Travelling in Portugal also means learning how to move smoothly through its transport systems. In both Lisbon and Porto, two main cards rule the urban networks: Viva Viagem and Andante. Both appear simple, yet they can be confusing for newcomers. Here’s a clear guide to help you understand how they work and avoid common day-to-day mistakes.

Lisbon and the Viva Viagem Card

The Viva Viagem card is the key to all public transport in Lisbon. It allows you to use the metro, buses, trams, and even some suburban trains and ferries.
It’s a rechargeable green plastic card, valid for one year from its first use. It costs €0.50 and can be topped up easily at metro stations, ticket offices, or automatic machines.

The idea is simple: you load the card according to the type of fare you want. There are three main options:

• A single ticket or return ticket for one trip.
• A 24-hour pass, which lets you travel freely for 24 hours on the entire urban network (around €6.80).
• The Zapping option, the favourite of locals and expats, which works like a prepaid card. You load an amount (between €3 and €40), and each journey is automatically deducted based on the transport used.

The main advantage of Zapping is flexibility: it works on the metro, Carris buses, trams, and even suburban trains (such as those to Cascais or Sintra). No need to juggle multiple tickets — everything is centralised on one card.

However, there’s one important detail: a Viva Viagem card can only hold one type of fare at a time. If you load a 24-hour pass, you can’t add Zapping credit until that pass expires.

© lisboheme

Lisbon-specific Details

Tourists love the charm of the yellow trams, and these historic lines (like the famous 28E) are included in the Viva Viagem system. It’s a great way to ride them without paying the full onboard price.
Another advantage: the Carris-Metro network offers smooth connections between metro, buses, and trams. An integrated journey is possible as long as you validate your card at each transfer and the connection occurs within 60 to 90 minutes of the first validation.

For longer stays, there’s also the monthly Navegante card, more suitable for residents, but Viva Viagem remains perfect for travellers or newly arrived expats.

Porto and the Andante Card

In the Porto region, the Andante card rules public transport. The principle is similar to Lisbon, but the organisation is slightly different.
The Andante card gives access to the metro, buses, urban trains, and even some modern trams. It comes in two formats: the Andante Azul, a disposable card, and the Andante Tour, reusable and practical for longer stays.

Pricing in Porto is based on zones (called Z1, Z2, etc.). The farther you travel, the more zones you cross. A trip within a single zone costs about €1.30, while one covering several zones can reach €2.80.
It’s important to validate the card every time you enter the metro or a bus. The validation machines are yellow, and a green beep confirms the card is active.

The Andante Tour offers 24-hour or 72-hour passes, very convenient for exploring the city without worrying about the number of trips. It works across the entire Andante network, including the metro that connects to Porto Airport.

Key Differences Between Lisbon and Porto

Although both systems are similar, Lisbon and Porto have their own specifics.
Viva Viagem is designed for flexibility and pay-as-you-go recharging, while Andante follows a zone-based model.
In Lisbon, Zapping allows you to use several networks with a single balance. In Porto, each journey depends on the number of zones crossed.
The cards are not interchangeable: a Viva Viagem card is not valid in Porto, and an Andante card will not work in Lisbon.

But in both cases, the idea is the same: to simplify travel and encourage the use of public transport — cheaper and more sustainable for daily life.

Tips for Using the Card

• Always validate before every trip, even when transferring.
• Keep the same card: it’s reusable and valid for one year.
• Avoid folding or wetting the card: it contains a sensitive chip.
• Top it up in advance, especially during rush hours, to avoid queues.
• Check your balance regularly: machines always display the remaining amount after validation.

Conclusion

Viva Viagem and Andante represent a discreet but essential modernity in Portuguese urban life. These cards make mobility easier, reduce stress, and allow you to explore cities in a smooth, economical, and eco-friendly way.
Learning how to use them is already a step toward living like a local. And between two rides, they become a small symbol of everyday Portuguese life: practical, simple, and well thought out.