One of the key things you need to figure out when searching for homes for rent in Lisbon is whether there are easy public transport connections nearby. Luckily, Lisbon’s public transport network is extensive. So, no matter which of Lisbon’s neighbourhoods you pick, you can travel seamlessly.

To help you navigate the public transport in Lisbon, we will break down the best and cheapest ways to get around Lisbon.

Lisbon public transport tickets

There’s an array of ways you can pay for public transport in Lisbon. The most popular ways are:

• Navegante card
• Zapping
• Bank card

You can either buy a ticket or pay with your bank card for a single trip on Lisbon’s public transport. The ticket cost is €1.80. and is valid for unlimited journeys within 1 hour. You can use it on both the Carris network and the metro.

But paying for a single trip every time you use public transport in Lisbon can be expensive. As a resident, the Navegante card is a better option for you. This is a public transport card that you charge either with a subscription for public transport or money. You can use this card for any means of public transport in Lisbon.

You can choose between a customized or normal card. The cost of public transport is the same regardless of the card, but with the personalized card, you can track your transactions more easily.

There are several monthly subscriptions you can choose from for your Navegante card. But the best ones for people living in Lisbon are:

• Navegante Municipal: monthly subscription, costs €30, valid for Lisbon, Amadora, and Odivelas
• Navegante Metropolitano: monthly subscription, costs €40, valid for the Lisbon metropolitan area

University students under 23 can get a sub23 pass, which allows them to travel for free within Lisbon.

Other than getting a subscription, you can top up your Navegante card with credit, known as Zapping (or pay-as-you-go). You can add any amount between €3 and €40. Once you run out of credit, you have to top up your card again. With Zapping, you get discounts on the metro, and one journey will cost €1.61.

What’s the cheapest way to get around Lisbon?

The cheapest way to get around Lisbon is to purchase a monthly subscription. If you’re a frequent traveler who lives in Lisbon’s suburbs, get the Navegante Metropolitano for €30 monthly. But if you live within city limits, opting for the Navegante Municipal for €40 per month is better.

If you use public transport in Lisbon occasionally, it’s better to stick to Zapping, as you can top up the card only when necessary. You can, of course, choose to pay only with your bank card, but each trip you take will cost full price and be more expensive.

How to use the metro in Lisbon

Lisbon’s metro is the fastest and easiest way to get around the city. The subway in Lisbon has 4 lines and 56 stations. The metro reaches some of Lisbon’s best neighbourhoods, including Baixa and Chiado (Blue line), Saldanha and Campo Pequeno (Yellow line), and Mouraria and Alvalade (Green line). The Red line connects the city with the airport and has the most connections with the rest.

While it’s the fastest way to get around the city, Lison’s metro doesn’t reach further districts like Alcantara, Belem, Graca, and the high points in Alfama.

• Works between 6:30 AM and 1 AM
• Runs every 5 to 7 minutes during the day and 10 to 12 minutes at night
• 2 fare zones: Zone 1 is the city, and Zone 2 is the suburbs

How to use the bus in Lisbon

Buses are Lisbon's most popular means of public transport because of their extensive city coverage. With 172 routes, Lisbon’s busses can take you to any point inside and outside the city. You can recognize them by their signature yellow and the line number and end station displayed at the top of the front window. To stop the bus, you need to wave your hand.

• Works between 5 AM and 11 PM
• Runs every 15 to 30 minutes

Lisbon also has night buses. There are 2 types: the Night Bus (lines 1 and 2), which operates only on the weekends and public holidays, and the Rede da Madrugade (201—210 lines), which is available every day.

How to use the train in Lisbon

Lisbon’s trains are operated by 2 providers, Comboios de Portugal (CP) and Fertagus. CP has 4 trains connecting the city with Sintra, Sado, Azambuja, and Cascais. Their trains depart from main stations like Santa Apolónia and Oriente and offer regular services throughout the day.

Fertagus provides services between Lisbon and the city of Setúbal across the Tagus River. Fertagus is perfect for commuters traveling between Lisbon and the southern suburbs, including stations such as Pragal and Setúbal.

• Work between 6 AM and 1 AM
• Frequency depends on the line

How to use the funicular, lift, and tram in Lisbon

Probably the most recognizable means of public transport in Lisbon, trams are a great way to get around the city. While they’re popular tourist attractions, locals also use them because of their convenience. There’re a total of 6 tram lines, all in the center of Lisbon:

• 12E: Martim Moniz
• 15E: Baixa — Balém — Algés
• 18E: Ajuda (between Cais do Sodré and Cemitério de Ajuda
• 24E: Chiado (Largo de Camões area) — Campolide
• 25E: Santos — Lapa — Madragoa
• 28E: most touristy as it goes through Lisbon’s most popular neighbourhoods

Lisbon’s tram works daily between 5 AM and 11 PM, with trams running every 10–15 minutes.

Lisbon is very hilly, so the easiest way to get to the city's highest points is through the funiculars and the elevators. The funiculars resemble trams that take you uphill. They’re popular amongst tourists for their scenic views but are also wonderful if you live there and need to go from Cais do Sodre and Bairro Alto.

The elevator is best if you need to go from Baixa to somewhere around Largo do Carmo in Chiado. Keep in mind that the tickets are more expensive than the other forms of public transport. Two-way trips on the funiculars cost €5.30 and the elevator €3.80 for two-way trips.

What’s the best way to get around in Lisbon?

Buses are the best way to get around Lisbon. They have the most extensive coverage, so you can get around the city regardless of your neighborhood. Yet, Lisbon’s metro is better when it comes to working hours, frequency of services, and convenience. So, if you live more centrally or in the areas serviced by it, the metro in Lisbon is the best way to get around the city.

There is no better option for commuters than the trains, especially if you’re coming from Setúbal. And while the tram offers gorgeous city views, it’s the last on our list of ways to get around Lisbon as its network is the smallest.