Public Transport

Lisbon’s transit system includes trams, buses, ferries, and funiculars, and elevators linking high and low parts of the city. For all these forms of transport, paying as you board means paying much more–-€2 a ride for each trip on a bus, €3 a tram, €3.80 for a funicular, and €5.30 for the Santa Justa Elevator. It's better to purchase a 7 Colinas or Viva Viagem travel card, rechargable cards that can be used on all forms of public transportation. A one-day card costs €6.40 and is valid on all of Lisbon's buses, trams, and subways. Buy them at transportation terminals and at the foot of the Elevador de Santa Justa. Public transportation in the city is operated by Carris.

Run by the Metropolitana de Lisboa, Lisbon's modern metro system (station entrances are marked with a red "M") is cheap and speedy, though it misses many sights and gets crowded during rush hour and for big soccer matches. For €1.40, you get one hour's access to buses, trams, and the metro: choose the "Zapping" option to load larger amounts onto your card if you intend to make multiple journeys.

Yellow Bus, now operated by Carristur, operates a special Hills Tramcar Tour that rattles through the most scenic parts of old Lisbon. The fare is €18 per person. It also offers an all-in-one ticket giving you hop-on, hop-off access to all its bus, boat, and tram tours for 72 hours. The fare is €40. Keep a close eye on your belongings when using public transportation, especially Tram 28, during busy times. Pickpockets ply their trade on crowded trains, buses, and trams.

Contacts

Carris. 218 503 225; www.carris.pt.

Metropolitano de Lisboa. 213 500 115; www.metrolisboa.pt.