Tram 28 vs tuk-tuk in Lisbon: which is worth it?

Two ways to see the same hills

Lisbon’s hills are the defining feature of the city and the reason two very different vehicles have become tourist staples. Tram 28 — the iconic yellow electric tram — grinds up and down the Alfama, Graça and Estrela hills on rails laid in the 1930s. Tuk-tuks — the motorised three-wheelers imported from Asian cities — zip up the same roads with a guide in the driver’s seat.

Both take you through some of the same streets. Almost everything else about them is different.

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Tram 28: the honest picture

Tram 28 runs from the Campo Ourique neighbourhood in the west, through Estrela, Chiado, Baixa, Alfama, Graça and up to Martim Moniz. The full route takes 40-60 minutes depending on traffic and boarding delays. The trams are original 1930s rolling stock — wooden interiors, leather straps, a driver who rings a bell at pedestrians.

The appeal is genuine: this is what Lisbon looked like before Uber arrived, and the route passes through some of the most visually dense parts of the city. Graça’s miradouro (viewpoint) is a stop. The Sé cathedral is a stop. Alfama’s tightest alleyways flank the tracks.

What nobody tells you upfront:

Peak-hour tram 28 (roughly 10am-4pm, and most of July and August) is one of Lisbon’s most reliably unpleasant tourist experiences. The tram runs infrequently (every 8-12 minutes), queues at major stops stretch 30-40 people deep, and once aboard the tram is packed so tightly that movement is impossible. In these conditions the tram is a pickpocket’s working environment — see our tram 28 pickpockets guide for specifics.

The tram is also not fast. Traffic, stops, and the sheer gradient mean it regularly sits stationary for 5-10 minutes at a time. If you are travelling from Chiado to Alfama as a transport decision (not a sightseeing decision), the 15-minute walk is almost always faster.

When tram 28 works well:

• Early morning (before 10am) from Martim Moniz terminus
• Late afternoon (after 4pm) when crowds thin slightly
• Off-season (November-February)
• When you pay with Viva Viagem Zapping (€1.61 vs €3 cash)

Lisbon: walking tour with historic tram 28 ride and tastings

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Tuk-tuks: the honest picture

Lisbon’s tuk-tuks are nothing like Asian tuk-tuks in noise, exhaust or chaos. They are electric or hybrid, quiet, and driven by licensed operators with city permits. A driver-guide picks you up, outlines a route (typically 1.5-2 hours covering Alfama, Mouraria, viewpoints and Belém variations), and provides running commentary in English.

What you get:

• Private vehicle, your group only
• Guide commentary in English (occasionally other languages)
• Door-to-door pickup and drop-off (usually at your hotel or meeting point)
• The ability to stop at viewpoints — and the driver waits while you photograph
• No queuing
• No pickpocket risk (your bags stay in the vehicle)

What you pay:

• €20-35 per hour (vehicle rate, not per person)
• Typical 2-hour city tour: €45-70 for 2-3 people
• Per-person cost for a couple: €22-35 each — comparable to a hop-on-hop-off bus
• Per-person cost for a trio: €15-23 each — better value than most alternatives

The honest limitations:

• You see Lisbon through glass (or at least at speed) rather than on foot
• The commentary varies significantly by operator — some guides are exceptional, some are rote
• Tuk-tuks cannot access pedestrian-only streets in Alfama — some of the best spots are walking-only
• They are visually recognisable as tourist transport (this bothers some people more than others)

Lisbon city tour by tuk-tuk — private, 1-3 passengers

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The comparison

	Tram 28	Tuk-tuk
Cost	€1.61-€3 (or free with Lisboa Card)	€45-70 for 2 people (1.5-2 hours)
Pickup	Bus stop (queue)	Hotel/meeting point
Privacy	Shared with 50+ others	Private
Guide	None	Driver-guide included
Route flexibility	Fixed (Campo Ourique–Martim Moniz)	Customisable
Pickpocket risk	High in peak hours	Minimal
Photographic stops	Scheduled stops only	On request
Accessibility	Difficult (narrow steps, crowding)	Easier (low entry)
Speed	Very slow in traffic	Faster (can take back roads)
Best time	Early morning / off-season	Any time
Atmosphere	Authentic historical transport	Tourist-oriented tour

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When tram 28 wins

The tram is the right choice when:

• You are travelling early morning or off-season and the crowds are manageable
• You have the Lisboa Card (the ride is effectively free)
• You want the experience of riding historic infrastructure rather than a guided tour
• You are a solo traveller for whom the tuk-tuk per-person cost is prohibitive
• You want the specific experience of standing in the open section of a 1930s tram as it grinds uphill — which, done right, is genuinely atmospheric

The terminus-to-terminus ride (Campo Ourique or Martim Moniz) is far better than boarding mid-route. You get a seat rather than standing room.

When the tuk-tuk wins

The tuk-tuk is the right choice when:

• You are travelling as a couple or small group (the per-person cost becomes reasonable)
• You have children or elderly travellers (easier boarding, safer)
• You want to see multiple viewpoints without walking between them
• You are short on time and want a guide’s overview of the city
• You are visiting in high season (July-August) when tram 28 conditions are worst
• You are carrying camera equipment or valuables that you would rather not take on a crowded tram

The secret option: Several operators run a tram 28 combined experience — a tuk-tuk tour that follows the tram 28 route and stops at the same viewpoints, without the tram conditions. You get the geography without the queuing. These tours cost €35-45 per person for a 1.5-hour version.

Lisbon: half-day private guided tuk-tuk tour

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The hop-on-hop-off alternative

A third option worth mentioning: the hop-on-hop-off bus. It covers the major sights (Belém, Alfama, Parque das Nações) on a fixed circuit and costs €20-30 per day per person. Commentary is via audio guide (headphones), not a live guide. It covers more ground than a tuk-tuk and costs less per person, but provides less character than either tram or tuk-tuk.

See hop-on-hop-off: is it worth it? for a direct comparison.

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Frequently asked questions about tram 28 vs tuk-tuk

Is tram 28 safe to ride?

Statistically yes — the tram does not crash often and no one is mugged violently. The risk is pickpocketing: deft hands in a crush. Keep your phone in your front pocket, bag zipped and worn in front. If you do these things, the risk is manageable. If you are travelling with significant cash or expensive equipment, a tuk-tuk or a quiet-hour tram ride is smarter. Read tram 28 pickpockets for detailed advice.

Does tram 28 still run or has it been replaced?

As of May 2026, tram 28 is still running on the original route. There have been intermittent proposals to modify the line for traffic management reasons, but no permanent changes have been implemented. Check Carris’s website (carris.pt) for real-time service disruptions.

Can I book a tuk-tuk on the day?

Yes — most tuk-tuk operators accept same-day bookings. In peak summer, they fill up by early afternoon. Book the night before to guarantee your preferred time. GYG lists available time slots up to the hour.

Are there two-person tram 28 tours with a guide?

No. Tram 28 is public transport. Tours involving tram 28 and a guide are typically walking tours that end with a tram segment, or they are the combined tuk-tuk-on-the-tram-route option mentioned above.

What is the best viewpoint reachable by tuk-tuk that tram 28 doesn’t stop at?

Miradouro de Santa Catarina (Alfama, fantastic Tagus views) and Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara (Bairro Alto, city panorama) are both accessible by tuk-tuk and not served directly by tram 28. Tuk-tuks can also reach Miradouro da Graça (quieter than Senhora do Monte, excellent light). See best Lisbon viewpoints.