Lisboa (Lisbon) is Portugal's sun-drenched capital, a city of seven hills overlooking the wide mouth of the Tagus River where it meets the Atlantic. One of Europe's oldest and most atmospheric capitals, Lisbon blends Moorish alleyways, Manueline monasteries, baroque palaces, and cutting-edge contemporary culture into a tapestry of faded grandeur and vibrant renewal. The city's golden Age of Discoveries legacy is visible in every azulejo-tiled facade, and audible in the mournful strains of fado drifting from Alfama's cobbled lanes.
Lisbon has an integrated public transport network operated under the Carris/Metro Lisboa umbrella, unified by the Navegante rechargeable card. The system covers the Metro (4 lines, 56 stations), buses (over 100 routes), heritage trams (including the famous Tram 28), funiculars (Glória, Bica, Lavra), elevators (Santa Justa), and Tagus river ferries (Transtejo). A Navegante card costs €0.50 to issue and can be topped up at all Metro stations and many newsagents. A single Metro/bus ride costs €1.55 (~$1.68) with the card versus €2.00 (~$2.16) for a paper ticket. A 24-hour unlimited day pass (carris/metro) costs €6.60 (~$7.10). Uber and Bolt operate widely and are generally affordable.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
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- {'method': 'Metro (Red Line)', 'description': 'The most economical option. Humberto Delgado Airport station connects directly to the Red Line. Change at Alameda for the Green Line to Baixa-Chiado. Journey time approximately 20–25 minutes to the city centre.', 'cost': '€1.55 (~$1.68) with Navegante card; note: a Navegante card must be purchased at the airport Metro station (€0.50 deposit + journey amount)', 'duration': '20–25 minutes to Alameda', 'tip': 'The Metro ticket machines at the airport accept credit/debit cards. Buy a Navegante card and load a €6.60 day pass for immediate unlimited travel.'}, {'method': 'Aerobus (Lines 1, 2, 3)', 'description': 'Direct bus from the airport to the city centre, stopping at Marquês de Pombal, Avenida da Liberdade, and Rossio (Line 1); Parque das Nações (Line 2). Runs every 20 minutes. More comfortable than Metro with luggage.', 'cost': '€4.00 single (~$4.30); €7.00 return (~$7.55); free with Lisboa Card', 'duration': '30–45 minutes depending on traffic', 'tip': 'Line 1 terminates at Cais do Sodré, making it very convenient for Chiado and Bairro Alto accommodation.'}, {'method': 'Uber / Bolt', 'description': 'Designated rideshare pickup zone outside the arrivals terminal. Reliable and competitively priced outside surge hours.', 'cost': '€10–18 (~$11–19) to city centre', 'duration': '15–30 minutes depending on traffic', 'tip': 'Morning rush hour (07:30–09:30) and Friday evenings can add significant journey time.'}, {'method': 'Licensed Taxi', 'description': 'Taxi rank directly outside arrivals. All cream taxis use meters. Add the €1.60 airport supplement.', 'cost': '€12–22 (~$13–24) to city centre', 'duration': '15–30 minutes', 'tip': 'Ask for a receipt (recibo) and confirm the meter is running when departing.'}
Local transport
Getting around the city.
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Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
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Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
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- Destination
- Porto
- Method
- AP / Alfa Pendular train from Lisboa Oriente or Santa Apolónia
- Duration
- 2h45–3h
- Cost
- €25–55 (~$27–59) depending on class and advance booking
- Tip
- Book on CP (Comboios de Portugal) website at least a week ahead for best prices.
- Destination
- Sintra
- Method
- Linha de Sintra train from Rossio station
- Duration
- 40 minutes
- Cost
- €2.30 (~$2.50) each way; included with Lisboa Card
- Tip
- Trains run every 20 minutes. Arrive at Rossio to board; beware pickpockets on crowded trains.
- Destination
- Cascais
- Method
- Linha de Cascais train from Cais do Sodré
- Duration
- 40 minutes
- Cost
- €2.30 (~$2.50) each way
- Tip
- The Estoril–Cascais coastal stretch offers beautiful sea views from the train window.
- Destination
- Évora
- Method
- Rede Expressos bus from Sete Rios terminal
- Duration
- 1h30–1h45
- Cost
- €12–18 (~$13–19)
- Tip
- Buses are more direct than the train for Évora. Book ahead on Rede Expressos website.
- Destination
- Faro / Algarve
- Method
- AP train from Lisboa Oriente; or Flixbus
- Duration
- 2h45–3h30 by fast train
- Cost
- €20–45 (~$22–49) train; €10–20 (~$11–22) bus
- Tip
- Book train in advance; fast Alfa Pendular trains are significantly more comfortable than regional services.
- Destination
- Seville (Spain)
- Method
- Flixbus or Rede Expressos from Lisboa Sete Rios
- Duration
- 6–7 hours by bus
- Cost
- €15–35 (~$16–38)
- Tip
- There is no direct train between Lisbon and Seville; bus is the most practical option.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Lisbon's integrated transport network covers the entire city efficiently. The Metro is the fastest option for longer cross-city journeys; heritage trams and funiculars are slower but scenic. Taxis and rideshare apps are affordable by western European standards. Walking between Chiado, Baixa, Alfama, and Príncipe Real is very feasible (10–20 minutes) but involves significant hill climbing.
Airports
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
The Navegante card works on Metro, buses, trams, and funiculars. Load a daily (€6.60/~$7.10) or weekly (€16.80/~$18.14) pass for significant savings over per-journey fares.
Validate the card against the reader when boarding; failure to do so risks a €100 (~$108) on-the-spot fine from inspectors.
Tram 28 is heavily targeted by pickpockets in summer. Keep bags zipped and worn to the front.
The Lisboa Card includes unlimited transport and is worth comparing to the Navegante pass if multiple museum visits are planned.
Late-night transport: the last Metro runs at approximately 01:00. Night buses (marked with N) operate from Cais do Sodré hub from 00:30.
The airport Metro requires a valid Navegante card; paper day-trip tickets do not cover the airport surcharge zone.
For Belém: the train from Cais do Sodré (15 min, €1.55/~$1.68) is faster and cheaper than Tram 15E.