LISBON TRANSPORTATION GUIDE

 Lisbon’s public transit system is extensive, affordable, and ideal for exploring the city’s hills, waterfronts, and historic districts. It includes metro, trams, buses, funiculars, ferries, and commuter trains.

Here’s a structured breakdown to help you navigate Lisbon’s public transportation like a local.

Metro

Lisbon has 4 Metro lines (Blue, Yellow, Green, Red), which connect key areas including the airport, downtown, and major residential zones. Its the Fastest option for cross-city travel. It Operates from 6:30 AM to 1:00 AM. 

       

                                 

The blue line is the one most used by tourists, as it goes down Avenida da Liberdade to Baixa and the train station of Santa Apolónia. The green line is also popular, especially its stops in Rossio Square and Cais do Sodré station. The red line connects the Parque das Nações district and the airport to the other lines. The yellow line is mostly used by locals, as it heads north, away from the main tourist areas. Major Stations include Baixa-Chiado, Marquês de Pombal, Cais do Sodre, Campo Grande, and Oriente. Artistic projects decorate most of the stations, including themed tiled walls by contemporary artists. The red line is the most impressive, but other stations of this underground gallery feature works by prominent Portuguese artists: Vieira da Silva in Rato and Cidade Universitária, Júlio Pomar in Alto dos Moinhos, and Maria Keil in most of the stations of the green and yellow lines.

                              

Trams

Historic Tram 28 is iconic, winding through Alfama, Baixa, and Estrela. Other trams serve residential and scenic routes; Great for hilly terrain and sightseeing, but can be crowded. 

Riding Lisbon's trams can be either a charming or a nerve-wracking experience. That depends on whether you get a seat or have to stand, packed like a sardine in a can. It is also not the best form of transportation when you're in a hurry, as double-parked cars often slow down the journey. Still, no visit to Lisbon is complete without a ride on these old marvels, which remain the only way to navigate the narrow streets of the hilly districts. They've been in operation since 1901, and all of them (except modern tram 15) still have their original wood paneling. They start their day between 6am and 7am, and most continue until late at night. Riding tram 28 has become one of Lisbon's most popular activities. It’s a journey back in time, over hills and medieval streets, in vintage trams from the 1930s that are still part of the city's public transportation network. 

                                

Buses

Public Buses are Run by Carris, covering areas not served by metro or trams, includes mini-buses for narrow streets. Night buses operate after metro hours. Buses reach residential neighborhoods, scenic viewpoints, and attractions not served by metro or tram. Popular Bus Routes include: Bus 709: Fastest way to Campo de Ourique, preferred by locals over Tram 28, Bus 727: Connects Belém (museums, monuments) to central Lisbon, Bus 736: Runs between Cais do Sodré and Odivelas, passing through downtown, and Bus 758: Scenic route from Cais do Sodré to Portas do Benfica. 

Ferries

Ferries carry locals and visitors Cross the Tagus River to Cacilhas, Barreiro, and Montijo. Scenic and practical for commuting or day trips. The fastest and most frequent service (and the only one used by tourists, as the others go to nondescript residential areas with no tourist attractions) is the one that departs from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas, the waterfront district directly across the river in Almada.

 Tourists use this service as an inexpensive sightseeing experience, as they enjoy the panoramic views and then connect to the bus to the Cristo Rei monument or to the beaches of Costa da Caparica. The ferry station in Cais do Sodré is a building found behind the train station, right on the riverfront. It’s within walking distance of Baixa (downtown), but can also be reached by metro (it’s the last stop of the green line). The entire journey to Cacilhas takes less than 10 minutes, and the buses to Cristo Rei and Costa da Caparica depart from the terminal seen on the left as you step off the ferry.

                              

Trains

Lisbon has several train lines that are helpful for commuting to nearby towns. Trains take commuters and tourists to Sintra and Cascais, but are also the best way to reach the western districts in the city (Alcântara and Belém). 

There are four major train stations in Lisbon -- Santa Apolónia for long-distance destinations, Cais do Sodré for the resorts of Cascais and Estoril, Rossio for Sintra, and Oriente for the northern and western suburbs and for most destinations within Portugal. Trains to Cascais (stopping in Estoril and other beach towns) depart about every 20 minutes, reaching the final destination in 40 minutes. Sintra can also be reached in less than 40 minutes by trains departing every 20 minutes throughout the day (all rides to Sintra, Cascais or Estoril are free with the Lisboa Card). The national rail company is CP ("Comboios de Portugal"), which connects the capital to the major cities of the country. The Intercidades is a comfortable service, but the fastest (with fewer stops) is the Alfa Pendular.

                                

The Lisboa Card is the best option for tourists, as it not only offers free admission to most monuments and museums, it includes unlimited rides on the buses, trams, funiculars, trains, and metro. You can buy it for periods of 24, 48, or 72 hours. It covers all transportation within Lisbon, as well as trains to Cascais and Sintra. 

Navegante Card (formerly Viva Viagem) is the rechargeable smart card for all modes. Inconveniently, the Navegante card only accepts one type of fare at a time, so if you charge metro tickets, you can’t then add train tickets (except for the 24-hour ticket mentioned above, which covers all forms of transportation). However, you may choose to charge it with a ticket called “Zapping,” which is a credit of amounts ranging from €3 to €40 (it can be charged at any machine on the metro). It can then be used to pay all public transportation. It deducts €1.66 every time you ride the metro, buses or trams, and €2.00 for the train.

                                       

Why Use Public Transport in Lisbon

Using public transport in Lisbon is one of the smartest, most immersive, and cost-effective ways to explore the city. It’s efficient, scenic, and deeply woven into Lisbon’s urban and cultural fabric. Lisbon’s public transport network includes metro, buses, trams, funiculars, ferries, and commuter trains, all integrated under a single fare system. 

The metro is fast and ideal for cross-city travel, while buses and trams reach areas the metro doesn’t cover, including hilly neighborhoods like Alfama and Graça. A Navegante card or Lisboa Card offers unlimited travel across all modes, with daily or monthly options. Lisbon’s investment in electric trams, buses, and metro lines supports low-emission travel, helping reduce traffic congestion and pollution. Riding Tram 28 or the Santa Justa Elevator isn’t just transit—it’s a moving tour through Lisbon’s historic quarters, offering views of tiled facades, narrow alleys, and panoramic vistas. Ferries across the Tagus River provide  stunning skyline views and a unique perspective on the city. Public transport in Lisbon isn’t just about getting from A to B—it’s a portal into the city’s layered identity. Trams echo the rhythms of Fado, funiculars trace the scars ofpost-quake reinvention, and ferry routes mirror Lisbon’s maritime legacy. If you’re up for it, we could co-create a thematic overlay mapping these transit lines to Lisbon’s cultural and historical districts.

Rideshare

Both Uber and Bolt operate widely in Lisbon. They’re affordable, reliable, and popular among locals and tourists alike. Bolt tends to be slightly cheaper and more commonly used by residents, while Uber offers a broader range of vehicle options. 

Uber and Bolt are available throughout Lisbon, including the airport, historic districts, and suburbs. Both apps work well for navigating Lisbon’s narrow streets, hilly terrain, and late-night travel. Drivers often work for both platforms, so wait times are generally short. Bolt is typically cheaper than Uber, especially for short rides, but Uber offers more service tiers: Both apps support real-time tracking, cashless payment, and ride scheduling. Bolt is often preferred by locals for its simplicity and lower fares. Both services operate at Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport. You can request rides directly from the arrivals area using either app. 

Rideshare services like Uber and Bolt offer unmatched convenience, flexibility, and efficiency—especially in urban environments like Lisbon. They’re ideal for quick trips, late-night travel, or navigating areas less served by public transit.