Before you Travel
Bookings needed & things you can prepare in advance to make the most of your time once in Lisbon
The huge majority of travelers visit the following attractions. They need to be booked to avoid huge queues or to guarantee availability.
The first tickets you should book in advance are the ones for the Castle of St. George. It's usually full of visitors, so it's a good idea to buy tickets in advance and to get to skip the line when you get there.
The Lisbon Card is a good option to make your trip easier. This card is valid for either 24, 48, or 72 hours. It includes access to 23 museums and historic buildings, such as the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower and a ride in the Santa Just lift, unlimited travel on the public transport and some other discounts. The price goes from € 20 per person.
A very common thing to do in Lisbon is to attend a Fado Show. This type of music attracts both locals and tourists, so I would suggest booking the tickets in advance. Also, that way you'll be able to arrange your itinerary as needed to be there.
Many visitors take advantage of their time in Lisbon to visit the near town of Sintra. Known for being home to beautiful Palacio da Pena, Castelo dos Mouros and Quinta da Regaleira, you can't miss this town if you have 3 or more days in the Portuguese capital. You can book this full day Sightseeing Tour and enjoy all the town has to offer.
There are different ways to get from Portela international aiport to the center of Lisbon:
The most comfortable door-to-door option: Private Transfer
With this service your driver will be waiting for you at the arrival hall and you'll avoid long queues for a taxi. The price is approximately €20 per car, depending on the location of your hotel, and it takes approx. 45 min. to get to destination.
The comfortable and cheapest door-to-door option: Shared Transfer
This service is a door-to-door shuttle in shared vans. The cost depends on where you're going, but calculate € 4.90 per person, and the time depends on whether the van is full of passengers or not, and if you're the first ones to be dropped off or the last ones.
The cheapest way with private transport: AeroBus
This bus runs every day from 7:30 am to 11:00 pm, leaving every 20/25 minutes. A single ticket costs € 3.60 per person and it has 2 lines, both of them with many different stops on the way.
Once in the city, the best way to move around is Public Transport:
It includes metro, buses, trams and trains. With the metro you can go to almost any part of the city. A single ticket costs € 1.40. If you're planning to use the public transport more than twice, it would be cheaper to buy a Viva Viagem card, which costs €0.50 and you can charge it with money.
The Lisbon Card includes unlimited rides in Public Transport. It's valid for either 24, 48, or 72 hours. It includes access to 23 museums and historic buildings, such as the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower and a ride in the Santa Just lift, and some other discounts. The price goes from € 20 per person.
Book your tours, guides & activities: the best tours sell out fast. Try to do your research and book before you go. Have a look at our Love Your Trip selection, we have the best services and experiences in town.
If you need advice to choose your activity or you’re looking for something specific, send me a message.
Have you just started to plan your trip? Too many things to decide? Too long do it all by yourself? Special needs or wishes? Then, you should plan your trip with a local to get tailored travel plans & advices.
IOS & Android Offline
Downloadable PDF
Web access