Lisbon: 72/96-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, Tram & Boat Ticket

Lisbon is a city of steep lanes, far-flung sights, and handsome viewpoints, so this 72 or 96-hour transport pass gives you a practical way to connect the pieces. You can ride to monumental Belém, modern Oriente, and the old hills around Alfama without spending every day climbing aboard crowded local transport. The best part is the mix of transport: two open-top bus routes, a vintage tram tour, and a boat on the Tagus.

I especially like the Hills Tramcar Tour, which follows the old neighborhoods without forcing you into the long queues often found at the famous public trams. I also like using the boat as a scenic link between central Lisbon and Belém rather than treating it as a separate sightseeing chore. The main drawback is coverage: the buses show the city well, but they do not reach every historic street, and the tram has no hop-on, hop-off stops along its route.

Key points before you book

• Belém route: Ride west to Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, the Discoveries Monument, MAAT, and the Coach Museum.
• Modern route: Head east from Restauradores toward the Oceanário, Vasco da Gama shopping center, Marvila, and the Vasco da Gama Tower.
• Hills Tramcar Tour: Take a circular ride through Alfama, Graça, Mouraria, Baixa, and the area below São Jorge Castle.
• Yellow Boat: Cross the Tagus between Terreiro do Paço and Belém, with views of the 25th April Bridge and Lisbon’s waterfront.
• Extra transport: The pass includes access to Carris public trams during its validity, plus discounts on selected monuments, museums, and leisure activities.
• Best use: Activate it early in a three or four-day visit, then use the routes for orientation and sightseeing rather than as a substitute for every local bus.

Why this pass works well in hilly Lisbon

Lisbon looks compact on a map, but its sights spread along the river and up a chain of hills. Belém is several miles west of the central squares, while Oriente and the Oceanário sit well to the east. The old center is close in distance, but its slopes and cobbled streets can make short walks surprisingly tiring.

This pass solves the long-distance problem first. The blue Belém bus takes you west, the pink-sign Modern Lisbon bus takes you east, and the tram tour handles the old center. The Yellow Boat then gives you a pleasant river connection between central Lisbon and Belém.

The audio guide adds useful context as you ride. Commentary is available in Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Swedish. On the buses and tram, you use individual earphones. The boat has a speaker guide, so you do not need to manage a headset on deck.

You can use the pass for 72 or 96 hours, depending on the option you choose. At $55 per person, the value depends on how often you ride. If you use the two bus circuits, the tram tour, the boat, and several public trams, the price becomes easier to justify. If you only want one ride to Belém and one city loop, buying individual transport may cost less.

The blue Belém route, Lisbon’s monumental west

Start at Restauradores Square, where the blue Belém bus begins its circuit. It also serves Rossio, Marquês de Pombal, Eduardo VII Park, El Corte Inglés, Amoreiras, Estrela, and Pilar 7 before reaching the riverfront.

The central stops are useful for orientation. Rossio puts you near Baixa and the main pedestrian streets, while Marquês de Pombal and Eduardo VII Park show how central Lisbon opens toward its grander avenues. Estrela offers access to the basilica and garden area, though you should allow time to walk from the stop.

The real prize is Belém. The Coach Museum gives you an indoor option, especially useful in hot weather or rain. Jerónimos Monastery is the major architectural stop, with Manueline stonework tied to Portugal’s Age of Discoveries. Belém Tower sits farther along the river, and the Monument to the Discoveries provides one of the route’s clearest reminders of Portugal’s maritime past.

MAAT offers a more modern contrast, with art, architecture, and technology beside the river. The Docas Cruise Terminal area is useful for a waterfront break, but keep in mind that the bus stop list is not the same as a museum admission list. Entrance fees are not included, so plan those costs separately.

The bus runs from Restauradores roughly every 30 minutes, with listed departures from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. That final departure matters. If you spend a long afternoon inside Jerónimos Monastery or several museums, you may need to return by boat, public transport, or another bus option rather than simply waiting for a late evening departure.

The pink-sign Modern Lisbon route to Oriente

The Modern Lisbon circuit heads east from Restauradores through Avenida da Liberdade, Graça, the National Pantheon and Feira da Ladra, the Lisbon Cruise Terminal, the Tile Museum, Beato, Marvila, and Oriente.

This is not just a second version of the Belém route. It shows a different Lisbon, one shaped by newer buildings, former industrial areas, riverfront redevelopment, and the large Oriente transport district. The Oceanário is the main sightseeing draw, while Vasco da Gama shopping center and the Vasco da Gama Tower offer a useful sense of the eastern end of the city.

The route also passes Marvila and Beato, areas that many short city visits miss. You may find less to do at some stops than in Belém, but the ride helps explain how Lisbon extends beyond its postcard center.

The Modern route is scheduled about every 30 minutes, with departures listed from 9:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. It begins and ends at Restauradores, with Rossio appearing again near the end of the circuit. I would use this line on a separate half day from Belém. Trying to complete both long routes, plus the tram and boat, in one day would leave little time to get off and explore.

The route names and colors can be confusing. The operator is Yellow Bus, yet the buses themselves are yellow, while route signs use blue for Belém and pink for Modern Lisbon. Other companies also operate sightseeing buses in Lisbon, with different colors and similar route names. Check the sign in the windshield before boarding.

The Hills Tramcar Tour through Alfama and Graça

For many people, the tram is the highlight. The Hills Tramcar Tour departs from Praça do Comércio and returns there, with no hop-on, hop-off stops along the route.

It passes the cathedral, Portas do Sol, Graça, the National Pantheon, São Vicente, Martim Moniz, Rua da Conceição, and the area around São Jorge Castle. This gives you the atmosphere of Lisbon’s old quarters without requiring you to squeeze into a regular public tram.

The route is valuable because it shows how the city’s neighborhoods fit together. Baixa lies below the hills, Alfama climbs toward the castle, and Graça opens toward higher viewpoints. You will not stop at every listed sight, so treat the tram as a moving introduction. Get off at Praça do Comércio, then return on foot to the places you want to explore.

Departures are listed approximately every 35 minutes, from 9:30 a.m. through 5:05 p.m. Timing can change because Lisbon’s streets are narrow and traffic incidents can stop a tram. One reported delay lasted about an hour after an accident involving another tram, so avoid scheduling a timed museum entry immediately after the ride.

The pass also gives you access to Carris public trams during its validity. That is useful, but do not confuse the regular network with the sightseeing tram. Local trams can be crowded, and access is not guaranteed when a car is full. The special Hills Tramcar Tour is generally the easier choice when your goal is sightseeing rather than ordinary transport.

The Yellow Boat and Lisbon from the Tagus

The Yellow Boat leaves from the Terreiro do Paço station at the southern end of Praça do Comércio and sails to Belém, near Belém Tower. It then returns to central Lisbon, depending on the departure you take.

From the water, the city’s hills form a long sweep above the waterfront. You see the layered facades, towers, and riverfront monuments from a distance that makes the city easier to understand. Passing under the 25th April Bridge is another memorable moment, especially if you sit outside.

The boat is also a sensible way to combine sightseeing. You can take the blue bus to Belém, visit a monument, and return by river instead of retracing the road route. The reverse works too, though you must check the direction and time carefully.

The listed boat service operates on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. The schedule shown includes departures from Terreiro do Paço at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m., with Belém departures at noon, 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. A later schedule lists 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. from Terreiro do Paço, and 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. from Belém.

Those schedule differences make checking the current timetable important. The Belém service can also be one way without a return, depending on the departure. At the pier, follow the signs carefully. The boarding area can be easy to miss, and the terminal entrance is not always obvious.

Timing your three or four days

Use the pass as a transport plan, not as a promise that every attraction will fit into one packed day.

On the first morning, take the Hills Tramcar Tour while your legs are fresh and you are still learning the city. Since the circuit begins at Praça do Comércio, you can follow it with a walk through Baixa, Alfama, or toward the cathedral.

Use another half day for Belém. Ride the blue bus out, choose one or two paid sights, walk along the river, and return by the Yellow Boat if the schedule lines up. The boat operates on limited days, so you may need to rearrange this plan.

Save the Modern route for another day. The Oceanário and Oriente area can fill much of a morning, while the rest of the route works best as a slow orientation ride with a few stops. The extra 24 hours in the 96-hour version is useful if you want to spread the sightseeing across four days.

Start early if you want the tram and the most popular monuments. The bus service generally ends in the late afternoon, and the tram and boat also have limited operating hours. A ticket that lasts 72 hours does not mean every included service runs late each night.

The practical details that affect value

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. The meeting point varies by the option booked, so check the voucher rather than assuming every service begins at Restauradores.

A physical ticket can be validated or collected on the bus, according to the supplied instructions and past use of the service. If you are unsure where to start, ask staff at the bus point. Raquel at the depot was singled out for being especially helpful, and staff members are present at some meeting points.

Bring or use the supplied earphones for the bus and tram commentary. Food, drinks, and alcohol are not allowed inside the vehicles. The boat is a different setting, but you should still check current onboard rules before planning refreshments.

Roadworks can temporarily suspend service. Lisbon is also a city where traffic and accidents can affect tram running times. Build in a little slack, especially if you have a reservation at Jerónimos Monastery or another attraction.

Who should buy the 72-hour or 96-hour option?

I would recommend this pass to a first-time visitor staying three or four days who wants an overview before exploring on foot. It is especially useful if you want Belém and Oriente in the same visit, dislike repeated uphill walks, or enjoy seeing a city from several angles.

Families and older visitors may appreciate the rest breaks between walks. The open-top buses also help you get your bearings quickly, while the audio commentary supplies background as you move.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is the historic center alone. The bus routes do not cover every old street, and the Hills Tramcar Tour is a continuous ride rather than a true hop-on, hop-off service. You may still need ordinary walking and public transport for the final few blocks.

Check the attraction discounts before booking. They can improve the $55 value if you plan to visit several participating museums or monuments. If you will use only the boat and one bus circuit, the pass may not be the best fit.

Should you book this Lisbon transport pass?

Book it if you want three or four days of flexible sightseeing, plan to visit both Belém and Oriente, and value the boat and Hills Tramcar Tour as much as the buses. The combination is stronger than a basic bus ticket because each vehicle shows a different side of Lisbon.

Skip it if you prefer to walk the old center, already have another transport card, or need late evening service. Before paying, check the current boat days, route departures, and any roadwork notices. Used early and often, this is a useful way to organize a first Lisbon visit without turning every outing into a steep uphill march.

FAQ

How long is the ticket valid?

You can choose a 72-hour or 96-hour ticket. Check availability for the starting times and the exact option selected.

What transport is included?

The pass includes the Belém double-decker bus, Modern Lisbon double-decker bus, Yellow Boat, Hills Tramcar Tour, and access to Carris public trams during the ticket validity.

Does the pass include entrance to Jerónimos Monastery or Belém Tower?

No. Entrance fees to museums and monuments are not included, although the ticket provides exclusive discounts for selected attractions and activities.

Which bus route goes to Belém?

The blue Belém Lisbon Hop-On Hop-Off route goes to Belém. Stops include the Coach Museum, Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries, MAAT, and the Docas Cruise Terminal.

Which route goes to the Oceanário?

The pink-sign Modern Lisbon route goes east to the Oceanário, Vasco da Gama shopping center, the Vasco da Gama Tower, FIL, Marvila, Beato, and the Tile Museum.

Does the Hills Tramcar Tour have hop-on, hop-off stops?

No. The tram tour begins and ends at Praça do Comércio and has no stops along the route. It passes Portas do Sol, the cathedral, Graça, the National Pantheon, São Vicente, Martim Moniz, and the area near São Jorge Castle.

When does the Yellow Boat operate?

The listed Yellow Boat service operates on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Departure times can change, so check the current schedule before planning your day.

Are audio guides included?

Yes. Audio commentary is included on the buses, tram, and boat. Languages include Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Swedish.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.