A big question every public-transport-loving traveller asks before setting off to discover a new city: how does the metro work and what do I need to know before using it so I don’t waste time?
This article was written to answer all your questions precisely… Let’s go!
General information
The metro in Lisbon is fairlyconvenient. It all depends on the destination you want to visit.
The metro map is availablehere.
You’ll notice there are few metro stops in the higher parts of Lisbon, which can be inconvenient when you want to visit the city’s most typical neighbourhoods, namely the Bairro Alto or Alfama. In that case, another mode of transport is preferable, such asthe bus or the tram.
Nonetheless, when it’s useful, the metro remains a fairly cheap and pleasant way to get around, since the advantage is that it’s quite recent (opened in 1959), so clean and modern.
Traffic is fast (on average a train every 3 to 7 minutes, depending on the station and the time), and safe (officers ensure security).
Be careful, though, for those who aren’t vigilant: there are very often inspectors at the gate exits, and they don’t joke around about fare dodging at all!
Practical information
You should know that in Lisbon,it is mandatory to buy a transport card to use the metro :
- OPTION 1– The “VIVA VIAGEM” card (green/white) or “7 COLINAS” (blue): it will cost you €0.50 each.
You can buy it in the metro (the machines provided for this, or at the information desks located before the gates), or at the sales points of the CARRIS or CP companies.
The green one lets you use all transport; the white one doesn’t let you use transport going south (but that’s not a problem for travellers staying in Lisbon), so if you’re only offered one, that’s normal.
This card is the most recommended for occasional users, so perfect for travellers; what’s more, it lets you load various options depending on your needs and your visits.
Once the card is bought, several options are available to you:
– Either load single tickets; this option is recommended if you use transport only very occasionally,
Price: €1.50 for 1 metro trip
If you use this option, it means you plan to do most of your sightseeing on foot, which we strongly encourage since Lisbon is a magnificent city that deserves to be discovered street by street!
– Or put a fixed amount on it(€3, €5, €10 or more), which means you won’t have to use the payment machines all the time: this is “Zapping”; what’s more, each trip will cost less than a normal one (for example, the metro trip drops from €1.50 to €1.33);
With this option, you can use several transport companies at the same time, on the same card, at a lower cost: METRO, CARRIS (buses, funiculars, the Santa Justa Lift and trams), CP (train) and TRANSTEJO (ferry).
– Or choose the day-ticket option“Bilhete Diário”: the price is €6.40; this pass lets you take, for 24 hours and unlimited, all public transport belonging to the METRO and CARRIS companies, i.e. all metro lines, trams, buses, funiculars and the Santa Justa Lift.
« This option is recommended if you’ve planned a big day of sightseeing that involves visiting monuments and museums across the city »
- OPTION 2– The “LISBOA CARD”: offered by the tourist office, it doesn’t belong to any transport company.
It lets you:
– use all metros, buses, trams and funiculars in Lisbon without limit, and travel by train to Sintra and Cascais
– visit around twenty museums free of charge, including the Torre de Belém, Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, etc… without queuing
– benefit from discounts for certain visits, shops and nightlife outings
You’ll find the list of museums as well as the tours offered on the Lisboa Card website.
Price:
– Lisboa Card 24h pass: €19 (children 4 to 15: €12)
– Lisboa Card 48h pass: €32 (children 4 to 15: €18)
– Lisboa Card 72h pass: €40 (children 4 to 15: €21)
This card is recommended for museum and monument lovers! Indeed, given the price of the Lisboa Card, you need to visit a large number of paid historic sites to make it worthwhile.
You now have everything you need to choose the options that best match the tone of your trip, the number of people with you and the way you get around!
Voyage à Lisbonne creates your tailor-made trip, on your budget and according to your wishes. We organize every detail so you have nothing to think about… Even your journeys are planned ahead! Don’t hesitate to contact us for your free quote…here(section: contact) 🙂
