Lisbon has four metro lines (blue, yellow, green, red) run by Metropolitano de Lisboa, and trams, buses, funiculars and the Santa Justa Lift run by Carris. Suburban trains (CP) run from Rossio to Sintra and from Cais do Sodré along the coast to Belém and Cascais; ferries cross the Tagus from Cais do Sodré, Terreiro do Paço and Belém. The old centre is hilly and compact, so most visitors combine walking with trams, the metro and the odd funicular. Fares change, so check current prices on the operators' sites.
Paying: navegante occasional card (rechargeable paper card) or Lisboa Card
How to buy
Buy and top up a navegante occasional card at metro station machines and ticket offices; load single trips, stored value (zapping) or a 24-hour pass. Tickets bought on board trams, buses, funiculars and the Santa Justa Lift cost much more than card fares (2026 prices not verified). Contactless bank-card payment rules not verified for 2026.
Fares
Lisboa Card (24h / 48h / 72h, about EUR 21 / 34 / 42 per a 2026 guide) includes unlimited public transport plus free entry to sights such as Jerónimos, Belém Tower and São Jorge Castle (the castle confirms free entry for card holders). Exact metro/Carris single and 24h fares for 2026 not verified.
Lines and services
- MetroMetro - Red line (Linha Vermelha)
Connects the airport (Aeroporto) with Oriente (Parque das Nações), Alameda (change for green), Saldanha and São Sebastião (for the Gulbenkian).
- MetroMetro - Blue line (Linha Azul)
Reboleira - Colégio Militar/Luz (Benfica stadium) - São Sebastião - Marquês de Pombal - Restauradores - Baixa-Chiado - Terreiro do Paço - Santa Apolónia.
- MetroMetro - Green line (Linha Verde)
Cais do Sodré - Baixa-Chiado - Rossio - Martim Moniz - Intendente - Alameda - Alvalade - Campo Grande. Useful for the Alvalade tascas and Campo Grande museums.
- MetroMetro - Yellow line (Linha Amarela)
Rato - Marquês de Pombal - Saldanha - Campo Grande - Odivelas.
- TramTram 28E
Martim Moniz - Graça - Alfama (Santa Luzia) - Sé - Baixa - Chiado - Estrela - Prazeres. The most crowded tourist ride and the classic pickpocket spot: board at the Martim Moniz or Prazeres termini for a seat, keep bags zipped in front.
- TramTram 15E
Modern tram from Praça da Figueira / Praça do Comércio along the river to Belém and Algés.
- FunicularGlória, Bica and Lavra funiculars and the Santa Justa Lift
Historic Carris lifts up Lisbon's hills; covered by 24h passes and the Lisboa Card, expensive on board. Walking up beside Glória or Bica takes about 5-10 minutes.
- BusCarris and Carris Metropolitana buses
Carris (yellow) runs city routes; Carris Metropolitana runs routes to the suburbs such as Costa da Caparica (about 40 minutes by bus per Time Out).
- TrainCP suburban trains
Rossio station - Sintra line; Cais do Sodré - Cascais line with stops at Santos, Alcântara-Mar (LX Factory) and Belém.
- FerryTagus ferries
Cais do Sodré - Cacilhas (for Cristo Rei and Almada's fish restaurants) and Belém - Trafaria/Porto Brandão (river views and a route toward Costa da Caparica).
- Ride-hailingUber, Bolt and FREE NOW
Widely used in Lisbon and usually cheaper than street taxis for airport runs; pickups in narrow Alfama lanes can be hard, so walk to a main road.
- TaxiLicensed taxis (black-and-green or beige)
Use ranks or apps; make sure the meter is running. 2026 tariffs not verified.
Common trips
Airport (LIS)Baixa / Rossio35 min
Metro red line to Alameda, change to green line for Rossio or Baixa-Chiado
- Aerobus
- Uber/Bolt
- Taxi from the rank
Baixa (Praça da Figueira / Praça do Comércio)Belém30 min
Tram 15E along the river
- CP train from Cais do Sodré to Belém (Cascais line)
- Uber/Bolt
BaixaSão Jorge Castle25 min
Walk up via the Sé and Santa Luzia (about 20-25 min, steep)
- Tram 28 or 12 to Portas do Sol then walk
- Carris minibus up to the castle (route not verified 2026)
RossioSintra40 min
CP train from Rossio station (Sintra line)
- Drive or tour bus
Cais do SodréCascais40 min
CP train along the coast (Cascais line)
- Car along the Marginal
Cais do SodréCacilhas (Almada)15 min
Ferry across the Tagus
- Car or bus over the 25 de Abril bridge
BaixaParque das Nações / Oceanarium30 min
Metro green line to Alameda, red line to Oriente
- CP train to Oriente station
- Uber/Bolt
RestauradoresBairro Alto / São Pedro de Alcântara10 min
Walk up Calçada da Glória
- Glória funicular
Cais do SodréLX Factory (Alcântara)15 min
CP train to Alcântara-Mar
- Tram 15E to Calvário
- Walk along the river (35-40 min)
Central LisbonCosta da Caparica beaches45 min
Carris Metropolitana bus (about 40 min per Time Out)
- Ferry Belém - Trafaria then bus
BaixaGulbenkian Museum20 min
Metro blue line to São Sebastião
- Uber/Bolt
BaixaAlvalade / Campo Grande20 min
Metro green line to Alvalade or Campo Grande
- Uber/Bolt
Martim MonizGraça / Senhora do Monte15 min
Tram 28 from its Martim Moniz terminus (board early for a seat)
- Walk up through Mouraria (15-20 min, steep)
To and from the airport
LIS (Humberto Delgado)
- Metro · 35 minNormal metro fare on a navegante card (2026 price not verified)
Red line from Aeroporto; change at Alameda (green) for Baixa-Chiado/Rossio or at São Sebastião (blue). Cheapest option; lifts at most stations.
- Bus · 35 minAerobus ticket (2026 price not verified)
Airport shuttle bus to Marquês de Pombal, Restauradores, Rossio and Praça do Comércio/Cais do Sodré.
- Ride-hailing · 25 minVaries with traffic and surge (not verified 2026)
Uber/Bolt/FREE NOW pickups are at a designated area; traffic makes rush hour slow.
- Taxi · 25 minMetered; 2026 tariff not verified
Take only from the official rank; insist on the meter.
Good to know
- Board tram 28 at a terminus (Martim Moniz or Prazeres) for a seat, and keep bags closed and in front: thieves work in teams on crowded transport (UK FCDO).
- Tickets bought on board trams, funiculars and the Santa Justa Lift cost far more than a loaded card or pass.
- Belém Tower now admits 60 people every 30 minutes; buy a slot online or at the Jerónimos ticket office before walking over.
- Walking is often faster than trams in the centre, but wear shoes with grip: the limestone calçada pavements are slippery.
- Several national museums (Ancient Art, Tile, Archaeology, Costume, Theatre) are closed for works in 2026; check before crossing town.
Useful apps
- Carris
- Metro Lisboa
- Carris Metropolitana
- CP - Comboios de Portugal
- Uber
- Bolt
- FREE NOW