Public Transport in Lisbon

Even though the best way we recommend to discover Lisbon is by walking through it, you will probably want or need to use public transport in Lisbon. The good thing about it is that the capital is widely connected by diverse ways of public transport such as metro, buses, trains, ferries, and also historical trams. All of them are quite simple to use, safe, and have a similar price.

💳 To use any kind of public transport in Lisbon you will need to purchase a Viva Viagem card that you can buy either at the metro, ferry, or train station for €0,50. The card is rechargeable and you can load it at any station, so don’t throw it away after using it.

🚇 Lisbon Metro: it has a total of four lines that are differentiated by color and end-of-line stations. It opens every day from 6.30 am to 1 am and serves the whole night during certain holidays. The metro lines of Lisbon are the green line (Telheiras – Cais do Sodré), the blue line (Reboleira – Santa Apolónia), the yellow line (Odivelas – Rato), and the red line (Aeroporto – São Sebastião). A metro ride costs €1,80.

🚎 Trams: there are still 6 tram lines in the city and some of them reach parts of the city that other public transport methods don’t go, usually the most historical and steep parts of town. You can also buy a ticket from the drive but it will be more pricey than paying with the Viva Viagem card. The most famous line is Tram 28 which offers a very touristy scenic view of Lisbon. A tram ride costs €3,10.

🚌 Bus: there are 172 routes of buses that connect Lisbon. As in the trams, here you can also buy a ticket from the driver but it will be more pricey than paying with the Viva Viagem card. The major lines run from 5 am to 11 pm every 15 to 30 minutes, there are also night buses that run the main areas of Lisbon. A bus ride costs €2,10.

🚆 Commuter Train: 5 lines travel within greater Lisbon, which are: Sintra, Cascais, Azambuja, Sado, and Setúbal lines. The Sintra and Cascais lines are the most popular ones among tourists, the train that goes to Sintra departs from Rossio station and the one that goes to Cascais departs from Cais do Sodré station and both take around 40 minutes to get to the final destination. On average the trains run between 6 am to 1 am. The cost of the train depends on which line you take and what’s your final destination.

⛴️ Commuter Ferry: the ferry connects Lisbon city with other areas of greater Lisbon through the Tejo River, there are different stations which are: Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas (15 minutes), Montijo (30 minutes), and Seixal (30 minutes), also Terreiro do Paço to Barreiro (30 minutes) and Belém to Trafaria and Porto Brandão (20 minutes). The most interesting ferry for travelers is the one that goes from Cais to Cacilhas, from there you can go to Cristo Rei and Jardím do Rio to catch a great sunset. On average, the ferries run between 5 am to 11.30 pm, but it depends on the line, port of departure, and destination. The price of the ferry ticket will depend on where you go.

If you need some specific route, don't hesitate to ask Google Maps or the moovit app, they will save you from getting lost, but don't worry, Lisbon is a pretty easy city.