Lisbon extends along the banks of the Tejo estuary, and the commuter ferries are an integral component of the capital’s public transport network. Lisbon ferry services provide an alternative means of travel from the residential districts on the southern banks of the Tejo Estuary to the center of Lisbon. Lisbon ferries are popular with Lisbon’s commuters as it avoids the bottleneck on the Ponte 25 de Abril suspension bridge.
Apart from the Cristo Rei statue, there are few tourist attractions on the southern side of the Tejo Estuary. The fascination of the Lisbon ferry ride is the journey itself and the panoramic views of Lisbon from the waterside.
Lisbon Ferry Routes
There are five ferry routes, with three stops in Lisbon and four stops on the southern banks:
Terreiro do Paço to Barreiro
It is on the southern edge of the Praça do Comércio, and is connected to the blue metro line. This line is the longest ferry route and it uses faster catamarans. This route provides the best views over Alfama and the eastern side of Lisbon, but Barreiro is simply a ferry terminal and a non-descript town. It takes from the Paço Ferry Terminal.
Cais do Sodré to Montijo, Seixal, and Cacilhas
Cais do Sodré ferry terminal is connected to the green metro line and is also a major railway station, with trains to Cascais and the Estoril coastline. The actual ferry terminal is in a separate building, which is south of the train station.
From Cais do Sodré there are three routes, to Cacilhas, Montijo, and Seixal. The ferries to Montijo and Seixal use the modern catamarans, while the older, orange ferries cross to Cacilhas. Cacilhas is the better tourist route, as it passes close to the suspension bridge and only takes 15 minutes to cross the river. One of the main reasons for crossing to Cacilhas is to visit the Cristo Rei statue and the amazing viewpoint at the top of the monument. However, the bus route would be a better choice.
Belem to Porto Brandão and Trafaria
The Belem ferry departs from the western side of Lisbon and is a great activity for visitors who have more time to spend in the district. Belem Ferry Terminal (The Estaço Fluvial de Belem) in Belem, western Lisbon, provides ferries to Porto Brando just over the Tagus River, as well as Trafaria a little distance to the west.) It takes roughly 25 minutes to get there. The main issue with the Belem ferry is the infrequent departures (as there is only one boat) and the return journey is much longer than all of the other ferry routes.
Lisbon Ferry Tickets and Fares
The following list provides the cost of a single crossing; there are no return tickets and two single tickets must be purchased. The ferry fares are charged to the Viva Viagem card, which applies to all public transport networks of Lisbon. The initial purchase of the Viva Viagem card is €0.50. However, the card can only hold one type of ticket at a time, for example, if it is charged with a metro ticket you cannot add a ferry ticket to it.
Here are the Lisbon ferry tickets and the fees.
• Terreiro do Paço to Barreiro – €2.45
• Cais do Sodré to Montijo – €2.80
• Cais do Sodré to Seixal – €2.45
• Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas – €1.30
• Belem to Porto Brandão and Trafaria – €1.25
Lisbon Ferry Schedule
Lisbon ferries are an important means of transport for commuters and workers, so there are many departures (more on working days, less on the weekend) with services starting early in the day (approx. 5 – 5.30 a.m.) and continuing late into the night (around 1 – 1.30 a.m.). Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas is the busiest route, while the Belem route only has one boat and significantly fewer departures.
You can find the Lisbon ferry schedule of the routes below:
Terreiro do Paço – Barreiro
Here’s the schedule for Terreiro do Paço – Barreiro route.
| Day | Operating Hours | Frequency |
| Monday | 00:30 – 23:30 | 5 min |
| Tuesday | 00:30 – 23:30 | 5 min |
| Wednesday | 00:30 – 23:30 | 5 min |
| Thursday | 00:30 – 23:30 | 0 min |
| Friday | 00:30 – 23:30 | 5 min |
| Saturday | 00:30 – 23:30 | 30 min |
| Sunday | 00:30 – 23:30 | 30 min |
Cais do Sodré – Cacilhas
The ferry route Cais do Sodré – Cacilhas operates every day. Regular schedule hours: 12:20 AM – 11:45 PM.
| Day | Operating Hours | Frequency |
| Sunday | 12:20 AM – 11:45 PM | 19 min |
| Monday | 12:20 AM – 11:45 PM | 8 min |
| Tuesday | 12:20 AM – 11:45 PM | 8 min |
| Wednesday | 12:20 AM – 11:45 PM | 8 min |
| Thursday | 12:20 AM – 11:45 PM | 0 min |
| Friday | 12:20 AM – 11:45 PM | 8 min |
| Saturday | 12:20 AM – 11:45 PM | 19 min |
Cais do Sodré – Montijo
The ferry route of Cais do Sodré – Montijo operates every day. Regular schedule hours: 6:00 AM – 10:30 PM.
| Day | Operating Hours | Frequency |
| Sunday | 8:10 AM – 8:45 PM | 1 hr 30 min |
| Monday | 6:00 AM – 10:30 PM | 30 min |
| Tuesday | 6:00 AM – 10:30 PM | 30 min |
| Wednesday | 6:00 AM – 10:30 PM | 30 min |
| Thursday | 6:00 AM – 10:30 PM | 0 min |
| Friday | 6:00 AM – 10:30 PM | 30 min |
| Saturday | 6:30 AM – 9:10 PM | 1 hr |
Cais do Sodré – Seixal
The ferry route Cais do Sodré – Seixal operates every day. Regular schedule hours: 6:35 AM – 11:15 PM.
| Day | Operating Hours | Frequency |
| Sunday | 8:30 AM – 9:30 PM | 1 hr |
| Monday | 6:35 AM – 11:15 PM | 20 min |
| Tuesday | 6:35 AM – 11:15 PM | 20 min |
| Wednesday | 6:35 AM – 11:15 PM | 20 min |
| Thursday | 6:35 AM – 11:15 PM | 10 min |
| Friday | 6:35 AM – 11:15 PM | 20 min |
| Saturday | 7:30 AM – 10:00 PM | 1 hr |
Belém – Trafaria – Porto Brandão
The ferry route Belém – Trafaria – Porto Brandão operates every day. Regular schedule hours: 1:30 PM – 10:00 PM
| Day | Operating Hours | Frequency |
| Sunday | 8:30 AM – 9:30 PM | 1 hr |
| Monday | 6:35 AM – 11:15 PM | 20 min |
| Tuesday | 6:35 AM – 11:15 PM | 20 min |
| Wednesday | 6:35 AM – 11:15 PM | 20 min |
| Thursday | 6:35 AM – 11:15 PM | 10 min |
| Friday | 6:35 AM – 11:15 PM | 20 min |
| Saturday | 7:30 AM – 10:00 PM | 1 hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a ferry in Lisbon?
There is a ferry in Lisbon that takes you across the River Tagus to the city of Cascais. The journey takes about 30 minutes and the views of the city from the water are stunning. If you want to take a longer trip, you can also take a ferry from Lisbon to Setubal, which is a town located south of the city. The journey takes about an hour and a half, and you will get to see some of Portugal’s stunning coastline along the way. There are also ferries that go from Lisbon to the island of Madeira, which is located off the coast of Africa. These journeys can take up to 24 hours, so make sure you are prepared for a long trip.
How much is the ferry in Lisbon?
The cost of the ferry in Lisbon depends on the route that you take. The shortest routes, such as those between Lisbon and Cacilhas, typically cost around 5 euros. The longest routes, such as those between Lisbon and Setubal, can cost up to 15 euros.
Where does the ferry in Lisbon go?
The ferry in Lisbon goes to the following places:
– Cascais
– Setubal
– Troia
– Sesimbra
– Almada
– Barreiro
– Seixal
– Montijo
Is there a ferry from the UK to Lisbon, Portugal?
Yes, there are multiple ferries that depart from the UK to Lisbon. The most popular route is from Portsmouth to Santander, which has a crossing time of 24 hours. Alternatively, you can take a ferry from Plymouth to Roscoff, which has a crossing time of 13 hours. There are also crossings available from Poole to Cher
Is there a ferry from Lisbon to Porto?
Yes, there are several ferry companies that operate between Lisbon and Porto. The journey takes around 3 hours.
Is there a ferry from Lisbon to Madeira?
Yes, there is a ferry that departs from Lisbon to Madeira. The journey takes approximately 10 hours.
How do you cross the river in Lisbon?
By boat, of course! Taking the ferry is a great way to see the city from a different perspective.
There are two main ferry operators in Lisbon: Transtejo and Soflusa. Both companies operate several routes across the Tagus River, connecting the north and south sides of Lisbon.
Transtejo operates the following routes:
– Cais do Sodre (in Lisbon) to Cacilhas (in Almada)
– Santos (in Lisbon) to Montijo (in Setubal)
– Trafaria (in Lisbon) to Praia da Torre (in Almada)
Soflusa operates the following routes:
– Cais do Sodre (in Lisbon) to Cacilhas (in Almada)
– Santos (in Lisbon) to Montijo (in Setubal)
– Trafaria (in Lisbon) to Praia da Torre (in Almada)
– Terreiro do Paco (in Lisbon) to Almada
Fares for the ferry services vary depending on the route and operator but are generally very affordable.
How do you get from Lisbon to Belem?
There are two ways to get from Lisbon to Belem through public transportation – by bus or by ferry. If you’re taking the bus, the journey takes around 25 minutes. If you’re taking the ferry, the journey takes around 15 minutes.
Where is the Lisbon ferry terminal?
The Lisbon ferry terminal is located at the mouth of the Tagus River, in the west of the city. It is easily accessible by public transport and by car.
How can I buy Lisbon ferry tickets?
You can purchase your Lisbon ferry tickets either online or through a travel agent. If you book online, you will need to provide your contact information, payment details, and the dates of your intended travel. You should also make sure to print out a copy of your confirmation email or voucher to present at the port when boarding the ferry.
What companies run ferry services between Casablanca, Morocco, and Lisbon, Portugal?
TRANSMAR is a company that operates ferry services between Casablanca, Morocco, and Lisbon, Portugal. The journey takes approximately 42 hours and 30 minutes.
