Viva Viagem vs Navegante (2026): Differences, Prices & Which One to Choose
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If you are living in Lisbon, commuting daily, or visiting for a few days, you will come across two transport cards: Viva Viagem and Navegante. In 2026, both remain valid — but they serve completely different purposes.
This guide explains the differences, prices, recommendations and the new 2026 features such as Passe + Zapping on the same card and Tap&Ride contactless payment.
1. Viva Viagem — the pay-as-you-go option
The Viva Viagem card is ideal for:
- Tourists
- Occasional travellers
- People who only use transport a few days per week
- Anyone wanting complete flexibility
Available top-up options
- Zapping (pay-as-you-go credit)
- Single tickets (Metro, Carris, CP urban trains)
- 24-hour unlimited tickets
- Ferry tickets (Transtejo/Soflusa)
💰 Typical Zapping fares (2026)
- Carris/Metro: €1.65
- CP Urban: €1.85
- Carris Metropolitana: €0.85
🆕 2026 Update — Passe + Zapping on the same card
It is now possible to load a monthly Navegante pass AND Zapping credit on the same Viva Viagem card. Useful examples:
- 30€ Municipal Pass + Zapping for occasional extra trips
- 40€ Metropolitan Pass + Zapping for CP train journeys
This flexibility didn’t exist in earlier years — a major improvement for 2026.
🆕 2026 Update — Tap&Ride
Tap&Ride allows you to pay directly at the validator using your bank card (contactless). The fare matches the onboard ticket price, starting from €1.25.
- Perfect for one-off journeys
- Ideal when Zapping is low
- No need to buy or top-up a card
2. Navegante — the monthly pass for residents and commuters
The Navegante pass is designed for daily commuters. It is valid across the entire Lisbon Metropolitan Area on all operators.
Types of Navegante
- Navegante Municipal — €30
- Navegante Metropolitano — €40
- Navegante 12 — free for children up to 12
- Navegante Família
Best for:
- Daily commuters
- Students
- Workers travelling across municipalities
- Anyone doing 3+ trips per day
3. Quick comparison — Viva Viagem vs Navegante
| Viva Viagem | Navegante | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Prepaid pay-as-you-go | Monthly pass |
| Price | Depends on usage | €30 / €40 |
| Best for | Tourists & occasional travel | Daily commuting |
| Tap&Ride | Yes | Not applicable |
| Passe + Zapping | Yes | Yes (new in 2026) |
4. Which one should you choose in 2026?
✔ Tourists (1–7 days)
Viva Viagem with Zapping or a 24h ticket.
✔ Daily workers and students
Navegante Municipal or Metropolitan.
✔ Occasional commuters
Zapping is usually cheaper.
✔ People travelling across several municipalities
Navegante Metropolitano.
5. Where to buy or top up in 2026
- Metro ticket machines
- CP Urban stations
- Navegante counters
- Multibanco ATMs (top-ups)
- Operators: Carris, Metro, Carris Metropolitana
Ready to choose the best card?
Use the ONDEBUS planner to check which ticket suits your daily route.
The planner shows Metro, CP, Carris and CM connections in real time.