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Tourist scams and rip-offs in Lisbon, Portugal: how to avoid them
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Lisbon is a generally safe and welcoming city for tourists, with lively neighborhoods and good public transport, though petty street crime and tourist-targeted overcharging occur. The main things to watch are unofficial taxi drivers at the airport, pickpocketing on trams and metro, and restaurant bills with unexplained service or cover charges.
Updated September 2026
Common scams in Lisbon, Portugal and how to avoid them
1. Unofficial airport drivers
How it works: Drivers approach arriving passengers inside or just outside the terminal offering rides at inflated flat rates or without a meter. Fares can be two to three times the fair price.
How to avoid it: Walk to the official taxi rank outside the arrivals hall and take only licensed taxis. Confirm the meter is used or agree the fixed zone fare before starting.
2. Pickpocketing on trams and metro
How it works: Crowded trams, especially tram 28, and metro trains are targets for pickpockets who work in groups, using distraction with maps, crowding, or staged jostling.
How to avoid it: Keep bags zipped and in front, avoid keeping phones or wallets in back pockets, and be alert when the tram is packed with tourists.
3. Rosemary or bracelets approach
How it works: People offer a sprig of rosemary, a bracelet, or a handshake in busy tourist squares, then demand payment for the 'gift' and become aggressive if refused.
How to avoid it: Avoid eye contact, do not take the item, and walk away calmly. Say no clearly and keep moving.
4. Bills with items not ordered
How it works: Some restaurants in tourist-heavy areas add bread, butter, couvert, or an automatic service charge that was not clearly disclosed, inflating the final bill.
How to avoid it: Ask to see the menu with prices before sitting, confirm the couvert is not automatic, and review the itemized bill before paying.
5. Exchange booths with poor rates
How it works: Currency exchange offices near tourist landmarks advertise eye-catching rates but apply large commissions or wide spreads, leaving you with considerably less.
How to avoid it: Withdraw euros from bank ATMs instead, which give the interbank rate plus a small local fee, and skip exchange counters altogether.
6. Fake official helpers at stations
How it works: People dressed in high-visibility vests at metro or train stations offer to help with ticket machines, then take your cash or card and charge inflated prices or disappear.
How to avoid it: Use the official ticket machines or the Viva Viagem app yourself. If approached by anyone offering 'help' with tickets, decline firmly.
Official tickets for the top sights in Lisbon, Portugal
Skip street sellers: book official tickets and tours with free cancellation.
From the airport to the city centre
Humberto Delgado Airport (Lisbon Airport)
Fair taxi price (official, daytime): €15 - €22. Use the official taxi rank outside arrivals and confirm the meter is running or ask for the flat airport-to-city fare before starting. Unlicensed drivers approaching you inside the terminal should be declined.
Best alternative: Aerobus (line 1 or 2) from the airport to central stops, or the metro (red line) from Aeroporto station (€4, about 35 min)
Public transport: tickets, validation and fines
- Single ticket
- €1.80 (A single ride on metro or bus costs about 1.80 EUR when loaded on a Viva Viagem card (0.50 EUR card fee, reusable).)
- Validation rules
- Validate your ticket by tapping the card at the yellow validator before entering the metro platform or boarding a bus or tram. Tickets are not valid until validated; failing to validate counts as travelling without a ticket.
- Fine without a valid ticket
- €60. The fine for travelling without a validated ticket is around 60 EUR, and inspectors can apply it on the spot. Paying immediately avoids additional collection fees.
- Paying by card
- Contactless bank cards and mobile wallets work on metro gate lines on many routes, but not universally on all buses and trams. A Viva Viagem card is the reliable option for all modes.
Tipping and service charges
Tipping: Tipping is modest. In restaurants, rounding up or leaving 5 to 10 percent is appreciated but not mandatory. Taxis are usually not tipped beyond rounding up, and tour guides may receive a small gratuity.
Cover and service charges: Some restaurants add a cover or bread charge that should appear on the menu or be disclosed. Check the menu for prices before ordering, and review the bill for items you did not order. Service is normally included, so a tip is extra.
Cards, ATMs and currency exchange
Always choose to be charged in euros and decline dynamic currency conversion when the ATM or terminal offers it. Prefer ATMs attached to major bank branches over standalone machines, which may carry higher independent fees. Withdraw in larger amounts to spread the fixed fee.
Areas where extra care is advised
- Baixa and Chiado: Heavily crowded tourist zones where pickpocketing and distraction thefts are reported. Keep bags closed and valuables out of reach, especially in the evening.
- Alfama and around São Jorge Castle: Narrow, steep streets and dense crowds make this area prone to pickpocketing and occasional aggressive souvenir sellers. Keep wallets and phones secure.
Emergency number
112
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Frequently Asked Questions about Lisbon, Portugal
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Based on widely reported traveler experiences and official advice. Prices are approximate and change; check current fares on arrival. Updated September 2026.