Lisbon Metro Guide: Routes, Tickets & Travel Tips
The Lisbon Metro has four colour-coded lines and is one of the easiest ways to get around the city, including a direct connection to Lisbon Airport on the Red Line. Under normal conditions, trains operate daily from 6:30 am to 1:00 am. This guide covers the Metro map and routes, 2026 ticket prices, contactless payment, operating hours and practical tips for planning your journey.
Why Use the Lisbon Metro
Experience the elegant and contemporary Lisbon Metro, adorned with unique artistic touches at each station. Operating since 1959, the metro has expanded its reach, now boasting 56 stations across four lines:
- Blue (Seagull): Amadora este – Baixa Chiado
- Yellow (Sunflower): Odivelas – Rato
- Green (Caravela): Cais do Sodré – Telheiras
- Red (Orient): São Sebastião – Aeroporto
Lisbon Metro Operating Hours
Under normal operating conditions, the Lisbon Metro runs every day from 6:30 am to 1:00 am, including weekends and public holidays. Train frequencies vary by line, time of day and day of the week, with longer waits generally expected during evenings and off-peak periods. Some secondary station halls have shorter opening hours, so check the official Metro website for current line status, frequencies and temporary service changes before travelling.
How to Navigate the Lisbon Metro
The metro is equipped with air-conditioned trains, elevators for easy platform access, and clear signage to guide your way. The four color-coded lines help you identify your route with no effort. If you find yourself heading in the wrong direction, no worries – simply hop off at the next station and cross over to the correct side.
Planning Your Journey
Lisbon’s metro map is a useful tool to navigate the city, indicating stations, transfers, and popular attractions. Although it doesn’t cover the entire city, it’s a great option to reach many must-see locations.
Putting your route together? Compare Metro, trams and other options in our Lisbon transport guide, then follow our free 3-day Lisbon itinerary for a practical first visit.
Art and Culture Underground
Many stations feature themed tiled walls by contemporary artists, turning your commute into an art gallery experience. The red line stands out with impressive installations, while other lines feature works by renowned Portuguese artists.
Lisbon Metro Tickets and Fares
When using the Lisbon Metro, your ticketing experience has been designed to be easy and convenient. To ensure a seamless experience, we suggest using the Viva Viagem card, an occasional travel card that costs €0.50 and is valid for one year. In 2026, a Carris/Metro ticket costs €1.90 and is valid for unlimited journeys on Carris and Metro for 60 minutes after the first validation (but not for consecutive Metro journeys). Zapping costs €1.72 per Metro journey, while direct contactless bank-card payment at the Metro gates costs €1.92. The 24-hour Carris/Metro ticket costs €7.25 and is useful if you plan to make several journeys in one day.
If you enjoy visiting museums and attractions frequently, the Lisboa Card is a great option for unlimited use of public transport in Lisbon, providing a cost-effective solution for avid sightseers.
The Lisboa Card provides free access to different modes of public transportation in Lisbon, such as the metro, buses, trams, lifts of CARRIS lines, and the CP Train of Lisbon. You can choose from three flexible durations – 24 hours, 48 hours, or 72 hours – depending on your schedule. Aside from transportation, the card also grants you free entry to a selection of participating museums and monuments, with admission conditions and temporary closures that should be checked on the official Lisboa Card website before travelling.
You can also use your bank card for payments on the platform. Simply touch your card on the reader for easy passage.
For those opting for the Viva Viagem card, remember it’s a personalized journey tool, usable by a single person. Families traveling together should ensure each member obtains their own card.
While the Viva Viagem card simplifies metro transactions, it has limitations regarding fare types. To overcome this, consider charging the card with “Zapping“, a credit option ranging from €3 to €40. Zapping credit can be used on participating operators, but fares and validity vary by network. Check current Metro, CARRIS, CP and ferry conditions separately.
To summarize, the Lisbon Metro offers a variety of ticketing and fare options that cater to different preferences. These include the flexible Viva Viagem card, the all-inclusive Lisboa Card, and simple contactless payment methods. With these options, your journey through the city will be as seamless as the metro’s efficient operation.
Important Lisbon Metro Stations
Baixa-Chiado: Connects the green and blue lines, offering access to Baixa’s flat streets and Chiado’s hilltop district.
Marquês de Pombal: A bustling interchange connecting the blue and yellow lines, providing access to Avenida da Liberdade and Edward VII Park.
Cais do Sodré: The green line’s final station, linking to trains for Cascais beaches and ferries to Cacilhas.
Accessibility and Comfort
Priority seating on trains is reserved for pregnant women, passengers with small children, the elderly, and those with disabilities, but not all stations are wheelchair accessible. The metro aims to make your journey comfortable and inclusive.
