Lisbon by Tram and Funicular: Which Routes Are Worth It and What a Day Costs

Ride the right lines, skip the queues, and budget for a day of hills on Lisbon's historic rails.

The Classics: Tram 28 and Elevador da Glória

Tram 28 is the postcard route, linking Martim Moniz to Campo de Ourique via Graça, Alfama, Baixa, Chiado and Estrela. It is genuinely useful, but between 10:00 and 17:00 the queue at Martim Moniz can swallow 45 minutes and the carriage is standing-room only. Board at Campo de Ourique instead — the terminus near Mercado de Campo de Ourique — and you will usually get a seat. A single ticket bought on board costs €3.00; a 24-hour Carris/Metro pass is €6.80 and covers all trams, funiculars and the metro. If you only ride once, pay as you go. If you plan three or more rides, the pass wins.

Elevador da Glória climbs from Praça dos Restauradores to Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara in about three minutes. The view over Baixa and Castelo de São Jorge is the point, and the ride itself is short but steep. It runs every 10–15 minutes from 07:00 to 23:55. The queue at Restauradores can be 20 minutes at sunset; walking up Calçada da Glória takes 8 minutes and costs nothing. Ride up once for the experience, then walk down through Bairro Alto. Skip the return trip.

Tram 15 to Belém and the Funiculars of Bica and Lavra

Tram 15 from Praça da Figueira to Belém is the practical line for Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, Torre de Belém and Pastéis de Belém. It takes 25–35 minutes depending on traffic on Avenida 24 de Julho. The 15E runs every 10–15 minutes, but pickpocketing is common on this route — keep bags zipped and in front of you. A single ticket is €3.00; the 24-hour pass covers it. If you are going to Belém, go early. The monastery opens at 10:00 and the queue by 11:00 can be 30 minutes. The tram is easier than the train from Cais do Sodré, which drops you at Belém station a 10-minute walk from the monastery.

Elevador da Bica runs from Rua de São Paulo to Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo in Bairro Alto. It is a 4-minute ride and the most photogenic of the three funiculars — the yellow carriage against the white buildings. It costs the same €3.00 single or is covered by the 24-hour pass. Elevador do Lavra, near Avenida da Liberdade, is the oldest (1884) but the least scenic. Unless you are staying near Rua Câmara Pestana, skip Lavra. Bica is worth one ride, ideally before 10:00 when the light is soft and the queue is short.

What a Day Actually Costs

Start with a 24-hour Carris/Metro pass at €6.80. That covers Tram 28, Tram 15, all three funiculars, the Santa Justa lift and the metro. Add a coffee and pastel de nata at a pastelaria for €1.50–2.50. Lunch at a tasca in Alfama or Graça — grilled sardines, salad, vinho verde — runs €10–15. A mid-afternoon beer at a miradouro kiosk is €2–3. Dinner in Bairro Alto or Príncipe Real, petiscos and a glass of wine, €20–30. Transport, food and drink total €40–55 without museum entries. Jerónimos Monastery is €12; Torre de Belém is €8. If you add both, budget €60–75 for the day.

Where you sleep changes the tram maths. A hotel in Baixa or Chiado puts Tram 28, Glória and Bica within a 10-minute walk, so you may only need one pass day. A hotel in Belém or Alcântara means Tram 15 is your daily commute and a pass pays for itself immediately. A hotel in Avenida da Liberdade is quiet but a 15-minute walk from the nearest funicular. For a first trip, I would book in Chiado or Baixa — you can walk to most viewpoints and use the pass for Belém and the 28. Avoid staying in Alfama if you have heavy luggage; the streets are steep and cobbled.

One more cost to plan: the Santa Justa lift in Baixa charges €6.00 to ride, but the 24-hour pass does not cover it — it is run by a different operator. Walk up the adjacent Rua do Carmo and enter the viewing platform from Largo do Carmo for free. The view is identical. On Tram 28, avoid boarding at Martim Moniz between 10:00 and 16:00; the queue is longest then. In July and August, all trams are packed by 09:30. April, May, September and October are the best months — fewer crowds, mild weather, and the funicular queues stay under 10 minutes.

Which Route I Would Book and What to Skip

If you have one day, buy the 24-hour pass and ride Tram 28 from Campo de Ourique to Martim Moniz in the morning, then Tram 15 to Belém after lunch. That covers the two best routes. Add Elevador da Glória at sunset if the queue is under 15 minutes; otherwise walk up. Skip Elevador do Lavra unless you are nearby, and skip the Santa Justa lift entirely — the free platform at Largo do Carmo is better. Tram 24 from Praça Luís de Camões to Campolide is quiet and residential but has no standout sights; leave it for a return trip.

Book a hotel in Chiado, Baixa or Príncipe Real. From Chiado you can walk to Glória, Bica and the 28 stop at Praça Luís de Camões in under 10 minutes. From Baixa you are 5 minutes from Restauradores and the 15E at Praça da Figueira. Príncipe Real is quieter and 15 minutes uphill from Bairro Alto, but the 24-hour pass makes it easy. Do not book in Parque das Nações for a tram-focused trip — you will spend 25 minutes on the metro just to reach the historic lines. Eastern districts are fine for Oriente station and the aquarium, but wrong for this itinerary.

Questions, answered

Do I need a separate ticket for each tram and funicular?

No. A single ticket costs €3.00 and is valid for one ride. A 24-hour Carris/Metro pass costs €6.80 and covers all trams, funiculars, the metro and buses. Buy the pass if you plan more than two rides in a day.

Which tram route has the best views?

Tram 28 from Graça to Estrela passes Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, the Alfama rooftops and the Estrela basilica. Tram 15 to Belém is flatter and less scenic but practical. For pure views, ride 28.

How much should I budget for a day of sightseeing by tram?

Transport €6.80, coffee and pastries €2.50, lunch €12, dinner €25, plus €20 for two museum entries. Total around €65. If you skip museums, €45 is realistic.

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