Lisbon Card

Nestled between the banks of the Tagus and the ocean, Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is a fascinating city, rich in history, culture, picturesque neighborhoods and tasty culinary traditions.
To appreciate it to the fullest and visit the main tourist attractions, you have probably discovered that there is the Lisbon Card (or Lisboa Card), a tourist pass with unlimited transportation, discounts and free admission.

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But is it really worth buying the Lisbon Card? In this article I explain in detail how this card works, so you can evaluate whether it makes sense for your trip and the itinerary you have in mind.
Let's also see if there are any other interesting alternatives to consider.

What is the Lisbon Card?

The Lisbon (or Lisboa) Card is the classic tourist card that allows you unlimited use of transportation, free access to museums and attractions, and a range of other discounts and benefits, throughout the period of validity, which can be 24, 48 or 72 hours.

There is the convenience of having everything in one card, with an already defined cost, without spending more money to visit the city. And if exploited well, it also allows you to save a lot of money.

Does the Lisbon Card pay off?

The convenience of the Lisbon Card depends on the type of trip you have in mind, trivially on what you would like to go and see.
Generally speaking, for a classic vacation, the convenience in economic terms is there and it is easy to identify. You just need to do some math between single tickets and cards.

For example, if we consider visiting even just the Jerónimos Monastery, the Torre de Belém, the Azulejo Museum and the Carriage Museum, plus 2 days of public transportation, we have already exceeded the cost of the corresponding 48-hour Card!

Another aspect that should not be underestimated is the convenience and convenience of having the entrances already paid for, as well as the ability to skip the line.
In fact, during times of great tourist influx in Lisbon, a lot of queues can form at the most famous attractions. I am referring in particular to the Torre de Belem and the Jerónimos Monastery.

• At Torre de Belem with the Lisbon Card you can enter directly, skipping the line at the ticket office. Be warned, in high season you will still find queues, because the interior is not very large, but at least there is no risk of finding it sold out.
  In case, I recommend going early in the morning.
• The Monastero dos Jerónimos is also generally overcrowded in high season. I must say that access is not handled very well, even if you buy your ticket online in advance, you cannot select a time and you have to stand in line to get in.
  With the Lisbon Card, access works the same way, as if you had taken the ticket online, you don't need to go through the ticket office, but you add yourself to the queue of those who want to enter.
  Better to choose smart times here too, perhaps in the morning, shortly after opening.
• With the Lisboa Card you then have "fast track," i.e., skip-the-line, access at the National Azulejo Museum, the Carriage Museum and various other museums around the city.

Clearly, considering all these aspects, the convenience of the card is tangible; it saves money and time.

Important to know that most museums and monuments close on Mondays. Consequently, if you do, for example, a long weekend Saturday - Sunday - Monday, I recommend that you activate the Lisbon Card only for the first 48 hours.

Another aspect to consider, if you are a student at many tourist spots you are already entitled to a discounted ticket. For young students therefore having the Lisbon Card is not that convenient.

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Lisbon Card: what it includes

The Lisbon Card includes public transportation, free admission to more than 30 attractions and other discounts ranging from 5 to 50 percent for additional attractions, tours, restaurants and stores.

Among the most prominent included attractions are:

• Monastery dos Jerónimos
• Torre de Belém
• National Azulejo Museum - fast track
• Interpretive Center Myths and Legends of Sintra
• Santa Justa Elevator
• National Carriage Museum - fast track
• National Museum of Ancient Art - fast track
• Pilar 7-Bridge Experience
• Lisbon History Center
• National Palace of Mafra

In addition to these, there are many other museums, monuments and attractions, in and around Lisbon. And then various discounts, especially on guided tours, hop-on hop-off tour buses, shopping malls, restaurants, and other attractions.

With the Lisboa Card you can also travel unlimited free of charge for the duration on transportation. Details include metro, streetcars (including the iconic streetcar 28), buses, elevators, Fertagus trains, CP trains to Sintra, Cascais, Vila Franca de Xira and Azambuja.

Along with the Card comes a printed guidebook, with all the info on attractions included and discounts available.

Admission to the Palacio Nacional da Pena in Sintra is not included in the Lisbon Card, there is only a 10% discount, but I rather recommend that you purchase this Lisbon Card + Pena Palace package.
Included you have the 72-hour Lisbon Card plus entrance to Park and Palacio de Pena (ticket booked online with time slot), 2 Audio Guide App and additional 10% discount spendable on other attractions.
In fact, it is essential to book online during peak season because so many people go to see this wonderful Pena Palace.

Prices

The cost of the Lisbon Card varies according to the hours of validity.

There is no pass for children under the age of 4, as they would still get in free at almost all attractions.

Where to buy it

The Lisbon Card can be purchased online through the english-language site of Tiqets, below is the link:

The card will then have to be physically picked up at one of the "Ask me Lisboa" tourism offices. There is one directly at the airport, on the ground floor near the exit for the metro, plus others scattered around the city, or even in Sintra. You can find the wholelist of Ask me Lisboa points here, with updated opening hours.

You can also purchase it on the tourism office website, but it is available only in English, Portuguese and Spanish.

How does it work?

The operation of the Lisbon Card is very simple.
You purchase the card, once you arrive in Lisbon you pick it up by presenting the QR code that comes to you via email, and you are ready for your journey of discovery of the Portuguese capital.

Many choose to pick it up as soon as they arrive at the airport, so they can start using it for the ride to their hotel as well.

To start using it, you will simply place it on the subway turnstiles to use the means, or show it to the attendant staff to enter the various attractions.

Validity and refunds

The Lisboa Card is activated when it is first used, whether it is for a means of transportation or to enter an attraction.

From the time of its activation, the card is valid for 24, 48 or 72 consecutive hours, depending on the denomination purchased.

More Passes to Lisbon

The Lisbon Card is the only tourist card offered by the Portuguese capital's Tourist Office.
Then there are some interesting packages that may prove suitable for your trip. These are Lisbon passes that combine certain attractions (among the most popular), along with a useful audioguide app of the city.

Everything is done online, so you have the convenience of already having everything at your smartphone, booked and paid for. In addition, you get a discount code with your purchase to visit other attractions or participate in tours, with 10% off.

If, on the other hand, you are not interested in entrance fees to museums and monuments, but just want a card to take advantage of unlimited transports, there is the VIVA VIAGEM CARD.
This Lisbon transportation card can be purchased at any station, the issue costs 50 cents, and you can then load tickets and passes onto it.

The most convenient for tourists is the 24-hour (1-day) pass, which costs €6.60 and is valid for all Carris and Metro lines.

If you are making some comparisons with respect to the Lisbon Card, however, consider that this 6.60€ is the basic pass; if you also want CP train lines, for example to go to Sintra, you have to spend more than 10€ (in the Lisboa Card they are already included instead).

On the official Lisbon transport website you will find all the updated prices and ticket variants available.