Buying & Using Your Lisbon Viva Viagem Metro Card in 2026

Your Essential Guide to Lisbon's Metro

​Viva Viagem & Navegante Cards

How to Purchase and Use in 2026

What is the Viva Viagem or Navegante Card?

When exploring the vibrant city of Lisbon, getting around efficiently is key. That's where the Viva Viagem or Navegante card comes in! This isn't just a metro card; it's your all-access pass to Lisbon's extensive public transportation network.

Available at any Lisbon metro station, this rechargeable card is incredibly versatile. You can use it not only for the subway but also for buses, trams, ferries, and even some regional trains, making it an indispensable tool for any traveler.

Lisbon's metro system is easy to navigate, with four distinct lines. Each line is conveniently color-coded, which makes using Google Maps to plan your journey an absolute breeze. You'll quickly get the hang of it!

On my recent trip, I headed to the metro station from my accommodation to catch a football match. The stations are clearly marked, and it's easy to follow the signs to the platforms.

How to Purchase Your Lisbon Viva Viagem Navegante Card

You'll find ticket machines right at the entrance of every Lisbon metro station. Look for the distinct yellow machines – that's where you'll purchase your Viva Viagem card.

The first screen might surprise you with a PIN entry request. Don't worry about it! Simply hit Skip to proceed.

If the language isn't already set to English, simply click the flag icon in the bottom left corner to switch it over. Since this was my first time using the Lisbon metro, I needed to buy a new card. So, I selected the second option ("Buy Card"). If you already have a card and just need to top it up, you'd choose the first option.

Next, select how many cards you need. Remember, it's one card per person. There's a small deposit of €0.50 per card.

Ticket Options:

Bus/Metro Ticket (Single Ride or "Zapping" with loaded value)

Specific Value (Zapping)

Bus/Metro 1-Day Pass

Bus/Metro/Ferry 1-Day Pass

Bus/Metro/Train 1-Day Pass

Here, you'll choose your preferred ticket type. The "Specific Value" option, often referred to as "Zapping," allows you to load a balance onto your card and pay per journey, which is generally the most flexible and cost-effective if you're not planning extensive daily travel. If you anticipate taking public transport more than three times in a day, a 1-day pass might be more economical. For my trip, I only needed a round-trip for the football game, so I opted for the first choice: a standard Bus/Metro Ticket and loaded it with single rides.

A single ride ticket costs €1.80. I initially bought just one for testing purposes, but you can select the desired number of rides here. For a round trip, you'd select two single rides.

Once you've made your selections, the machine will prompt you for payment.

I used a contactless payment card, simply tapping it on the designated area. The machine quickly dispensed my Viva Viagem Navegante card.

Total Cost for My Test Purchase:

Card Deposit: €0.50 + 1 Single Ride: €1.80 = €2.30

While I initially bought just one ride for this guide, if you're planning a round trip, you'd simply select two single rides. This would bring your total to €0.50 (card deposit) + €1.80 (ride 1) + €1.80 (ride 2) = €4.10.

I was a bit surprised to receive what felt like a flimsy paper card, but don't let its appearance fool you – it's a fully functional, rechargeable transit card! Make sure to keep it safe and uncreased in your wallet or bag.

With my Viva Viagem card in hand, I tapped it at the turnstile and headed down to the platform. I was pleasantly surprised by how clean and well-maintained the Lisbon metro stations are.

The subway cars themselves have a unique seating arrangement, different from what I'm used to back home. Luckily, there was an open seat, so I settled in for the ride.

Upon arriving at my destination, I noticed locals using other machines, including some blue ones, which also seemed to offer Viva Viagem card purchases and recharges. It appears there are multiple options available for convenience! (Perhaps I should have tried a blue machine too!)

Even if you're new to Lisbon's public transport, purchasing and using the Viva Viagem card is incredibly straightforward. Don't let it intimidate you – it's a simple process that will make your travels around this beautiful city much easier.

And that concludes my guide on how to buy and use the Lisbon Metro Viva Viagem Navegante card!