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Lisbon - Travel Information
Getting around (and to) Lisbon |
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Getting around Lisbon is very easy with excellent transport
links, the transport system is very economical and cheap. In fact in
the whole of western Europe, traveling in Lisbon is the least
expensive. Most places of interest are within easy
walking distance while rest can be reached by various modes of transportations.
By Car
Driving is extremely difficult in the busy Lisbon city. Rush hours
are Mon-Sat 8-10am, 1-2pm, and 4-6pm.) Parking is seemingly impossible.
Visitors can rent a car as all the major and best car hire
companies in Europe offer cheap car hire services with offices all
over the city.
However, If visitors wish to drive into Lisbon from another town
or city, they must call ahead and ask their hotel for the nearest
garage or other place to park and leave the vehicle there until
they are ready to depart.
By Metro
Riding the Lisbon Metro is fun with impressive art collections,
Paintings, glazed tiles, and sculptures. Travelers can see interesting
collections of contemporary art, including some works by famous
Portuguese artists such as Maria Keil and Maria Helena Vieira da
Silva. Stations that display some of the finest art include Cais
do Sodré, Baixa/Chiado, Campo Grande, and Marquês de
Pombal.
Large M signs designate metro stations. A single ticket costs .65€
(75¢); travelers can buy 10 tickets at one time, which cost
5.10€ ($5.90). Service runs daily from 6:30am to 1am.
By Rail
CP, the national network of lines covers the whole of Portugal.
The five major lines connect to Sintra, Azambuja, Cascais, Sado,
and Porto/Aveiro. Travelers can purchase the tickets at the ticket
office of the respective boarding stations and at the automatic
ticketing machines. The main departure point for international destinations
and central/northern Portugal is Santa Apolónia Station.
Trains from Rossio station run to Sintra, while Cascais and Estoril
can be reached from Cais do Sodré.
Fertagus, a private rail operator, makes the connection between
both sides of the Tagus River, crossing the 25 April suspension
bridge on route.
By Bus & Tram
These are the cheapest mode of transportation in Europe. The electricos
(trolley cars or trams) make the steep run up to the Bairro Alto
while the double-decker buses run from London.
Transportation system within the city limits is divided into zones
ranging from one to five. The basic fare is around 1€ ($1.15).
The fare depends on how many zones you traverse. Buses and eléctricos
run daily from 6am to 1am.
The most interesting ride for sightseers is on eléctrico
no. 28, which takes you on a fascinating trip through the most history-rich
part of Lisbon.
By Ferries
Ferryboats connect the left bank with the right. Many Portuguese
who live on the bank opposite Lisbon take the ferry to avoid the
heavy bridge traffic during rush hour.
Most boats leave from Cais de Alfândega (Praça do Comércio)
and Cais do Sodré, heading for Cacilhas.
The trip is worth it for the picturesque views alone. Arrivals are
at the Estação do Barreiro, where trains leave about
every 30 minutes for the Costa Azul and the Algarve. Ferries depart
Lisbon throughout the day about every 30 minutes; trip time across
the Tagus is 30 minutes. The cost of the continuing train ticket
includes the ferry. The separate ferry fare from the center of Lisbon
to Cacilhas is 2€ ($2.30).
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