Tramway 28 from Lisbon

Tram 28 is one of the jewels of Lisbon and the small yellow wagons representing the tramway appear in many souvenir shops in the Portuguese capital. The yellow tramway No. 28 is a must to visit Lisbon. The old tramway crosses the most famous districts of Lisbon such as Alfama, Baixa or Chiado.

Having taken it, I can assure you that tramway 28 offers even if it doesn’t go fast, it offers a lot of adrenaline and excitement when it goes up the narrow and winding streets of the Alfama, where you can almost touch the walls of the buildings if you pass your hand through the window. As a historical symbol of Lisbon, it’s not surprising that the small yellow carriages of tram 28 are often full of tourists. However, it should not be forgotten that Lisbon’s tram 28 is also a means of transport like the bus for the city’s inhabitants who use it every day for their travels.  I propose you to discover below the history of Tram 28 but also the practical information if you want to use it in 2019.

Visit of Lisbon and Tramway 28

Before we begin, I know that some of you prefer guided tours of Lisbon where everything is organized in advance by an experienced person who will be able to explain and fully transcribe the history and meaning of tramway 28 but also of all the other monuments to be seen in Lisbon.

You will therefore find below some very well rated tours around Tram 28 which are conducted by english speaking guides who know the capital and its history very well. Everything is organized, all you have to do is show up! These tours in Lisbon can be cancelled up to 24 hours before the start of the tour, so you can book without any problem.

The button below these four targeted tours will allow you to discover more targeted visits of the city with English speaking guides: walking, bus, tuk tuk, bike, Segway tours and to discover monuments, districts, gastronomy, fado or shows, you will surely find what you are looking for!

Line 28, the iconic Lisbon line, was inaugurated in 1914 and is more than 7 km long. It connects Plaza Martim Moniz with the Prazeres district and some of its stops are quite fast, for example between Grace and Estrela. 

Despite the passage of time and the development of transport with the bus or the metro, Lisbon’s tramway number 28 is the best means of transport to travel through the narrow and winding streets of Estrela or Aflama. The tram travels through the oldest parts of the city and is part of its history but is also an ecological means of transport that has become over the years one of the main tourist attractions of Lisbon. Today, the 28th tramway is a permanent feature of Lisbon, authentic and much appreciated by all those who come to visit the city.

Painted in a very recognizable yellow colour, the tramway carriages are made of wood with 28 seats and 38 standing, although there are usually many more people on board.  

Lisbon tramway 28: timetables and tickets

The average interval between journeys on tramway 28, i.e. the waiting time at the stops is 8 to 15 minutes and the driving time of the world’s most famous yellow tramway is about 40 to 50 minutes, if you want to make the most of it and enjoy the journey from start to finish.

The tram is slow on most of the route, but it can sometimes accelerate up to 50 km/h (50 mph).  The first journey of tram 28 is at 5.40 am in Martim Moniz square, and the last one at 9.15 pm (after this time the trams leave only from Graca, where the last departure is at 11.10 pm). 

All timetables are available on this website.

Tickets for the 28th Lisbon tram can be purchased from the driver. In 2019 they cost €3 per journey but the vast majority of people use the Viva Viagem card or 7 Colinas, which allows them to have a ticket for the 28th tram at only €1.50 or €1.35 depending on the type of subscription. Tram 28 can also be included in a 24-hour ticket that costs €6.40 per person.

To find out more about the Lisbon public transport ticket system, Viva Viagem or the 7 Colinas cards, you can find out more on this page. 

For your information, the Lisboa Card offers discounts on transport, monument tickets and even free entry for certain visits to Lisbon lasting 24, 48 or 72 hours. Find out all you need to know about the card by consulting the Lisboa Card guide, or click on the map below to order it directly online.

Click on the Lisboa Card to order it online

Visit Lisbon by tram 28 – small guide

In Lisbon, tramway 28 is in itself a visit to make but is also an excellent way to explore the city and discover it. It can be very nice to visit Lisbon by taking the tramway 28 all along its route and getting off at the stops that interest you and that are usually very close to the biggest monuments or tourist attractions of the city. You will find below the complete itinerary of the tramway 28 to make your own personalized program. 

Below the itinerary, you will find different stops you can get off at and what you can discover nearby. You can then get back on the tram and continue your journey to the next destination. If you want to proceed this way, then the most economical solution is to take the 24 hour ticket for Lisbon for 6,40€. Your journeys by bus, metro, lift or tram 28 will be unlimited.

• Station R.GRAÇA: here you will be near the Miradouro Nossa Senhora, which offers one of the most beautiful views of Lisbon.
• GRAÇA Station: here you will find the Miradouro da Graça and the church / monastery of Graça. A great place for breakfast and a good coffee before starting the tours.
• Station Cç S. VICENTE: getting off from this stop, you can visit the Monastery of Saint Vincent and walking a little further on the National Pantheon. If you stop here on a Saturday or Tuesday, I recommend the Feira da Ladra, Lisbon’s antique market.
• Station Lg. PORTAS SOL is the centre of the Alfama, the oldest district of Lisbon and an excellent starting point to discover the Miradouro das Portas do Sol with a superb view and the Museum of Decorative Arts.
• Station MIRADOURO STA. LUZIA: as its name suggests, the Miradouro de Santa Luzia is still a beautiful viewpoint of Lisbon. It is also at this tram 28 stop that you can visit the Castle of Saint George.
• SÉ Station: this stop is very close to the Se Cathedral, the oldest church in Lisbon, next to which is also the Church of Saint Anthony.
• Station R. CONCEIÇÃO: This is the centre of the Baxia district where you can walk along Rua Augusta de Lisboa and visit the Design and Fashion Museum.
• CHIADO Station: It’s another important area of Lisbon whose most important street is Rua Garrett with many shops, restaurants and bars including the famous Café Brasileira. If you like museums, you will find near this stop the Chiado Contemporary Art Museum.
• PÇ LUÍS CAMÕES Station: Luís de Camões Square is a popular meeting place for Lisbon residents and tourists from all over the world, next to which is the famous Bairro Alto, the centre of the capital’s nightlife.
• CALHARIZ (BICA) Station: from here you can discover Lisbon’s most picturesque street, Bica, and the da Bica lift. All this while being quite close to the Mercado da Ribeira, a typical market that is becoming more and more popular.
• STA station. CATARINA: Once again the viewpoint, ideal for rest and relaxation in the afternoon. This is Miradouro de Santa Catarina, of course.
• Station R. S. BENTO/CÇ ESTRELA: Here you can see the Palácio de São Bento and Casa-Museu Amália Rodriguesm, the museum of the famous fado singer.
• ESTRELLA (BASÍLICA) Station: The Estrela Basilica is located at this stop of the tramway 28 from Lisboa and is a must see. You can also visit Estrela’s garden to enjoy the zenith of the place.
• Station CAMPO OURIQUE (PRAZERES): this is the last stop of the yellow tramway in which you can see the Cimetière des Plaisirs.

Tips and tricks for your tram 28 journey

The first tip on your journey on Lisbon’s yellow tramway is to watch out for pickpockets. They are present and although I personally have never had any problems, you will see small warning signs on the tram. 

The second is to remember that people in Lisbon use this means of transport throughout the year, to go to work, to the market or to mass. Portuguese elderly people will appreciate it if you give them space, as the journey is just as enjoyable standing up. As a reminder, the first seats just after the driver are reserved for the elderly, women with children and the disabled.

Below are some additional tips that may help you on your journey:

• Part of tram line 28, especially on the Alfama, can be done on foot: the distance between the stops is short and the area is very pleasant.
• The tramway does not loop, so you will have to get out at the terminus to take another tramway 28 if you want to go the other way around.
• You always enter through the front door and leave through the back door.
• At the stops, you will see a queue that is very respected in Portugal. So you have to do the same and get to the end of it.
• During holidays and long weekends, the tram is very busy: if you want to avoid the crowds, choose to travel in the morning or in the evening.
• The driver sells tickets but only in cash.
• There is WiFi available in the tramway 28.