Telecabine Lisboa: Portugal's Cable Car & Gondola Lift

One of the best things to do in Lisbon’s modern waterfront district is to ride the Telecabine Lisboa: a gondola lift-style cable car.

Opening in the spring of 1998 for the Expo’98 in Lisbon, it is nicknamed the Expo cable car and was one of the biggest attractions of the Expo. Spanning 1230m in length along one of the largest rivers in Portugal, this ariel lift provides panoramic views of the river and modern architecture.

This guide will help you plan your visit to Telecabine Lisboa, including pricing, how to get there, a review, and tips to make your ride memorable.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Telecabine Lisboa and the Lisbon Tourism Board. All thoughts and opinions are my own. In addition, some of the links in this post are affiliate links; if you click on the link and purchase the item, I may receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

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Does Lisbon have Cable Cars?

Lisbon has two types of cable cars: the gondola lift cable car, Telecabine Lisboa, in Lisbon’s modern waterfront area and the popular yellow trams that you see in the older parts of the city, near the Lisbon Cathedral and St.George Castle.

Is the Lisbon Telecabine Worth It?

Seeing modern Lisbon from the sky makes riding the Lisbon Telecabine worth it. It’s quick, it’s fun, and it offers a different perspective of the city. So sit back, relax, and enjoy.

Riding the Gondola Lift Cable Car

The Telecabine Lisboa features 40 cabins with seating in each for up to 8 people. The cabins don’t stop, so you will enter while in motion. The trip lasts 8 to 12 minutes in each direction. Hovering 30 m above the Tagus River, you will see this modern area from a unique perspective as you travel 1230 m.

When you start your ride, one of the staff will take your photo, which is available to purchase. During my Telecabine Lisboa ride, the photo turned out so good that I purchased mine as a souvenir.

If you have a roundtrip ticket, you can choose to get off at the opposite cable car station or ride roundtrip without exiting. You can also get off and explore for a while before heading back.

Telecabine Lisboa Price

There are two options for riding the lift cable car, a one-way ride or a roundtrip ride. For an adult, a one-way ride is €7, and a roundtrip ticket is €9. Children twelve and under are a reduced price and those under age two are free.

In addition to a Telecabine Lisboa ticket, you have the option to buy a combined ticket to visit both the cable car and the Oceanário de Lisboa. The combination ticket price can save you money while granting you access to both attractions.

Tip: If you have a Lisboa card, you can receive a 10% discount on your Portugal cable car ticket.

Cable Car Lift Lisbon – Hours of Operation:

Mid March – Late May: 11 am – 7 pm

Late May – Mid September: 10:30 am – 8 pm

Mid September – Late October: 11 am – 7 pm

Late October – Mid March: 11 am – 6 pm

Do You Need to Book in Advance to Visit Telecabine Lisboa?

No, you do not need to book in advance to visit the Telecabine Lisboa. You can purchase tickets in advance or buy them on-site from the ticket booth.

How to Get to the Telecabine Lisboa from Downtown Lisbon

To reach the Telecabine from downtown Lisbon, you can ride a bus, a taxi, drive, or take the metro. It will take between 20-40 minutes to arrive at the Cable Car’s South Station, depending on the method of transportation you choose. The best way to get to the Telecabine Lisboa by public transportation is by bus.

Bus Directions from Cais Sodré:

Take the 728 – Avenida Dos Descobrimentos bus from Cais Sodré
Ride 21 stops
Exit at the Oceanário Lisboa stop
Walk about 5 minutes through the Park of Nations to arrive at the Telecabine Lisboa

Telecabine Lisboa – South Station

Address: Passeio Neptuno, 1990-192 Lisboa, Portugal

Telecabine Lisboa – North Station

Address: Estação Norte, Passeio das Tágides, 1990-280 Lisboa, Portugal

Tips for Visiting the Lisbon Cable Car – Telecabine Lisboa

Buy a roundtrip ticket, especially if you are short on time. If you don’t have time to explore the waterfront, you can ride the lift in both directions without getting off the ride; this gives you the ability to see everything from the sky without missing the Telecabine Lisboa.
Start your Lisbon gondola ride at the South Station. This station is closest to the Aquarium and is quicker to reach via public transportation.
Put all loose items away before you enter the ride. It is easier not to juggle your items (such as sunglasses, water bottle, phone, etc) while boarding, riding, and exiting. It will make your ride smoother and more relaxing. Put them away while waiting in line or at the ticket booth.
There is no food or drinking allowed on the Telecabine Lisboa. The only exception is water.
Have your camera ready. You will want to capture the view of Lisbon’s waterfront from above.

Things to Do in Lisbon near the Telecabine Lisboa

Oceanário de Lisboa – Lisbon’s aquarium and the largest aquarium in Europe
Torre Vasco da Gama – a 145m lattice tower skyscraper
Parque de las Naciones – Park of Nations along the riverfront
Water Garden – water garden within the Park of Nations
Casino Lisboa – casino along the waterfront with a glass front

Telecabine Lisboa: Review & Final Thoughts

Riding the Telecabine Lisboa is a fun experience and provides a unique perspective of Lisbon’s modern waterfront district.

While I was tight on time, I stayed on the ride without getting off at the other side to explore. I enjoyed the view and looking around in every direction from the cabin. If you are visiting modern Lisbon, you should add riding the Telecabine Lisboa to your itinerary.

Buy your Telecabine Lisboa Tickets today ➜

Happy travelling!

Telecabine Lisboa: Portugal’s Cable Car & Gondola Lift