Lisbon travel guide

Walking

Central Lisbon is compact but very hilly, and the polished limestone pavements can be slippery, so wear shoes with grip. Rossio to Praça do Comércio is about ten minutes on foot along the flat Rua Augusta; the climb from the Baixa to São Jorge Castle takes around 20 minutes.

Metro, trams and buses

The Metro (four lines) and Carris trams, buses and lifts share one ticket system. Buy a reusable navegante occasional card (formerly Viva Viagem) for €0.50 at any Metro station and load it with a Carris/Metro ticket, which costs €1.90 in 2026 and gives unlimited Carris rides plus one Metro entry for 60 minutes, or with zapping credit (€1.72 a ride). You can also tap a contactless bank card at the Metro gates. A 24-hour Carris and Metro ticket costs €7.25; with the Cacilhas ferry €10.35; with CP trains to Sintra and Cascais €11.40. Paying on board costs €3.30 on a tram and €2.30 on a bus.

Tram 28

The classic yellow tram runs from Martim Moniz through Graça, Alfama, the Baixa and Chiado to Campo de Ourique. It is a normal Carris route, so the fares above apply. Board at the termini early in the morning to avoid long queues, and watch your belongings. Tram 15E runs along the river to Belém.

Lifts and funiculars

Several of Lisbon's historic lifts and funiculars, including the Glória and Bica funiculars and the Santa Justa Lift, were reported out of service in 2026; check Carris notices before planning around them.

Trains and ferries

CP trains run from Rossio to Sintra (about 40 minutes) and from Cais do Sodré along the coast to Belém and Cascais. Ferries cross the Tagus from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas and from Terreiro do Paço to the south bank.

From the airport

Humberto Delgado Airport is about 7 km from the centre. The Metro red line starts at Aeroporto station by Terminal 1 and runs from about 6.30am to 1am; change at Alameda, Saldanha or São Sebastião for the centre, about 25 to 35 minutes in all, for the standard €1.90 fare. Carris buses also serve the airport. The Aerobus shuttle no longer runs. Taxis leave from the rank outside arrivals; under a scheme that started on 15 October 2026, participating taxis charge fixed zone fares into Lisbon, reported at about €16 to €19 by day and €20 to €23 at night and weekends. Uber and Bolt pick up at a signed area. Private transfers can be booked in advance.

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Tourist tax

Lisbon charges a municipal tourist tax (taxa municipal turística) of €4 per guest per night in all hotels, hostels, guesthouses and short-term rentals in the city. It applies to guests aged 13 and over and is charged for a maximum of seven nights per stay, so the most any one guest pays is €28. Exemptions include stays for medical treatment, with one companion. The rate has been €4 since 1 September 2024 and is unchanged in the city's 2026 table of charges. It is usually collected by the accommodation, often at check-in, and is not always included in the price shown when you book. Cruise passengers who disembark in Lisbon pay a separate €2 arrival tax. Neighbouring councils set their own rates: Cascais also charges €4 a night, and Sintra €2.