World City Guide

Getting Around

Public Transport
Lisbon’s metro system, the Metropolitano de Lisboa (tel: (21) 798 0600; website: www.metrolisboa.pt ), is an efficient way for one to get around the city. It also features works by prominent artists. There are four lines (A-D) and trains run every three to ten minutes daily 0630-0100. Ambitious plans are currently underway to expand the network in time for summer 2004.

A single ticket costs 0.65 and a return ticket 1.05; a carnet of 10 costs 5.10. Both one-day and seven-day passes are available for 1.40 and 4.80, respectively, while a 30-day pass costs 12. Single tickets and carnets are available for purchase from station ticket office and self-service machines 0630-0100. Passes can be purchased from the special offices at certain stations (including Cais do Sodr, Campo Grande, Marqus de Pombal, Oriente and Restauradores) from Monday to Friday 0830–1800 (until 2100 on the last work day of the month).

Complementing Lisbon’s metro is the city’s network of buses, trams and elevadors (funiculars/street lifts), which are run by the Companhia Carris de Ferro de Lisboa (tel: (21) 361 3000 or 9662 98558; website: www.carris.pt ). Most bus and tram services operate daily 0600-0100. There are also eight night bus routes, which converge at the Cais do Sodr. Tickets for buses and funiculars are available for purchase on board for 1, or at kiosks for 0.40. Carris passes are available for one or three days, for 2.35 and 5.65 respectively.

Passes valid for bus, tram and metro services are available for one day (2.65), three days (5.65) four days (9.55) and seven days (13.55). These are all available for purchase at Carris kiosks. The Lisboa Card tourist pass offers unlimited travel on public transport, except tram 15 and 18 and the Elevador de Santa Justa (see Sightseeing).

For travel by water, most cross-Tagus ferries are operated by Transtejo (tel: (21) 322 4000; website: www.transtejo.pt ) and arrive at Belm, Cais do Sodr and Terreiro do Pao. CP (Portuguese Railways) runs the ferry link from Barreiro (where the CP trains terminate) to Praa do Comrcio – the fare is included in the ticket price for rail travellers. Depending on the route, ferry services operate daily roughly 0700-2200. Tickets are available for purchase at the ferry pier and cost between 0.60 and 1.50.

Taxis
Taxis are beige (the older ones are black with a green roof) and have small green lights on top, indicating availability. Taxis can easily be hailed on the street, at ranks or by telephone (for a 0.75 surcharge) from Rdio Txis (tel: (21) 811 9000) and Teletxis (tel: (21) 811 1100). Lisbon’s once notorious taxi drivers have been reined in over the last few years, although caution should still be exercised with regards to overcharging.

Taxis are metered and the minimum charge is 1.80 and 2.15 between 2200 and 0600. A supplement of 1.50 is payable for luggage carried in the boot or on the roof. A tip of 10% is expected and appreciated.

Limousines
UNILIS, Rua Actor Vale 25b (tel: (21) 816 0000; fax: (21) 816 0009), offers a limousine service with multi-lingual drivers and in-car mobile phones. The cost for a full day (0900-1800) of limousine hire is approximately 250, with extra charges for tolls, extra hours or mileage above 150km (93 miles) and the driver’s meal.

Driving in the City
Driving in Lisbon can be more than a little nerve-wracking – not only do cars speed around but road signs are also often inadequate. The A9 outer ring road, known as the CREL (Cintura Regional Exterior de Lisboa), and the inner ring road, CRIL (Cintura Regional Interior de Lisboa), move traffic efficiently around the city, except during the extended nightmare of rush hour weekdays from 1700-1900. Despite the new Vasco Da Gama bridge across the River Tagus, the Ponte 25 de Abril can still take an hour to cross during rush hour and summer weekends. Over the last few years, increasing pedestrianisation and traffic calming measures in the city centre have added to the trauma of driving in Lisbon.

Pay-and-display parking is in effect Monday to Friday 0800-2000 in many areas of central Lisbon, costing 0.30 for half an hour and 2.50 for the four-hour maximum. Parking is also available at the larger shopping centres. A network of underground car parks is currently being built – these are indicated by large blue ‘P’ signs and are far more expensive than metered street parking, although convenient, seeing as all-day and 24-hour parking is available.

Car Hire
Drivers must be at least 21 years old to hire a car and a valid national drivers license is required. Insurance is mandatory in Portugal and lack thereof can lead to a heavy fine. Third party liability is often included in the hire price, although visitors should always check this and ask for an International Insurance Certificate. Accident rates are high in Portugal, so extra insurance is recommended.

Car hire companies include Autocerro, Quinta de Francelha de Baixo, Bloco (tel: (21) 940 0555; fax: (21) 940 0553; e-mail: marketing@autocerro.pt; website: www.autocerro.pt ), Avis, Edifcio Campo Grande 390, 2nd and 3rd Pisos/Floor (tel: (21) 754 7800; fax: (21) 754 7994; website: www.avis.com ), and Europcar, Avenida Severiano Falco 9: (tel: (21) 940 7710; fax: (21) 941 8607; website: www.europcar.pt ). High-season hire for a week costs 300-400 for a small five-door car with air-conditioning, such as a Fiat Punto.

Bicycle Hire
Bicycles are a good way for one to get around the large former Expo98 site but are not very practical for the steep streets that comprise much of Lisbon. Bicycles are available for hire at Adrenalina Gravidade Zero, at the north end of the Parque das Naes (tel: (21) 892 2300), for 4 per hour. A passport or other form of ID must be left as a deposit.