Lisbon 24-hour transport ticket: is it worth it?

Lisbon is a very walkable city, but public transport can make your day much easier. The metro, buses, trams, funiculars and trains can save time, especially if you are moving between different neighbourhoods.

In this article, you’ll learn how the Lisbon 24-hour transport ticket works, how much it costs, what it includes, and when it is actually worth buying.

Quick answer: is the Lisbon 24-hour transport ticket worth it?

Yes, the Lisbon 24-hour transport ticket can be worth it if you plan to use public transport several times in one day.

The most common 24-hour ticket for visitors is the Carris/Metro ticket, which costs €7.25. It gives you unlimited journeys on Carris and Metro for 24 hours after the first validation.

It is usually worth it if you plan to take around four or five public transport journeys in one day.

If you only plan to take one or two journeys, zapping or single tickets are usually cheaper.

What is the Lisbon 24-hour transport ticket?

The Lisbon 24-hour transport ticket is a daily ticket that gives you unlimited travel for 24 hours after you first use it.

This does not mean it is valid only for the calendar day. It works for 24 hours from the moment you validate it.

For example, if you first use it at 10:00 on Monday, it should be valid until 10:00 on Tuesday.

This can be useful if you arrive in Lisbon in the afternoon and want to use public transport again the next morning.

What types of 24-hour tickets are available?

There are three main 24-hour ticket options that tourists may use.

1. Carris/Metro 24-hour ticket

This is the most useful option for most visitors.

It costs €7.25 and includes unlimited travel on:

• Lisbon metro

• Carris buses

• Carris trams

• Carris funiculars

• Santa Justa Lift

This ticket is good for exploring Lisbon city centre and nearby neighbourhoods.

It can be useful if you plan to visit areas like Baixa, Chiado, Alfama, Graça, Belém, Príncipe Real, Avenida da Liberdade or Parque das Nações.

2. Carris/Metro/Transtejo 24-hour ticket

This ticket costs €10.35.

It includes Carris and Metro, plus the Transtejo river connection to Cacilhas.

This can be useful if you want to cross the river from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas and visit the south bank.

For most first-time visitors, this is not the most common option. But it can make sense if your plan includes Cacilhas, Almada or the Cristo Rei area.

3. Carris/Metro/CP 24-hour ticket

This ticket costs €11.40.

It includes unlimited travel on Carris, Metro and CP urban trains for 24 hours. CP says it covers the Lisbon urban train lines to Sintra, Cascais, Azambuja and Sado, alongside Carris and Metro.

This can be useful if you are planning a day trip to Sintra or Cascais and also want to use public transport inside Lisbon on the same day.

For example, it may work well if you take the metro to Rossio, the train to Sintra, then return and use buses, trams or the metro later.

How much does the 24-hour ticket cost?

For 2026, the main prices are:

The 24-hour ticket is only worth it if you use it enough.

Compared with a normal €1.90 Carris/Metro single ticket, the €7.25 daily ticket starts to make sense from around four journeys. Compared with €1.72 zapping fares, it usually makes sense from around five journeys.

Where can you buy the 24-hour ticket?

You can buy the Lisbon 24-hour transport ticket at metro ticket machines.

You need to load it onto a Navegante occasional card. If you do not already have one, you need to buy the card first. It costs €0.50.

You can buy or top up the card at metro stations such as:

• Lisbon Airport

• Baixa-Chiado

• Rossio

• Cais do Sodré

• Saldanha

• Alameda

• Marquês de Pombal

• Oriente

For more detail, read the guide on how to buy metro tickets in Lisbon.

How does the 24-hour ticket work?

Once the ticket is loaded onto your Navegante card, you need to validate it when you travel.

On the metro, tap the card at the gate.

On buses, trams and funiculars, tap the card on the validator when you board.

The 24-hour period starts when you first validate the ticket, not when you buy it.

You should validate the card every time you travel, even if the ticket is already active.

Is the 24-hour ticket valid on Tram 28?

Yes, the Carris/Metro 24-hour ticket is valid on Carris trams, including Tram 28.

This is one reason the ticket can be useful. Buying a ticket directly on board a tram is usually more expensive than using a pre-loaded transport card.

If you plan to use Tram 28, the metro, a funicular and a bus on the same day, the 24-hour ticket can quickly become a good deal.

You can also read the guide on Lisbon trams: which one should you ride?.

Is the 24-hour ticket valid on the Santa Justa Lift?

Yes, the Carris/Metro 24-hour ticket can be used on the Santa Justa Lift because it is part of the Carris network.

This can make the ticket more attractive, especially because the Santa Justa Lift is expensive if you buy a separate ticket on site.

That said, the lift often has long queues. The 24-hour ticket may help with the cost, but it does not help you skip the line.

If you are not sure whether it is worth it, read the guide on Santa Justa Lift.

Is the 24-hour ticket valid on trains to Sintra or Cascais?

Only if you buy the Carris/Metro/CP 24-hour ticket.

The normal Carris/Metro 24-hour ticket does not include CP trains to Sintra or Cascais.

If you want to visit Sintra or Cascais by train and use public transport in Lisbon on the same day, the €11.40 Carris/Metro/CP ticket may be useful.

If you only need the train and do not plan to use much public transport in Lisbon, a separate train ticket may be enough.

For more planning help, read how to get from Lisbon to Sintra or best day trips from Lisbon by train.

Is the 24-hour ticket valid on ferries?

Only some versions include ferry travel.

The Carris/Metro/Transtejo 24-hour ticket includes the Cacilhas river connection. It costs €10.35.

The normal Carris/Metro ticket does not include ferries.

So, if you want to cross the river to Cacilhas, make sure you buy the correct ticket.

When is the 24-hour ticket worth it?

The 24-hour ticket is worth it when you plan a busy day with several journeys.

It can be a good choice if your day looks like this:

• Metro from your hotel to Baixa

• Tram or bus to Alfama

• Funicular or tram ride

• Metro to Belém or another area

• Bus or metro back to your hotel

It is also useful if you do not want to think about each fare during the day. You load the ticket once, validate when needed and move around more freely.

When is it not worth it?

The 24-hour ticket is not always the best option.

It may not be worth it if:

• You mostly plan to walk

• You are staying in a very central area

• You only need one or two metro rides

• You prefer Uber or Bolt for longer journeys

• You are only using the metro from the airport to your hotel

• You are visiting Lisbon for a slow, neighbourhood-based day

Lisbon is very walkable in areas like Baixa, Chiado, Alfama, Bairro Alto, Cais do Sodré and Príncipe Real. If your day is focused on one or two nearby areas, you may not need a 24-hour ticket.

You can read more in is Lisbon walkable?.

24-hour ticket vs zapping

Zapping is often the best option for visitors who use public transport sometimes, but not constantly.

With zapping, you add prepaid credit to your Navegante card. For Carris/Metro, each journey costs €1.72 in 2026.

Here is the simple rule:

• 1–3 journeys: zapping is usually better

• 4 journeys: the 24-hour ticket may start to make sense

• 5+ journeys: the 24-hour ticket is usually better

Zapping gives you more flexibility if you are not sure how much you will travel.

The 24-hour ticket is better if you know you will use transport several times in one day.

24-hour ticket vs Lisboa Card

The 24-hour transport ticket and the Lisboa Card are not the same.

The 24-hour transport ticket is mainly for public transport.

The Lisboa Card includes public transport plus entry or discounts at many attractions.

For simple transport use, the 24-hour ticket is usually cheaper.

The Lisboa Card may be worth it if you plan to visit several paid attractions, especially in Belém or the city centre.

For a full comparison, read Lisbon Card: is it worth it?.

Best example days for the 24-hour ticket

Example 1: Classic Lisbon sightseeing day

The 24-hour Carris/Metro ticket can work well for a day like this:

• Metro to Baixa-Chiado

• Tram or bus towards Alfama

• Funicular or lift ride

• Metro to Avenida or Parque

• Bus or metro back to your hotel

This kind of day can easily include four or five journeys.

Example 2: Belém plus city centre

The ticket can also make sense if you are staying away from the centre and visiting Belém.

For example:

• Metro or bus to Cais do Sodré

• Tram, bus or train towards Belém

• Return to the centre

• Later metro or bus to dinner

• Transport back to your hotel

If you are visiting Belém, you may also want to read what to see in Belém.

Example 3: Sintra or Cascais day with Lisbon transport

For this, you need the Carris/Metro/CP 24-hour ticket.

It can make sense if you use:

• Metro to the train station

• Train to Sintra or Cascais

• Train back to Lisbon

• Metro, tram or bus later in the day

If you only travel from your hotel to the train station and back, it may not be necessary. But if you combine a day trip with more Lisbon transport, it can be useful.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Buying the wrong 24-hour ticket

Check what your ticket includes before paying.

Carris/Metro is not the same as Carris/Metro/CP or Carris/Metro/Transtejo.

If you are going to Sintra or Cascais, you need the CP version.

If you are going to Cacilhas by ferry, you need the Transtejo version.

2. Thinking it lasts only until midnight

The ticket is valid for 24 hours after the first validation.

It does not end at midnight just because the calendar day changes.

3. Not validating every time

You still need to tap the card every time you travel.

This includes buses, trams, funiculars, the metro and trains if your ticket includes CP.

4. Buying it when you only need one journey

If you are only going from Lisbon Airport to your hotel, do not buy a 24-hour ticket unless you plan to use more transport later that day.

A single ticket, zapping or contactless metro payment will usually be cheaper.

Final thoughts

The Lisbon 24-hour transport ticket is worth it if you plan to use public transport several times in one day.

For most visitors, the €7.25 Carris/Metro ticket is the main option. It works well for busy sightseeing days with metro rides, buses, trams, funiculars or the Santa Justa Lift.

If your day includes Sintra or Cascais, look at the €11.40 Carris/Metro/CP ticket instead. If you are only taking one or two rides, use zapping or a single ticket.

The simple rule: if you expect four or five journeys in one day, the 24-hour ticket is probably worth considering.

FAQ

1. How much is the Lisbon 24-hour transport ticket?

The Carris/Metro 24-hour ticket costs €7.25 in 2026. The Carris/Metro/Transtejo ticket costs €10.35, and the Carris/Metro/CP ticket costs €11.40.

2. Is the Lisbon 24-hour ticket valid on Tram 28?

Yes. The Carris/Metro 24-hour ticket is valid on Carris trams, including Tram 28.

3. Is the 24-hour ticket valid on trains to Sintra?

Only the Carris/Metro/CP 24-hour ticket includes CP urban trains, including the Sintra line.

4. When does the 24-hour ticket start?

It starts when you first validate it, not when you buy it.

5. Is zapping better than the 24-hour ticket?

Zapping is better if you only take a few journeys. The 24-hour ticket is usually better if you plan to use public transport four or five times in one day.