This past June, Lisbon introduced contactless payments with bank cards on its metro system. Now, the city’s municipal public transport operator, Carris, has finally added contactless to additional forms of transport. Passengers can hop on a bus, tram, or one of the three elevators using their bank card, smartphone, or smartwatch to pay for tickets seamlessly. This new system is set to make urban travel easier, faster, and more convenient than ever before.
A New Era of Convenience
Gone are the days of scrambling for loose change or pre-purchasing tickets at kiosks. With contactless technology now available across all Carris vehicles, passengers can simply tap their card or device at the onboard validators and be on their way. Whether you’re using a physical Visa or Mastercard or relying on NFC-enabled digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay, the process is straightforward and secure.
This upgrade also simplifies payments for families and groups. Up to 10 tickets can be purchased in a single transaction by selecting the desired number of tickets directly on the validator, which should reduce the boarding time for tourists traveling in groups.
A word of warning: New technology has its bugs, and we encourage you to still have some cash on hand just in case the contactless system is not working on the specific bus you’d like to take.
The Cost of Bus Fares in Lisbon
When paying onboard in Lisbon, a bus ride costs €2.10, while a tram ride is priced at €3.10. Heading to one of Lisbon’s famous elevators? Contactless lets you purchase two trips for €4.10 on the Bica, Glória, or Lavra elevators, while a round trip on the iconic Santa Justa elevator is €6.
It’s important to note that these fares are per journey and do not include transfers—each purchase is valid for a single trip or, in the case of elevators, a round trip (one up and one down).
A Great Step Forward for the City
This innovative payment system is the result of a collaboration between Carris, SIBS, and Axians and leverages cutting-edge Mass Transit technology. Designed to ensure top-tier security and privacy, the system meets rigorous certifications for reading cards and processing payments. Passengers can feel confident that their transactions are both safe and efficient.
Pedro de Brito Bogas, president of Carris, expressed his enthusiasm for the new system: “With the introduction of payment by bank card, we reinforce our commitment to improving the travel experience of our customers.”
The move also aligns with Carris’s broader mission of encouraging more people to switch from private vehicles to public transport, which should help to ease congestion and reduce emissions in the city.
Lisbon is no stranger to innovation in public transportation. Carris is now the third operator in the metropolitan area to adopt contactless payments, following the Lisbon Metro and Fertagus. This development is part of a larger vision for the future of mobility in the region. By 2025, Carris Metropolitana plans to join the contactless revolution, and the highly anticipated ability to use the Navegante card via smartphone is on the horizon.
Additionally, Carris has already integrated other convenient payment methods like MB Way, a popular option also available on the MTS network in Almada and Seixal.
Why It Matters
For both residents and tourists, this change couldn’t have come at a better time. With tourism increasing throughout the year in Lisbon, the introduction of contactless payments removes barriers for first-time riders, simplifies travel and also underscores Lisbon’s commitment to creating a smarter, more sustainable city. By streamlining the payment process, Carris is making public transport an even more attractive option and paving the way for a greener and more connected future.
