Lisbon Metro Lisbon Metro Red

Red Line is the Lisbon Metro line most visitors meet first because it starts at Aeroporto. It is the cheap, sensible airport arrival when you are traveling light and your hotel is not up a ridiculous hill.

The practical stops are Aeroporto, Oriente for the Expo/Parque das Nacoes side, Alameda for Green Line transfer, Saldanha for the business/hotel district, and Sao Sebastiao for the Blue Line. From there you transfer toward Baixa-Chiado, Santa Apolonia, or Cais do Sodre.

The caveat is Lisbon geography. The metro gets you close, but it does not flatten Alfama, Bairro Alto, or half the hotel approaches in the old center. If you have a rolling suitcase, check the final walk before congratulating yourself on the airport savings.