Best Ways To Get Around Lisbon

The Portuguese capital of Lisbon is a great place to explore. The weather is reliably good, and in the narrow streets of this ancient city, part of the fun is getting a little bit lost and uncovering hidden gems for yourself.

However, Lisbon is also a very hilly city. And in the hot Portuguese sun, lugging heavy suitcases along steep streets is no one’s idea of a good time. That’s why you should take the opportunity to drop off your unneeded bags at a Lisbon luggage storage as soon as you can. That way, you’ll have more energy to invest in discovering just what makes Lisbon so magical.

And if the hills do start to get to you, you’ll be glad to know there are lots of other ways to get around the city and explore it fully. Here’s a quick guide to the different options available to you as you travel through Lisbon.

Transit passes

Lisbon certainly makes it easy for visitors to take advantage of the city’s public transportation options. Buses, trams, and the subway all use the same ticketing system, so if you plan to use any public transportation in Lisbon at all, the best idea is to get yourself a transit pass.

The Viva Viagem card costs €0.50, and you can buy it at vending machines in bus and Metro stations.

On top of the cost of the card itself, you’ll also need to buy a pass which will be loaded onto the card. A 24-hour ticket that is valid for all forms of public transport will cost €6.40, and it provides the easiest option for getting around the city without having to worry about different types of tickets for different modes of transport.

Make sure to swipe your Viva Viagem card over the scanner as you board whatever type of transit you’re taking.

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Metro

Lisbon’s Metro has four lines, each named after a color. The system is relatively small, but it covers most of the city’s main attractions.

If you’re staying in the historic center of Lisbon, you’ll probably find that the Metro isn’t particularly useful for getting around. However, if you’re staying further out or if you want to visit some of the city’s more suburban areas, then it’s definitely worth taking advantage of.

The Red Line serves the city’s airport, which makes it one of the most useful for tourists. The Blue Line is also commonly used by visitors to the city, as it serves the popular Baixa and Chiado areas. The other two lines, Yellow and Green, are more used by locals, and they can be useful for getting to outlying areas of town.

Be aware that the Metro does not run throughout the night. It stops running at around one in the morning and starts again at 6 AM, so if you’re a night owl, you may find yourself needing to call a cab or a ridesharing service to make up the gap in the Metro schedule. But otherwise, it provides an efficient and convenient way to get around the city.

Trams

Trams are one of Lisbon’s most iconic forms of transportation. They’ve been running through the streets of the city since 1873, and today they’re still a popular way to get around, especially with tourists.

There are four different tram lines in Lisbon that cover different parts of the city. Tram 28 is perhaps the most famous, as it runs through some of the city’s most popular tourist areas. If you’re staying in Baixa or Chiado, then Tram 12 is a good option for getting around. The other two lines, Trams 15E and 25E, are less commonly used by tourists but can still be handy for getting to different parts of town.

Buses

In addition to trams, buses are also a popular form of transportation in Lisbon. They tend to be more useful for getting to outlying areas that aren’t served by the tram or Metro lines.

However, if you’re staying in the city center, then you probably won’t need to take the bus very often. Most of the attractions in this area can be easily reached on foot, by tram, or by Metro.

Taxis and Ridesharing Services

If you’re out late at night or if you need to get to an area that isn’t well-served by public transportation, then your best bet is to take a taxi or a ridesharing service.

Taxis in Lisbon are relatively inexpensive, and they can be hailed from the street or ordered by phone. Ridesharing services like Uber are also available in the city, although they tend to be a bit more expensive than taxis.

Bicycles

If you want to really see Lisbon like a local, then consider renting a bicycle. Bicycling is a popular way to get around the city, and it’s a great way to explore some of the smaller streets and alleyways that you might not otherwise see.

There are a few different companies that offer bicycle rentals in Lisbon. One of the most popular is Lisbon Bike Rentals, which has locations throughout the city. Another option is Yellow Bike, which has a shop near Rossio Square.

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Walking

Of course, one of the best ways to get around Lisbon is simply on foot. The city center is relatively small and compact, and many of the attractions are within walking distance of each other.

If you’re staying in Baixa, Chiado, or Alfama, then you’ll probably find that you can walk to most of the places you want to go. Even if you’re staying further out, though, Lisbon is a very walkable city, and it’s easy to get around even if you don’t have a lot of experience with public transportation.

Conclusion

Part of what’s so great about visiting Lisbon as a tourist is that it’s relatively easy to get around. Drop off your unneeded bags at a luggage storage and take advantage of the city’s great public transportation system. Or you can enjoy the weather by walking or biking as you explore. However you choose to get around, you’re sure to have a great time.