Getting Around Lisbon - Metro, Trams, Taxis & Transport Guide

Lisbon has one of the more varied transport networks in southern Europe - a modern metro, historic trams, buses, ferries, funiculars, and an active rideshare market. The variety is a plus, but it also means there are better and worse choices depending on where you’re going and what time of day it is. Here’s how to use the city’s transport system without wasting time or money.

The Metro

Lisbon’s metro (Metropolitano de Lisboa) is fast, clean, and covers the areas most visitors actually need. Four lines - Blue, Yellow, Green, Red - connect the airport, major rail terminals, Pombalina (city centre), Belém environs, and the waterfront.

Key stations for visitors:

• Aeroporto (Red Line) - direct to the airport
• Oriente - connects to long-distance trains and the Parque das Nações area
• Marquês de Pombal - central hub, transfers between Blue and Yellow lines
• Cais do Sodré - Cascais train line, Tagus ferry terminal
• Baixa-Chiado - heart of the historic centre
• Rossio - Sintra trains and old city

Ticket prices as of 2026: A single journey costs approximately €1.61 with a Viva Viagem card (€0.50 non-refundable card fee on first purchase). Day passes run approximately €6.80 for unlimited metro travel, or €10.80 for unlimited metro, bus, tram, and funicular access across Carris/Metro combined. Zapping (pay-per-ride preloaded credit) is the most flexible option for short stays.

The metro runs daily 06:30–01:00. Trains run every 4–6 minutes at peak hours, every 10 minutes late night. Avoid peak hours (08:00–09:30 and 17:30–19:30) if you have luggage or are travelling in a group.

Buses (Carris)

Carris operates the city bus network - over 100 routes covering areas the metro doesn’t reach. Buses are slower than the metro due to traffic, but they’re essential for reaching Belém, LX Factory, and the outer neighbourhoods.

The Carris app shows real-time arrivals. The same Viva Viagem card works on buses - tap on entry. Bus fares match metro pricing at approximately €1.61 per journey when paying with the card. Buying a paper ticket on board costs around €2.00 and is inefficient for regular use.

Useful routes:

• 714, 727, 729 - to Belém from Marquês de Pombal / Cais do Sodré
• 737 - Cais do Sodré to Alfama (alternative to Tram 28)
• 708 - circular route through Baixa and up to Graça viewpoint

Trams (Elétricos)

The yellow trams are the most photographed transport in Lisbon and genuinely useful for some journeys, though often misunderstood.

Tram 28E runs from Martim Moniz through Alfama, Graça, Estrela, and Campo de Ourique. The route covers lovely ground, but in summer (June–September) it is extremely crowded and a pickpocketing hotspot. If you’re using it for getting between specific points rather than sightseeing, early morning (before 09:00) is the sensible window. The same Viva Viagem card works.

Tram 15E runs from Praça da Figueira to Belém - faster and less crowded than the 28E, and genuinely useful for reaching Jerónimos Monastery and the Torre de Belém.

Fares: approximately €3.00 for a single tram ticket bought on board; around €1.61 with the Viva Viagem card. Always use the card.

Funiculars and Elevators

Three funiculars (Glória, Bica, Lavra) and the Elevador de Santa Justa lift connect the lower Baixa with hilltop neighbourhoods. Each charges approximately €3.80 single or €7.60 return as of 2026 for tourists, though the Viva Viagem card covers the funiculars at the standard €1.61 rate. The Santa Justa elevator requires a separate tourist ticket (approximately €5.30 single). These are slower options, best treated as viewpoints with transport benefits rather than primary commuting routes.

Taxis

Lisbon taxis are green and black (or increasingly black) and can be hailed on the street, picked up at a rank, or booked through the Táxi Lisboa app. They are metered.

Indicative fares as of 2026:

• Airport to Baixa-Chiado: approximately €20–28
• Baixa to Belém: approximately €10–14
• Baixa to Sintra (day trip): approximately €35–50 one way

Taxis display the tariff in the window. Tariff 1 applies during the day on weekdays; Tariff 2 applies evenings, weekends, and public holidays. A €0.80–1.60 luggage supplement applies per item placed in the boot. Tips are not mandatory but 10% is appreciated for good service.

Rideshare (Uber, Bolt, Free Now)

Uber, Bolt, and Free Now all operate in Lisbon and generally match or undercut taxi prices, particularly for longer journeys. Bolt tends to offer the lowest fares. All three apps show the price before you book, which eliminates any uncertainty.

Typical rideshare fares as of 2026:

• Airport to Baixa: approximately €15–25 (varies by surge pricing)
• Baixa to Belém: approximately €8–12
• Lisbon to Cascais: approximately €25–40

Pick-up points at Humberto Delgado Airport are on the departures level (Level 1), opposite Door 6 for Uber/Bolt, Door 7 for Free Now. Follow airport signage - it has improved significantly.

Airport Transfers

Faro International Airport is located approximately 4km from central Faro and 7km from the Parque das Nações district. Humberto Delgado Airport (the main Lisbon airport) is actually within the city itself, 7km from Baixa-Chiado.

Options from Lisbon airport:

• Metro (Red Line): The cheapest option at approximately €1.61 plus the €0.50 card fee. Direct to Oriente (5 minutes) and Alameda (20 minutes), where you change for other lines. Best for solo travellers with light bags during off-peak hours.
• Pre-booked taxi or transfer: For groups, families with luggage, or late-night arrivals, a pre-booked private transfer avoids the taxi rank queue and any fare uncertainty. We recommend booking your Lisbon airport transfer in advance - particularly useful if you’re arriving after midnight or with children.
• Aerobus: Not currently operating (service was suspended). Check for updates before you travel.

For day trips to Sintra, Setúbal, or the Arrábida coastline from Lisbon where timing matters, a pre-arranged transfer or rideshare beats trying to coordinate public transport with luggage.

Ferries

Transtejo and Soflusa ferries cross the Tagus to the south bank (Almada, Barreiro, Montijo, Cacilhas). From Cacilhas you can reach the Cristo Rei statue and the Arrábida peninsula. Ferries depart from Cais do Sodré and Terreiro do Paço. The Viva Viagem card works on Transtejo services. Single crossing approximately €1.36 as of 2026.

Trains for Day Trips

Two suburban train lines are essential for day trips from Lisbon:

• Cascais Line (from Cais do Sodré): Coastal route reaching Belém, Estoril, and Cascais in 40 minutes. Approximately €2.50–4.80 depending on destination as of 2026.
• Sintra Line (from Rossio or Oriente): 40 minutes to Sintra. Approximately €2.50 as of 2026. Trains run every 15–20 minutes.

Intercity trains (CP Alfa Pendular, Intercidades) to Porto depart from Oriente and Santa Apolónia stations.

Car Rental

A rental car is unnecessary for central Lisbon - parking is scarce, garage prices are high (€20–30 per day in the centre), and most sights are reachable by public transport or rideshare. However, a car unlocks the best of the surrounding region: the Serra de Sintra back roads, the Arrábida coastline, the vineyards south of the Tagus, and the Alentejo plains.

If you’re planning a road trip from Lisbon - Sintra to Setúbal to Comporta, for example - pick up the rental car on the day you leave the city, not the day you arrive. Car hire at Humberto Delgado Airport is available from all major operators (Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, Goldcar, Guerin). Pre-booking saves 15–30% compared to walk-in rates. You can compare and reserve a rental car in Portugal ahead of arrival for the best rates.

Practical Tips

• Validate your ticket before boarding a bus or tram - inspectors do patrol, and the fine for travelling without a valid ticket is approximately €120.
• Keep your bag in front of you on Tram 28 and in crowded metro carriages - pickpocketing is common on tourist routes.
• Google Maps gives accurate Lisbon public transport directions, including real-time delays. Moovit is a solid alternative.
• Night buses (Madrugada) replace the metro after 01:00. Routes are limited but cover the main areas. Fares match daytime prices with a Viva Viagem card.