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

Lisbon is easiest to understand from several angles, and this pass gives you all of them: open-top buses for distance, a vintage tram for the old hills, and a boat for the Tagus. I especially like the calm river ride to Belém and the Hills Tramcar route through Alfama, Mouraria, Baixa, and the streets near Castelo São Jorge.

I also like the flexibility of a 72 or 96-hour ticket, since you can spread the sightseeing across several days instead of rushing from monument to monument. The main drawback is coverage: the buses connect major districts well, but they do not provide a complete tour of every historic street, and the boat runs only on selected days and at limited times.

Key points to know before you go

• The Hills Tramcar is the star attraction: It follows the old neighborhoods and hill roads, with views near Portas do Sol, the Cathedral, Graça, São Vicente, and the National Pantheon.
• Belém gets its own full route: The blue bus reaches Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, the Discoveries monument, the Coach Museum, MAAT, and the waterfront.
• The Yellow Boat adds a different view: It crosses between Terreiro do Paço and Belém, passing beneath the 25th of April Bridge.
• The modern route reaches Oriente: Ride east to the Oceanário, Vasco da Gama shopping center, FIL, Marvila, and the Vasco da Gama Tower.
• Public Carris trams are included during validity: This can help with ordinary city transport, but local buses are not listed as included.
• Plan carefully around schedules: Bus departures are frequent, while the tram and especially the boat have more limited service.

What the 72 or 96-hour pass actually covers

The ticket combines four main sightseeing services. You get the Belém Lisbon bus tour, the Modern Lisbon bus tour, the Hills Tramcar Tour, and the Yellow Boat cruise.

The buses are open-top double-deckers. The company uses yellow buses, which can be confusing because route colors and operator names do not always match the vehicle color. Look for the blue sign for the Belém route and the pink sign for the Modern Lisbon route in the windshield.

Audio commentary is available in Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Swedish. Earphones are provided on the buses and tram, while the boat uses a speaker system.

The ticket is priced at about $55 per person. That is not a bargain if you only ride one bus route once, but the calculation changes if you use the ticket over three or four days. A Belém ride, the eastern Lisbon route, the tram, the river trip, and several ordinary Carris trams can add up quickly when bought separately.

I would choose the 72-hour option for a typical long weekend. The 96-hour version makes more sense if you want a slow schedule, plan to stop at several museums, or intend to use the transport repeatedly between sightseeing areas.

Riding west to Belém on the blue route

The Belém route is the most useful bus line for major monuments outside central Lisbon. It begins at Restauradores Square and also calls at Rossio Square, Marquês de Pombal, El Corte Inglés, Eduardo VII Park, Amoreiras, Estrela, and Pilar 7 before reaching Belém.

You can use the early central stops to get oriented. Rossio gives you a central starting point, while Marquês de Pombal and Eduardo VII Park show how Lisbon opens out beyond the older core. Estrela is useful if you want to visit the basilica and garden, though entrance fees are not part of the pass.

Once the bus reaches Belém, you have several worthwhile stops:

• Coach Museum: One of Lisbon’s major museum stops, with an impressive collection of historic royal coaches. You need a separate entrance ticket.
• Jerónimos Monastery: This is the architectural high point of the route, with ornate Manueline stonework tied to Portugal’s seafaring era. The bus leaves you near the monument, but admission is separate.
• Belém Tower: The small riverside fort is one of Lisbon’s best-known sights. The stop is close to the tower, the waterfront, and open areas for photographs.
• Monument to the Discoveries: The monument faces the river and commemorates Portugal’s maritime expansion. Its location gives you a clear view along the Tagus.
• MAAT: The Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology offers a modern counterpoint to the nearby monastery and tower. Again, the entrance fee is not included.
• Docas Cruise Terminal: This connects naturally with the riverfront and boat service.

The route works best when you get off for one or two major sights, then continue by bus. If you try to see every stop in one afternoon, the schedule can become tight, especially if you want time inside Jerónimos Monastery or the Coach Museum.

Buses depart from Restauradores roughly every 30 minutes between 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. That interval is decent, but the final departure is not late. I would not save Belém for the evening.

Seeing modern Lisbon on the purple route

The Modern Lisbon route heads east from Restauradores through central streets and toward Oriente. It visits Avenida da Liberdade, Graça, the National Pantheon and Feira da Ladra, the cruise terminal, the Tile Museum, Beato, Marvila, the Oceanário, Vasco da Gama shopping center, FIL, and the Vasco da Gama Tower near Hotel Myriad.

This is not the route to choose for old Lisbon alone. Its value is showing how far the city extends beyond the postcard center.

The National Pantheon and Feira da Ladra area gives you access to the historic eastern side. The Tile Museum is another strong stop if you want more cultural context, although the museum ticket is extra. Farther east, Beato and Marvila offer a different side of Lisbon, while the Oceanário and Oriente show the city’s modern waterfront redevelopment.

At Oriente, the Oceanário is the main draw for many families, and the Vasco da Gama shopping center provides food and indoor space. The route also reaches FIL and the Vasco da Gama Tower, so you can combine the bus ride with an east-side afternoon.

Buses on this route run about every 30 minutes, from roughly 9:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. The line is useful for sightseeing, but it is not the fastest way to move across town if you are in a hurry. I would ride it as a tour, not treat it as a point-to-point commuter service.

Taking the Hills Tramcar through Alfama and Mouraria

The Hills Tramcar Tour is the most distinctive part of the package. Unlike ordinary Lisbon trams, it is designed as a sightseeing circuit and does not have regular hop-on, hop-off stops.

It begins and ends at Praça do Comércio. Along the route, it passes near Portas do Sol, Lisbon Cathedral, Rua da Conceição, Graça, the National Pantheon, São Vicente, and Martim Moniz.

This matters because Lisbon’s steepest and most atmospheric streets are not easy to cover on foot in one stretch. The tram climbs into Alfama and nearby districts, giving you a look at tiled façades, narrow lanes, lookout points, and old neighborhoods without requiring a long uphill walk.

The tram does not stop at every attraction. You should think of it as a scenic circuit rather than a replacement for walking. Get off at Praça do Comércio, then explore the streets and viewpoints on foot afterward.

Departures are listed at roughly 35-minute intervals, from about 9:30 a.m. through 5:05 p.m. The tram can become popular, so I would make it an early priority rather than leave it until your final afternoon.

This route is also a practical alternative to the famous public Tram 28. The regular trams can be packed, and boarding is not always easy when they are full. The sightseeing tram gives you a more controlled ride through similar historic districts, though it does not function as ordinary public transport.

Crossing the Tagus on the Yellow Boat

The Yellow Boat cruise is short on frequency but generous with views. It runs between Terreiro do Paço, also called Praça do Comércio, and a stop near Belém Tower.

From the water, you see Lisbon’s hills, towers, colorful buildings, and waterfront from a wider angle. The boat also passes beneath the 25th of April Bridge, which gives the ride a clear sense of place. I like using it after visiting Belém, since it lets you return toward the center without retracing the full bus route.

The published schedule is limited to Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Departures have been listed at Terreiro do Paço at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m., with departures from Belém at noon, 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. A later schedule lists departures at 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.

Because the timetable has changed, check the current departure times before building your day around the boat. At Belém, follow staff directions carefully. The boarding point can be easy to miss, and the correct side of the small pier is not always obvious.

The boat is not a full-day cruise or a replacement for a ferry network. It is a sightseeing ride with a limited timetable. Still, it adds something the buses cannot: open views across the river and a restful break from Lisbon’s hills.

Using Carris trams without giving up the walking

The pass includes access to Carris public trams during its validity. That is useful for short rides around the center and can reduce the need to buy separate tram tickets.

Do not assume that every local transport service is included. The stated inclusion refers to Carris public trams, while local buses are not listed as part of the package. The famous Tram 28 and Tram 12 can be crowded, and a full vehicle may not accept additional riders.

I would use the sightseeing tram for the main historic circuit, then use public trams only when they fit your plans. Lisbon is best experienced partly on foot. Alfama’s lanes, Baixa’s squares, and the streets around the castle lose some of their character when seen only through a vehicle window.

The pass can also come with discounts on monuments, museums, and leisure activities. Check the benefits information attached to your voucher before paying full admission elsewhere. These discounts may improve the total value, especially if you plan to visit several paid sights.

A practical three-day plan

On day one, ride the Hills Tramcar early. Use the circuit to get a sense of Alfama, Mouraria, Baixa, Graça, and the castle area. Afterward, walk around Alfama and the Cathedral area at your own speed.

On day two, take the Belém route. Choose one major interior visit, such as Jerónimos Monastery or the Coach Museum, then see the tower and Discoveries monument from outside. If the boat schedule fits, return by Yellow Boat to Terreiro do Paço.

On day three, ride the Modern Lisbon route east. Stop at the Tile Museum, Oceanário, or Oriente, depending on your interests. Use Carris trams for shorter city trips and save time for a café stop or a return walk through Baixa.

For a fourth day, repeat the routes at a slower pace or use the pass mainly for transport. The longer ticket is most useful when you dislike packing every sight into one busy day.

Timing, identification, and other small details

The service can be suspended temporarily because of road works, so check updates with the Yellow team before setting out. Meeting points can vary depending on the option booked.

The bus lines are easier to identify once you understand the system. The buses themselves are yellow, but the Belém bus has a blue windshield sign and the Modern Lisbon bus has a pink sign. Do not rely on vehicle color alone.

Some passengers have needed help finding the ticket pickup point. The physical ticket may be validated or issued on the bus, but follow the instructions attached to your booking and ask staff at the first stop if anything is unclear.

Food, drinks, and alcohol are not allowed inside the vehicles. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and admission to museums and monuments costs extra.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The audio guide and staff assistance make the system manageable, but the service is still more enjoyable when you check routes and timetables before leaving your hotel.

Is the Lisbon bus, tram, and boat pass worth it?

I would book this for a first visit of three or four days, especially if you want an easy introduction before exploring independently. The strongest value comes from using all four parts: the Belém bus, Modern Lisbon bus, Hills Tramcar, and Yellow Boat.

I would not choose it solely for ordinary transport, since the bus routes finish in the late afternoon and do not cover every historic street. You still need to walk, and you may want separate transport for late-night plans.

The best reason to buy is the mix of experiences. You get the monuments of Belém, the modern waterfront of Oriente, the steep old neighborhoods by tram, and a quiet view of Lisbon from the Tagus. For about $55, that is a sensible deal if you use the pass for several days and take advantage of the included Carris trams and available discounts.

FAQ

How long is the ticket valid?

You can choose a 72-hour or 96-hour ticket. Check availability for the starting times and validity options when booking.

What tours are included?

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

Does the ticket include Lisbon’s public trams?

Yes. Access to Carris public trams is included during the ticket validity. Local buses are not listed as included.

Is the Yellow Boat available every day?

No. The published schedule lists service on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Departure times can change, so check the current timetable before planning your day.

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.

Are museum and monument entrances included?

No. Entrance fees to museums and monuments are separate, though the ticket may provide exclusive discounts on selected attractions.

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.