Lisbon’s picturesque yellow trams are famous. One of the most popular ones is the Tram 12. It is a tourist favorite. It has a short but scenery-wise dense route filled with attractions. It only covers 4 km. The whole trip takes 20 minutes. It is a circular route, so it ends where it starts. It goes through Baixa and Alfama districts. The speed of the carriages is low due to the geography of the city. Remodeled trams often have to climb or make sharp turns. Thus, the speed is relatively low. In any case, it is better for sightseeing.
Tram 12 vs. Tram 28
Tram 28 is the most popular carriage in Lisbon. It appears on every postcard about the city. Yet, it has its ups and downs. The Tram 28 goes from Baixa to Alfama and the castle. Since this is the main touristic route, it is highly popular among tourists. However, most of the route is shared by Tram 12. Also, it tends to be less crowded due to Tram 28’s fame. Passengers even have the chance to find a seat at the Tram 12. So, Tram 12 offers most of the experience with less inconvenience.
Tickets and Work Hours of the Tram 12
The Portuguese name of these carriages is eléctrico. Tourists may obtain tickets from the drivers, but it costs 3 euros. It is considerably expensive. It makes more sense to obtain a Viva Viagem card. These cards are bought from ticket machines at every station. Using these cards makes transportation much cheaper. Alternatively, visitors may buy a 24-hour transportation pass. This option costs 6.40 euros. The Tram 12’s shift begins at 8 am and ends at 8.45 pm. There are trips every 12 to 15 minutes. Since there are not many carriages, it is a good idea to choose less busy periods of the day. Also, tourists may want to be careful about their belongings and wallets in popular areas since pickpockets may target tourists.
The Route of the Tram 12
The route of Tram 12 is circular around central Lisbon. It covers 4 km in total. The Tram 12 gets off from the Praça da Figueira. It then goes through the square of Martim Moniz and the Avenue Almirante Reis. After a climb into the Graça region, it goes into Alfama where it starts its journey back.
You can find more information about the Lisbon tram line in our article below.
