Lisbon is quite easy to get around, but there are a few small things that can save you time, money and a lot of unnecessary walking.
Here are 7 tips I often give visitors:
1. Getting from the airport to your accommodation ✈️
Lisbon Airport has its own Metro station on the Red Line, so public transport is easy.
If you have a lot of luggage, Uber or Bolt can be more comfortable. A trip to the centre is often around €12, depending on demand.
If you take a taxi, the airport estimates around €10 to €15 to the city centre. Make sure the meter is on and ask for a receipt.
2. Arriving in Lisbon by train?
People often ask me:
Oriente or Santa Apolónia?
If your train stops at both, Santa Apolónia is usually more convenient for Alfama, Baixa and the historic centre. It is on the Blue Metro Line.
Oriente is on the Red Line and makes more sense for Parque das Nações or the airport.
3. Remember these two stations for day trips
Rossio → Sintra
Cais do Sodré → Cascais and the beaches
Simple, but knowing this before your trip can save some confusion.
4. Know which transport ticket to buy
Every Metro station has machines where you can buy a Navegante occasional card for €0.50.
A Carris + Metro ticket costs €1.90, Zapping on the Metro is €1.72, and a 24-hour Carris + Metro pass is €7.25.
For a single Metro trip, you can also simply tap a contactless bank card at the gate. It currently costs €1.92.
And if you are 3 or 4 people, sometimes it is worth checking Uber or Bolt before buying several individual tickets.
5. Use the free lifts in Baixa
There is a free public lift from Rua dos Fanqueiros to Rua da Madalena, and another at Chão do Loureiro that helps you continue towards the Castle.
The first one also leaves you very close to Bifanas do Afonso, so you can save your legs and get a bifana at the same time
6. Don't automatically join the Tram 28 queue
Martim Moniz can have a very long queue.
You can also start at the other end, Campo de Ourique (Prazeres), and do the route in the opposite direction. The official 28E route connects both points.
And Tram 28 isn't the only historic tram in Lisbon. 25E, for example, passes through Campo de Ourique, Estrela, Lapa and Santos.
7. Book private day trips early in summer
If you're thinking about a private driver for Sintra, Nazaré, Óbidos, Arrábida or other places outside Lisbon, don't leave it until the day before.
During the summer, good drivers can be fully booked.
I have someone I regularly recommend to my guests, so send me a DM if you need his contact.
🇵🇹 Planning your trip to Lisbon?
These are exactly the kind of small practical details that can make travelling much easier.
My Lisbon Digital Guide includes transport information, neighbourhoods, local food, places to visit, day trips and curated Google Maps lists with restaurants, cafés, viewpoints and other places I recommend.
Open the maps directly on your phone, see what's close to you and spend less time searching while you're here.
You can also bundle Lisbon with my Porto or Algarve guides and get a discount.
Download your guide here:
www.portugaldigitalguides.com
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