Lisbon’s public transport system is a maze of winding streets, hills, elevators, ferries, funiculars, big buses, mini buses, trains, trams, and underground metro. Whew (wipes brow). Are you still with us? Luckily, a number of innovations including the ability to tap your credit card to buy a ticket have been introduced in the last couple of years that has most everything much more tourist and resident friendly. Students living in the city of Lisbon up to 23 years old and residents over the age of 65 can also get free unlimited transport.
This comprehensive 2025 guide breaks down everything you need to know about getting around Lisbon from the most economical ticket options to insider tips that will help you get around like a local. To put it shortly: get a Navegante card. It will make your world much easier, but there are two different types for occasional rides or personalized cards for residents.
First Things First – The Transportation Network
Lisbon’s integrated transport system encompasses several operators working together to create seamless connectivity. The Metro de Lisboa operates four color-coded lines (Blue, Yellow, Green, and Red) that intersect at key stations throughout the city. Carris manages the extensive bus network, the iconic yellow trams, and three historic funiculars that help navigate the city’s famous hills. CP (Comboios de Portugal) operates suburban trains connecting Lisbon to coastal destinations, while Transtejo and Soflusa provide ferry services across the Tagus River.
The beauty of this system lies in its integration – one ticket or card can often be used across multiple transport modes, making transfers smooth and economical.
Single Journey Tickets – Your Options Explained
Standard Single Ticket (Carris/Metro) – €1.66 (using Zapping credit) or €1.85 (standard Carris/Metro single ticket). This is your ticket for both metro and Carris services for one hour from first validation. The beauty of this ticket lies in its flexibility. For example, you can take the metro from Oriente station to São Sebastião on the Red Line, then catch bus 713 to Amoreiras Shopping Center all on the same ticket as long as it is within the first hour. Within the Carris network (buses, trams, funiculars), you can make unlimited journeys during the 60-minute validity period. However, there’s one important restriction: you cannot make two consecutive rides on the metro system with the same ticket (leaving the metro and reentering for a second ride).
Tram Tickets – €3.10 if purchased on board. Here’s where the price difference becomes significant. Buying a tram ticket directly from the driver costs €3.10 – nearly double the cost of using a transport card. This pricing structure strongly encourages visitors to use the integrated ticketing system rather than paying cash on board. Remember this tip, especially if you are bringing your entire family. This is a big amount of savings!
Ferry Services: €1.25 to €3.15 depending on destination Ferry tickets vary by route. The popular Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas crossing costs €1.50. These ferries provide stunning views of Lisbon’s waterfront and are an attraction in themselves – kind of like the Staten Island Ferry in New York City. Remember that return tickets aren’t available, so budget for two single tickets if you’re planning a round trip.
The most economical way to travel on Lisbon’s metro is using Zapping credit on a Navegante card, which costs €1.66 per journey. That’s €0.19 less than purchasing individual tickets. This might seem like a small difference, but it adds up quickly if you’re making multiple journeys throughout your stay.
Day Pass Options: Maximum Flexibility
Basic 1-Day Travel Card – €6.40 Available at metro stations and newspaper stands throughout the city, this card provides 24 hours of unlimited travel and typically pays for itself after 3-4 journeys.
Enhanced Day Passes (based on 2025 pricing):
- Carris/Metro 1-Day – €7.00 – Perfect for exploring central Lisbon
- Carris/Metro/Transtejo (Cacilhas) 1-Day – €10.00 – Includes ferry access for riverside exploration
- Carris/Metro/CP 1-Day – €11.00 – For going further afield including Sintra and Cascais
The €11.00 day pass deserves special attention. If you’re planning a day trip to Sintra (normally €4+ each way by train), this pass more than pays for itself while giving you unlimited access to all city transport.
The Navegante Occasional Card – Truly The Tourist’s Best Friend
Card Cost – €0.50 (valid for one year)
The arrival of the Navegante Occasional Card truly made everything easier in the world of Lisbon transport. For just 50 cents, you get a card that can be topped up with “Zapping” credit – Lisbon’s term for prepaid transport credit. The system is intuitive. You load money onto your card at one of Lisbon’s ticket machines, and fares are automatically deducted with each journey.
Zapping Top-up Options – €3, €5, €10, €15, €20, €25, €30, €35, €40
Strategic Top-up Recommendations:
- €10 – Ideal for weekend visitors making occasional trips
- €20 – Perfect for 3-day stays including suburban excursions to Cascais and Sintra
- €40 – Suitable for week-long visits or for travelers that want to travel extensively
The genius of this system becomes apparent when you realize you can always top up at any metro station or use contactless payment as backup if your credit runs low.
Where Your Navegante Card Works – A Comprehensive Network
Your Navegante card is accepted across Lisbon’s entire urban transport network. This includes all four metro lines, the complete Carris bus network serving every neighborhood, and the famous tram system. Tram 28, which winds through Lisbon’s most historic districts, and Tram 15 to the monument-rich Belém district are both included.
Don’t overlook the three historic funiculars – Ascensor da Bica, Ascensor da Glória, and Ascensor do Lavra – which are experiences in themselves and give visitors unique perspectives of the city’s dramatic topography. The card also works on the Elevador de Santa Justa, the iconic Neo-Gothic elevator that provides panoramic city views.
You can also use your paper Navegante Occasional Card beyond central Lisbon if you need to travel to Cascais or Sintra to explore the UNESCO World Heritage palaces and the mystical Quinta da Regaleira. The Azambuja line also serves communities north of Lisbon. For example, tourists can travel from Alcântara to Marvila or Oriente to visit Parque das Nações.
The Navagante card also gives you access to ferries operated by Transtejo connect Lisbon to Cacilhas, Trafaria, Porto Brandão, Seixal, Barreiro, and Montijo. South of the Tagus River, your card works on Fertagus trains, Metro Sul do Tejo, and TBC Barreiro buses. In Cascais, MobiCascais buses extend your reach even further.
Payment Options
You can now use contactless payments in Lisbon and can tap your credit card directly on validators aboard buses, trams, and at metro stations. This provides excellent backup when your Navegante card credit runs low. Note that CP trains do not have contactless technology. Purchase tickets at stations before boarding these trains.
Monthly Passes for Lisbon Residents
Obtaining Your Personalized Navegante Card
Documentation Required
- Passport-sized photograph (color, printed, passport type, with plain background, bareheaded and without sunglasses), Driver’s License (nationals citizens), or residence permit, or original personnel ballot (for children up to 10 years)
- Valid passport or EU ID document
- NIF number
Standard Process
- Visit any metro or train station with ticket offices
- Complete the Navegante application form
- Submit with photo and documentation before noon on weekdays
- Pay €7 processing fee
- Wait 10-14 days for collection or you can apply online here.
Express Service (€12) – Available at select locations including Cais do Sodré station, Marquês de Pombal Metro Station, and specialized Navegante offices. Cards can be ready the same day or next business day.
Additional Navegante Card Locations – For maximum convenience, Navegante cards can be obtained at numerous locations throughout Lisbon. Kiosk VIVA at Fertagus Pragal station offers self-service card creation in just one minute, operating from 5:00 AM to 2:00 AM daily. CARRIS locations include Santo Amaro (Rua 1º de Maio, 101) and Arco Cego (Av. Duke of Avila, 12), both open weekdays 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, plus the Saldanha Citizen Shop at Mercado January 31 (Rua Eng. Vieira da Silva, Duke of Saldanha Square) operating 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM weekdays. Metro stations at Campo Grande and Marquês de Pombal provide services weekdays 7:45 AM to 7:45 PM, while Fertagus offers card requests at any ticket office with delivery to Pragal station’s Customer Service Office (weekdays 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, closed weekends and holidays). The Transtejo/Soflusa river terminal at Cais do Sodré also provides card services weekdays from 8:00 AM to 6:45 PM.
Best Options for the Personalized Navegante for Residents
Metropolitan Navegante – €40.00/month Covers the entire Lisbon Metropolitan Area, which makes it ideal for residents living outside of central Lisbon. Special rates apply for various demographics: students under 23 pay just €10, while children under 18 travel free.
Municipal Navegante – €30.00/month Restricted to Lisbon, Amadora, Loures, Oeiras, and Odivelas municipalities
Insider Tips for Smart Travel
- Many trams operate on an honor system with payment validators but no conductor checking tickets. Don’t be tempted to skip payment. Inspectors can hop onto the tram or bus and conduct random checks at any time even at midnight. Fines are substantial and non-negotiable.
- Validate your ticket when starting your journey. The one-hour validity period begins from first validation, not purchase time.
- Hop-on hop-off tourist buses operate separately from the public transport system. Your Navegante card won’t work on these services, which typically cost €15-25 per day.
- Lisbon’s rush hours (8:00 AM-9:30 AM and 5:00 PM-7:30 PM) can be crowded, particularly on popular routes like Tram 28. Consider visiting major sightseeing spots outside of rush hour for a more comfortable experience.
Practical Considerations
Navegante card validity periods vary by cardholder profile and age. Children aged 4-12 (up to 13 years) receive cards valid for 4 years, as do normal cardholders 13-30 years old. Adults over 30 and seniors over 65 get extended 6-year validity periods, while retirees and pensioners receive 5-year cards. Student cards including ages 4-18 and up to 23 years are valid for 4 years, though children must have their cards replaced in the month they turn 13. All cards include a two-year manufacturer guarantee with free replacement for non-physical damage.
Final Recommendations
For any visitor staying more than 48 hours, the Navegante Occasional Card with appropriate Zapping credit is truly the best deal. The €0.50 card cost plus your chosen top-up amount will consistently undercut individual ticket purchases and also grant you access to Lisbon’s complete transport network.
The contactless payment backup system will ensure that you’re never stranded, while the extensive network coverage means you can reach virtually any destination within Greater Lisbon using a single, simple payment method.
We can’t finish a Lisbon transport guide without mentioning Bolt and Uber. Download these apps as your backup plan if the public transport network will take a lot longer to get from Point A to Point B or you are traveling with people who may prefer a car. Bolt is cheaper but sometimes Uber offers better options. Just be mindful of scams that may occur from these services. We hope that you enjoy beautiful Lisbon and that this guide has been a great help!
