How do you pay for metro in Portugal?

It's a quick and easy way to pay for journeys on public transport in Lisbon. You have to buy a Viva Viagem card to travel on metro, ferry and suburban train. On bus, tram and funicular, you can either use your Viva Viagem card or, if you don't have one, buy a ticket from the driver (on-board fares are more expensive).



In 2026, paying for the metro in Portugal—specifically in Lisbon and Porto—has become incredibly simple due to the widespread adoption of contactless payments. In Lisbon, you can simply "tap and go" at the barriers using any contactless bank card (Visa, Mastercard) or a mobile wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay. Each journey costs approximately €1.92. In Porto, the "Andante" system is used; while you can still buy rechargeable paper cards at kiosks, contactless mobile payment is now the preferred method for occasional users. If you plan on using the system extensively for multiple days, it is still more cost-effective to buy a 24-hour pass (Viva Viagem in Lisbon) or use the "Zapping" method (pre-loading credit on a card), which offers slightly lower per-ride fares compared to the standard contactless rate. Note that you must tap your card both when entering and exiting the barriers to ensure the correct fare is calculated.

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The Lisboa Card is ideal for Lisbon visitors looking to get the most out of their Portuguese romp. Lisboa Card holders can take advantage of: Free unlimited travel by public transport (bus, tram, metro, elevators and funiculars) Free travel on CP train lines to Sintra and Cascais (popular daytrip destinations)

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I used the Metro to travel to Lisbon Oriente station to catch a bus. Getting a ticket was easy as the machines at each station have a logical screen flow. It's also possible to travel to the airport with no more than two changes.

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All of Lisbon's trams and buses are operated by Carris and the fare system covers all tram routes. A single tram ticket purchased onboard the tram costs €3.00. On the Articulado trams, tickets are purchased from the on-board ticket machines while on the older Remodelado they are bought from the driver.

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Regional trains are often cheaper and some lines very scenic, but it's almost always quicker to go by bus – especially on shorter or less obvious routes. You'll obviously have a great deal more flexibility if you drive, and you'll be able to visit more out-of-the-way places in a short trip.

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Tipping is not mandatory, and you should only do so if you feel comfortable about it and if you want to reward truly exceptional service. Tipping for great service is very much appreciated.

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Drinking tap water in Portugal is considered safe in all regions and the water meets all EU standards. Lisbon tap water is of a medium hardness, rich in minerals and has chlorine added during treatment. It can have a strong taste, so most Lisbon residents drink bottled water and use tap water for most everything else.

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While Lisbon is the most expensive city to live in Portugal, it is quite affordable when compared to other countries in western Europe, although, what once was a cheap city has seen its prices creeping up. This said, the cost of living in Lisbon for international students and expats is usually still very affordable.

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Uber is operational in an impressive range of locations across Portugal. You can find their services in Algarve, Aveiro, Beja, Braga, Braganca PT, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Evora, Guarda, Leiria, Lisbon, Pacos de Ferreira, Portalegre, Porto, Santarem Portugal, Santiago do Cacem, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, and Viseu.

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Cash, card and ATMs When travelling to big cities like Lisbon and Porto, you can usually use a card in most places. However, be prepared to come across smaller shops and restaurants that do not accept cards. Especially in smaller towns, you are expected to pay with cash for small purchases.

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