What to expect on tram 28 in Lisbon

Lisbon is a city of hills, tiles, steps, trams and more trams. The most popular tram is Tram 28 and for good reason. You’ve probably seen its bright yellow carriage rattling through narrow cobblestone streets on social media. But is it worth the ride or the very long queues and sometimes uncomfortable packed carriage?.

After experiencing it myself, here’s my honest review!

What Is Tram 28?

Tram 28 is a vintage electric streetcar. It winds through some of Lisbon’s most iconic neighbourhoods: Graça, Alfama, Baixa, and Estrela. It’s a great way to see the city and its historic neighbourhoods. However, the ride can sometimes be bumpy and loud as it rattles along the rails.

The route starts in Martim Moniz and ends in Campo de Ourique, or vice versa. The entire journey takes about 45–60 minutes, depending on traffic and how many people hop on and off.

My experience on Tram 28

On the morning of my ride on Tram 28, I walked to Martim Moniz and to my surprise. There was already a long line of people waiting. The crowd was a mix of locals and tourists. The tram is used by locals too commuting to work.

I waited for almost 40 minutes. It felt like forever. I finally got on the next tram 28. The tram had cushioned seats on both sides with big open windows. I sat right at the front and had a better view of the control deck and driver. As we drove off, I saw how the driver was controlling the small wheel. It looked like a games control stick. He drove just fine, but there were some bumpy streets as we drove through the neighborhoods. As we reached the busier places like Alfama the tram got packed with tourists.

The great thing about these trams is you can get off wherever you wish. Alternatively, you can stay on until the end of the ride. I had a nice experience. Aside from the historic sights. I got to see things I wouldn’t have seen on foot, like cute streets and local stores. I rode near the end and decided to get off before the last stop and do some exploring.

Would I take Tram 28 on my next visit to Lisbon? NO! I’d get Tram 12 or Tram 25. They are not as busy as Tram 28. The ride would be peaceful as I can imagine. If you are a first timer in Lisbon and want to experience the hype, I recommend it. There’s always a first for everything and it’s better to have your own opinion on the experience.

What I wish i knew before taking Tram 28

On the same street at Martim Moniz, there is another boarding point. It is right next to the Tram 28 stop. This boarding point is for Tram 12 and Tram 25.

What most tourists don’t know is that Tram 12 follows a similar route to Tram 28. So instead of waiting in a long queue, jump on Tram 12. There’s hardly a line, and it’s much more peaceful than Tram 28. The latter gets incredibly busy as it winds through the narrow streets of Lisbon. Tourists, in particular, favour tram 28 because of its scenic route so you’ll often find yourself packed in like sardines. It’s definitely not comfortable on a hot day.

Get unlimited travel with the Lisboa card on Tram 28

Before you go to Lisbon i highly recommend you buy the Lisboa crad online at Tiqets.com. You will get a voucher emailed to you, once you arrive in Lisbon. You can show your voucher at the Lisboa tourist desk at the airport. Or any Tourism point in Lisbon. They will give you a card (like the one in my photo). The card is activated as soon as you use it. The card is valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours. During those times, you can use the card on Tram 28. You get access to 51 museums and monuments. You also get discounts on trains and many more attractions.

GET YOUR LISBOA CARD NOW ON TIQETS.COM

If you’re looking for more useful information on Lisbon especially if it’s your first time visiting. Read my recent blog posts on how to spend 4 days in Lisbon and the best boutique hotels.

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