Lisbon....Confused between the Viva Viagen card and the 24 hour pass.

Posted by merryvm on 11/02/23 04:06 AM

For the life of me, I can't understand the difference in buying the 24 hour pass (6.40 Euros) or the Viva Viagem card; could someone explain it to me? My main goal is to go to Belem, but I would also like to ride the Tram 28, and maybe some fuiculars (but I haven't figured out where these are at yet.

We are coming from the port as our cruise ship docks on Sunday, Nov 19 from 8 - 4:00.

I read that you have to buy a Viva Viagen card to travel on Metro, ferry & suburban trains, but that I could also use this on buses, trams & funiculars. (operated by Carris. ) BUT THEN I ALSO READ that there is a 24 hour pass (6.40 Euros) that can be used on Metro and Carris.

Any advice out there??

Posted by Gail

WA USA

11/02/23 05:02 AM

1099 posts

The Via Viagen Card can be loaded with a 24 hour pass or you can load a specific amount onto the card. If you are there for a day, the easiest would be the 24 hour pass.

https://www.lisbonguru.com/viva-viagem-card-metro-bus-tram-ferry-train/

Posted by isn31c

Lake District, England

11/02/23 05:28 AM

5838 posts

You still need a Viva Viagem Card, but rather than loading it with cash you load it with a day pass, current price 6.60 Euro.
If you want to go to Sintra or Cascais as well then you load it with a Carris/Metro/CP ticket for 10.70 Euro.
Finding the funiculars (or elevadors) I found to be a huge amount of fun. I had a really detailed paper map of the city picked up at the port, but still found that they were not exactly where mapped, as the maps didn't have every little street. So in each case a little bit of sleuthing was needed, which just added to the enjoyment.

My tip is that everyone rides them up, leading to long lines. So be different and ride them down. They are equally as great ridden that way. They should absolutely be ridden by every visitor, the same as tram #28, or indeed quite a few of the other tram routes.
I had been told about them by a work colleague who went to Lisbon on every vacation for years!
The tram #15 to Belem is run with modern cars, but still great, or use the CP train instead to Belem station on the Cascais line.
For the funiculars on the Carris website- under 'Types' choose 'Funiculars' and you will see timetables and location maps which you can blow right up to show the exact location.

Posted by Golden Girl

11/02/23 09:08 AM

501 posts

If you’re going to ride Tram #28, my top tip is that everyone tries to board it at Martim Moniz, leading to long queues. The best option is to get on at the other end (Campo Ourique) and ride it in the opposite direction.

That said, probably more and more people are doing this - but when I tried this option back in 2018, I got a window seat on the nearly-empty tram which then filled and filled.