Lisboa card and seniors and young kids -- should I get a card or what?

Posted by Patricia (Seattle) on 09/09/18 12:26 AM

I am traveling to Portugal (Lisbon on 8 Oct and out Port 22 Oct) with my husband, almost 5 year old daughter, and 79 year old mother (she's spry, people mistake her for someone in their mid-60s) I read RS guide on Lisboa card and zapping cards and I'm still unsure as to what is the best ticket to get for public transportation. In his book he says the card covers all public transportation (including Sintra, where we will be going) and tons of discounts. However, he goes on to add that's it's not a good value for seniors or students as they get in free or half off on museums. So, do I get my mom a card or not? Or do I get her a loadable card that is not the same as a lisboa card? I'm confused.

We will be in Lisbon 4 nights. Arriving early afternoon Monday and driving to Salema on Friday morning. We will do a drive up to Porto with stops along the way.

Posted by kathrynj

Cascais, Portugal

09/09/18 08:01 AM

1663 posts

The card for transportation is the zapping card - not the Lisboa card ( which is for museums). The zapping card does not get a discount for seniors. Check out which museums and attractions you will visit before getting the Lisboa card. But, the zapping card is great for all transport - even the ferries across the river. It does not give you discounts to museums.

Posted by Patricia OP

Seattle

09/12/18 03:40 AM

45 posts

Excellent clarification. Thank you so much!

Posted by Jon

Cincinnati, OH, USA

09/15/18 03:20 PM

768 posts

Is the "zapping card" valid for the train between Lisbon and Sintra and for the train to Belem? Can the card be purchased in the airport, if so, where in the airport?

Posted by jbkulick

09/17/18 05:16 PM

31 posts

I found the system kind of confusing. Zapping (pre-loading $$ onto a card) makes each trip cheaper but there are no discounts for children/seniors. You can buy point-to-point tickets that do have discounts. We just went with the zapping method for all of us just to make it simpler. Overall, it's inexpensive and the trip to Sintra is cheap for the distance.

Posted by cindyp

Seattle, WA

09/18/18 07:04 PM

23 posts

Now I'm confused - the Lisboa Card says it's for transportation "Unlimited free travel by bus, metro, tram and elevadores" and includes the trains to Sintra and Cascais, along with free or discounted admission to many museums and attractions...what, then, is the "zapping" card? Is that the Viva Viagem card?

Posted by LGATX

Austin, TX, USA

09/19/18 06:14 PM

224 posts

I'm confused on this too because the Lisbon card clearly states it works for transportation. Rick Steves even talks about this in his Lisbon book and says it covers all public transportation.

Patricia he does say in his book that it is unnecessary for seniors to get the card because for seniors most sights are free or half price. He doesn't mention young children. Just seniors and students.

Posted by Pab

Elmwood, IL, USA

09/23/18 12:28 PM

362 posts

Just returned 9/21/18. The Lisboa card for 19euros for 24 hours includes some sights free and other sights a discounted cost for entry ((ie
30% off Monument of the Discoveries- IMO huge waste of money, too short to get the full view and space at the top was long & narrow...))
You also have to wait in line with the Lisboa Card so the one person at the Monastery could give you your ticket, so no fast pass for Lisboa Card holders at ANY site. I was there with two seniors and they waited in line to pay half price with me for my free entry! Here’s how we did it:

Day 1 all 3 bought and used the paper zapping card unlimited 24 hour Lisbon transportation, worked great, do not throw away-it’s.50 and reloadable for your whole stay.

Day 2
I purchased the Lisboa Card for sights + transportation-worked great, even though I had a line for every sight!
My senior friends did not buy the Lisboa Card and got in half price in our chosen sights that day.
To return via metro they used the previous day Via Viagem cards and just loaded the 1.40 cash euros for entry into the metro. I used the Lisboa Card for my transportation.

Also Rick Steves Portugal book was incorrect with a lot of costs so plan on it!
I loved the metro and took buses too,; I rode the trams in beautiful Porto.
Go early to the sights on your prioritylist to see , as they have limited cashiers, sometimes only 1.
The zapping Card is easy to use and reload as you go. The machines have an English option. I just cannot get over it’s paper vs plastic.