Can I pay for transport with a credit card?

Not directly on most buses or trams. You must have a pre-loaded transit card. Contactless payment is becoming available on some metro lines, but the reloadable transit card remains the standard.

Are the famous yellow trams in Lisbon included in my pass?

Yes, if you have a 'Zapping' balance or a 24-hour pass, the iconic Carris yellow trams are covered. Note that they are often crowded, so watch your belongings.

Do I need to swipe off when I exit?

In Lisbon, you generally only need to validate on entry. If you are taking a suburban train (CP) outside the city center, you may need to validate on both entry and exit to ensure the correct fare is deducted.

How to navigate public transport in Portugal

Use a reusable 'Navegante' (Lisbon) or 'Andante' (Porto) contactless card, which you can load with zapping credit or daily passes. Always tap your card when entering any bus, metro, or tram to validate your fare and avoid heavy fines.

Buy your transit card. Go to any metro station vending machine. Purchase a 'Navegante' card (in Lisbon) or 'Andante' (in Porto) for 0.50€. Do not buy single paper tickets; they are significantly more expensive.
Choose your fare method. Select 'Zapping' if you want to preload credit to use on any mode of transport (metro, bus, tram, train). Select '24-hour pass' if you plan to make more than 4 trips in a single day.
Validate every time. Even if you have a daily pass or Zapping credit, you must tap your card against the reader when boarding. On buses and trams, tap the card on the reader near the driver or the doors immediately upon entry.
Use mobile apps for timing. Download 'Citymapper' or 'Google Maps'. These are highly accurate for real-time bus and tram arrivals in Lisbon and Porto. Do not rely on paper schedules posted at stops.

Can I pay for transport with a credit card?: Not directly on most buses or trams. You must have a pre-loaded transit card. Contactless payment is becoming available on some metro lines, but the reloadable transit card remains the standard.
Are the famous yellow trams in Lisbon included in my pass?: Yes, if you have a 'Zapping' balance or a 24-hour pass, the iconic Carris yellow trams are covered. Note that they are often crowded, so watch your belongings.
Do I need to swipe off when I exit?: In Lisbon, you generally only need to validate on entry. If you are taking a suburban train (CP) outside the city center, you may need to validate on both entry and exit to ensure the correct fare is deducted.