In a nutshell
- Thinking about taking a hop-on hop-off bus in Lisbon? Great idea! We recommend the yellow sightseeing buses from Yellow Bus.
- With this company, you don’t just ride the buses. You can also join boat tours or hop on the iconic tram.
- In this article, we’ll share everything you need to know about the hop-on hop-off providers in Lisbon, plus helpful tips on tickets and routes. Let’s get started!
The Most Important Information about Hop-on Hop-off in Lisbon
Hop-on hop-off buses are a great option for sightseeing in Lisbon if you’d rather not walk long distances.
There are two main hop-on hop-off bus companies in Lisbon:
- Yellow Bus (yellow buses)
- Gray Line/Lisbon Sightseeing (red buses)
Both companies offer slightly different routes and ticket options, so below we’ll take a closer look at each one.
Our Tip: Yellow Bus Lisbon
We recommend the yellow hop-on hop-off buses operated by Yellow Bus in Lisbon. Their offer is very extensive, and besides buses, you can also use a hop-on hop-off tram and hop-on hop-off boats.
These routes are available with Yellow Bus:
- Belém Line (bus)
- Modern Lisbon (bus)
- Lisbon Hills (tram)
- Boat tour across the Tagus (boat)
On the Yellow Bus website, you can download a map showing all stops along the routes.
You can either buy individual tickets for each route or combine multiple routes in one ticket.
24-hour tickets
If you want to use the hop-on hop-off service for one day or within 24 hours, you can only choose single tickets for one route.
| Route | Prices (24h) | Tickets |
|---|---|---|
| Belém Line | 22 € | Book ticket |
| Modern Lisbon | 22 € | Book ticket |
| Hop-on Hop-off Tram | 25 € | Book ticket |
| Hop-on Hop-off Boat | 24 € | Book ticket |
48-hour tickets
If you book a two-day ticket, you can combine at least two routes.
| Route | Prices (24h) | Tickets |
|---|---|---|
| Belém Line + Modern Lisbon (bus) | 28 € | Book ticket |
| Both busses + Tram | 38 € | Book ticket |
| Both busses + boat | 38 € | Book ticket |
72- or 96-hour tickets
If you’re spending three or four days in Lisbon, the all-in-one package is the best option. It includes all available routes.
Book the 72 & 98h all-in-one hop-on hop-off ticket Lisbon
Which hop-on hop-off route is the best?
A ride on tram line 28E is a must when visiting Lisbon, and you can experience this classic route on the hop-on hop-off tram. If we only had one day, this would be our top choice.
The trip to Belém is also well worth it, as the district is home to many highlights such as the Torre de Belém and the original Pastéis de Nata. That’s why we think the 48-hour combined bus and tram ticket is a great deal.
Modern Lisbon isn’t a must for first-time visitors who travel to Lisbon, but the area is still very nice to explore.
We also recommend a boat tour across the Tagus. Personally, we’d book this separately as a sunset tour, which is offered by Yellow Bus. Alternatively, you can also book a sailing tour via GetYourGuide.
Book a sunset tour on a sailing boat
The Alternative: Gray Line
The second hop-on hop-off provider in Lisbon is Gray Line, which operates the red buses.
Gray Line offers the following routes:
- Belém Line (bus)
- Castelo Line (bus)
- Oriente Line (bus)
- Cascais Line (bus)
- Boat tour across the Tagus (boat)
Some ticket options also include guided walking tours in Lisbon.
The routes and stops of the red buses are similar to those of Yellow Bus. However, the route up to Castelo de São Jorge is not quite as memorable as taking the tram.
That said, Gray Line does offer a direct bus route to Cascais.
24-hour tickets
Gray Line offers 24-hour tickets for either 3 or 5 lines: Castelo, Oriente, Cascais, Uptown and Belém.
- Three lines: 28 euros
- Five lines: 32 euros
Book the 24-hour ticket for the red hop-on hop-off bus Lisbon
48-hour tickets
With a 48-hour ticket, you can use all five lines. If you want to add even more, you can include the hop-on hop-off boat for an additional 11 euros.
- Five lines: 36 euros
- Five lines + boat: 47 euros
Book the 48-hour ticket for the red hop-on hop-off bus Lisbon
72-hour tickets
If you’d like to use the Gray Line buses for 72 hours, there’s an all-in-one ticket that includes all routes.
Book the 72-hour ticket for the red hop-on hop-off bus Lisbon
Comparing Hop-on Hop-off Companies in Lisbon
We’ve summarized the most important differences between the two hop-on hop-off providers in a short and easy-to-read table.
| Yellow Bus | Gray Line | |
|---|---|---|
| Prices for 48 hours | 28 € (2 lines) | 36 € (5 lines) |
| Routes | 4 routes | 5 routes |
| Citypass discount | No discount | Included in the Lisbon Digital Pass |
| Frequency | Every 20-30 minutes | Every 30-60 minutes |
| Combination options | With oceanarium | - |
| Operating time | 09:00-19:00 h | 09:20-18:00 h |
| Children free of charge | Up to 3 years | Up to 5 years |
Our Conclusion on Hop-on Hop-off in Lisbon
If you don’t want to walk much, hop-on hop-off buses are a convenient way to explore Lisbon. You’ll pass many of the city’s main sights, and the tram and boat rides are a great bonus.
That said, Lisbon is full of charming alleyways, street art and a very special atmosphere. To really experience this side of the city, exploring on foot is hard to beat.
Learn more about cool city tours in Lisbon
FAQ about Hop-on Hop-off in Lisbon
Is a hop-on hop-off tour in Lisbon worthwhile?
Yes, especially if you’re not so good on foot.
Then we think the mixture of bus, streetcar and boat is really cool for sightseeing.
But you can also discover the most important highlights in Lisbon on foot.
Should you buy your hop-on hop-off ticket in advance?
Yes, it can get busy on site. So it’s better if you already have your ticket.
Is hop-on hop-off in Lisbon barrier-free?
That depends on the tour you choose. It’s best to check this again when booking.
Is hop-on hop-off Lisbon a good idea with children?
Yes, you can do a great hop-on hop-off tour with children.
But of course, it all depends on whether your children enjoy it.
Are there alternatives to the hop-on hop-off bus in Lisbon?
Yes, you can also explore the city on foot or by public transport.
Are dogs allowed on the hop-on hop-off Lisbon?
Yellow Bus allows you to take small pets in carrying baskets if they do not occupy a seat.
Are the hop-on hop-off buses included in the Lisboa Pass?
No.
However, the 48h hop-on hop-off bus from Gray Line is included in the Lisbon Digital Pass.
How long does hop-on hop-off Lisbon take?
The bus trips take around 1 hour 30 to 1 hour 50.
Can you take a hop-on hop-off in Lisbon if you are taking a cruise?
Yes, the hop-on hop-off buses stop directly at the cruise terminal.