Lisbon Hop On Hop Off Tours tickets 2026: official vs resellers, combo deals & insider tips
Compare whether your ticket includes the historic Carris trams and funiculars, as official Yellow Bus options often bundle public transport access, while City Sightseeing focuses on extensive bus-only routes across Belém and modern Lisbon.
Honest price comparison Updated 18h ago 8 live rows
Compare the 24-hour bus-only loops for quick orientation against the multi-day 'All-in-One' passes that include the iconic historic trams and Tagus river cruises. For those visiting major monuments like Belém Tower, the Lisboa Card often provides better total value than a standalone bus ticket.
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Budget travelers wanting the iconic Tram 28 experience without the full tour bus price
Includes the historic tram route and a 24-hour public transport pass for the lowest available entry price.
Voucher Exchange: Most digital bookings from third-party sellers must be exchanged for a physical paper ticket at a central hub (typically Praça do Comércio, Marquês de Pombal, or Praça da Figueira) before you can board at any random stop.
Peak Season Delays: In June, heavy traffic in the Belém and Baixa districts often causes buses to fall behind schedule; expect wait times to exceed the advertised 20-minute frequency during midday peaks.
Tram 28 Distinction: Tickets including "Tram 28" access usually refer to the red/green tourist-only "Hills Tramcar Tour"; they do not provide priority or skip-the-line access for the public yellow E28 tram, which often has queues exceeding 60 minutes.
Infrequent Boat Departures: If your ticket includes a river cruise (like the Yellow Boat), be aware that departures are infrequent—often only every 1 to 2 hours—and operate from specific docks rather than the continuous loop of the buses.
Lisboa Card vs. HOHO: The official Lisboa Card includes public transport (Carris) but does NOT include the commercial open-top Hop-on Hop-off buses; these require a separate specific ticket or a dedicated combo pass.
Museum Entry Fees: Standard HOHO tickets cover transportation only; admission to landmarks like the Jerónimos Monastery or Belém Tower is not included and must be purchased separately or as part of a higher-tier combo.
Insider tips
4 things to know before your visit
Entrance: To avoid the longest boarding queues, start your tour at primary hubs: Praça da Figueira (Yellow Bus) or Marquês de Pombal (City Sightseeing). Digital vouchers can be validated directly with the driver at any stop. If your ticket includes the 'Hills Tram' (red tourist tram), board at Praça do Comércio to secure a seat on the historic route while bypassing the public E28 queues. Note that 'skip-the-line' access applies only to ticket purchase; all passengers join the same physical boarding line, which peaks at Belém between 11:00 and 15:00.
Price: Official 24-hour bus-only tickets for 2026 typically start at €22 for adults (17+), €16.50 for youth (11–16), and €11 for children (4–10), while infants under 4 ride free. Higher partner prices, such as the €47 options, reflect 'All-in-One' multi-day bundles that include historic trams and Tagus river cruises, whereas the €18 'Standard' rows often refer to public transport passes rather than the private open-top tour buses.
Discounts: Children under 4 travel free on all major Lisbon hop-on hop-off operators. Yellow Bus (Carris) offers tiered pricing for children (4–10) and youth (11–16), whereas City Sightseeing typically uses a single child rate for ages 4–15. While Lisbon residents may have local transport perks, tourists should use the Lisboa Card for 10–25% discounts on HOHO tickets. Note that Yellow Bus tickets uniquely include free access to public Carris trams, funiculars, and the Santa Justa Lift for the duration of the pass.
Timing: Arrive early enough for security checks, ticket scanning and wayfinding.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to print my voucher or can I use a mobile ticket?
Most operators, including Yellow Bus and City Sightseeing, accept mobile vouchers on your smartphone. However, you are typically required to exchange your digital confirmation for a physical paper ticket at the first bus stop or a central kiosk (such as Praça do Comércio or Marquês de Pombal) before boarding.
Does the ticket include the Santa Justa Lift and public trams?
Yellow Bus (Carris) tickets generally include free access to the Santa Justa Lift, Lisbon's funiculars (Glória, Bica, Lavra), and the public tram network for the duration of the pass. City Sightseeing tickets usually focus on dedicated tour buses and boats rather than the public transit system.
How do I avoid the long queues for the historic Tram 28?
The public yellow Tram 28 often has wait times exceeding 90 minutes; if your tour includes the 'Hills Tramcar Tour' (the red tourist tram), you can experience the same historic route with much shorter queues and a guaranteed seat, which is not possible on public lines.
What is the difference between the 24, 48, and 72-hour tickets?
The validity period starts from the exact moment you first scan your ticket. A 24-hour ticket scanned at 2:00 PM is valid until 2:00 PM the following day, allowing you to split your sightseeing across two calendar days.
Are the buses wheelchair accessible and stroller-friendly?
Most tour buses are equipped with a manual ramp and one dedicated wheelchair space on the lower deck. Strollers are permitted but must be folded and stored in the luggage area if the bus is crowded, as they cannot block the aisles for safety reasons.
Can I get a refund if it rains or if my plans change?
Official operator tickets are often non-refundable once purchased, but booking through partners like Tiqets or GetYourGuide frequently provides a 24-hour free cancellation window. Tours operate in all weather conditions, and the lower deck of the bus is fully covered and climate-controlled.