Lisbon is easy to love and easy to overspend in: the wrong transit ticket, a midday queue for Tram 28, or a Lisboa Card you never fully use. This guide puts the real prices side by side so you can pick the right pass, ride the famous tram at the right hour and fit Sintra into a 3-day plan.
Quick Answer
- Airport to centre: Red-line metro, €1.90 plus a €0.50 card, 25 to 30 minutes
- Best pass for heavy sightseeing: Lisboa Card: €31 / €51 / €62 for 24 / 48 / 72 hours
- Tram 28: €3.30 on board vs €1.72 with a Navegante card; ride before 9 AM or after 7 PM
- Sintra: About 40 minutes by train, around €2.40 each way
- Ideal length: 3 days, including a Sintra day trip
How Do You Get From Lisbon Airport Into the City?
| Option | Cost | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro (Red line) | €1.90 per journey, plus a one-time €0.50 Navegante card | 25 to 30 minutes | Solo travellers and light luggage |
| Bus 744 or 783 | €1.72 with Navegante Zapping credit | 30 to 40 minutes | Hotels along the bus routes |
| Taxi | About €15 to €25 | Varies with traffic | Late arrivals and groups |
| Uber or Bolt | No fixed fare; typically 10 to 20 percent cheaper than a taxi | Varies with traffic | Door-to-door on a budget |
Fares above come from the Lisbon Tourism transport guide. If you land late or arrive with heavy bags, a pre-booked transfer removes the guesswork.
Is the Lisboa Card Worth It?
The Lisboa Card is a tourist pass that bundles unlimited public transport with free or discounted entry to more than 30 museums and attractions. It covers metro, buses, trams, funiculars, and the trains to Sintra and Cascais. The 24-hour card costs €31, the 48-hour card €51 and the 72-hour card €62.
A plain 24-hour transport pass costs €7.25, a Sintra train ticket is about €2.40 each way with a Navegante card, and the Santa Justa Lift normally costs €6.20 (free with the Lisboa Card). The card pays off only when you stack paid sights and the Sintra day trip inside its validity window; for a light sightseeing schedule, a Navegante card with credit is cheaper.
| Option | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Lisboa Card, 24 hours | €31 | Transport plus entry to 30+ sights, Sintra and Cascais trains included |
| Lisboa Card, 48 hours | €51 | Same coverage over two days |
| Lisboa Card, 72 hours | €62 | Same coverage over three days |
| 24-hour transport pass | €7.25 | Metro, buses, trams and funiculars only |
| Navegante card with Zapping credit | €0.50 card plus €1.72 per journey | Pay as you ride; tram 28 costs €1.72 instead of €3.30 on board |
How Do You Ride Tram 28 Without the Crowds?
Tram 28E is Lisbon’s most famous tram line: a 7 km route through Graça, Alfama, Baixa, Chiado and Estrela that takes 40 to 50 minutes end to end. A ticket bought from the driver costs €3.30 (cash only), while a loaded Navegante card brings the fare to €1.72. Guides on Lisbon’s main tourist sites agree on three tactics:
- Ride early or late: aim to board before 9 AM or after 7 PM, and avoid 10 AM to 5 PM in summer.
- Board at a terminus: starting at either end gives you the best chance of a seat.
- Watch your pockets: the route is a known pickpocketing spot, so keep bags zipped and in front of you.
Vintage trams sharing a cobbled Lisbon street
What Is a Simple 3-Day Lisbon Itinerary?
| Day | Focus | Getting around |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Alfama: São Jorge Castle and the Sé Cathedral, then tram 28 back down | On foot; early tram before 9 AM |
| Day 2 | Baixa and Chiado, the Santa Justa Lift, then the Basílica da Estrela | Metro or tram 28E |
| Day 3 | Day trip to Sintra by train, about 40 minutes each way | Train, about €2.40 each way with Navegante |
Lisbon’s main tourist sites suggest three days as enough for the essential neighbourhoods plus Sintra. Pre-book popular entries where you can, and use the table above to decide whether the Lisboa Card fits your schedule.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Tram 28 in Lisbon?
A single ticket bought from the driver costs €3.30 (cash only). With a loaded Navegante card the fare is €1.72.
How do you get from Lisbon airport to the city centre?
The Red-line metro costs €1.90 per journey plus a one-time €0.50 card fee and takes 25 to 30 minutes. A taxi is about €15 to €25.
Is the Lisboa Card worth it?
It can be if you visit several paid attractions and take the Sintra train, since it covers transport and 30+ sights from €31 for 24 hours. For a light schedule, a Navegante card with credit costs less.
How long does the train to Sintra take?
About 40 minutes each way. It costs around €2.40 with a Navegante card and is included with the Lisboa Card.
How many days do you need in Lisbon?
Three days covers Alfama, Baixa, Chiado and a Sintra day trip at a comfortable pace.
Final Thoughts
Lisbon rewards a little arithmetic. Decide early whether the Lisboa Card matches your plans, load a Navegante card for everything else, and ride Tram 28 at the edges of the day. Do that and the city stays affordable and unhurried.
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