Lisbon Tram 28 (officially Carris line 28E) is the city’s legendary yellow tram that rattles through Lisbon’s oldest neighborhoods—passing iconic viewpoints, narrow Alfama streets, Baixa/Chiado, and the elegant Estrela area. On the Carris website, the route is listed as “Martim Moniz – Campo Ourique (Prazeres)”, and Carris notes the line may have service disruptions (so it’s smart to check status before you go).
If you want one classic Lisbon experience without buying museum tickets, Tram 28E is it—but you’ll enjoy it much more if you ride it strategically (timing + boarding stops matter a lot).
Quick facts (for your place card)
- Official line name: Carris 28E (“Eléctrico 28E”)
- Route endpoints: Martim Moniz ↔ Campo Ourique (Prazeres)
- Operator / official info: Carris (Line 28E page)
- Most famous historic areas on-route: Alfama / Sé area, Chiado, Estrela (via key stops below)
- Best metro station to start (easy access): Martim Moniz (Green Line / Linha Verde)
- Metro operating hours (general): 06:30–01:00
Why Tram 28 is so popular
Tram 28E is basically a moving “historic center tour” because it threads through places that are difficult for cars and buses. It’s also one of the few rides where the transport itself feels like an attraction: steep climbs, tight corners, classic wooden interiors, and that unmistakable Lisbon screech on curves.
But popularity has a cost:
- Lines can be long.
- Trams can be crowded.
- Pickpocketing can happen on packed rides (as with many major tourist lines).
The solution is simple: ride it with a plan.
Tram 28E route: the key stops tourists actually care about
Carris lists the full stop sequence on its official 28E page. Here are the most “visitor-useful” stops (with the official stop names shown on the route list):
Must-know stops (east → west direction)
- Martim Moniz (major start point)
- Miradouro Sta. Luzia (near a famous viewpoint area)
- Sé (Lisbon Cathedral area)
- Chiado
- Pç. Luis Camões (B. Alto) (Bairro Alto gateway)
- Estrela (Basílica) (Basílica da Estrela area)
- Campo Ourique (Prazeres) (west end)
Tip: You don’t need to do the entire route end-to-end to enjoy Tram 28. One or two scenic segments are usually enough.
Best way to ride Tram 28 without stress
1) Start early (or go late)
For a calmer ride:
- Go early morning (often the best chance for seats).
- Or ride later in the evening for atmosphere (still crowded in peak season, but usually better than midday).
2) Ride a “segment”, not the whole line
Instead of forcing the full route:
- Martim Moniz → Sé (old-town feel, narrow streets)
- Sé → Chiado / Camões (historic center transition)
- Camões → Estrela / Campo Ourique (more open streets, beautiful district vibe)
3) Avoid the worst crowd trap
The absolute peak crowd pressure is typically around the most central stops. If you don’t care about “starting at the famous square,” consider boarding at a less chaotic stop along the way—still official stops on the route list.
Tickets: how much does Tram 28 cost?
Carris publishes official fare info, including on-board prices and cheaper preloaded options.
Option A — Pay on board (most expensive)
Carris’ “New Prices 2025” page lists:
- On-board tram ticket: €3.20
This is convenient, but it’s not the best value if you’ll use public transport more than once.
Option B — Use a preloaded travel ticket (better value)
Carris also sells time-based and daily tickets for occasional riders. Their official ticket info includes:
- CARRIS/METRO travel ticket (time-limited validity after first validation)
- 24h CARRIS/METRO ticket (day pass)
And Metro Lisboa confirms a Carris/Metro Ticket exists for occasional journeys.
Option C — Navegante (passes / integrated tickets)
On the 28E route page, Carris lists Navegante options (e.g., municipal/metropolitan). If you already use Navegante products, Tram 28E is part of the Carris network.
Practical “tourist best choice” rule:
- If you’ll take several rides in one day, a 24h Carris/Metro ticket is often the simplest.
- If you’ll take just one ride, you can pay on board—just accept it costs more.
Where to start: the best metro connection
Martim Moniz (Green Line) = easiest “classic start”
If you want to begin at the famous eastern end, the simplest connection is Martim Moniz Metro Station.
Metro Lisboa’s official page confirms:
- Martim Moniz station is on the Green Line (Linha Verde)
- Station hours shown as 06:30–01:00
- Location details (helpful for navigation)
And Metro Lisboa’s general timetable page confirms normal metro operating hours are 06:30–01:00 daily.
How to plan the perfect “Tram 28 day” (simple itinerary)
Here’s a tourist-proof plan that feels iconic without being exhausting:
- Start early at Martim Moniz
- Ride to Sé for Lisbon Cathedral photos
- Continue to Chiado / Praça Luís de Camões for coffee + walking
- If you want more: ride toward Estrela and finish in the calmer west side
- End with a relaxed meal in Campo Ourique area
Every stop named above is on Carris’ official 28E stop list.
Safety & comfort tips (worth it)
- Keep your phone and wallet secure on crowded trams (especially when doors open at busy stops).
- Don’t block doors—people hop on/off constantly.
- Expect tight space: Tram 28 uses historic narrow cars.
- Check service alerts: Carris notes that 28E can have disruptions.
FAQ: Lisbon Tram 28
What is the official route of Tram 28?
Carris lists it as Martim Moniz – Campo Ourique (Prazeres) (Line 28E).
How much is Tram 28 in Lisbon?
Carris lists the on-board tram ticket as €3.20 (2025 pricing).
What’s the best metro station to start Tram 28?
Martim Moniz (Green Line) is the classic start, confirmed by Metro Lisboa.
Official links (copy/paste)
Carris line 28E (route + stops): https://www.carris.pt/en/travel/carreiras/28e/
Carris “New Prices 2025” (fares): https://www.carris.pt/en/discover/new-prices-2025-2/
Carris occasional journeys (tickets): https://www.carris.pt/en/buy/occasional-journeys/
Metro Lisboa — Martim Moniz station: https://www.metrolisboa.pt/viajar/martim-moniz/
Metro Lisboa — timetables (06:30–01:00): https://www.metrolisboa.pt/en/travel/timetables-and-frequency/
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