Getting Around Lisbon: Trams, Metro, Tuk-Tuks and Taxis Compared
What each way of moving around Lisbon actually costs, how long it takes, and which one to use for the hills, the airport and the old quarters.
Short answer
Use the metro for distance (€1.85), walk Baixa and Chiado, and use a tuk-tuk or taxi for Alfama, Graça and the viewpoints. Tram 28 is scenic but slow and crowded.
Lisbon''s transport map hides its most important feature: gradient. Two points 600 metres apart can be separated by an 80-metre climb on polished limestone. Choosing transport here is less about speed than about slope.
The options at a glance
| Mode | Cost | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro | €1.85 single, €6.80 day | Airport, Belém-side links, distance | Does not reach Alfama or the castle |
| Tram 28 | €3.10 onboard | The classic ride | Queues over an hour, pickpockets |
| Bus / funicular | €1.85 / €4.10 | Short climbs | Slow in traffic |
| Taxi / rideshare | €6–€12 typical | Late nights, luggage | Cannot enter the narrowest lanes |
| Tuk-tuk | from €25 pp | Alfama, Graça, viewpoints | Book private, avoid street touts |
| Walking | Free | Baixa, Chiado, riverside | Cobbles and hills |
From the airport
Humberto Delgado Airport is eight kilometres from the centre. The red metro line reaches downtown in about 25 minutes with one change. A taxi costs roughly €15–€20 to Baixa outside rush hour. A pre-booked private transfer costs more but removes the rank queue, which after a late arrival is worth the difference.
Getting a Viva Viagem card
- Buy the rechargeable card at any metro machine for €0.50.
- Load single trips (€1.85) or a 24-hour pass (€6.80).
- One card per person — it cannot be shared through the gates.
- The same card works on metro, buses, trams and the ferries across the river.
Why tuk-tuks exist here
Alfama, Mouraria and Graça were laid out before wheels mattered. Buses cannot fit and taxis will refuse the narrowest lanes. Small open vehicles are the only way to reach the miradouros door to door — which is why they became a Lisbon fixture rather than a gimmick. Book a private, licensed operator with a fixed price rather than negotiating on the street.
Let the hills be someone else''s problem
Private tuk-tuk routes across Alfama, Graça and the viewpoints, with hotel pickup available.
See tours and pricesFrequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to get around Lisbon?+
A Viva Viagem card loaded with a 24-hour pass at €6.80 covers metro, buses, trams and ferries. Single trips cost €1.85.
Is Tram 28 worth it?+
The route is genuinely beautiful, but queues at Martim Moniz often exceed an hour in summer. Board at the Campo de Ourique terminus instead, or cover the same quarters by tuk-tuk.
How much is a taxi from Lisbon airport to the centre?+
Roughly €15–€20 to Baixa outside rush hour, plus a luggage supplement. A pre-booked private transfer costs more but avoids the rank queue.
Keep reading
Lisbon with Kids and Seniors: Seeing the City Without the Climbs
Practical routes, flat neighbourhoods, rest stops and transport choices for families with young children and travellers with limited mobility.
21 Lisbon Travel Tips Locals Wish Visitors Knew
Small pieces of local knowledge that save money, time and frustration — from the couvert charge at dinner to which viewpoint to skip in August.