Portugal Public Transportation: How to Get Around Quickly

Visiting a new country is exciting, but exhilaration can quickly fade when you step outside the airport and realize you have no idea how to get around. For comparison, Portugal is about the size of the US state of Indiana, so there is a lot of ground to cover if you want to enjoy all the sights and sounds.

Luckily, there are plenty of options for getting from A to B if you use public transportation in Portugal. Like most European countries, it’s safe to travel by yourself, and most of the facilities have instructions and guides in multiple languages.

In this article, we’ll take a look at navigating through Portugal on public transport, how it works, and what options you have to make the most of your time in the Iberian Peninsula.

You’ll also find out more about:

• Overview of Portugal’s public transportation
• Arriving in Portugal through Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport
• Travelling around Portugal by train
• Using the metro in Portugal
• Getting around Portugal by bus
• Other modes of public transport

Portugal’s transportation system is well-developed and affordable, connecting major cities, towns, and many rural areas.

Public transport, including metro systems, buses, trams, and suburban trains, is widely used in cities such as Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra.

The metro networks in Lisbon and Porto are particularly efficient for daily commuting, featuring frequent service and modern infrastructure.

However, occasional worker strikes can hinder traveling, but these are posted well in advance.

Outside the cities, Portugal’s national rail service, Comboios de Portugal (CP), operates both regional and long-distance trains, connecting major train stations such as Lisbon to central and northern Portugal, and the Algarve region.

The Alfa Pendular and Intercidades trains provide fast and comfortable service between cities, while regional trains serve smaller towns. In areas where train routes are limited, long-distance buses offer extensive coverage. Companies like Rede Expressos and FlixBus connect even remote destinations.

The comprehensive public transportation system in Portugal negates the need for a costly vehicle rental, so you’ll have more money in your pocket. This is important for many residency visa holders, like the Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa or the Portugal D7 Retirement Visa.

Check out Our Ultimate Guide on Portugal’s Residency Visa Options

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Informally called Lisbon airport, this is where most international travelers arrive in Portugal, although some carriers fly to Faro, in the Algarve. From here, most visitors will need a mode of transportation to get to their final destination.

Lisbon is a major hub for the national train service, has an easy-to-navigate metro system, and has ride-sharing opportunities through apps like Uber and Bolt, which are widely available.

The easiest way to get around the city from the airport is to take the Comboios de Portugal, and the station is only a short walk from where you exit the arrivals terminal. Multilingual ticketing machines and station maps are readily available, and there are often staff who can guide you in the right direction.

A single journey costs €1,66, but you can also buy a ticket for unlimited travel in 24 hours for €7 or unlimited travel for 60 minutes for €1,85. A convenient way to travel is to buy a rechargeable Navegante card if you are staying in Lisbon for a few days. Otherwise, you can tap your chip-enabled bank card to access the trains.

For journeys beyond Lisbon’s city center, the CP train is the best option. Whether going north to Porto or south to the Algarve, your train will depart from the Oriente station (which is also the departure hub for regional buses). It’s three stops on the metro’s red line or about a 15-minute ride with Uber.

As with the metro, Oriente train station has multilingual ticketing machines or kiosks where you can buy a ticket. Check the departure boards to ensure that you are on the right platform.

If you prefer a less stressful approach, catching an Uber is easy. Lisbon airport has two dedicated pick-up areas for ride-sharing services, ensuring that an authorized driver collects you.

One pick-up area is on the ground level of the P2 parking garage. As soon as you exit the arrivals building, turn left and walk about 100m. The other is on the top level, just outside the departures hall.

Traveling around Portugal by train is a comfortable, scenic, and budget-friendly way to explore the country. The CP national rail network includes a mix of regional, intercity, and high-speed services.

Major cities like Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, and Faro are well connected by the Alfa Pendular trains, which are the fastest and most modern, and Intercidades trains, which serve intercity routes.

These trains offer reserved seating, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and onboard amenities, making them ideal for longer journeys. They typically run on time and offer competitive travel times compared to driving.

For those looking for a slower-paced travel experience, regional and suburban trains connect smaller towns and rural areas to urban centers. While these trains are more basic, they are significantly cheaper, making them a great option for budget-conscious travelers or short-distance trips to a tourist attraction.

Popular day trips from Lisbon to destinations like Sintra and Setúbal are easily accessible by commuter trains and do not require advance booking. There are also plenty of things to do in Cascais.

Train tickets can be purchased online, at train stations, or via the CP app, and discounts are available for youth, seniors, and advance purchases.

Although not every remote village is connected, Portugal’s rail system provides a reliable and scenic way to experience much of the country without needing a car.

While Lisbon and Porto are the only cities with metro rail systems, they are modern and efficient and serve as the backbone of urban transportation, connecting neighborhoods, suburbs, key landmarks, and transport hubs.

Lisbon Metro

The Lisbon Metro features four distinct color-coded lines: Blue, Yellow, Green, and Red. This efficient transit system covers a significant portion of central Lisbon, including key business districts and residential neighborhoods.

Notable destinations accessible via the Metro include Baixa-Chiado (green and blue lines), Marquês de Pombal (blue and yellow), Parque das Nações (red), and Lisbon Airport (red). As mentioned, the Red Line provides direct service to the airport, stopping at the Aeroporto station.

The Metro’s main hubs are critical for intermodal connections:

• Oriente: Serves as a major hub for CP trains, as well as bus and taxi services.
• Santa Apolónia: Connects to long-distance CP trains.
• Sete Rios: Links to regional trains and major bus terminals.

The Lisbon Metro operates from around 6:30 AM until 1:00 AM daily, offering a fast and clean mode of transportation. The Viva Viagem card, which is valid for use on the Metro, buses, and trams, can also be used for payment.

Porto Metro

The Porto metro system consists of six lines (A–F) that are interconnected through a central underground corridor. It offers extensive coverage throughout downtown Porto, reaching into the suburbs and neighboring cities such as Vila Nova de Gaia and Matosinhos.

Key destinations include Trindade, Casa da Música, Estádio do Dragão, São Bento, and Porto Airport. Specifically, Line E (Purple) provides a direct connection from Porto Airport to the city center.

Trindade serves as the main hub, functioning as a central interchange for all metro lines as well as key connections to CP suburban trains. Additionally, Campanhã Station is a significant CP train station accessible via the metro, offering connections to Alfa Pendular and Intercidades trains.

The metro system operates both underground and at street level, particularly in suburban areas. Similar to the Lisbon transport system, it utilizes a rechargeable Andante card that is valid across the metro, buses, and trains.

Take a Look at Our Ultimate Guide on Portugal’s Visa Entry Requirements

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Throughout Portugal, buses also play a key part in public transport, offering excellent coverage in both cities and rural areas. They serve as a practical option for daily commuting, regional travel, and reaching places not accessible by train or metro.

Urban buses

In cities like Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, and Braga, buses are operated by local public transit companies:

• Lisbon: Operated by Carris
• Porto: Run by STCP
• Coimbra: Operated by SMTUC
• Others have similar municipal operators

Urban buses typically operate from early morning until late evening, with limited service during the night and on weekends. They connect residential neighborhoods to city centers, metro stations, schools, and shopping areas.

Fares are usually paid using rechargeable transit cards, such as Viva Viagem in Lisbon or Andante in Porto, which enable transfers between buses, metros, and trams within a specified timeframe.

Regional and intercity buses

For travel between towns or across regions, Portugal has a strong network of long-distance and regional bus services:

Major operators include Rede Expressos, FlixBus, Rodonorte, and Renex. These buses connect smaller towns and cities to major hubs like Lisbon, Porto, Faro, and Coimbra.

Tickets can be booked online, at a bus station (but not a bus stop), or via mobile apps. Prices are competitive, often cheaper than trains, and service tends to be punctual and reliable. In rural areas, smaller regional bus lines fill the gaps, but they may run infrequently, especially on weekends.

Portugal no longer operates trolleybuses (Coimbra was the last city to run them until the system was decommissioned), but there are a few places where you can catch a tram.

Lisbon is famous for its historic yellow trams, especially Tram 28, which winds through narrow streets in the Alfama and Bairro Alto neighborhoods. Tram 15E is the best modern tram option for connecting central Lisbon to Belém and Algés.

Porto had a large tram system in the past, but now only a few heritage tram lines remain. Operated by Museu do Carro Eléctrico, three short lines run along the riverfront and central districts and are mostly aimed at tourists.

Sintra, just outside Lisbon, also has a heritage tram line. While not a city-wide network, it operates between Sintra and the coastal town of Praia das Maçãs in the summer months.

While most visitors don’t even consider the ferries, they are important to Lisbon’s transportation network. They provide a scenic and efficient way to cross the Tagus River, connecting the city with the southern bank, including areas such as Almada, Barreiro, and Seixal.

Operated by Transtejo and Soflusa, ferries depart regularly from terminals like Cais do Sodré, Belém, and Terreiro do Paço, and they accept Viva Viagem cards.

If you’re considering making the move to Portugal, it’s essential to be informed about the various visa and residency options available. The Golden Visa Portugal program is an attractive option for many, offering residency to investors and their families. For those eyeing retirement in this beautiful country, the Portugal D7 Visa is tailored for you. Digital nomads can take advantage of both short and long-stay options with the Digital Nomad Visa (D8). 

For the entrepreneurial spirit, Portugal offers the Entrepreneurship/startup Visa (D2) – Start-up Visa (open company) tailored for those looking to establish their businesses in the country. Those with specialized skills can explore the Work visa for highly qualified employees (D3). Additionally, if you have Portuguese ancestry, you might be eligible for Citizenship by descent. 

However, moving to a new country isn’t just about visas. If you’re thinking of buying property, our guide on Buying Property in Portugal can offer invaluable insights. Dive deeper into the immigration process with our comprehensive Portugal immigration guide. For Americans specifically looking to relocate, we have curated information on Americans moving to Portugal. Lastly, one can’t forget the importance of the NIF (Tax Identification Number), a crucial step in any relocation process.