Tram 28 Lisbon route: history, stops and how to ride it
The Tram 28 Lisbon route runs 7 km from Martim Moniz to Campo de Ourique, Prazeres, and takes 45 to 50 minutes end to end. It passes through Graça, Alfama, Baixa, Chiado and Estrela. An on board ticket costs €3.30 in 2026, or €1.72 with Zapping credit on a Navegante card. Ride before 09:00 or after 19:00 if you want the best chance of a seat.
Tram 28 is not a sightseeing tram created for visitors. Officially known as route 28E, it is part of the CARRIS public transport network and carries Lisbon residents alongside travellers who want to experience one of the city's most famous journeys.
Its popularity is easy to understand. The tram climbs steep hills, passes through narrow historic streets and connects neighbourhoods that feel completely different from one another.
This guide follows the Tram 28 Lisbon route stop by stop, explains how it became a Lisbon icon, compares the different ticket options and shows what to do when the queue is no longer worth waiting for.
How Tram 28 became a Lisbon icon
Lisbon's first trams were pulled by horses and started running in 1873. Electrification arrived in 1901. Route 28 did not begin operating until 1914, thirteen years later, and fitting an electric tram through the historic street network of Graça and Alfama was not a simple challenge.
Many of these streets developed during the medieval period for people, animals and small carts rather than modern urban transport. Tight corners, steep gradients and the short distance between buildings placed clear limits on the size of vehicles using the route.
The carriages associated with Tram 28 today are known as Remodelado trams. Their design is based on Lisbon tramcars developed during the 1930s with strong influence from American J.G. Brill streetcars. They are roughly 2.4 metres wide and run on Lisbon's unusual 900 mm narrow gauge tracks.
That width is not simply part of the nostalgia. Compact vehicles remain particularly well suited to sections of the route where the tracks pass close to buildings and turning space is limited.
During the mid 1990s, CARRIS rebuilt 45 traditional trams and introduced modern braking, traction and electrical systems while preserving their historic exterior character.
Modern articulated trams are wider and require more space to turn. They work well on broader corridors such as the route towards Belém, but they are not suited to the tightest streets crossed by Tram 28.
Riding one still feels closely connected to the mechanics of the vehicle. The wooden interior creaks, the driver uses the bell when approaching difficult sections and the carriage responds visibly to Lisbon's steep climbs.
Tram 28 became an international symbol long after it began operating as ordinary public transport. Today, the same route serves residents moving through the city and visitors who have travelled to Lisbon specifically to experience it.
The Tram 28 Lisbon route, stop by stop
The tram runs in both directions. The Martim Moniz to Campo de Ourique direction is the one most travel guides describe, so that is the direction used below.
The route begins at Praça Martim Moniz beside Mouraria, climbs towards Graça, drops through São Vicente and Alfama past the Sé, crosses Baixa at street level, climbs again into Chiado, continues past São Bento and finishes in Campo de Ourique at the gates of the Cemitério dos Prazeres.
Along the journey you pass tiled façades, miradouros, narrow streets, cafés, churches and cobbled lanes while everyday Lisbon continues around one of the city's best known public transport routes.
| Stop | Neighbourhood | What is there |
|---|---|---|
| Martim Moniz | Mouraria | Eastern starting point of the normal route and the best known terminus for visitors. |
| Graça | Graça | Traditional neighbourhood with access to Miradouro da Graça and nearby viewpoints. |
| Voz do Operário | São Vicente | Close to São Vicente de Fora and the streets leading towards Feira da Ladra. |
| Largo das Portas do Sol | Alfama | Major miradouro overlooking Alfama and the Tagus River. |
| Miradouro de Santa Luzia | Alfama | Viewpoint with tiled panels and direct walking access into Alfama. |
| Sé | Alfama | Lisbon Cathedral, the Church of Saint Anthony and access towards São Jorge Castle. |
| Rua da Conceição | Baixa | Central Baixa with easy walking access to Praça do Comércio. |
| Chiado | Chiado | Historic cafés, theatres, shops and access towards Carmo. |
| Praça Luís de Camões | Chiado and Bairro Alto | Central square for Chiado, Bairro Alto and Bica. |
| Calhariz | Bica | Upper end of the Bica area, close to the Bica Funicular. |
| São Bento | São Bento | Portuguese Parliament and surrounding residential streets. |
| Estrela, Basílica | Estrela | Basílica da Estrela and Jardim da Estrela. |
| Campo de Ourique, Prazeres | Campo de Ourique | Western terminus beside Cemitério dos Prazeres and close to the centre of Campo de Ourique. |
Largo das Portas do Sol: this is one of the most useful stops if you want to leave the tram and explore Alfama on foot. The viewpoint looks across the neighbourhood towards the Tagus, and the streets below lead naturally towards the Sé.
Sé de Lisboa: Tram 28 passes directly beside Lisbon Cathedral. This is also a practical stop for the Church of Saint Anthony, lower Alfama and the walk uphill towards São Jorge Castle.
Praça Luís de Camões: the square connects Chiado, Bairro Alto and Bica. It also has a direct connection with Tram 28 history because the original route began in this part of Lisbon.
Estrela: leave here for Basílica da Estrela and Jardim da Estrela directly opposite. It is one of the clearest places on the route to see the transition from central Lisbon into a more residential neighbourhood.
The complete line has roughly 36 stops depending on direction and the service pattern in operation. The table above focuses on the named tram stops that are most useful to visitors rather than listing every stop on route 28.
CARRIS publishes live service notices because roadworks, events or blocked tracks can temporarily alter the route. Replacement buses may cover affected sections when necessary. Check current CARRIS service information before travelling.
If the Tram 28 route interests you more than the queue, there is a direct alternative. The Follow the Tram 28 Lisbon Tour by Private Tuk Tuk follows the historic areas associated with the route with a private local guide, a fixed departure time and stops at viewpoints along the way.
Tram 28 tickets and fares
An on board ticket costs €3.30 in 2026, and almost nobody needs to pay that fare if they prepare their Lisbon public transport before boarding.
| Fare type | Price | Where to get it | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| On board tram ticket | €3.30 | On the tram | One journey when you have not purchased a transport card in advance |
| Zapping | €1.72 | Loaded onto a Navegante occasional card | Several separate journeys without needing unlimited travel |
| CARRIS and Metro ticket | €1.90 | Loaded onto a support card before travelling | Journeys involving CARRIS and Metro within the 60 minute validity period |
| 24 hour CARRIS and Metro ticket | €7.25 | Loaded onto a support card before travelling | A full day using trams, buses, funiculars and Metro |
If the hills are the part of Tram 28 you really want to experience, consider travelling through them rather than waiting beside them. The Lisbon E Bike Tour: Alfama, Mouraria & Graça starts from €22.50 per person and covers the same historic eastern neighbourhoods with electric assistance for the climbs.
The occasional Navegante support card costs €0.50 and can be reused for one year. Older Lisbon guides may still use the Viva Viagem name, but current transport information uses the Navegante system.
The card holds one type of ticket product at a time. You can load Zapping credit or a day ticket, but incompatible products cannot remain active on the same card simultaneously.
The €7.25 day pass becomes cheaper than buying four separate €1.90 CARRIS and Metro tickets. If you compare it with the cheaper €1.72 Zapping fare, the day pass becomes cheaper from the fifth journey.
The official Lisboa Card includes Tram 28 and the rest of the CARRIS network while the card is valid.
Under the normal timetable, the first Tram 28 departures from Martim Moniz are around 05:40 on weekdays and around 06:45 on Sundays and public holidays. Last departures are around 23:00, while daytime services commonly run every 10 to 15 minutes. Always check the current CARRIS timetable because the exact schedule varies by day, season and service conditions.
Fares checked against CARRIS in September 2026. CARRIS usually reviews fares around the beginning of the year.
When to ride Tram 28 to avoid the crowds
Between 10:00 and 18:00, Tram 28 is often standing room only and the queue at Martim Moniz can regularly run beyond 30 minutes. July and August are particularly busy.
Before 09:00 and after 19:00, the same route can feel very different. There is never a guaranteed quiet tram because route 28E remains working public transport used by Lisbon residents.
Traffic also affects the service. A badly parked vehicle across the tracks in one of Alfama's narrow streets can delay the tram and the services behind it.
Six tips for riding Tram 28 without the queue
- Ride before 09:00 or after 19:00. This is the single change that normally makes the biggest difference.
- Board at a terminus. Martim Moniz and Campo de Ourique, Prazeres, are the two ends of the normal route. At intermediate stops you may be trying to join a carriage that is already full.
- If the Martim Moniz queue is long, consider Campo de Ourique. Take a taxi or bus to the western terminus and ride the route in reverse. Campo de Ourique does not have a direct Metro station.
- Buy and load your card before reaching the tram. Arriving ready to validate avoids unnecessary delays when boarding.
- Keep bags in front of you and phones out of back pockets. Pay particular attention around Portas do Sol and Sé, where many passengers enter and leave.
- Give priority seating to passengers who need it. Tram 28 remains everyday transport for the people who live along the route.
The tram is famous, but it remains a public service. A good visitor experience should not make the journey harder for the people who use route 28E every day.
What to do when the Tram 28 queue is too long
Walk two or three stops up the route. Martim Moniz to Graça is roughly a 12 minute uphill walk without stops. Boarding farther along does not guarantee a seat because the tram can already be full, but you start exploring instead of standing in the terminal queue.
Take Tram 12E instead. Under normal service, route 12E covers a shorter historic circuit through several streets also associated with Tram 28 around Graça, Portas do Sol, Santa Luzia and Sé. It does not continue to Estrela or Campo de Ourique, so it is an alternative for the historic eastern section rather than the complete route.
Walk the section most people remember. Portas do Sol down through Alfama to the Sé is roughly 15 minutes downhill without stopping. Allow more time in practice because the viewpoints, cobbled streets and small lanes are the reason to walk it.
Choose a fixed departure. If your time in Lisbon is limited, you are travelling with family or you do not want to organise the day around a public transport queue, the Explore Lisbon tuk tuk tour gives your group a scheduled departure and more control over stops. Booking directly with Boost Portugal gives you its best online price, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour under the current booking policy.
Tram 28 or a Boost tour: which one suits your day?
If you have a free morning and are happy to start early, ride the tram. Tram 28 is inexpensive, historic and genuinely part of Lisbon. If you are travelling with children, have limited time or are visiting during the busiest summer weeks, paying for a fixed departure can be worthwhile.
Boost Portugal's Lisbon tours solve different travel problems, so the right option depends on how you want to experience the city.
| Factor | Tram 28 | Lisbon E Bike Tour | Explore Lisbon tuk tuk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | From €1.72 with Zapping | From €22.50 per person | From €94 per tuk tuk |
| Wait | Variable and sometimes long | Fixed departure | Fixed departure |
| Seat guaranteed | No | Your own E Bike | Private vehicle for your group |
| Guide | No | Local guide | Private local guide |
| Stops you control | No | Planned guided stops | Flexible according to tour duration and interests |
| Best time of day | Before 09:00 or after 19:00 | Scheduled daytime departure | Choose an available departure that suits your day |
| Hills | The tram climbs them for you | Electric assistance reduces the effort | No cycling required between stops |
The Lisbon E Bike Tour: Alfama, Mouraria & Graça appears first for a reason. Alfama, Mouraria and Graça are the same eastern hills that make the Tram 28 journey famous, while electric assistance makes the climbs easier and a guide explains what you are seeing.
The Explore Lisbon tuk tuk tour suits visitors who want a private experience, more comfort and greater control over stops and pace.
For couples or families who prefer to control the pace themselves, the self drive Spinach electric car tour starts from €60 per car and uses a GPS audio guide so you can explore Lisbon independently.
Lisbon's other historic trams, lifts and funiculars
Tram 12E: this shorter route covers several historic streets also associated with Tram 28 around Graça, Alfama, Portas do Sol, Santa Luzia and Sé. It does not continue to Estrela or Campo de Ourique, so use it when the eastern historic centre is your priority.
Tram 15E: this is a completely different tram experience. Modern articulated vehicles connect central Lisbon with Belém and Algés. It is one of the most useful public transport routes for Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém waterfront. Read our Belém, Ajuda and Restelo guide before you go.
Tram 18E: route 18E connects Cais do Sodré with Ajuda. It receives much less visitor attention than Tram 28 and is useful for reaching areas around Alcântara and Ajuda.
Tram 24E: this traditional tram connects Praça Luís de Camões with Campolide through Príncipe Real, Rato and Amoreiras. It offers another way to experience Lisbon's traditional tram network without following the classic Alfama route.
Santa Justa Lift: the iron lift between Baixa and Carmo opened in 1902. Queues can become long, and if your main objective is simply to reach Carmo or Chiado, walking can sometimes take a similar amount of time once the wait is included.
Glória, Bica and Lavra funiculars: all three are part of the CARRIS network. Lavra is the oldest, opening in 1884, followed by Glória in 1885 and Bica in 1892.
The 24 hour CARRIS and Metro ticket covers the regular CARRIS tram network, lifts and funiculars. This makes Tram 28 worth treating as one part of a wider public transport day rather than a single ride around which your entire itinerary has to revolve.
Is Tram 28 still worth it in 2026?
Yes, if you ride it at the right hour.
At 08:00 with a seat by an open window, the climb through Lisbon's historic streets is still one of the better half hours you can have in the city for €1.72 with Zapping.
At 14:00 in August, standing inside a packed tram after a long queue and seeing little beyond the passengers around you, the same journey can feel completely different.
Treat the time of day as the decision, not the tram. If the queue at Martim Moniz has wrapped around the square, walk towards Graça, use the shorter 12E or explore the Portas do Sol to Sé section on foot.
Lisbon has more than one way to show you the same streets. Ride early, take the window seat if one is available and listen to the city wake up.
Tram 28 Lisbon route FAQs
What is the Tram 28 Lisbon route?
The Tram 28 Lisbon route is a historic CARRIS tram service between Martim Moniz and Campo de Ourique, Prazeres. It passes through neighbourhoods including Graça, Alfama, Baixa, Chiado, São Bento and Estrela.
How much does a Tram 28 ticket cost?
In 2026, a ticket bought on board costs €3.30. Zapping costs €1.72 and a CARRIS and Metro ticket costs €1.90.
Where does the Tram 28 route start and end?
The normal route connects Martim Moniz with Campo de Ourique, Prazeres. Trams operate in both directions.
How long does the full Tram 28 route take?
The full journey normally takes around 45 to 50 minutes, although traffic, boarding times and service changes can make it longer.
What is the best time to ride Tram 28?
Before 09:00 or after 19:00 normally gives you the best chance of avoiding the largest visitor crowds.
Is Tram 28 safe for visitors?
Yes. Tram 28 is generally safe, but crowded vehicles can attract pickpockets. Keep bags and valuables secure, particularly when passengers are entering and leaving.
Can you hop on and off the Tram 28 route with a day pass?
Yes. A valid 24 hour CARRIS and Metro ticket allows unlimited journeys on the CARRIS network during its validity period, so you can leave the tram and board another service later.
Can you pay by cash or contactless on Tram 28?
Yes. Traditional CARRIS trams accept cash, bank card, contactless payment and MB Way for tickets purchased on board.
Which side is best to sit on Tram 28?
There is no single best side for the complete journey because interesting views appear on both sides. A window seat is more useful than choosing a specific side.
Does Tram 28 go to Belém?
No. Tram 28 finishes in Campo de Ourique and does not continue to Belém. Tram 15E is one of the main public transport routes towards the Belém area.
Is Tram 28 wheelchair accessible?
The traditional Tram 28 vehicles have steps, narrow entrances and limited interior space, so they are not the easiest option for wheelchair users or travellers who require step free access.
Official sources and useful information
CARRIS: route 28E, stops and current timetable
https://www.carris.pt/en/travel/carreiras/28e/
CARRIS: occasional journeys, fares and payment methods
https://www.carris.pt/en/buy/occasional-journeys-2/
CARRIS: history of Lisbon public transport
https://www.carris.pt/en/carris/history/
Navegante
https://www.navegante.pt/
Visit Lisboa: Lisboa Card
https://www.visitlisboa.com/en/p/lisboa-card
