Learn tips on how to go to Lisbon by bus and what are the best connections from the bus station terminals to the city centre.
Lisbon Bus Terminals
Coming to Lisbon by bus is a good option. Lisbon has two important Bus Terminals (Gare do Oriente and Sete Rios) where most buses arrive coming from other regions of Portugal or abroad. In these Terminals there are several transports available (underground, buses and taxis), which take you to the Centre of Lisbon or other areas of the city.
Gare do Oriente Bus Terminal (or Lisboa Oriente Station)
The Gare do Oriente Bus Terminal (or Lisboa Oriente Station) is located in Parque das Nações, 6 miles (10 Km) from the centre of Lisbon (Rossio). It is next to a modern train station, whose metal structure looks like sails and boat prows, which is very beautiful to take good photographs. The Gare do Oriente is an important interface of trains, buses, underground and taxis.
Services available
The Gare do Oriente Bus Terminal has several services available, including:
- Restaurants and coffee shops;
- Stores (Stationeries and others);
- Pharmacy;
- Travel Agencies;
- Bank Agencies and electronic cash withdrawal boxes;
- Currency exchange Shops and Shops for international money transfers;
- Rent-a-Car;
- Luggage Guard;
- Parking Spaces.
In front of the Gare do Oriente Bus Terminal (and Gare do Oriente Train Station) you’ll find the Vasco da Gama Shopping Center, which has many shops and a hypermarket. The Terminal is located next to the Tagus River, so it is a great place to stroll and visit some of the main attractions of the city, such as the Lisbon Oceanarium and the Pavilion of Knowledge.
Sete Rios Bus Station
Sete Rios Bus Terminal is located in Sete Rios, in front of the Zoo, a great place to visit.
Services available
Sete Rios Bus Terminal has a smaller number of services, with a coffee shop and parking spaces.
Porto, Faro and others in Portugal to Lisbon Bus
Buses departing from the North or Central Portugal (Porto, Coimbra or another city) and from the South of Portugal (Faro, Albufeira in the Algarve) arrive in Lisbon to:
- Gare do Oriente Bus Terminal (in Parque das Nações);
- Sete Rios Bus Terminal.
Bus Companies
From the various bus companies linking the various locations of Portugal to Lisbon, we highlight the REDE EXPRESSOS, which operates with the brands RENEX and EVA. The latter is more focused to travel to the Algarve.
Duration, Distance and Travel Cost:
- From Porto/Campo 24 Agosto to Lisbon/Gare do Oriente: Travel Time: 3h15; Distance: 190 miles (306 km); Cost: €19
- From Algarve/Faro to Lisbon/Gare do Oriente: Travel Time: 3:45; Distance: 183 miles (294 km); Cost: €18.50
Information on Timetables and Tickets:
- REDE EXPRESSOS www.rede-expressos.pt/en or phone 217524524
Tips for Discounts: RFLEX Card with discounts depending on the time and day of departure and time of purchase; Youngsters and Senior.
Madrid to Lisbon Bus
If you are coming from Madrid (Spain) to Lisbon by bus you’ll arrive in Gare do Oriente (Parque das Nações) or Sete Rios Bus Terminals. The bus journey between Lisbon and Madrid is made through Badajoz.
BUS Companies
We highlight the following bus companies that make connections between Lisbon and Madrid: FLIXBUS and ALSA.
Time travel, Distance and Travel Cost:
- From Lisbon (Oriente) to Madrid (Estación Sur): 8h05m (391 miles or 630 km) -FLIXBUS buses – Direct; Cost: 9.99 – 39,99 €
- From Lisbon (Oriente) to Madrid (Estación Sur): 8:15 (391 miles or 630 km) – ALSA buses -with 5 stops
Information on Timetables and Tickets:
- FLIXBUS www.flixbus.com or phone + 49 030 300 137 300 (Germany)
- ALSA www.alsa.com or phone + 34 902 422 242 (Spain)
Tips for Discounts: Since prices vary depending on the time and day of departure you can find good opportunities.
Paris to Lisbon Bus
International buses coming from Paris (France) to Lisbon arrive in the Gare do Oriente or Sete Rios Bus Terminals. The bus journey between Lisbon and Paris is made through Salamanca and San Sebastián (in Spain) and Bordeaux (in France).
Bus Companies
We highlight the following bus company that makes the connections between Lisbon and Paris: FLIXBUS.
Time travel, Distance and Cost of Travel: From Lisbon (Oriente) to Paris (Bercy Seine): 24h25m (1081 miles, 1740 km) – buses from FLIXBUS-Direct; Cost: 20,98 – 129,99 €
Timetables and Ticketing Information: FLIXBUS www.flixbus.com or phone + 49 030 300 137 300 (Germany)
Lisbon Underground – Metro
The undergroung – Metro – is a cheap and fast way to move in Lisbon, as it covers much of the city. Metro connects the Bus Terminals to the train interface at Oriente (in Parque das Nações) and Santa Apolónia Stations. The “Oriente” underground station belongs to the red line, which connects to 3 other metro lines (blue, green and yellow).
At the Bus Terminals, take the Metro to the City Centre:
- At Gare do Oriente: First, enter the Oriente station, take the underground from the Red line, towards São Sebastião and get off at Alameda station. Then, at Alameda Station, take the Green Line, towards Cais do Sodré, and get off at Rossio station, or Baixa-Chiado, which are located in the City Centre;
- In Sete Rios, travel by direct underground: enter the Zoo station (before it was called Sete Rios), take the Metro from the Blue Line, towards Santa Apolónia and get off at Baixa-Chiado station (near Rossio).
It is managed by the company METRO DE LISBOA.
To use the underground you need to buy the 7 Colinas/Viva Viagem electronic card (which allows you pay-as-you-go and you can also use it on the CARRIS buses) and then validate it at the entrance of the station.
Notice the useful signage in Metro Stations: “Correspondência” – transfer between Metro lines; “Exit” – Exit to the outside/street.
Time Travel:
- From Oriente to Rossio (city centre): 10 minutes + 6 minutes
- From the Zoo (Sete Rios) to Baixa-Chiado (city centre): 11 minutes
Timetables and Tickets Information: METRO DE LISBOA www.metrolisboa.pt/en or phone 213500115
Buses in Lisbon – CARRIS
In the bus terminals, to go to the City Centre, you can take several buses from CARRIS:
- At Gare do Oriente take the bus No. 708 to Martin Moniz (location near Rossio and Baixa-Chiado);
- In Sete Rios, take the bus No. 202 to Baixa-Chiado, which is in the City Centre.
These CARRIS buses do not make a direct connection to the city Centre (have several stops) and thus take some time to reach the destination.
To use the Carris Buses you need to buy the ticket on board the bus (more expensive) or buy the 7 Colinas/Viva Viagem electronic card (which allows pay-as-you-go and you can also use it in the underground) and then validate it at the entrance of the bus.
Travel Time:
- From Gare do Oriente to Martin Moniz (city centre): 20 minutes
- From Sete Rios to Rossio (city centre): 20 minutes
Timetables and Tickets Information: CARRIS www.carris.pt/en or phone 213500115
Taxi in Lisbon
Taxis can be found near the exits of the Gare do Oriente and Santa Apolónia Bus Terminals.
Taxis can take you to any area in or outside Lisbon. Because the City Centre is relatively close, the cost is not very significant. An additional cost is charged for light baggage or traveling outside the city limits.
Time Travel:
- From Gare do Oriente to Rossio (city centre): 6 minutes
- From Sete Rios to Rossio (city centre): 20 minutes
Lisbon Transfers
In the Gare do Oriente and Sete Rios Bus Terminals there are several companies that make private transfer services. For this purpose you will need to book online the services of one of the companies and then a private driver is waiting for you to pick you up (or take you).
Car Rental Lisbon
In the Gare do Oriente and Sete Rios Bus Terminals there are several rent-a-car companies, so you can easily rent a car and so have the necessary mobility to better know the Region of Lisbon and other Regions of Portugal (such as Algarve).
Rent-A-car companies
Among the leading car rental companies (national and international), you’ll find EUROPCAR, HERTZ, AVIS, BUDGET, SIXT, GOLDCAR and GUERIN.
Parking in Lisbon
It is important to know where to park the car in Lisbon, since it is a large city, the parking spaces are usually paid (the free places are few) and can have a maximum period of stay.
Parking on the Public Road
Parking on the Public Road is short period, usually paid during weekdays and Saturday mornings, according to 3 price rates:
- Green Fare occurs in less central areas, allows parking for a maximum of 4 hours and has a more economical cost;
- Yellow Fare occurs in areas of the city centre that have public transport and other parking spaces available, allows to park for a maximum of 4 hours and has a median cost;
- Red Fare occurs in the main areas of the city centre, allows you to park at most for 2 hours and has the most expensive cost.
Payment can be made: in parking meters at the location of the car park with coins; Through pre-paid vouchers; by PayPal or ATM pre-loaded amount in the Mobile app ePark. It Is managed by EMEL.
Car Parks
The parking lots located, mainly in underground places and in buildings, are spread throughout the city (even in historical areas), allow to park for long periods of time (many work 24h/day) and prices vary depending on the location:
- Payment can be made: in the Automatic Machines on the parking spot with coins or bank cards; or through the use of Via Verde;
- They are managed by several companies, such as EMPARK and EMEL.
Parking in Hotels
Hotels, especially the largest or most recent, have parking spaces available for your guests in the hotel building or in a nearby location.
Information on Timetables and Prices: www.emel.pt; www.empark.com/pt/en
Places to Visit in Lisbon
- TOP 10 Lisbon Attractions: Best Places and Activities
- 6 Best Day Trips around Lisbon: explore more of Portugal
- TOP 5 Cool Shopping Ideas in Lisbon
More Portugal Destinations
| To learn more about other LikedPlaces, go to our Destinations in Portugal page. |
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