Lisbon’s trams are the backdrop to any visit to the Portuguese capital, their distinctive screeches and rattles alert to their presence throughout the city center. You can’t pass any souvenir shop without seeing a postcard of the famous # 28 yellow tram. With its vintage wooden cars and its winding route through the most historic areas of the city, it is no wonder that thousands of visitors line up to travel every day.
However, trams are not just a tourist attraction. With lines stretching as far as Algés in the west, along with the city’s famous hills, they are equally popular with locals.
It is not difficult to travel on the trams in Lisbon, but as with most public transport systems, a little knowledge and preparation goes a long way. Here we’ll explain to you how to do it.
Routes
There are five tram routes in Lisbon, all of which run through the city center. The numbered lines are followed by the letter ‘E’, which stands for electric (electric).
While the historic tram no. 28 between Martim Moniz and Campo do Orique is the most popular, many visitors will also find themselves at n. 15 more modern, which runs along the river to Belém. Both routes can be very busy in summer, especially on weekends. For a quieter and more relaxed ride, take one of the other lines.
Tram number 25, for example, also ends at Campo do Orique, which encompasses the Estrela Basilica and a few more local neighborhoods, before ending with a short ride along the riverside to the base of the hill in Alfama. .
For a shorter trip, jump over # 12. This tram travels through the heart of the old city in just 20 minutes, passing the cathedral, the magnificent Santa Luzia viewpoint, the church of San Antonio, and more. Unlike the other routes, this tram only travels in one direction (clockwise).
Finally, # 18 follows the river for a mile and a half to the Cais do Sodre interchange, before turning north before the April 25 th bridge, and ending at the Ajuda cemetery. It is often the least crowded tram route, as there are fewer tourist attractions along the way.
Buying tickets
All lines have the option of buying a ticket on board, although the way to do it depends on the tram. The price is per trip, so it doesn’t matter if you are going to make a stop or to the end. On most routes, you simply hand your money to the driver as you board, while the larger, more modern articulated trolleys on route # 15 have ticket vending machines.
However, keep in mind that there are several downsides to buying tickets this way. On busy routes, the front of the tram can be very congested, making it difficult to handle money and tickets while boarding. Using the machines is a bit easier on the # 15 trams, but they don’t give change, so you may end up paying more than necessary if you don’t have the exact amount.
Speaking of paying too much, buying on board costs twice as much as using a pre-purchased ticket or pass. To save money, time and hassle, go to a metro station, a marked kiosk or a post office in advance, and buy a day pass or preload a Viva Viagem pass with all the credit you need.
Board and ride the tram
On the older trams used on most routes, passengers board at the front and disembark at the rear. You will be unpopular if you try to do it the other way!
On the larger # 15 trams, passengers use all doors to get on and off. At the busiest times, wait until most people have disembarked before trying to get on.
In any case, if you are using a pre-purchased pass, don’t forget to slide it into the reader when entering the tram. Even if you have a day pass, you still need to validate it on each trip. No need to swipe again when you go.
Due to the steep hills of Lisbon, older people often use the tram to avoid going up and down the cobbled streets. On crowded trams, giving up your seat to pensioners is always welcome!
The only real danger on Lisbon’s trams, apart from the heat of an overcrowded carriage in summer, is pickpockets. They are known to operate regularly on lines # 28 and # 15, where the mix of tourists and crowds presents a tempting target.
Particularly on those routes, be sure to keep your valuables safe. Don’t keep your wallet, phone, or anything else you can’t afford to lose in your back pocket, and keep your purse or backpack closed and in front of you at all times. Be aware that people deliberately bump into you, especially when getting on or off the tram.
Tips for # 28
A trip on the tram n. 28 is often called a ‘must see’ in guidebooks, and for an obvious reason: it’s an unusual and inexpensive way to take a tour through the heart of one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. However, that popularity comes at a price.
At the height of the summer tourist season, it is not unusual to have to wait up to an hour to be able to board one of the trams, which will then be fully booked for almost the entirety of your trip. Besides being hot and uncomfortable, the overcrowding also makes it difficult to see or take photos of the cityscape which is the main reason for your trip.
There are no guarantees, but following these tips will give you the best chance of a less crowded and more enjoyable trip.
- Buy your ticket in advance. As mentioned above, it’s cheaper and a lot easier to just swipe a pre-purchased pass than to waste time buying a ticket on a packed tram.
- Travel during off-peak hours. The tram is busy throughout the day, but peak hours run from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. If you can make your trip at night or early in the morning, it will be much less crowded.
- Get on at the first stop. If you think boarding the tram in Martim Moniz is difficult, try doing it elsewhere in the city center. In summer, it is practically impossible.
- Best advice of all: Seriously consider traveling in the opposite direction. Instead of joining that endless line at Martim Moniz, start your journey at the other end, at Campo do Orique. It is the exact same route, with fewer people taking it. Arrive by taxi, on tram # 25, or enjoy the 45-minute walk from Chiado.
