In a nutshell
- Thinking about a hop-on/hop-off bus in Lisbon? Great call! We recommend the yellow sightseeing buses from Yellow Bus — the selection is seriously hard to beat.
- With Yellow Bus, you’re not just limited to the bus — you can also add boat tours on the Tagus or ride the hop-on/hop-off tram along the iconic Tram 28E route.
- In this article, we cover both hop-on/hop-off providers in Lisbon, break down the ticket options, and tell you which routes are actually worth your time. Let’s dive in!
The Most Important Info About Hop-on/Hop-off in Lisbon
The hop-on/hop-off buses are a great way to go sightseeing in Lisbon if you’d rather save your legs.
There are two major providers in Lisbon:
- Yellow Bus (yellow buses)
- Gray Line/Lisbon Sightseeing (red buses)
The routes and offerings of both providers vary a little, so let’s walk you through each one.
Our Top Pick: Yellow Bus Lisbon
For the Lisbon hop-on/hop-off experience, we recommend the yellow buses from Yellow Bus. The selection is seriously impressive — on top of the buses, you can also hop on a hop-on/hop-off tram and hop-on/hop-off boats.
Routes available from Yellow Bus:
- Belém Line (Bus)
- Modern Lisbon (Bus)
- Hills of Lisbon (Tram)
- Boat tour on the Tagus (Boat)
On the Yellow Bus website you can download a map showing all the stops on each route. It doesn’t matter which stop you board from — just start wherever your hotel in Lisbon is located.
You can buy individual tickets for specific Lisbon hop-on/hop-off routes, or combine multiple routes into one pass.
We’ll share our favorite routes a little further down — but first, here’s a breakdown of the ticket options.
24-Hour Tickets
If you want to ride for one day or within 24 hours, you can only book individual tickets for a single route.
| Route | Prices (24h) | Tickets |
|---|---|---|
| Belém Line | 22 € | Get Ticket |
| Modern Lisbon | 22 € | Get Ticket |
| Hop-on/Hop-off Tram | 25 € | Get Ticket |
| Hop-on/Hop-off Boat | 24 € | Get Ticket |
48-Hour Tickets
If you’re riding for two days, you combine at least two routes.
| Route | Prices (48h) | Tickets |
|---|---|---|
| Belém + Modern Lisbon (Bus) | 28 € | Get ticket |
| Both Buses + Tram | 38 € | Get ticket |
| Both Buses + Boat | 38 € | Get ticket |
72- or 96-Hour Tickets
If you’re spending three or four days in Lisbon, grab an all-in-one package that covers every hop-on/hop-off route in the city.
To 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 an absolute must when visiting Lisbon — and that’s exactly the route covered by the hop-on/hop-off tram. So if you only have one day, that’s what we’d go for.
The trip to Belém is also totally worth it — this neighborhood is packed with must-sees like the Torre de Belém and the original Pastéis de Nata. That’s why we love the 48-hour combo ticket (buses + tram).
Modern Lisbon isn’t a must-see on a first trip to Lisbon — but it’s a genuinely beautiful area if you have the time.
We’d also recommend a boat tour on the Tagus — though we’d book that separately as a sunset tour.
Yellow Bus offers this too, but you can also book a sailboat tour through GetYourGuide.
To the Sunset Tour on the Tagus
The Alternative: Gray Line
The second Lisbon hop-on/hop-off provider is Gray Line — these are the red buses.
Routes available from Gray Line
- Belém Line (Bus)
- Castelo Line (Bus)
- Oriente (Bus)
- Cascais Line (Bus)
- Uptown Line (Bus)
- Boat tour on the Tagus (Boat)
Some ticket options also include Digital Walking Tours in Lisbon.
The routes and stops of the red buses are similar to Yellow Bus. One thing to note: the line to Castelo de São Jorge isn’t as fun an experience as riding the tram.
On the plus side, Gray Line does run buses out to Cascais.
Here’s a breakdown of the Gray Line ticket options. Note that you’ll need to exchange your online ticket for a paper ticket on-site at the Marquês de Pombal station.
24-Hour Tickets
With Gray Line, 24-hour tickets cover three or five lines: Castelo, Oriente, Cascais, Uptown, and Belém.
- Three lines: 28 euros
- Five lines: 32 euros
To the 24-Hour Ticket for the Red Hop-on/Hop-off Bus Lisbon
48-Hour Tickets
With the 48-hour ticket you get access to all five lines. Want even more? You can add the hop-on/hop-off boat for an extra 11 euros.
- Five lines: 36 euros
- Five lines + boat: 47 euros
To the 48-Hour Ticket for the Red Hop-on/Hop-off Bus Lisbon
72-Hour Tickets
For 72 hours on the Gray Line buses, there’s an all-in-one ticket that includes every line plus the boat.
To the 72-Hour Ticket for the Red Hop-on/Hop-off Bus Lisbon
Hop-on/Hop-off Providers in Lisbon Compared
Here’s a quick side-by-side of the two Lisbon sightseeing bus providers so you can decide at a glance.
| Yellow Bus | Gray Line | |
|---|---|---|
| Prices for 48 hours | 28 € (2 lines) | 36 € (5 lines) |
| Children free | up to 3 years | up to 5 years |
| City pass discount | none | Included in the Lisbon Digital Pass |
| Combo options | - | with Ozeaneum |
| Routes | 4 routes | 5 routes |
| Frequency | every 20–30 minutes | every 30–60 minutes |
| Operating hours | 9:00 AM–7:00 PM | 9:20 AM–6:00 PM |
| Audio guide | German | German |
| Starting point | At any stop | Marquês de Pombal – here you need to exchange your online ticket for a paper ticket |
Our Verdict on Hop-on/Hop-off in Lisbon
If you don’t want to walk a lot, the Lisbon hop-on/hop-off is a fantastic way to see the city. You’ll hit most of the major attractions, and the boat and tram rides make for a really enjoyable complement to the bus routes.
Our top pick is the 48-hour combo ticket (buses + tram) from Yellow Bus. You can buy all tickets online — which we’d always recommend — but you can also pick them up on the spot.
That said, Lisbon has so many charming alleyways, street art, and a vibe that’s truly special — and you can only really soak that up on foot.
Also check out our article on the best city tours in Lisbon
Frequently Asked Questions About Hop-on/Hop-off in Lisbon
Is hop-on/hop-off worth it in Lisbon?
Yes — especially if you’re not big on walking.
The combination of bus, tram, and boat makes for a really fun and relaxed way to take in the city’s highlights.
That said, you can also discover the most important attractions and lesser-known spots in Lisbon on foot if you prefer.
Should you buy your hop-on/hop-off ticket in advance?
Yes, definitely. It can get crowded on-site, so having your ticket sorted ahead of time is always the smarter move.
Is hop-on/hop-off in Lisbon wheelchair accessible?
That depends on the specific tour you choose. We’d recommend double-checking accessibility details carefully when booking.
Is hop-on/hop-off Lisbon suitable for families with kids?
Yes, you can absolutely do a hop-on/hop-off tour with kids.
It really comes down to whether your kids enjoy that kind of thing — but the tram and boat rides tend to be a big hit.
Are there alternatives to the hop-on/hop-off bus in Lisbon?
Yes. You can also explore the city on foot or by public transit — both work really well.
Are dogs allowed on the hop-on/hop-off Lisbon buses?
With Yellow Bus, you’re welcome to bring small pets in carriers, as long as they don’t take up a seat.
Are the hop-on/hop-off buses included in the Lisboa Card?
No — the hop-on/hop-off buses are not included in the standard Lisboa Card.
However, the 48-hour hop-on/hop-off bus by Gray Line is included in the Lisbon Digital Pass.
How long does a hop-on/hop-off Lisbon route take?
A full loop takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes.
Can you take a hop-on/hop-off bus in Lisbon if you're arriving by cruise ship?
Yes! The hop-on/hop-off buses stop directly at the cruise terminal, so it’s super easy to jump on.
