Portugal: getting around
Portugal: getting around: a chapter of the Trip to Portugal Book, with the words, places and habits that make a first trip easier.
11 cards · Languages
Each Zap teaches up to 5 new cards, so you learn the deck a few at a time.
Checked by the Brain Zap team · reviewed 23 Oct 2026
Sources: Visit Portugal (official tourism site), Portugal (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
Preview
You want the classic yellow tram through Alfama
Show answerHide answer: You want the classic yellow tram through Alfama
Tram 28
Learn more: It climbs through Graça, Alfama and Baixa in old wooden carriages.
Lisbon station for the train to Sintra
Show answerHide answer: Lisbon station for the train to Sintra
Rossio
Learn more: Trains leave about every 20 minutes and take about 40 minutes.
The fast train between Lisbon and Porto
Show answerHide answer: The fast train between Lisbon and Porto
Alfa Pendular
Learn more: It covers Lisbon to Porto in about three hours.
Lisbon's rechargeable card for metro and trams
Show answerHide answer: Lisbon's rechargeable card for metro and trams
Viva Viagem
Learn more: Load it with trips or a day pass; the card itself costs 50 cents.
Porto's rechargeable transport card
Show answerHide answer: Porto's rechargeable transport card
Andante
Learn more: It works on Porto's metro, buses and some trains.
About this topic
Lisbon is built on seven hills, so trams, lifts and funiculars do much of the climbing. Fast trains link Lisbon and Porto, and a few words of Portuguese help when you ask the way.
This is a chapter of the Trip to Portugal Book. Some cards let you hear the Portuguese, some show a place glowing on the map, and some put you in a real situation, at a café or a station. Each comes with a hint before you answer and a short reason after. Once you know most of this chapter, the next one starts arriving in your Daily Zap.
All 11 cards
You want the classic yellow tram through Alfama
Tram 28
Learn more: It climbs through Graça, Alfama and Baixa in old wooden carriages.
Lisbon station for the train to Sintra
Rossio
Learn more: Trains leave about every 20 minutes and take about 40 minutes.
The fast train between Lisbon and Porto
Alfa Pendular
Learn more: It covers Lisbon to Porto in about three hours.
Lisbon's rechargeable card for metro and trams
Viva Viagem
Learn more: Load it with trips or a day pass; the card itself costs 50 cents.
Porto's rechargeable transport card
Andante
Learn more: It works on Porto's metro, buses and some trains.
Iron lift from Baixa up to Chiado
Santa Justa Lift
Learn more: Its neo-Gothic tower was designed by a student of Gustave Eiffel.
You ask where the station is
Onde fica a estação?
Learn more: Onde fica means where is; add any place: onde fica a praia?
You buy one ticket at the window
Um bilhete, por favor
Learn more: Ida e volta means a return ticket.
To the left
À esquerda
Learn more: Directions often end with depois, then.
To the right
À direita
Learn more: Sempre à direita means keep going right.
Straight ahead
Em frente
Learn more: Sempre em frente, always straight on, is the most common direction you'll hear.
More language decks
Each deck takes about 2 min a day.
Spanish: 40 essential words
The 40 Spanish (español) words you will hear and use most: greetings, people, places, everyday things and common verbs.
40 cards · meet them all in 8 days
French: 40 essential words
The 40 French (français) words you will hear and use most: greetings, people, places, everyday things and common verbs.
40 cards · meet them all in 8 days
Italian: travel phrases
Forty Italian (italiano) phrases for your trip: greetings, restaurants, directions, transport, hotels and getting help.
40 cards · meet them all in 8 days