Is the Lisbon City Card worth it? Review & Best Uses

In this Lisbon City pass review, we’ll go over how the pass works, what’s included, and share a Lisbon card itinerary that will maximize your discount to the best attractions.

After spending more than a month in the city, we had a chance to visit many of the best things to do in Lisbon and get to know our way around. If you’re planning a Lisbon trip, you might be wondering if the Lisbon tourist card is worth it, so here’s our take on the answer!

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What is the Lisbon card? How it works

The flexible Lisbon card is a pass for tourists offering free entry to 37 top museums and attractions, unlimited access to the public transportation system, and special offers in restaurants, shops, and other venues.

There are 24-, 48-, and 72-hour passes available. Once purchased, you’ll get the e-voucher instantly and it’s valid for one year, just in case you need to reschedule your trip. It’s also fully refundable if canceled at least 24 hours in advance.

> Order your Lisbon cards here <<

How much is the Lisbon card?

The Lisbon Pass pricing currently includes three options. At the time of this writing, current prices are:

• 24-Hour Pass – $24.24 (adult), $16.53 (child)
• 48-Hour Pass – $40.77 (adult), $23.14 (child)
• 72-Hour Pass – $50.68 (adult), $28.65 (child)

Lisbon activities included in the Lisbon card

The Lisbon Pass includes free access to 37 attractions and museums, as well as free and unlimited access to public transportation. Here are some of the top attractions and their regular adult admission prices:
*Prices are estimated in US dollars based on the exchange rate at time of publishing

Jerónimos Monastery
Admission fee – $11.01

Belem Tower
Admission fee – $6.61

National Tile Museum
Admission fee – $5.51

Santa Justa Lift
Elevator ride – $5.85

National Coach Museum
Admission fee – $8.83

Ajuda National Palace
Admission fee – $5.52

Lisboa Story Centre
Admission fee – $7.71

Batalha Monastery
Skip the line ticket – $6.61

Alcobaça Monastery Tour
Admission fee – $6.63

Pilar 7 Bridge
Skip the line ticket – $6.06

Lisboa Story Centre
1-Day Admission Ticket – $7.71

Public transport included in the 24-, 48-, and 72-hour passes:
– Carris metro, buses, trams, and cable cars: $1.82 per trip
– Trains to Sintra: about $2-$4 per trip
– Lisbon public transport 1 day passes are $7.29 – $11.82

Discounts included on the card:
– National Palace, Pena Palace, Moorish Castle in Sintra
– Lisbon Aquarium and Zoo
– Tours of Lisbon
– Hop On Hop Off bus
– Boat rides
– Parking
– Shopping

Benefits of the Lisbon Card

Convenience

With the Lisbon city card, you don’t have to print or manage multiple tickets. It’s especially convenient not to have to figure out the best tickets for buses, metros, trams, and elevators. You don’t have to pay at the gate or deal with cash for each attraction and transit ride. All your entry tickets are prepaid, all on one all-inclusive pass.

Saving Time

With the free unlimited transit pass, you’ll save time going to and from each attraction on your itinerary. The pass also comes with a free guidebook to help you save time when planning your trip.

Saving Money

The main reason to use an attractions pass is to save money, and you can do just that with the Lisbon Pass. When using the card strategically, you can save up to 68% on admission and transit costs. People who save the most money with this pass are those who visit the multiple attractions back-to-back and use the public transit system.

Is the Lisbon card worth it?

The Lisbon pass can be a great value, depending on your trip goals and schedule. Attractions in Lisbon are not all that expensive when compared to other European destinations, but the Lisbon card is also more affordable than most other city cards I’ve seen. Let’s take a look at who the card is best for.

Who is the Lisbon card good for?

Below are the types of travelers who I think can get the most out of a Lisbon pass.

First time visitors

When visiting Lisbon for the first time, there’s probably a lot you want to see and do to make the most out of your vacation. Just about every paid attraction in Lisbon is in this all-inclusive pass, so you won’t miss a thing. (Two notable exceptions that may not be included are St. Jorge Castle and the Fado Museum – but we actually never visited either, even after more than a month in Lisbon.) The card allows you to pack all the fun activities into your itinerary that you could want.

Groups

Passes for children under age 15 are discounted so families can save when planning multiple activities together. Otherwise, transit and entry fees for each family member 4 and older can add up fast.

Plus, the all-inclusive pass gives you flexibility to switch out activities last minute, based on how everyone’s feeling.

Short trips 

People who save the most money with this pass are those who visit the most expensive attractions back-to-back. An all-inclusive attraction pass will give you the chance to pack in as many activities as you can in a short amount of time. Even if you’re only in town for a weekend, you can efficiently visit all the major attractions with this pass.

If you visit an attraction you’re not thrilled with, you can move on to the next without feeling bad about wasting an admission fee.

>> Order your Lisbon cards here <<

When is the Lisbon card not worth it? 

If you don’t plan to do very many of the activities included on the Lisbon Pass, then you’ll save more money just paying admission a la carte. The same is true if your schedule doesn’t allow for visiting attractions back-to-back.

A big benefit of the Lisboa card is unlimited public transit. However, if you prefer to primarily see Lisbon by foot, you’ll probably visit fewer attractions per day and may not get the most value out of the card.

If you’re over age 65, you may already receive significant discounts at some attractions, so the savings won’t be as great on the card. Children under 4 also don’t need the card as they can ride transit and enter many places for free.

Finally, keep in mind that some Lisbon museums and sights close on Mondays, so it will take extra planning to make the best use of the card on that day.

Tips for getting the best value from the Lisbon Card

The way to get the best value with the Lisbon city card is to strategically plan to visit attractions on the same day. 

Remember, you do have to use up the hours on the pass back to back. You’re given 24 hour periods from the first use. So for a 24 hour Lisbon card, you could start your first attraction at 1pm on the first day, use the discounts through the evening, and then continue visiting attractions for free until 1pm on the second day.

Using the Lisbon card for 2 days, 24 hour ticket 

The Lisbon 24 hour card can be used for one full calendar day if you start early. Or better yet, you can use it for two half-days, back to back.

Consider spending a few hours out in the Belem neighborhood. Take a tram or public bus and visit famous World Heritage sites, Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower. Return to the city center, and you’ve already matched the value of the 24-hour pass with many hours to go! On your way back, try the Pilar 7 Bridge experience.

The next day, you have your choice of museums in the city. Many visitors enjoy riding the unique Santa Justa Lift and visiting exhibits in the Lisboa Story Centre. We also highly recommend the National Tile Museum.

Out of pocket cost = $46+
24 hour Lisbon pass = $24.24
You save $21+ (46%)

Lisbon card itinerary for 3 day Lisbon card 

If you have 72 hours in Lisbon, you could start the 48-hour card mid-day and effectively cover three days. Or… for only about $10 more, you can get the 72-hour card and not be as rushed.

Start your first day getting acquainted with the city center. Ride the Santa Justa Lift, visit exhibits in the Lisboa Story Centre, the Rua Augusta arch, then your preference of the National Museum of Contemporary Art and/or Roman Theater Museum. In the afternoon, ride an iconic tram to the Pantheon and take a bus to the National Tile Museum. 

The next day you could head to the Belem neighborhood. Take a tram or public bus and visit famous World Heritage sites, Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower. On your way back, take your pick from the National Museum of Ancient Art, MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology), or the National Coaches Museum. Then try the Pilar 7 Bridge experience.

Your third day could include any museums or attractions you’ve missed. Maybe the Ethnology Museum, Costume Museum, Museum of Theater and Dance, or National Museum Museum, Ceramics Museum, or Air Museum, just to name a few. You can also enjoy partial discounts at the zoo, aquariums, tours of all kinds, attractions just outside town, and many other museums.

As an alternative, enjoy sightseeing in Lisbon for a few days, then take a day trip to Sintra by train on the final day. If you can get on the train to Sintra before your card expires, the journey will be free with the card! Sintra Myths and Legends Interactive Centre is included with the pass. You’ll have to pay for tickets to Sintra’s palaces, but most will be discounted at least 10% with the Lisbon card.

Out of pocket cost = $163+
72 hour Lisbon pass = $50.68
You save $112+ (69%)

Access our free Lisbon attractions and walking routes map here >

How much money can you save with the Lisbon Card?

How much you save will depend on your itinerary. If you were to max out the Lisbon card, you could save 68% off attractions. In most cases, you’ll be more likely to save around 40-50%, which is still an excellent value.

How to buy the Lisbon Card

Does it sound like the Lisbon Pass is right for you? If so, buy your Lisbon Card here.

After purchasing the card, you’ll receive a confirmation and voucher via email. The voucher must be exchanged for the magnetic card at a Tourist Information kiosk on your chosen date of visit.

To start using the card for transportation right away, pick it up from the Lisbon airport Arrival Hall. Once in town, the Lisboa Welcome Center (Praça do comércio) and Foz Palace (next to Rossio train station) are the most central pick up spots.

Remember the time on the pass starts when you first use it, not when you pick it up.

Simply use the card on public transportation or attractions to activate the card. Once activated, you have 24, 48, or 72 hours to use the pass.

You can visit each attraction once and it’s always recommended to check the opening times of any attractions you plan to visit.

Lisbon Card Review: Conclusion

Lisbon is a fantastic destination to visit on a budget, and the Lisbon Card can make it even more affordable if you’re planning to do a lot of sightseeing.

To truly know if the Lisboa Card is worth the money for your particular trip, draft up an itinerary for yourself. Compare what you’re likely to spend on transit and entry fees with the cost of the city pass.

I hope our Lisbon card review and example itineraries have helped you determine if this all-inclusive city pass will be worth it for you.

> Order your Lisbon cards here <<

 

 

More about visiting Lisbon

For further reading about Lisbon:

– Self Guided Walking Tour Itineraries for 3 Days in Lisbon
– What Not to Miss in Lisbon (On A Budget)
– Culinary Backstreets Lisbon Food Tour: Song of the Seas Review
– Where to stay in Lisbon Portugal: 2021 Accommodations Guide

For other Portugal destinations:

– A Self-Guided Sintra Day Trip: Hiking to Sintra’s Palaces
– We Hate Tourism Tour Review: X Day Trip to Sintra and Cascais from Lisbon

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