Pickpockets, unclear taxi fares, fake drugs, couvert charges and fake Metro tickets: the 5 Lisbon tourist traps and how to spot them.
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The 5 most common Lisbon scams
Distraction theft in crowds
How it worksSomeone distracts you while an accomplice reaches for your valuables. UK travel advice warns that pickpockets often work in teams. A crowded stop makes the theft easy to miss.
WherePraça do Comércio, Rua Augusta and historic trams. Germany’s Foreign Office specifically names these locations.
How to protect yourself
- Keep money and documents close to your body, stored separately.
- Stay alert to distractions, especially when boarding.
A taxi ride with an unclear fare
How it worksYou get in without checking how the fare will be calculated. At your destination, the bill is higher than you expected. Confirming the tariff before departure avoids that awkward conversation.
WhereTaxi journeys, especially after arriving at Humberto Delgado Airport.
How to protect yourself
- Check how the fare is calculated before getting in.
- Ask the airport’s Ask Me Lisboa desk about the official taxi voucher. It gives you a final price in advance, including luggage.
Fake street drugs
How it worksA seller quietly offers hashish or cocaine. What you receive may be something else entirely: Reuters reports sales of bay leaves, flour and ground paracetamol disguised as drugs.
WhereThe tourist centre, including the historic Santa Maria Maior district described by Reuters.
How to protect yourselfDecline and keep walking. Do not buy anything or sample an offered substance.
Couvert charges you did not expect
How it worksStarters appear before your meal. You help yourself, then discover they cost extra. Restaurants can charge for couvert you order or eat. Handling it can also count if it cannot be served again.
WhereRestaurants that offer couvert.
How to protect yourself
- Check the price before helping yourself.
- Ask staff to remove unrequested starters you do not want.
- Query charges for unrequested, untouched food. If there is a dispute, ask for the complaints book.
Fake Metro tickets online
How it worksYou buy a ticket or voucher online, but the offer is fake. Lisbon’s Metro operator has explicitly warned about a website selling counterfeit tickets.
WhereUnofficial ticket websites.
How to protect yourself
- Start at metrolisboa.pt/en/buy/ and use official machines or ticket offices.
- If you bought a fake ticket, save your records and report it to the police.
Travel Lisbon with fewer surprises
Which traps matter to you depends on how you travel: solo, with family, on a budget, or in peak season. That’s why TravelCheck on iPhone builds your own Lisbon list, usable offline, with Portuguese phrases you can play aloud.
FAQ
Is Lisbon safe?
Violent crime is rare according to Germany’s Foreign Office. Pickpocketing is a concern in tourist districts and on historic trams. Keep valuables close to your body and stay alert when someone distracts you.
How much is a taxi from Lisbon Airport?
Turismo de Portugal lists official taxi vouchers for up to four passengers at 16 euros for Zone 1 and 19 euros for Zone 2, on weekdays between 7am and 10pm. At night, on weekends and on public holidays, the fares are 20 and 23 euros respectively. Luggage is included. Ask the Ask Me Lisboa desk which zone covers your destination.
How much is a Metro and Carris ticket?
The Carris/Metro ticket costs 1.90 euros and is valid on the Carris and Metro networks for 60 minutes after first validation. It cannot be used for consecutive Metro journeys. The Carris/Metro day ticket costs 7.25 euros and lasts 24 hours from first validation.
Do I have to pay for bread and starters in restaurants?
If you order the couvert, eat it or handle it so it cannot be served again, the restaurant can charge for it. Unrequested starters left untouched cannot be charged. Ask staff to take them away and check your bill.
What is behind the street drug offers?
Reuters reports that street sellers in the centre offer substances including bay leaves, flour and ground paracetamol as drugs. Do not buy anything or try a supposed sample. Keep walking calmly.
What is the emergency number in Lisbon?
Call 112 in an emergency. For fake Metro tickets, the transport operator recommends reporting the purchase to the police. Keep payment records and the address of the selling website.
