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

Lisbon makes you work for its views, with steep streets, winding lanes, and hills that can turn a short walk into a serious climb. This pass solves much of that problem by combining two sightseeing bus routes, a historic tram, and a Tagus boat cruise in one ticket.

I especially like the tram ride through Alfama and the boat trip beneath the 25th of April Bridge. I also like having 72 or 96 hours to split Belém, central Lisbon, and modern Oriente across separate days. The main drawback is coverage: the buses show you a lot, but they do not replace walking through the oldest central streets, and the routes finish fairly early in the evening.

Key points to know

• The Hills Tramcar is the star: Ride through Alfama, Mouraria, Baixa, Graça, and around the castle area without joining the famously long queues for Lisbon’s regular trams.
• Belém and Oriente are on separate bus routes: The Blue Belém line heads west to the monuments, while the Pink Modern line runs east toward the Oceanário and Vasco da Gama area.
• The Tagus cruise is limited to selected days: The boat runs Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, with departures from Terreiro do Paço and Belém.
• Public Carris trams are included: You can use Lisbon’s public trams during the pass period, though the regular services can be crowded.
• The audio guide is practical: Commentary is available in Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Swedish.
• Check route colors carefully: Yellow Bus is the operator, but the buses are mostly yellow and the Blue and Pink route signs can be confusing at first.

Why this pass works well in hilly Lisbon

Lisbon is not a city I like to tackle by transport alone. The best moments often come on foot, in a tiled lane in Alfama or beside a small café in Mouraria. Still, getting between the city’s far-flung areas can take time and energy, especially when you are climbing one of the seven hills.

This pass is most useful as a sightseeing framework. Use the buses to reach Belém and Oriente, use the tram for the old hillside districts, and save your walking for the places where you want to linger.

The ticket is valid for either 72 or 96 hours, depending on the option you choose. At $55 per person, the value depends on how often you use it. If you take both bus routes, the tram, the boat, and some public transport, the cost can make sense. If you only want a single ride to Belém, it is not the economical choice.

The pass is not a skip-the-line ticket for monuments. Entrance fees to Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, museums, and other attractions are separate. You do receive access to discounts on selected monuments, museums, and leisure activities, so check the benefits attached to your voucher before buying additional tickets.

Starting at Restauradores and finding the right bus

The main bus departures are at Restauradores Square, close to Rossio and Avenida da Liberdade. This is a handy starting point if you are staying in central Lisbon, but the first pickup can be confusing.

The operator is Yellow Bus Tours, yet the buses are generally yellow. The Belém route uses a Blue sign, while the Modern Lisbon route uses a Pink sign. The boat information and route markings do not always follow the same color pattern, so look at the destination sign in the windshield rather than relying only on color.

You can get the physical ticket validated on the bus in some cases, but the exact meeting point can vary by booking option. Allow a little extra time on your first morning. Several people have wasted time searching for a ticket exchange point when they could have boarded and sorted it out with staff.

Departures are generally every 30 minutes. The Belém bus runs from about 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and the Modern bus from about 9:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Those hours are useful for sightseeing, but they are not late-night transport. I would not plan a sunset dinner or evening activity around catching the last bus.

The Blue Belém route, from Rossio to the Age of Discoveries

The Belém route begins at Restauradores and passes through Rossio, Marquês de Pombal, Eduardo VII Park, Amoreiras, Estrela, and several stops along the river.

The first section gives you a useful orientation to central Lisbon. Rossio is a good place to begin exploring on foot, while Avenida da Liberdade and Marquês de Pombal show a more formal side of the city. At Eduardo VII Park, you get a broad view down toward the river, though you will want to get off and walk uphill through the park for the full effect.

The bus then heads toward Estrela and the western districts. The Basílica da Estrela is one of the more worthwhile stops if you want a quieter break from the central city. The Coach Museum at Belém is another practical stop, especially if you like royal carriages and transport history.

Belém is the main reason to take this route. You can get off near the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries, and MAAT, the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology.

Jerónimos Monastery is the major architectural stop. Its Manueline stonework reflects Portugal’s seafaring past, with elaborate maritime details worked into the building. You will need a separate entrance ticket, and the bus pass does not let you skip the line.

Belém Tower is smaller than many people expect, but its position at the river’s edge makes it one of Lisbon’s most recognizable sights. The Monument to the Discoveries gives you another strong viewpoint over the Tagus, the bridge, and the wide riverside plaza.

MAAT offers a change of mood, with modern architecture and art beside the old monuments. You can easily spend a full day in Belém if you visit several attractions, so the bus is particularly useful here. You can ride out, get off at the sights you want, and return by bus or boat without retracing your steps on foot.

The route also reaches the Docas cruise terminal. This riverside stretch has restaurants and places to pause, but the tourist landmarks are concentrated farther west around Belém.

The Pink Modern route toward Oriente

The Modern Lisbon route heads east from Restauradores through central streets and then along the newer districts beside the Tagus. The stops include Lisbon Cruise Terminal, the National Tile Museum, Beato, Marvila, Oceanário, Vasco da Gama Shopping, FIL, and the Vasco da Gama Tower near Hotel Myriad.

This route shows a Lisbon that feels very different from Alfama and Belém. The eastern waterfront was developed for Expo 98, and the architecture is more contemporary. At the Oceanário, you can visit one of the city’s major attractions, though admission is not included.

Vasco da Gama Shopping and the surrounding Oriente district are useful stops for food, shopping, and a look at modern public spaces. The route is also a practical way to reach the Oceanário without paying for a separate taxi or spending a large part of the day changing public transport.

The National Tile Museum is a more historic stop and suits anyone who wants to understand Portugal’s famous azulejos. It is not in the same compact sightseeing area as the Belém monuments, so the bus makes the visit easier to combine with other parts of eastern Lisbon.

I would give this route its own half-day rather than treating it as a quick add-on. The bus ride itself helps you see how the city changes from the grand central avenues to the former industrial and exhibition areas farther east.

One limitation is that the modern route does not cover every old neighborhood. It is not designed to replace a walk through Chiado, Bairro Alto, Alfama, or Mouraria. That is where the tram and your own feet matter most.

The Hills Tramcar through Alfama and Mouraria

The Hills Tramcar Tour leaves from Praça do Comércio and returns there. Unlike the public trams, it runs as a sightseeing circuit with audio commentary and no regular hop-on, hop-off stops listed along the route.

This is the part I would prioritize early in your visit. The tram passes the viewpoints at Portas do Sol, Lisbon Cathedral, Graça, the National Pantheon, São Vicente, Martim Moniz, Rua da Conceição, and the castle area.

You get the atmosphere of Lisbon’s old electric trams without relying on the packed public Route 28. The tram winds through narrow streets and climbs into the older districts, giving you a useful overview before you decide where to return on foot.

The views are the main reward. At Portas do Sol and the castle district, the city opens toward the Tagus, with rooftops and tiled facades dropping away below. The tram itself is also more relaxed than trying to board a crowded regular service at a central stop.

Departures are listed about every 35 minutes, from roughly 9:30 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. That schedule can create queues at popular times. I would try it near the start or end of the day, especially during busy periods.

There is no need to confuse this tram with Lisbon’s regular public network. The sightseeing tram is a dedicated tour. Your pass also includes Carris public trams during its validity, but those services are used by local commuters and can be crowded. The pass does not guarantee you a seat on a regular tram.

The Yellow Boat and Lisbon from the Tagus

The Yellow Boat is a calm break from the traffic and hills. It runs between Terreiro do Paço and Belém, passing along the Tagus and giving you views back toward Lisbon’s waterfront.

From the river, the city’s scale makes more sense. You see the Praça do Comércio waterfront, the 25th of April Bridge, the hillside neighborhoods, and the monuments around Belém from a different angle. The boat is particularly useful after visiting Belém because it can return you to central Lisbon without another bus ride.

The boat schedule is the biggest practical limitation. Service is listed for Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, not every day. Departures vary by timetable, with boats leaving Terreiro do Paço and Belém at set times. One listed Belém departure is one-way only, so check the current schedule before planning your return.

At Terreiro do Paço, look for the South and Southeast boat station. In Belém, the boarding point is near Belém Tower. The dock can be easy to miss, and the entrance may not look obvious, so ask the Yellow Bus staff if you are unsure. Do not assume the first small pier you see is the correct one.

The boat has onboard speaker commentary and may have refreshments available, but food and drinks are not allowed on the buses or tram. Keep your ticket handy when changing between services.

How I would use the 72-hour option

With three days, I would avoid trying to complete everything in one long ride. Lisbon rewards a slower pace, and the pass gives you enough flexibility to divide the city sensibly.

Day one: Take the Hills Tramcar early, then walk through Alfama and the Baixa area. Use a public Carris tram if it helps with the return journey, but save time for viewpoints and side streets.

Day two: Take the Blue Belém route. Get off at Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, and the Monument to the Discoveries. Add MAAT or the Coach Museum if you have the energy. If the boat is running and the timing works, return to Terreiro do Paço on the Tagus.

Day three: Ride the Modern Lisbon route east. Stop at the National Tile Museum or continue to the Oceanário and Oriente. You can use the rest of the day for central Lisbon, shopping, or a second tram ride.

The 96-hour option is better if you want long museum visits, relaxed meals, or a slower schedule. It also protects you from losing a day to rain, road works, fatigue, or a missed boat departure.

Audio commentary and day-to-day comfort

The buses provide earphones for the audio guide, and commentary is available in 12 languages. English is included, along with Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Swedish.

The commentary is useful for first-time orientation. You hear background about the districts and monuments as you move between them, rather than simply passing buildings without context. It also lets you sit back when your feet need a rest.

The open upper deck offers the best views, but Lisbon’s sun can be strong. The lower deck is more practical in hot weather or when the wind picks up along the river. Bus drivers have to manage narrow, steep, winding roads, so rides can be slower than they look on a map.

Road works can temporarily suspend or alter service. Check updates with the Yellow Bus team before setting out, especially if a particular route is essential to your plans.

Who gets the best value from this ticket

I would recommend it most strongly if you are staying in Lisbon for three or four days and want a simple way to reach both Belém and Oriente. It suits first-time visitors, families, older adults, and anyone who wants to limit long uphill walks.

It is also useful for people who like to see a city before choosing which places deserve a longer visit. You can ride the full loops, note the stops that interest you, and return later on foot.

I would be less enthusiastic if you already know Lisbon well or plan to spend nearly all your time inside the historic center. The buses do not cover every old street, and regular public transport may be cheaper if you only need short rides.

At $55, the ticket earns its keep when you use several parts of the package. The strongest combination is the Belém bus, Modern route, Hills Tramcar, and boat. Add public trams and any available discounts, and the 72-hour pass can be a sensible transport budget. The 96-hour version makes more sense if you dislike rushing.

Should you book the Lisbon bus, tram, and boat pass?

Book it if you want a broad first look at Lisbon, need easy transport between distant districts, and will use the tram and boat as well as the buses. The Hills Tramcar and the Tagus cruise add experiences you would not get from a standard bus-only ticket.

Skip it if your plans center on walking the old town, visiting one or two monuments, or using public transport only for short local trips. Also check the boat days and current route notices before purchasing.

For most first visits of three or four days, I would choose the 72-hour option and build the trip around the tram, Belém, and the river. Choose 96 hours if you want room for museums, slower mornings, and the occasional missed connection.

FAQ

How long is the ticket valid?

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

What transport is included?

The ticket includes the Belém double-decker bus tour, the Modern Lisbon double-decker bus tour, the Hills Tramcar Tour, and the Yellow Boat Tour. It also includes access to Carris public trams during the ticket validity.

Does the ticket include monument entrance fees?

No. Entrance fees for museums and monuments are not included. The voucher may provide discounts for selected monuments, museums, and leisure activities.

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.

Where does the Hills Tramcar Tour start?

The Hills Tramcar Tour starts and finishes at Praça do Comércio. The listed route does not have regular hop-on, hop-off stops.

How often do the sightseeing buses run?

The Belém bus generally departs from Restauradores every 30 minutes between about 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The Modern Lisbon bus generally departs every 30 minutes between about 9:15 a.m. and 5:15 p.m.

On which days does the Yellow Boat operate?

The listed boat service operates on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Departure times vary, so check the current timetable before planning your day.

Can I use the public Route 28 tram with this ticket?

The ticket includes access to Carris public trams during its validity. Regular trams can be crowded, and the Hills Tramcar Tour is a separate sightseeing service.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available for eligible bookings.