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

Lisbon makes you work for its views, with steep streets, narrow lanes, and long distances between Belém, the old center, and Oriente. This ticket gives you several ways to handle the city: an open-top bus for the broad picture, a vintage tram for the hills, and a boat for the Tagus. I especially like the Hills Tramcar tour and the chance to use public Carris trams during the ticket period. The main catch is that the historic center is not covered street by street, so you will still walk and use ordinary transport beyond the listed routes.

The two bus loops are useful on different days. The blue Belém route points you toward Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, and the Monument to the Discoveries, while the pink-marked Modern route reaches the Oceanário, Vasco da Gama area, and Marvila. The boat adds a calm change of pace, but its limited departure days and changing timetable require planning.

Key points to know before you book

• The Hills Tramcar tour follows Lisbon’s old quarters: It passes Alfama, the cathedral, Portas do Sol, Graça, the Pantheon, and São Vicente without regular stops.
• The blue Belém route links the city center to the big monuments: You can hop off near the Coach Museum, Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, MAAT, and the riverfront.
• The pink Modern route shows another Lisbon: It reaches the Oceanário, Vasco da Gama shopping center, FIL, and Torre Vasco da Gama.
• The Yellow Boat gives you two useful river points: Board at Terreiro do Paço or near Belém Tower, but check the day and departure time.
• Audio commentary is included in 11 languages: Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Swedish.
• The 96-hour ticket suits a slower visit: The 72-hour version works well for a concentrated three-day stay, but only if you plan the boat and tram around their schedules.

What this Lisbon transport ticket really covers

At $55 per person, this is not simply a ride around Lisbon’s center. It combines two double-decker bus routes, a tram sightseeing circuit, a Yellow Boat cruise, and access to Carris public trams during the active period. The ticket lasts 72 or 96 hours, depending on the option you choose.

That mix matters because Lisbon’s sights are spread out. Belém is west of the center, Oriente is east, and the old districts rise above Baixa. A normal walking plan can burn a surprising amount of time and energy just getting between areas. I like this ticket best as a first-day orientation tool, then as a practical way to reach the farther sights on days two and three.

You do not get museum or monument admission. Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, MAAT, the Coach Museum, and the Oceanário require their own tickets. Food, drinks, and hotel pickup are also not included.

The route names can cause confusion. This is Yellow Bus Tours, yet the vehicles are largely yellow, with routes identified by blue and pink signs. The boat is also part of the Yellow Bus network. Check the sign in the windshield before boarding, and use the route color shown on the map rather than relying on the vehicle color alone.

Riding west to Belém on the blue route

The Belém bus leaves from Restauradores Square, with stops at Rossio, Marquês de Pombal, El Corte Inglés, Eduardo VII Park, Amoreiras, Basílica da Estrela, Pilar 7, and the Coach Museum before reaching the riverside monuments.

The first section gives you a broad look at central Lisbon. Restauradores and Rossio are useful starting points because they put you near Baixa and the lower end of Avenida da Liberdade. Marquês de Pombal and Eduardo VII Park show a more open, formal side of the city, while Amoreiras takes you toward modern shopping and office districts.

The route becomes more useful near Belém. Get off at the Coach Museum if that collection interests you. The museum is one of the named stops, but entrance is extra, and the bus ticket does not reserve a time for it.

Jerónimos Monastery is the major stop for Manueline stonework and Portugal’s Age of Discoveries. Plan extra time here rather than trying to squeeze it between two buses. The same advice applies to Belém Tower, whose riverside setting makes it one of Lisbon’s most recognizable sights. The Monument to the Discoveries offers another strong river view and a clear sense of how much of this district is tied to Portugal’s seafaring past.

MAAT and the Docas Cruise Terminal give the route a more modern, riverside finish. You can use the bus for sightseeing, transport between stops, or a full loop with the audio guide. The service runs about every 30 minutes from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., so a late afternoon visit may leave less time for hopping off.

One practical point: the Belém route does not replace a full walking visit. The sights are spread along a busy riverfront area, and you need time on foot once you leave the bus.

Seeing eastern Lisbon on the Modern route

The Modern route also begins at Restauradores and Rossio, then passes Avenida da Liberdade, Graça, the National Pantheon and Feira da Ladra, the Lisbon Cruise Terminal, the Tile Museum, Beato, Marvila, the Oceanário, Vasco da Gama shopping center, FIL, and Torre Vasco da Gama near Hotel Myriad.

This is the route to use when you want more than the postcard version of Lisbon. Oriente has broad avenues, contemporary buildings, exhibition space, the Oceanário, and views around the former Expo area. It feels very different from Alfama and Baixa, and the contrast is part of the value.

The Oceanário is the obvious stop for many visitors, but entrance is separate. Vasco da Gama shopping center gives you a convenient place for food or a break, though the activity itself does not include meals. FIL serves as a reference point for the modern district, while Torre Vasco da Gama marks the eastern end of the route.

On the way east, the route passes through Graça and by the National Pantheon and Feira da Ladra. These locations are useful for combining the bus with independent exploring. The Tile Museum is another worthwhile stop if Portuguese azulejo work is high on your list.

Buses on this route run about every 30 minutes from 9:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. The reduced evening coverage is important. I would use this loop in the morning or early afternoon, not as a late-night way home.

The Hills Tramcar is the ticket’s best ride

The Hills Tramcar tour leaves from Praça do Comércio and returns there. It has no regular hop-on, hop-off stops, so think of it as a sightseeing circuit rather than a transport service.

The route passes Portas do Sol, Lisbon Cathedral, Rua da Conceição, Graça, the National Pantheon, São Vicente, and Martim Moniz. This is the ride that brings Lisbon’s steep, old streets to life. The bus routes can show you where the districts are, but the tram puts you into the narrow lanes and sharp climbs.

The tram does not stop at each listed sight, so do not board expecting to visit the cathedral or castle directly from the vehicle. Use it first for orientation, then return on foot or with another service to explore. The route is especially useful for getting a feel for Alfama, Mouraria, Baixa, and the slopes toward São Jorge Castle.

The tram makes a loop every 35 minutes, with service listed from roughly 9:30 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. It can be a better choice than Lisbon’s regular tourist-favorite trams when queues are long. The regular public trams are part of the special inclusion during ticket validity, but they are working city transport and can be crowded.

Boarding early is sensible. A past visitor reported very long queues for the regular route 28, while the Hills Tramcar offered a more comfortable sightseeing option. I would not treat this ticket as a guaranteed shortcut onto every public tram, but it does give you another way to experience the old districts.

Crossing the Tagus on the Yellow Boat

The Yellow Boat runs between Terreiro do Paço and Belém, near Belém Tower. From the water, you see Lisbon’s hills, towers, colorful facades, and the 25th April Bridge from a wider angle. The boat is less about getting quickly from one attraction to another and more about giving your legs a rest while changing your view of the city.

The published schedule is limited. The boat operates on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Departures have been listed 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 Terreiro do Paço at 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m., with Belém at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.

That change is why you should confirm the current timetable before setting your day around the cruise. Some Belém departures may be one way only, without a return boat. The boarding point at Belém can also be easy to miss, so allow time to find the correct side of the small pier and follow current Yellow Bus instructions.

I would pair the boat with Belém rather than make a separate trip only for the cruise. Visit the monastery and tower, then use the boat back to Terreiro do Paço if the schedule lines up. The onboard speaker guide adds context, and refreshments may be available for purchase, but food and drinks are not included in the ticket.

Audio guides, staff, and day-to-day use

The buses provide earphones and recorded commentary, while the tram also uses an audio earphone guide. The boat has a speaker guide. Commentary is available in 11 languages, which makes this useful for independent visitors who want context without joining a group.

The commentary covers Lisbon’s monuments, districts, and history as you move. I would use it on the first full loop, then hop off selectively once you know which places deserve more time. Drivers also have to handle tight, winding roads and steep streets, especially around the old quarters, so the bus and tram rides are attractions in their own right.

Finding the first pickup point can take effort. The ticket instructions may not make the exchange or validation point obvious, and one helpful staff member named Raquel has been singled out for assisting visitors at the depot. In practice, you can often validate or receive the physical ticket on a bus, but check the instructions attached to your booking and ask staff at the first stop.

The buses are generally described as comfortable, with frequent service on the main routes. Still, roadworks can temporarily suspend service, so check updates with the Yellow team before setting out.

How to plan 72 hours or 96 hours

For a 72-hour visit, I would use the ticket like this:

• Day one: Take the full blue route to understand Belém, then return to the monuments you want to enter.
• Day two: Ride the Modern route to the Oceanário and Oriente, with time for the Tile Museum or Marvila if they appeal to you.
• Day three: Take the Hills Tramcar early, explore Alfama and Baixa on foot, and schedule the Yellow Boat if it operates that day.

The 96-hour version gives you more breathing room. You can split Belém over two visits, repeat the tram at a quieter time, and use the public Carris trams for short journeys during the ticket period. You are less likely to feel forced to rush through a museum or wait several hours for the boat.

The pass does not cover every historic street or every local bus. One route may feel repetitive if you stay aboard for the entire loop, and evening service is limited. I would not buy it solely as a replacement for all Lisbon transport. I would buy it for the combination of distant sightseeing routes, the dedicated hills tram, and the river crossing.

Value at $55 per person

The price becomes reasonable when you use several parts of the package. A single bus loop alone may not justify $55, especially if you enjoy walking and plan to visit only central Lisbon. The calculation improves when you use both bus routes, the tram, the boat, and public trams across three or four days.

The package also includes exclusive discounts on selected monuments, museums, and leisure activities. Check the benefits attached to your voucher before buying separate tickets, since those discounts may affect the final value.

The strongest value is practical rather than purely financial. You can rest your feet between neighborhoods, avoid figuring out every connection on your first day, and reach Belém and Oriente without arranging separate rides. The boat and tram also provide experiences that ordinary point-to-point transport cannot match.

Who should choose this ticket?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors staying in Lisbon for three or four days, families who need regular breaks, and anyone who wants a simple overview before exploring alone. It also suits visitors who want Belém, Oriente, Alfama, and a river trip in one purchase.

Independent walkers may prefer separate public transport tickets if they plan to focus on Baixa, Chiado, Alfama, and Bairro Alto. The same is true for a short stay of one day, since the boat schedule and limited operating hours can make the package hard to use fully.

Book with a plan, not just a wish to ride around. Mark the boat day first, reserve time for the major Belém sights, and use the tram early. That approach gives the $55 ticket a fair chance to earn its keep.

Should you book it?

Book this ticket if you want a broad first look at Lisbon and expect to use at least three of its parts. The Hills Tramcar, blue Belém route, and Yellow Boat provide the most distinctive experiences, while the Modern route adds useful access to Oriente and the Oceanário.

Skip it if your visit is very short, your plans center only on the old town, or you dislike fixed daytime schedules. For a three-day stay, though, the combination is convenient and well suited to Lisbon’s hills and scattered sights. Just confirm current route times, identify the correct bus signs, and leave room for walking between the stops.

FAQ

How long is the ticket valid?

You can choose a 72-hour or 96-hour ticket. Check the selected option and its start-time details when booking.

Which tours are included?

The ticket includes the Belém Lisbon Bus Tour, Modern Lisbon Bus Tour, Hills Tramcar tour, and Yellow Boat tour.

Can I use regular Lisbon trams with this ticket?

The ticket includes access to Carris public trams during its validity as a special offer inclusion.

Does the ticket include monument and museum entry?

No. Entrance fees to museums and monuments are not included, although the voucher provides access to exclusive discounts on selected attractions.

Which languages are available for the audio guide?

Audio commentary is available in Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Swedish.

Where does the Yellow Boat go?

The boat operates between Terreiro do Paço and Belém, near Belém Tower. Some departures from Belém may operate one way only, so check the current timetable.

Does the ticket include hotel pickup or food?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off, food, and drinks are not included. Food, drinks, and alcohol are also not allowed on the vehicles.