A friend who lives in Portugal suggested that I buy a Lisbon Card rather than deal with the Metro Machines.
Is it difficult to use the Metro Machines? or are the ticket prices very expensive? Isn't there another card that allows me unlimited transportation for x amount of days?
Is a Lisbon Card worth the cost? I bought a Copenhagen Card when in Copenhagen and lost money. I can only get to one museum or other attraction in. a day. I am old and no longer the energizer bunny.
I did not find it difficult to use the metro ticket machines. I don’t recall the details but I had no ptoblem using my U.S. credit card. I bought a Viva Viagem card (.50) and think I put about 10 EUR on it. The cost of the ticket is deducted each time you use the metro or bus (”zapping”). You can add money to the card if you need more.
Here is some info on it.
https://www.metrolisboa.pt/en/buy/viva-viagem-card/
I had already done some research on Lisbon and did not feel that taking the metro was difficult. The link you sent me was helpful and confirms what I already believed.
Perhaps the Lisbon card is a good deal allowing unlimited travel on the Metro as well as admission to sites.
I am a senior citizen and i have some mobility issues but still walk a lot.
Perhaps knowing me, my friend felt that The Lisbon Card would be the best for me.
I was in Lisbon in late May on the Rick Steves Best of Portugal tour. I was there 3 days before the tour began and rode the Metro, a tram, a funicular, and buses...and paid for all using the Viva Viagem card. I found buying a Viva Viagem card very easy. The cost per ride seemed to be less than what I've paid on the London Underground.
Before I left the US, I watched some YouTube videos on the Lisbon Metro that included directions on both buying and adding money to an existing Via Viagem card. As best I remember, when you first buy the card from the ticket machine, you touch the prompt for English, then the machine asks if you already have a Via Viagem card (answer no). You'll be charged a small non-refundable amount for the card. Then you are asked whether you want to buy a certain number of rides or instead load a fixed amount onto the card. I chose to load a fixed amount.
I chose not to buy a Lisbon card because admission to some sites would be paid for by the tour. But, I was very surprised at how inexpensive admission to the Coach Museum (Belem) and the Tile Museum were, given I am over age 65. So...the Lisbon Card may or may not be worth the money.
Whether you buy the Viva Viagem or the Lisbon Card, be careful not to bend it.
