Lisbon Tram Guide (With Map)

The trams in Lisbon are part of what makes Lisbon so unique and romantic today.

The Lisbon trams’ origins date back to 1873 when horses carried them around.

However, they couldn’t carry the trams up the steep hills, so Lisbon developed funiculars(cable cars) in 1884.

The first electric trams weren’t in service until 1901, when the technology was ready, starting the era of the modern tram.

Today trams in Lisbon are a big part of the public transportation network, and they are a must-try if you’re visiting for the first time or haven’t tried them before.

Overview of Lisbon’s Trams

Before we get to the prices and tips for using trams, here is an overview of some of the more important trams in Lisbon.

12E – Baixa – Alfama

The 12E Tram follows a circular route of two miles (4 kilometers) and is a shorter journey, taking 20 minutes.

It starts at Praça da Figueira in Baxia and travels to Miradouro de Santa Luzia. Along the route, you can see famous tourist districts like Baixa and Alfama.

One of the most important monuments in hilly districts is the Baroque Church of Saint Anthony.

15E – Praça Da Figueira to Belém and Algés

Tram 15E also has a starting point at Praça da Figueira and is a famous line in Lisbon.

The 15E Tram connects to busy destinations with Belem, the home of the best-known city landmarks.

With no metro system in Belem, using Tram 15E is the best option.

Tip: Check out my easy travel guide from Lisbon to Belem to plan your trip.

18E – Cais do Sodré Railway Station to Cemitério da Ajuda

The coastal train station can be a hub for reaching the city center, and Tram 18 heads in the opposite direction to reach Ajuda.

The Lisbon Tram runs along the waterfront, where you can visit the Museum of Ancient Art.

Once you arrive in Ajuda, you will notice two notable attractions: the Ajuda Palace and the botanical garden.

24E – Praça Luís de Camões to Campolide

While the yellow trams on Route 24 were discontinued for years, it has returned and remains a popular attraction in the city.

The tram route connects the Chiado district to the Príncipe Real district. If you want to explore Principe Real, you can get dropped off at the Rato metro station and walk through the district.

It’s my favorite area to stay in Lisbon, and they have an incredible spa hotel.

25E – Martim Moniz to Campo Ourique

The 25E Tram connects Martim Moniz to Campo de Ourique through Baixa and Estrela.

It passes through the Lapa district and Cais do Sodre and is the least used route, but it does provide alternative routes to Estrela.

28E – The Most Famous Tram

The classic tram route starts at Martim Moniz and ends at Campo de Ourique. These heritage trams connect the eastern and western parts by traveling through the narrow streets of Alfama, Baixa, Bairro Alto, and Chiado.

Tram 28 gets crowded during the day, so it’s best to get on as early in the morning as possible.

Important Tip: In Tram 28, you can encounter pickpockets, so be extra careful with your belongings.

Another helpful tip is that if Tram 28 is too crowded, you can take Tram 12, which follows the same scenic route and passes through the Alfama district.

Fares and Ticket Prices

Carris and the fare system covers all bus and tram routes in Lisbon. A single tram ticket bought onboard costs €3.10 ($3.46).

You might find it frustrating to buy the ticket onboard, though, because you will experience crowded trams and feel you’re slowing everyone down. There are better solutions, though, where you can just zap your way through.

You buy these tickets in advance, which makes your journey much easier. You can usually buy these ticket types at metro stations.

I recommend getting a Navegante card, as it makes everything easy.

Ticket types:

• CARRIS/METRO – 1,80 €
• 24h CARRIS/METRO ticket – 6,80 €
• 24h CARRIS/METRO/TRANSTEJO ticket – 9,80 €
• 24h CARRIS/METRO/CP ticket – 10,80 €
• Zapping – 1,61 €
• Viva Go – 1,61 €
• Lisboa Card – Free

Tip: The tram is a budget-friendly way to spend time in Lisbon. But there are many other ways to visit Lisbon on a budget to save even more. Check it out here.

Tram Schedule and Timetables

You can see when the next tram arrives at each stop, and they all run on a schedule. However, the traffic in Lisbon can sometimes be impossible to navigate.

Traffic is often why your tram is delayed, so be patient during rush hour.

Trams 15E and 28E, the most used trams, operate from 5 AM to 12 PM. The schedule varies depending on the month you visit Lisbon.

You can see all schedules and timetables for all trams here.

Lisbon Tram Map

There isn’t an official tram map, but you can get an overview on Carris’ website.

To help you, though, I’ve made my own tram map using Google Maps of the following trams:

• 28E – Green
• 15E – Purple
• 12E – Blue
• 24E – Yellow
• 25E – Black

8 Tips for Using the Lisbon Trams

1. Be prepared for crowds: The trams in Lisbon, especially the famous Tram 28, can get very crowded, particularly during peak tourist seasons.
2. Validate your ticket: If you’re using a reusable Navegante card, validate it when you board the tram. If you don’t, you might get a fine.
3. Beware of pickpockets: As with any crowded tourist area, be aware of your belongings when riding the tram in Lisbon, especially on Tram 28.
4. Plan your route: Research the tram routes and plan your journey. Some trams, such as Tram 28, are popular with tourists and can have long queues.
5. Enjoy the view: The tram routes in Lisbon offer beautiful city views. Be sure to have your camera ready to capture the iconic yellow trams against the backdrop of Lisbon’s historic streets.
6. How to enter and exit: For trams with two entrances, Use the front for entrance and the back for exit.
7. Accessibility: The old trams are not designed for rolling chairs and with mobility features. The newer ones, like 15E, do support accessibility.
8. Tickets: You can use the Navegante card or buy tickets on or at the tram stops. Remember to stamp your ticket with the driver or at the stop.

Wrap-Up

Trams make Lisbon so romantic and charming; you simply have to try one if you haven’t already.

Tram 28 is the most famous tram because it visits the most hyped areas, but if you visit Belém, for example, then Tram 15E is super easy as it departs from central Lisbon.

Tram 15E is one of the newer trams where they’ve improved accessibility and space. They’re not as charming as the old trams, but they’re still a great ride.

If you want to ride 28, which I understand why, then do it early in the morning before the rush hour or late in the afternoon. You’ll explore it much more.

Let me know if you have a tram story in the comment section below. I would love to hear it. 👇

Frequently Asked Questions