’s narrow, winding streets and reach hilltop viewpoints that other vehicles struggle to navigate. 

Originally designed for tours rather than point-to-point transit, tuk-tuks offer a fun, open-air experience ideal for sightseeing. 

Drivers are generally knowledgeable, speak English, and act as informal guides, sharing insights about historic neighborhoods and popular landmarks like Alfama, Belém, and the Graça viewpoint​. 

 However, tuk-tuks can be expensive, with rates typically around €45–€50 per hour, so it’s best to split the cost if traveling in a group. Make sure to agree on the price before setting off, as the route and stops can be customized. 

While some locals find the presence of tuk-tuks noisy and intrusive, regulations introduced in recent years ensure that most are electric and banned from operating after 9 pm, making them a quieter, more eco-friendly option for daytime tours.

Santa Apolónia Station, on the other hand, is Lisbon’s oldest railway terminal, dating back to 1865. Located along the river in the Alfama district, it provides national and international connections, including direct trains to Porto and Madrid. Its proximity to the historic city center and major landmarks makes it ideal for tourists staying nearby. With access to the Blue Line Metro, visitors can quickly reach popular neighborhoods or transfer to other parts of the city​.

For day trips, the Rossio Station connects Lisbon to the enchanting town of Sintra, famous for its palaces and gardens. Meanwhile, the Cais do Sodré Station is the departure point for trains to Cascais, a coastal town with beautiful beaches, making these stations equally valuable for tourists exploring Lisbon's surroundings​.

Lisbon is a city of stunning panoramas, where steep hills and winding streets lead to breathtaking viewpoints known as miradouros. These scenic lookouts, often tucked away atop the city's highest points, offer sweeping views over Lisbon's historic neighborhoods and the iconic red roofs that cascade down the hills.

Reaching these miradouros can be a bit of a climb, but the reward is always worth the effort. Each miradouro has its own unique character that make them essential stops on any trip to Lisbon. 

So lace up your walking shoes, take your time, and get ready to experience the city from its most beautiful vantage points!

Getting Around in Lisbon | 2025

Buy to unlock full guide