Tram 28

Key facts you should know about Tram 28:

If you do not do any transport tickets it is EUR 3.10 per ride payable in cash to the driver or if you go to the start in Martim Moniz there is typically a Carris person selling the tickets. Zapping, if you have a travel card is currently EUR 1,47. You can also purchase day travel cards. Read more about this here

The journey from start to end takes between 50 min to an hour depending on how many people get on and off and how busy Baixa areas is with traffic as well as if anyone is blocking the tracks - yes it happens! The best time to travel on the tram in general is early morning hours before 9am or in the evening from 5/6pm. Then the tram is less crowded.

There is no best to start or finish point. The most picturesque part of the journey is between Graca and Baixa (pictures from this part of the journey) and then again between Bairro Alto and Estrella. Along this journey you will also see some streetart! The start and end points are in Martim Moniz Square and Prazeres. Often it is said that in Prazeres there is little to no line, whereas in Martim Moniz Square the line can be really long and waiting time can be considerate.

Travel hack we did with our under 2 year old: go to the next stop after the start of the line to get on and not wait in line. Unless there is already people with priority sitting on the priority seats you can claim them and have your under two year old sit there or with you on your lap without having to wait in the line at the start of the tram line. This also applies for pregnant or less able to stand people. Many do not know about this, though the signs are clear and it is always the first seats on each side of the tram entry that are red. Watch for the sign above the seats.

There is other, less crowded, trams to consider:

#12, runs between Martim Moniz Square and Bairro Alto. It loops straight through Alfama skipping Graca and Interdente, and is on the same track as Tram 28 from the mirradours in Alfama.
#24, runs between Bairro Alto and Campolide passing through Principe Real, Rato, past the Aquaduct and Amoreias shopping. "The Tourist Tram" more the less empty given its premium price is a separate line that runs more the less on the same track, yet is not part of the public transport system. These are red trams (see pic above).