Tram 28 Lisbon: Complete 2026 Guide to the Yellow Tram Route

By Sofia Almeida — Portugal Wander

Tram 28 is Lisbon's most famous public transport line: a small, buttercup-yellow Remodelado tram built in the 1930s that rattles, lurches and squeals its way through seven historic neighborhoods on a 7-kilometer loop. It is simultaneously a working commuter line for Lisboetas heading to the market and the single biggest tourist attraction in the city — which is why half the passengers are locals with grocery bags and half are visitors with cameras. This guide covers everything you need to ride Tram 28 in 2026: the full route and what you'll see from each window, 2026 ticket prices and where to board, when to ride to actually get a seat, the real pickpocket warning you should take seriously, and how Tram 28 compares to Tram 12 and the red Hills Tramcar. If you are building a Lisbon itinerary, Tram 28 belongs on it — but only if you ride it the smart way.

A brief history of Tram 28

Lisbon's tram network started in 1873 with horse-drawn cars — what locals still call the americanos, because the technology was imported from the United States. The system was electrified in 1901, and at its peak in the 1950s the capital had 27 electric tram lines criss-crossing the city.

The little yellow carriages you see on Line 28 today are called Remodelado trams, and they date from the 1930s. They were "remodeled" in the mid-20th century but kept their original wooden interiors, brass fittings and compact 2.4-meter width. That narrow body is the whole reason they survived. When most European cities tore out their trams in the 1950s and 60s in favor of modern buses, Lisbon tried the same — and discovered that the twisting, near-vertical lanes of Alfama and Graça were simply too tight and too steep for standard buses to handle. The old Remodelados stayed because nothing else fit.

Today only five tram lines remain in service: 12, 15, 18, 24 and 28. Line 15 to Belém uses modern articulated trams, but the other four still run the original 1930s Remodelado cars. Of the five, Line 28 is by far the most famous — and the most crowded.

The Tram 28 route — what you'll see

Tram 28 runs from Martim Moniz in the east to Campo de Ourique in the west, a 7-kilometer route that takes roughly 40 minutes end to end in light traffic and closer to 60 minutes when it's packed. Along the way it climbs and drops through seven of Lisbon's historic neighborhoods — hence the marketing line you'll see everywhere: "Tram 28 climbs 7 of Lisbon's 7 hills on its 7km route."

Here is the route in order from east to west, with the highlights you'll pass:

1. Martim Moniz — the eastern terminus. A flat square at the bottom of the hill where the tram starts its climb.
2. Graça — after a steep uphill grind, the tram stops near Miradouro da Graça, one of Lisbon's best sunset viewpoints. Sit on the right side heading west for the best city views climbing up.
3. Largo das Portas do Sol — a photo-famous stop overlooking the Tagus river and the terracotta rooftops of Alfama. Sit on the left side heading west here.
4. Sé Cathedral — Lisbon's 12th-century cathedral, and the most iconic photo spot of the whole line: the yellow tram framed against the Romanesque stone facade.
5. Alfama — the tram skirts the edge of Lisbon's oldest neighborhood, a labyrinth of fado bars and azulejo-tiled walls. If you want to actually explore it, get off here and read our Alfama walking guide.
6. Baixa-Chiado — the elegant downtown shopping district, with connections to the metro and Praça do Comércio a short walk away.
7. Chiado & Bairro Alto — the tram climbs again past literary cafés and Rua Garrett.
8. Estrela Basilica — an enormous white-domed 18th-century church, often skipped by tourists. Sit on the right side heading west for the best view.
9. Prazeres — close to the western terminus, with one of Lisbon's most atmospheric old cemeteries.
10. Campo de Ourique — the western endpoint. A quiet, residential neighborhood with a wonderful food market most tourists never reach.

The most scenic — and most photographed — section is between Graça and Sé, where the tram squeezes through lanes so narrow you can touch the buildings from the window.

How to ride Tram 28 — practical guide

Where you board matters more than anything else. The two realistic options are Martim Moniz (the eastern terminus) and Praça do Comércio area via Baixa-Chiado. Board at Martim Moniz if your priority is getting a seat — the tram is empty here because everyone has just gotten off at the end of the line. Expect to queue 15–30 minutes at peak times, but you'll ride the full route sitting down. Board at Praça do Comércio / Baixa-Chiado if you're already downtown and don't mind standing — it's more central, but the tram will usually be full when it pulls up.

Ticket options for 2026:

• Single ticket onboard: €3.00, paid in cash to the driver. Valid for one ride only.
• Viva Viagem 24-hour pass: €6.45, loaded onto a reusable €0.50 paper card bought at any metro station. Covers unlimited rides on trams, buses, metro and funiculars. This is the best value — two tram rides already beat a single, and you can hop on and off freely.
• Lisboa Card: includes all public transport plus free entry to 35+ museums and attractions. Worth it if you're sightseeing intensively.

If you use a Viva Viagem card, tap the yellow reader next to the driver when you board to validate. Single tickets don't need validation — the driver prints them.

Trams run from roughly 6:00 am to 11:00 pm, with service every 10–15 minutes during the day and every 20 minutes in early morning and late evening. There is no service on 25 December.

When to ride Tram 28 to avoid crowds

The honest truth: between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm from April through October, Tram 28 is genuinely unpleasant. You will stand pressed against strangers, you will not see out the windows, and a 40-minute ride stretches to 60+ minutes because the tram has to wait at every stop for people to force their way on and off.

The realistic crowd-free windows are:

• Early morning, 7:00–8:30 am: the single best window. Mostly commuters, plenty of seats, soft morning light. Board at Martim Moniz before 8:00 am and you'll have your pick.
• After 7:00 pm: the day-trip tourists have left and the tram thins out. You get sunset light at Graça if you ride westbound around 7:30–8:00 pm in summer.
• Weekend mornings before 9:00 am: surprisingly empty because tourists sleep in.
• Off-season (November–March): crowds drop by roughly half. You can ride mid-morning and still get a seat.

Weather also shifts the calculation — rainy days thin the crowds significantly. If you need help timing your whole trip, see our guide to the best time to visit Lisbon.

Pickpocket warning and safety

This needs to be said plainly: Tram 28 is the single worst pickpocket spot in Lisbon. Lisbon police post warnings at the terminus, every guidebook mentions it, and it is a real, daily problem — not a scare story. The crowds, the sudden lurching stops and the distraction of the view make it perfect hunting ground.

The tram itself is completely safe — the risk is 100% theft, not violence. Ride these rules and you'll be fine:

• Wallet and phone in front pockets only. Never back pockets. Never.
• Bags on your lap or across your body in front, never on the floor and never on the luggage shelf.
• Be extra alert at Sé Cathedral, Largo das Portas do Sol and Baixa-Chiado — these are the busiest stops and where most thefts happen during the boarding scrum.
• Watch for the classic distraction tactic: someone bumps into you or asks for directions while a partner lifts your wallet. If someone crowds you unnecessarily, move.
• Don't wear an open backpack. Front-carry it or zip it fully.

Follow these and Tram 28 is no riskier than any crowded European metro.

Tram 28 vs Tram 12 vs the Tourist Tram (Hills Tramcar)

Tram 28 isn't your only option for the yellow-tram experience. There are two alternatives worth knowing about.

Tram 12 is a short circular loop that runs through Alfama and around Castelo de São Jorge. It uses the same vintage Remodelado carriages, climbs the same narrow streets and delivers very similar scenery — but almost no tourists know about it. A Tram 12 ride takes about 20 minutes and is often half-empty when Tram 28 is jammed. It's the insider move if you just want the tram experience without the crowds.

Hills Tramcar (Colinas Tour / "Tram 28 tourist") is a bright red vintage tram operated as a hop-on-hop-off tourist service. It runs roughly the same route as Tram 28 with recorded audio commentary in multiple languages, guaranteed seats and no pickpocket risk — but costs around €22 per adult in 2026, compared to €3 for a single on the real Tram 28 or €6.45 for a full-day Viva Viagem.

Our verdict: ride the real Tram 28 at 7:30 am for the authentic experience, and take Tram 12 later in the day if you want an easy photo-friendly loop. Skip the red tourist tram unless mobility or budget makes the other options impractical.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Tram 28 cost in 2026?

A single ticket bought onboard from the driver costs €3.00 in cash. A Viva Viagem 24-hour public transport pass costs €6.45 (plus a one-time €0.50 card fee) and covers unlimited rides on all Lisbon trams, buses, metro and funiculars — this is the best value for most visitors. The Lisboa Card also includes Tram 28.

Is Tram 28 safe?

The tram itself is completely safe. The real risk is pickpocketing, which is common and well-organized, especially in crowded daytime hours. Keep valuables in front pockets, carry bags in front of your body, and stay alert during boarding at Sé and Baixa-Chiado. Follow those rules and you'll have no problem.

How long does the Tram 28 ride take?

The full route from Martim Moniz to Campo de Ourique is 7 kilometers and takes about 40 minutes end to end in light traffic. During peak hours (10 am–4 pm), expect 60 minutes or more because the tram has to wait at every stop for crowds to load and unload.

Where should I board Tram 28?

Board at Martim Moniz, the eastern terminus, if getting a seat matters to you — the tram is empty when it starts there. Queue 15–30 minutes at peak times. Board at Baixa-Chiado or near Praça do Comércio if you're already downtown and don't mind standing for part of the ride.

Is Tram 28 worth it?

Yes — but only if you ride it the smart way. At 7:30 am from Martim Moniz it's one of the most charming 40 minutes you can spend in Lisbon. At 2:00 pm in July it's a sweaty, crowded ordeal where you won't see anything. Plan it into your Lisbon itinerary as an early-morning activity, not a midday one, and the experience lives up to its reputation.