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

Lisbon is easier when the hills do the work. This pass links the city’s main sightseeing zones with two open-top bus routes, a dedicated hills tram, and a Yellow Boat ride on the Tagus. I especially like the Belém route for reaching the riverside monuments and the tram tour for seeing Alfama and the old center without fighting for space on the famous public Tram 28.

The $55 price can be good value if you use the pass for three or four days, particularly because Carris public trams are included during the ticket period. The main drawback is coverage: the buses reach Belém and modern Oriente well, but they do not cover every historic street, and the route names and colors can be confusing at first.

Key points to know before you book

• The hills tram is the star attraction: It passes Alfama, the cathedral, Graça, São Vicente, Martim Moniz, and the Panteão area without the crushing crowds often found on regular trams.
• Belém takes you west: Stop near Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries, MAAT, and the Coach Museum.
• Modern Lisbon takes you east: The second bus route reaches the Oceanário, Vasco da Gama shopping center, FIL, Marvila, and the Vasco da Gama Tower.
• The Yellow Boat runs only on selected days: Service is listed for Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, with a limited number of departures.
• The ticket lasts 72 or 96 hours: It is activated when first used, so plan your first validation carefully.
• The pass is best for first-time visitors: It gives you a broad look at Lisbon, but you will still walk or use regular public transport in the oldest neighborhoods.

How the four-day Lisbon pass works

You can choose a 72-hour or 96-hour ticket, priced at about $55 per person. The clock begins when you first validate it, not necessarily when you buy it, so you can purchase ahead and keep your first day flexible.

During the valid period, you receive access to:

• The Belém Lisbon Bus Tour, also called the Blue line
• The Modern Lisbon Bus Tour, also shown as the Purple or pink line
• The Hills Tramcar Tour
• The Yellow Boat on the Tagus
• Carris public trams
• Audio commentary in 11 languages
• Discounts on selected museums, monuments, and leisure activities

The pass is not a museum ticket. You still pay separately to enter places such as Jerónimos Monastery, and food, drinks, and hotel transfers are not included.

For a short visit, the 72-hour option is often enough. The 96-hour version makes more sense if you want to spread out Belém, Oriente, Alfama, the boat, and independent sightseeing instead of racing from stop to stop.

Start at Restauradores and get your bearings

Both bus routes begin near Restauradores Square, close to Rossio and the lower end of Avenida da Liberdade. This is a useful starting point because you can ride once without getting off, listen to the commentary, and understand how Lisbon’s districts fit together.

The naming system deserves attention. The company’s buses are generally yellow, but the Belém route is identified by a blue sign and the Modern Lisbon route by a pink sign. Other sightseeing companies use similar route names and different bus colors, so check the sign in the windshield before boarding.

A staff member may help at the main stops. Raquel was singled out for being especially helpful, and staff at the departure points have assisted with ticket validation and directions. You can also receive or validate a physical ticket on the bus, which is useful to know if you cannot find a separate ticket office.

Buses depart roughly every 30 minutes. Belém service runs from about 9:00 in the morning until 5:30 in the afternoon. The Modern route runs from about 9:15 until 5:15. These hours are fine for daytime sightseeing, but not for late-night transport. Several visitors wished the service continued closer to 7:00 or 9:00 in the evening.

Belém route: Lisbon’s grand western end

The Belém bus is the route to choose for monuments, river views, and Portugal’s Age of Discoveries. From Restauradores, it passes Rossio, Marquês de Pombal, Eduardo VII Park, El Corte Inglés, Amoreiras, Estrela, and the Pilar 7 bridge viewpoint area before reaching the riverfront.

You can stay on for a broad city view, or get off to build a full day around Belém. The most useful stops are:

Jerónimos Monastery and the Coach Museum

The Coach Museum is a practical first stop if you want an indoor visit. The route then reaches Jerónimos Monastery, one of Lisbon’s key Manueline buildings, with elaborate stone carving and strong connections to Portugal’s maritime past.

Plan extra time here. The bus gets you close, but the pass does not cover the entrance fee or guarantee quick admission. If you want to see the monastery interiors, check opening hours before choosing the bus schedule.

Belém Tower

Belém Tower sits near the river and is one of Lisbon’s most recognizable sights. The stop is convenient for photos and for a walk along the waterfront.

The tower is not a quick bus stop if you plan to go inside. Lines, opening times, and access rules can affect your schedule, so you may prefer to photograph it, continue along the river, and return to the bus later.

Monument to the Discoveries

The Monument to the Discoveries is another strong stop for wide river views and a look at Portugal’s seafaring story. It is close to the tower and monastery, making Belém easy to explore on foot once you get off.

The arrangement is simple: use the bus to cover the distance from central Lisbon, then walk between the main sights. This saves time and avoids paying for several separate rides.

MAAT and the cruise terminal

The MAAT stop suits visitors interested in art, architecture, and technology. The Docas Cruise Terminal area offers a different view of Lisbon, with waterfront promenades and places to pause.

The route also returns through Estrela and the central districts. If you are tired of walking Lisbon’s steep streets, staying on for part of the return trip is one of the pass’s practical benefits.

Modern route: Oriente, Oceanário, and the east side

The Modern Lisbon route heads east from Restauradores through Avenida da Liberdade, Graça, the National Pantheon, the Lisbon Cruise Terminal, the Tile Museum, Beato, Marvila, and Oriente.

This route feels very different from Belém. Instead of royal monuments and old lanes, you see contemporary buildings, former industrial areas, riverfront redevelopment, and broad avenues.

Graça and the National Pantheon area

Graça provides access to one of Lisbon’s higher districts, while the Panteão Nacional stop places you near the National Pantheon and the Feira da Ladra flea market area. These stops are useful if you want to mix sightseeing with local streets and market browsing.

The bus does not replace walking here. It gets you near the area, but you should allow time for uphill streets, viewpoints, and detours.

Tile Museum, Beato, and Marvila

The Tile Museum offers a focused look at one of Portugal’s most familiar art forms. Beato and Marvila show a less polished side of Lisbon, with former industrial spaces and newer cultural development.

These stops are not as essential for a first visit as Belém Tower or the Oceanário, but they give the Modern route more substance than a simple ride between shopping areas.

Oceanário and Vasco da Gama Tower

Oriente is the eastern highlight. The bus stops near the Oceanário, Vasco da Gama shopping center, FIL exhibition center, and Vasco da Gama Tower, beside the Myriad Hotel.

This is a good half-day zone. The Oceanário requires a separate admission ticket, but the bus makes it easy to reach without arranging another connection. The shopping center offers food and a place to rest, while the waterfront gives you a broad contrast to Alfama’s narrow lanes.

The Hills Tramcar Tour through old Lisbon

The dedicated Hills Tramcar Tour is the most praised part of this package, and I can see why. Regular Lisbon trams are part transport, part cultural event, and often packed. This sightseeing tram offers a more controlled way to see the historic core.

The tram departs from Praça do Comércio and returns there. The published route has no hop-on, hop-off stops, but it passes important sights including:

• Portas do Sol
• Lisbon Cathedral
• Rua da Conceição
• Graça
• The National Pantheon
• São Vicente
• Martim Moniz
• The approach to Castelo de São Jorge

You see Alfama’s steep lanes and old facades from the tram window, with audio commentary explaining what you pass. The ride is particularly useful early in your stay, when you want to understand the shape of the city before walking it on foot.

Departures are listed about every 35 minutes, from roughly 9:30 in the morning to 5:05 in the afternoon. Go early if possible. At busy times, the tram can fill up, and there is no point assuming every departure will have immediate space.

The tram route is not a substitute for walking Alfama. It cannot stop at every viewpoint or let you linger by the cathedral. Use it as an overview, then return to the neighborhoods that catch your interest.

The Yellow Boat on the Tagus

The boat adds a calm change of pace after Lisbon’s hills. It runs between Terreiro do Paço and Belém, passing beneath the 25th of April Bridge and giving you a clean view back toward the city.

The main boarding point is the Terreiro do Paço river terminal, also called the Sul e Sueste station. The Belém stop is near Belém Tower. The route returns to Terreiro do Paço, though a Belém departure may operate as a one-way trip depending on the timetable.

Service is limited to Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Listed departure times include late morning, early afternoon, and mid-afternoon, with schedules changing from February 20. Check the current times before building your day around the boat.

Allow time to find the correct boarding area. At Belém, signage may be limited, and the entrance can look closed even when it is usable. Go to the right-hand side of the small pier and ask staff if you are unsure. Missing a boat can cost you a long wait because departures are not frequent.

The boat is not the fastest way between central Lisbon and Belém, but that is not the point. It gives you photographs of the waterfront, bridge, towers, and seven hills from a low river-level angle. The onboard speaker guide adds context without requiring you to stare at a map.

Using the included public trams

The special offer includes access to Carris public trams during the ticket’s validity. This can be very useful in the center, where a short tram ride may save your legs.

Do not confuse this benefit with guaranteed access to every sightseeing route or every popular departure. Regular trams can be crowded, especially Tram 28. The dedicated Hills Tramcar Tour is often the easier sightseeing choice because it is designed for visitors and follows the old neighborhoods with commentary.

You can also use the public trams to reach areas outside the bus loops, but the pass does not cover ordinary local buses according to the stated inclusions. Check the exact benefits attached to your voucher before relying on the pass for every public transport connection.

Audio guides, comfort, and daily timing

The audio guide is available in Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Swedish. Earphones are supplied for the buses and tram, while the boat uses a speaker guide.

The commentary is useful for orientation rather than deep instruction. It points out monuments and explains Lisbon’s districts while you sit back, which is valuable on your first bus loop. Drivers also have to manage narrow, winding streets and steep hills, so the ride itself can be an entertaining part of the day.

A smart plan is to use one route per day:

• Day one: Ride the Hills Tramcar Tour, then walk Alfama, Baixa, or the castle area.
• Day two: Take the Belém bus, visit two or three monuments, and return by boat if the schedule works.
• Day three: Ride the Modern route to Oriente and the Oceanário.
• Day four: Use public trams and repeat the places you liked, if you bought the longer pass.

Do not try to force every attraction into one day. Bus departures end in the late afternoon, and the boat runs only at selected times.

Is $55 good value?

At $55, the ticket earns its keep through repeated use rather than one long ride. If you use both bus routes, the tram, the boat, and several Carris trams over 72 or 96 hours, the combination is convenient and can cost less than buying separate sightseeing rides.

The value is weaker if you only want a single panoramic bus loop. It is also weaker if you plan to spend most of your time walking the central neighborhoods, where many sights are close together.

The discounts may improve the deal, so check the benefits list before paying for museum or monument admission. The pass also gives you flexibility on tiring days. Lisbon’s slopes are not theoretical, and having a bus or tram available can keep you from wasting an afternoon simply recovering from the streets.

Who should book this pass?

I recommend it for a first visit of three or four days, especially if you want to see both Belém and Oriente. It also suits families, older visitors, and anyone who wants a rest between steep walks.

I would think twice if your main goal is a detailed exploration of Alfama, Mouraria, and Baixa on foot. The buses do not cover every historic street, and you still need independent transport or walking for several central areas.

Road works can temporarily suspend service, so check updates with the Yellow Bus team before setting out. Also remember that food, drinks, alcohol, attraction admission, and hotel pickup are not included.

FAQ

How long is the ticket valid?

You can choose a 72-hour or 96-hour ticket. Validity begins when the ticket is first used.

What tours are included?

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

Does the ticket include public transport?

It includes access to Carris public trams during the ticket’s validity. Local bus coverage is not listed among the inclusions.

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.

How often do the buses run?

The Belém Bus Tour runs about every 30 minutes from approximately 9:00 to 5:30. The Modern Lisbon Bus Tour also runs about every 30 minutes, from approximately 9:15 to 5:15.

Does the Yellow Boat run every day?

No. The listed boat service operates on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, with several departures each day. Times may change, so check the current schedule.

Are monument and museum admissions included?

No. Entrance fees are separate. The ticket does include selected discounts on monuments, museums, and leisure activities, listed with the voucher benefits.

Final booking advice

Book this pass if you want a practical overview of Lisbon and plan to use it actively for at least three days. Make the Hills Tramcar Tour a priority, use the Belém bus for the western monuments, and save the boat for a clear afternoon when the Tagus views can do their part.

Skip it if you want a purely local transport ticket or expect every old neighborhood to be covered. For most first-time visitors, though, the combination of bus, tram, boat, and public trams makes this a useful way to get oriented, save your legs, and see Lisbon’s very different sides.