Dear Blanca,
I’m from Sao Paulo and I’m planning a trip to Lisbon! I was wondering how one navigates public transport in Lisbon. With winter fast approaching, I’m scared of accidentally transforming into an icicle while waiting out in the cold, simply because I don’t know the most efficient route. Is there a way to avoid this potential icy fate?
Yours affectionately,
Sao Paulo Sue
Dear Sao Paulo Sue,
As a proud resident of Lisbon, I know all too well the struggle of traveling within the city without getting lost or walking away with icicles in your winter coat. Fortunately, the city of Lisbon has various public transportation options that I’ve been using for years (even before I got Santino, my Podengo dog).
To travel by public transport, you need to purchase a Viva Viagem card. You can get this easily at any Metro station and with it, you can purchase day passes and other tickets that you can use for different transportation types. The most commonly used type of pass is the Carris/Metro combination pass, which is priced at €6.40. But if your stay is a bit longer, I recommend getting the three-day pass for €14.50 to make the most of your time visiting Lisbon.
The good news is that there are tons of resources that can help make your travel in Lisbon a lot easier. I personally recommend the CityMapper app, which redirects you with the most efficient routes and timetables in the city. If that isn’t enough, you can always ask a fellow Lisboeta (you should also consider getting a crash course on the local slang). Other helpful resources include:
Public Transport Types:
-Metro: All around Lisbon are metro stations, with their stops easily visible in their colour-coding.
-Buses: Take you to different neighbourhoods of Lisbon.
-Trams: Take people from Barrio Alto to Praca dos Restauradores!
-Taxis: Yellow sign on top of the car, this is the fastest way to travel around the city.
If you are looking for a more authentic experience, you can always hop on a tram, or take the old-school bus number 28 for a more scenic journey.
Overall, I can confidently say that taking public transport in Lisbon won’t be a hassle! With the right resources to guide you, you can safely and conveniently tour the beautiful city of Lisbon as if you were a local.
Hoping you have a lovely time in Portugal,
Blanca Valbuena.