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

Lisbon reveals itself from several angles. This ticket combines two sightseeing bus routes, a historic tram circuit, a Tagus River boat ride, and access to Carris public trams, making it a practical way to cover far-flung districts without wearing out your legs. I especially like the Hills Tramcar Tour through Alfama and the easy ride to Belém, while the boat adds a calm change of pace. The main drawback is coverage: the buses do not reach every historic street, and some of Lisbon’s central neighborhoods still require walking or regular public transport.

The pass costs about $55 per person and remains valid for 72 or 96 hours, depending on the option you choose. I like that you can spread the rides across several days instead of cramming everything into one long circuit. Just allow extra time to identify the correct route, since the company’s yellow buses use blue and pink route signs, while another operator may also use yellow-colored buses.

Key points to know before you board

• The Hills Tramcar Tour is the star attraction: It follows the old quarters around Alfama, Mouraria, Graça, Baixa, and the castle area, with a less crowded sightseeing tram than the regular public routes.

• Belém is handled well: The blue bus route reaches the Coach Museum, Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries, MAAT, and the riverside cruise terminal.

• The Tagus boat changes your view of Lisbon: You pass beneath the 25th of April Bridge and see the city’s hills, towers, and colorful buildings from the water.

• The modern route reaches eastern Lisbon: The pink-sign Modern Lisbon route goes to the Oceanário, Vasco da Gama shopping center, FIL, Marvila, Beato, and the Vasco da Gama Tower area.

• Public Carris trams are an important extra: During the pass’s validity, you can use the included special-offer access to Carris public trams. Check the voucher for the exact benefits and restrictions.

• The boat schedule is limited: It operates on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, with departures from Terreiro do Paço and Belém at set times. Plan this part instead of treating it like a frequent ferry.

What the 72 and 96-hour ticket actually includes

This is not one single loop. It is a bundle of four sightseeing options operated by Yellow Bus Tours Lisbon:

• The Belém Lisbon Bus Tour, marked by a blue sign
• The Modern Lisbon Bus Tour, marked by a pink sign
• The Hills Tramcar Tour
• The Yellow Boat Tour on the Tagus

All buses are yellow, which is where the first bit of confusion begins. The route colors appear on the windshield and map, not necessarily on the vehicle itself. Staff at the main stops can help, and Raquel at the bus depot was singled out for being particularly helpful, but you will save time by checking the sign before boarding.

The pass begins when it is activated, not simply when you buy it. You can choose a 72-hour or 96-hour period, with starting times depending on availability. A three-day pass works well for a short city break. The four-day option makes more sense if you want to use the pass as transport, return to museums, or leave room for slow lunches and Lisbon’s steep streets.

Audio commentary is supplied on the buses and tram through earphones. The boat uses a speaker guide. Languages include English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Swedish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and more. The commentary gives useful background as you move between districts, though it does not replace time inside the major monuments.

Day one: use the bus to understand Lisbon

I would begin at Restauradores Square, the terminal shared by both bus routes. The first ride is best treated as a city orientation. Stay aboard for a while, listen to the audio guide, and note the places you want to revisit on foot.

The Belém route leaves the central squares and heads west. Along the way, it passes Rossio, Marquês de Pombal, El Corte Inglés, Parque Eduardo VII, Amoreiras, Basílica da Estrela, and Pilar 79. These stops show how Lisbon moves from grand central avenues to parks, shopping districts, and the riverfront.

Buses depart from Restauradores about every 30 minutes from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. That frequency is useful, but the service does not run late into the evening. Several people who used the pass for three days wished the buses continued until around 7:00 or 9:00 p.m., so do not rely on this ticket for late-night transport.

The drivers have to manage narrow, hilly, winding roads, particularly on routes near the old quarters. That is part of the experience, but it can also slow the circuit. Traffic and roadworks may cause temporary suspension, so check current updates with the Yellow team before setting out.

Belém’s monuments, museums, and riverfront

Belém is the strongest sightseeing section of the bus network. Get off near the Coach Museum if you want to begin with its collection of royal coaches, or continue toward Jerónimos Monastery and the waterfront.

Jerónimos Monastery is the essential stop. Its Manueline stonework reflects Portugal’s Age of Discoveries, with maritime details worked into the architecture. The pass takes you to the monument, but entrance is not included, so allow time and budget for admission if you want to go inside.

From there, Belém Tower sits beside the river. The small fortified tower is one of Lisbon’s most recognizable sights, while the nearby Monument to the Discoveries provides a larger, more dramatic reminder of Portugal’s seafaring past. Again, the bus brings you close, but the ticket does not cover entry fees.

MAAT gives the route a modern counterpoint. Its position beside the Tagus makes it a good stop for architecture, contemporary art, and river views. The Docas Cruise Terminal is also on the route, useful if you plan to connect with the boat.

The Belém route also includes Jardim da Estrela on its return toward the center. This is a pleasant place to pause, though you should not expect the bus to cover every old street or hill in central Lisbon. One complaint about the ticket was that much of the historic core is not covered by the main bus loops. That criticism is fair. The tram and Carris access fill part of the gap, but you still need to walk through Alfama, Baixa, and the lanes around the castle.

The Modern Lisbon route to Oriente

The second bus route heads east from Restauradores. It passes Avenida da Liberdade and then climbs toward Graça before reaching the National Pantheon, Feira da Ladra, the cruise terminal, Museu do Azulejo, Beato, Marvila, Oceanário, Vasco da Gama shopping center, FIL, and the Vasco da Gama Tower area.

This route is useful because eastern Lisbon lies well beyond the usual old-town circuit. The Oceanário is one of the city’s most popular attractions, and the Oriente district gives you a clear contrast with Alfama and Belém. You will see newer buildings, broad public spaces, shopping facilities, and modern riverside development.

The route operates roughly every 30 minutes from 9:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. It is not just a sightseeing loop. You can use it to reach the Oceanário and the exhibition center, then continue toward the Vasco da Gama Tower and Hotel Myriad area.

Stops in Beato and Marvila are useful if you want to see parts of Lisbon outside the standard postcard circuit. Still, the full route takes time, and traffic can affect the timetable. I would give the east side a dedicated half-day rather than trying to squeeze it between Belém and a museum reservation.

The Hills Tramcar Tour through Alfama

This is the part I would prioritize. The Hills Tramcar Tour starts and ends at Praça do Comércio and follows a circular route through the older quarters. It passes Portas do Sol, Lisbon Cathedral, Rua da Conceição, Graça, the National Pantheon, São Vicente, and Martim Moniz.

There are no regular hop-on, hop-off stops on the tram route, despite the name of the overall ticket. The tram is a sightseeing circuit, not a vehicle you can use for unlimited stop-by-stop exploring. You can admire the views from the tram, then get off at Praça do Comércio and explore the surrounding neighborhoods on foot.

The route reaches the castle area and the hills above the center, giving you views that would otherwise require a steep walk. The old streets, tiled facades, tight turns, and lookout points are exactly what many people hope to see in Lisbon.

The sightseeing tram is also a smart alternative to the regular Tram 28. The public tram can be crowded, and queues may begin early at Martim Moniz. One useful tip is to try the Hills Tramcar early in the morning or later in the day, since midday demand can create long waits. A past service interruption caused a tram to sit for about an hour after an accident ahead, so leave slack in your schedule.

Departures are listed about every 35 minutes, from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. The ride is especially good for first-time visitors, people with limited time, and anyone who wants the old quarters without immediately tackling Lisbon’s steepest streets.

The Yellow Boat beneath the 25th of April Bridge

The boat is a short but worthwhile change from road travel. It runs between Terreiro do Paço and Belém, passing beneath the 25th of April Bridge and showing the city from the Tagus.

From the water, Lisbon’s seven hills make more sense. You see the rise of the old districts, the towers and domes, and the long line of riverfront buildings without cars and traffic in the foreground. The boat has a speaker guide, and refreshments may be available onboard, although food and drinks are not included in the ticket.

The schedule needs careful planning. Service is listed for Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Departures have been given as 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. from Terreiro do Paço, with return or one-way departures from Belém at noon, 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. Updated schedules list departures from Terreiro do Paço at 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m., with Belém departures at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.

Because the times have changed, check the current departure board before you build your day around the cruise. At Belém, follow staff directions closely. The boarding point can be hard to spot, and the gate may look closed even when it is usable. This is the one component where poor signage can turn a relaxed ride into a missed departure.

A good plan is to take the bus out to Belém, visit one or two monuments, and return by boat to Terreiro do Paço. That gives you a pleasant route in both directions without repeating the same road journey.

Carris trams, funiculars, and discounts

The special offer includes access to Carris public trams during the ticket’s validity. This is valuable in a city where tram routes can help connect the central districts, but read the voucher carefully. The wording applies to public trams, not every form of Lisbon transport.

Several pass holders also used funiculars and the Santa Justa Lift through the associated benefits. The exact treatment can change, so check the current Benefits and Discounts information rather than assuming every lift or funicular ride is free.

The Santa Justa Lift can have very long queues. The pass may provide a discount or special access, but you should confirm the current terms before making it a centerpiece of your day. The funiculars are another useful bonus, particularly when your legs have had enough of Lisbon’s slopes.

Museums and monuments are not included. This ticket is transport and sightseeing, not an attraction pass. If you plan to enter Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, the Coach Museum, MAAT, or the Oceanário, count those admission costs separately.

Is $55 good value for three or four days?

At $55, the pass is not automatically a bargain for someone staying only one day. Its value improves when you use several parts of the package and spread them over the full period.

For three days, a sensible plan might look like this:

• Day one: take the Modern Lisbon route to the Oceanário and Oriente, then return toward the center.
• Day two: spend much of the day in Belém and return by Yellow Boat.
• Day three: ride the Hills Tramcar Tour, use Carris trams, and explore central Lisbon on foot.

The 96-hour option gives you more breathing room. You can use a bus ride for transport, stop for lunch, return to a museum, and avoid trying to fit the boat into the wrong day. It is also helpful if your arrival and departure days are short.

The strongest value comes from combining sightseeing with transport. If you only remain onboard for one loop and skip the tram, boat, and public-tram benefit, the price is harder to justify. If you use all four sightseeing options plus the included transport extras, the pass can replace several separate fares and save your feet.

Practical tips that make the pass easier

Start at Restauradores if possible. Both bus routes use it as a terminal, and staff can validate mobile vouchers and explain the lines. Physical tickets can usually be issued onboard, so do not waste time hunting for a separate ticket office if the instructions are unclear.

Look for the route signs in the windshield:

• Blue sign: Belém Lisbon Bus Tour
• Pink sign: Modern Lisbon Bus Tour
• Hills Tramcar: departs from Praça do Comércio
• Yellow Boat: boards at Terreiro do Paço or Belém

Download the operator’s app if available, since approximate bus arrival times can help you decide whether to wait or walk to another stop. Still, treat the times as estimates, especially during roadworks or heavy traffic.

Bring the supplied earphones, or use your own if permitted. The audio guide is one of the better parts of the package because it gives context while you are moving between sights. Staff members at the main points can also help when route names or boarding places seem unclear.

Remember that food, drinks, and alcohol are not allowed onboard the vehicles. The ticket does not include hotel pickup, hotel drop-off, meals, or monument admission.

Who should buy this Lisbon pass?

I would recommend it most strongly to first-time visitors staying three or four days, families who need a break from uphill walking, and anyone who wants a broad first look before choosing which places deserve more time.

It is also useful for a mixed-age group. One person can enjoy the river, another can visit a museum, and everyone can reconnect using the bus network. The Hills Tramcar Tour is particularly helpful if you want old Lisbon without competing for space on a packed public tram.

I would hesitate if you prefer exploring every lane independently or already plan to use Lisbon’s regular transport system. The bus routes leave gaps in the historic core, and the boat operates only on selected days. You will still walk a great deal around Alfama, Baixa, and Belém.

Should you book it?

Book it if you have at least three days and will use the Belém bus, Modern Lisbon bus, Hills Tramcar, and Yellow Boat. That combination gives the ticket its strongest value and covers parts of Lisbon that are awkward to connect on foot.

Choose the 96-hour version if your schedule is relaxed or you want transport flexibility. Choose 72 hours if you are organized and can dedicate one day each to the east, west, and old quarters.

The ticket will not replace independent exploring, museum tickets, or ordinary city transport in every neighborhood. But used as a first framework, it is a practical way to see Belém, Oriente, Alfama, and the Tagus before returning to your favorite areas on foot.

FAQ

How long is the ticket valid?

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

What sightseeing transport is included?

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

Where does the Belém bus route go?

It stops at or near Restauradores, Rossio, Marquês de Pombal, Parque Eduardo VII, Basílica da Estrela, the Coach Museum, Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries, MAAT, Docas, and Jardim da Estrela.

Where does the Modern Lisbon bus route go?

It serves Restauradores, Rossio, Avenida da Liberdade, Graça, the National Pantheon and Feira da Ladra, the cruise terminal, Museu do Azulejo, Beato, Marvila, the Oceanário, Vasco da Gama shopping center, FIL, and the Vasco da Gama Tower area.

Where does the Hills Tramcar Tour start?

The tram tour starts and finishes at Praça do Comércio.

Does the Hills Tramcar Tour have hop-on, hop-off stops?

No. The route passes several sights but does not have regular stops where you can leave and rejoin the tram.

Which days does the Yellow Boat operate?

The listed operating days are Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

Where can I board the Yellow Boat?

The boat boards at Terreiro do Paço Estação Sul e Sueste and at the Belém stop near Belém Tower.

Are museum and monument entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees to museums and monuments are not included.

What languages are available for the audio guide?

The audio guide is available in Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Swedish.