Lisbon and the surrounding area is blessed with an efficient public transportation system. Run by CARRIS, Lisbon's transportation network is made up of buses, trams and funiculars. CARRIS can be reached by telephone at 213 61 30 00 and online.

Metro

Four color-coded metro lines cover Lisbon's central and business districts. Stations are wonderfully decorated with murals, poetry and sculptures. Each stop is marked with a red 'M'.

Bus

Carris operates 97 bus routes throughout Lisbon. 69 of these routes are classified as "urban" lines. You should be able to find a bus route map at the tourist office.

Trams

There are five tram lines running through Lisbon, each offering hard-to-beat glimpses of the city. We regard tram line 28 to be one of Lisbon's greatest rides. The central section of its route runs from Rua da Conceição in the Baixa, past the Se and up Rue Augusto Rosa before chugging through Lisbon's steepest and narrowest streets. Note that the tram ride gets markedly less interesting after the tram reaches Rue de Voz do Operario.

Funiculars

Funiculars link the lower city with the residential areas in the hills. Lisbon features three funiculars and one "lift," which is essentially a large, ornate elevator. A funicular ride costs €1.30.

Metro, Bus, Tram, and Funicular Tickets

One ride on the metro, bus, or tram costs €1.40. A combination ticket costs €1.15 for travel within the central city and €1.50 for travel beyond it.

A book of 10 single-journey tickets for travel within the center of Lisbon runs €6.85. A book of 10 single-journey tickets for travel within and beyond the center of Lisbon costs €10.45.

A one-day ticket for travel on the entire CARRIS network is €3.70. A five-day ticket for travel throughout the network costs €12.90.

Buses, trams and funiculars cost €1.30 per ride. You can pay for bus travel on board the bus.

Taxis

Taxis in Portugal are billed by time, not distance. The starting cost during the day is €2.35; at night, this flat fee increases to €2.50. (Additional fees include a €1.60 luggage supplement and a €.75 charge for a taxi arranged by telephone.) During heavy traffic hours, it can be much more expensive to cab it than during light traffic times. Ask the folks at the airport tourist office about the voucher program, which simplifies transportation by taxi.

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