Complete Guide to Public Transport Tickets in Lisbon
Lisbon has a well-connected and efficient public transport system, including buses, trams (electric trams), metro (subway), suburban trains, and ferries. Whether you are a local, a commuter, or a tourist, there are multiple ticket options to suit your travel needs.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of ticket types, fares, where to buy them, and how to use public transportation in Lisbon.
1. Transport Cards in Lisbon: Viva Viagem and Navegante
To use Lisbon’s public transport, you must purchase a rechargeable transport card. There are two main options:
1.1 Viva Viagem Card
The Viva Viagem card is a rechargeable and disposable card, valid for one year from the first use. You can load it with different ticket types, including single rides, day passes, or Zapping credit.
🔹 Price: €0.50 (one-time purchase)
🔹 Where to buy: Ticket machines, metro stations, CP train stations, authorized kiosks
🔹 Validity: 1 year
💡 Important: Each card can only hold one type of ticket at a time. For example, if you load a 24-hour pass, you cannot add Zapping credit until the pass is fully used.
1.2 Navegante Card
The Navegante card is a personalized rechargeable card, intended for frequent users. Unlike Viva Viagem, this card is reusable and is mainly used for monthly passes.
🔹 Price: €3 (for a personalized version)
🔹 Where to buy: Official Navegante service centers, CP ticket offices
🔹 Validity: 6 years
💡 Tip: To get a personalized Navegante card, you need to present an ID card and a recent photo.
2. Single Tickets and Occasional Travel
If you only use public transport occasionally, there are various single-ride and daily ticket options.
2.1 Single Ticket (Metro and Bus/Tram – Carris/Metro)
This ticket allows a one-way trip on buses, trams (electric trams), and metro within Lisbon.
🔹 Fare: €1.80
🔹 Validity: 60 minutes (transfers allowed but not return trips)
🚋 Important: This ticket does not include CP suburban trains or ferries.
2.2 Train Tickets (CP Lisbon Suburban Trains)
If you plan to travel outside Lisbon to Sintra, Cascais, Azambuja, or Setúbal, you need a CP suburban train ticket.
🔹 Minimum fare: €1.35 (Zone 1)
🔹 Maximum fare (Zone 9): €4.55
🚆 Examples of fares:
Lisbon – Sintra: €2.40
Lisbon – Cascais: €2.30
2.3 Ferry Tickets (Transtejo & Soflusa)
Ferries connect Lisbon with the south bank of the Tagus River, such as Cacilhas, Barreiro, Seixal, Montijo, and Trafaria.
🔹 Starting price: €2.60
🚢 Example fares:
Cais do Sodré – Cacilhas: €2.60
Terreiro do Paço – Barreiro: €3.15
|
weqweqw
3. Zapping: Prepaid Credit for Flexible Travel
Zapping is a prepaid balance system that can be used across multiple transport services, offering discounted fares compared to single tickets.
3.1 How Does Zapping Work?
Minimum load: €3
Maximum load: €40
Accepted on Metro, Buses, Trams, Trains, and Ferries
3.2 Zapping Fares
🔹 Metro & Bus/Tram: €1.47
🔹 CP Suburban Trains: from €1.35
🔹 Ferries (Transtejo/Soflusa): from €2.04
💡 Tip: If you need to use different types of transport without committing to a daily pass, Zapping is a great choice.
Read Also
What to See and Do in Lisbon Ultimate Travel Guide
The Most Important Monuments to Visit in Sintra
Qual a Comida Típica em Portugal ?
4. Navegante Monthly Passes
For frequent travelers, the Navegante pass offers the best value for money with unlimited travel.
4.1 Types of Monthly Passes
🔹 Navegante Metropolitano (€40/month)
Unlimited travel in all of Lisbon’s Metropolitan Area
🔹 Navegante Municipal (€30/month)
Unlimited travel within one municipality (e.g., only Lisbon, Sintra, or Cascais)
🔹 Navegante Família (€80/month per family)
Ideal for families living in the same household
🔹 Navegante 12 (Free for children up to 12 years old)
🔹 Navegante +65 (€20/month for seniors over 65)
💡 Tip: Students up to 23 years old can benefit from discounted student passes.
5. Tourist Passes and Lisbon Card
For visitors and tourists, Lisbon offers unlimited transport passes valid for 24 hours or more.
5.1 24-Hour Public Transport Passes
Carris/Metro Pass: €6.80 (unlimited travel on Metro, buses, and trams)
Carris/Metro/CP Pass: €10.60 (includes suburban trains)
5.2 Lisbon Card (Transport + Attractions)
The Lisboa Card is a tourist pass that includes unlimited public transport plus free or discounted entry to over 35 attractions.
🔹 Prices:
24h: €22
48h: €37
72h: €46
💡 Best for tourists: This pass is perfect if you plan to visit museums and use transport frequently.
|
6. Where to Buy and How to Validate Tickets?
6.1 Where to Buy Tickets?
Ticket machines (Metro stations, CP stations, Ferry terminals)
Authorized kiosks and newspaper stands
Navegante service centers
Mobile app Viva Lisboa (for certain top-ups)
6.2 How to Validate Tickets?
Metro: Tap your card on the entrance gates
Buses & Trams: Validate using the card reader near the driver
Trains & Ferries: Validate before boarding
❗ Fines: If caught without a valid ticket, you can be fined between €100 and €250!
7. Tips for Using Public Transport in Lisbon
✅ Avoid rush hours (7:30 AM – 9:30 AM and 5 PM – 7 PM) if possible.
✅ Always validate your card before entering the train or metro.
✅ Use Zapping for a cheaper and flexible option.
✅ For tourists, the Lisboa Card can be a great value if you plan to visit attractions.
✅ Buy tickets in advance to avoid queues at ticket machines.
Conclusion
Lisbon’s public transport offers multiple ticket options, ensuring flexibility for occasional users, daily commuters, and tourists. If you use transport rarely, single tickets or Zapping are convenient. If you travel every day, the Navegante monthly pass provides the best savings. Tourists should consider a 24-hour pass or Lisboa Card for unlimited travel and discounts on attractions.
If you have any questions or need recommendations, let me know! 😊🚇🚍🚆🚢