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Lisbon airport to the city: Helpful guide + other airport tips
Welcome to Lisbon! Or bem-vindo a Lisboa in Portuguese! Now you’ve landed in the capital, how do you get from Lisbon airport to the city? Let’s explore metro, taxi, and bus options. Later on, this article will explain more about the airport, including terminals, airport hotels, car rental, arrivals and departures, lounges, lockers and more.
Travel from Lisbon airport to the
city center with ease
Lisbon Airport Arrivals, LIS Airport
Welcome to Lisbon, LIS airport! You must be thrilled you’ve arrived after a long journey! When you first land at Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon (LIS ICAO airport code or IATA airport code), you’ll clear immigration and customs and pick up your luggage if you bring any (left luggage is located at the conveyor belts). The previous name was Aeroporto da Portela (the airport of Lisbon Portela), named after the nearby freguesia Portela, and you might still hear the name Lisbon Portela Airport or Airport LIS mentioned.
To help you further, Lisbon Airport developed the ANA APP. You can download this in the App Store and Google Play, which will help you find the baggage carousel and provide other services. You’ll arrive at Terminal 1 at Aeroporto de Lisboa. When you’re ready and enter the arrivals hall in Lisbon, you’ll notice a few options for getting from Lisbon airport to the city.
How to get from Lisbon airport to the city center
Now that you’ve finished organising yourself at the airport, it’s time to visit the Portuguese capital. Leaving the airport is super easy, and Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport is only a 20-minute ride from Lisbon Airport. The airport is around 9 kilometres from Lisbon’s historic centre. There is an efficient public transportation network, and many taxis can take you to Lisbon’s city center. Let’s dive deeper into the available options.
Transfer services from Lisbon International Airport
The easiest way to get to the city center is by taxi. But with many people arriving simultaneously, it can be pretty busy at the taxi rank. But you can pre-book a transfer service to make your journey more comfortable. You can order transport of any size, including a shuttle bus for groups. When you book online, you can specify the pickup date and time and choose a payment method. Once booked, you’ll receive a voucher by email and enjoy smooth travel upon arrival.
The driver will pick you up and carry a nameplate with your details. The Meet and Greet section is easy to notice at Lisbon Airport. If you’ve opted for the Meet and Greet option, you’ll spot your name sign on the pillars in the terminal. These name pillars are just outside the sliding doors you exited. You take a short walk to your car, and your driver will bring you to your hotel. Book your KiwiTaxi here to enjoy airport hassle-free services like this.
The taxi rank
Outside Terminal 1, you’ll find the taxi rank. Taxis are available at departures and arrivals, and a transparent queuing system is in place. Taxis are available 24 hours a day at Lisbon Airport, and the one-way fare should be between € 10.00 – 20.00 with luggage fees included. A trip to Sintra costs around € 25.00 one way. Lisbon has one of the few airports so close to the centre, so you’ll be at your destination within 20 to 30 minutes. Cascais and Sintra take a little longer to reach.
Tip: Before you enter the car, ensure that the cost of your trip to downtown Lisbon won’t exceed € 20.00. Sometimes taxi meters aren’t used, and prices between € 30.00 and € 50.00 are requested, which is a complete scam! Do not accept offers from taxis outside the taxi rank area, and do not accept having the driver drop you off at a random place that is more convenient for the driver.
Uber and car-sharing apps
There are also ride-sharing services available at Lisbon Airport. Uber, Bolt, FREE NOW (previously MyTaxi), Taxis de Lisboa and Coop Taxis are available, but you should be very clear about where they should pick you up. From experience, however, these rides get cancelled often, and the pick-up place is never clear as they aren’t allowed in the official pick-up area. Taking an Uber to the airport will be hassle-free.
Lisbon airport to the city center by Metro
For many, taking the Metro from Lisbon airport to the city center is the most convenient way. It’s cheap, easy, and quick. On average, a journey to the city center takes 30 to 40 minutes. You can find the metro entrance outside the main exit at Terminal 1. Here, you can take the escalator down to buy a metro ticket.
Navegante occasional card
To use the public transport system, you’ll need an electronic card. The Navegante ocasional costs only € 0.50 and is a cheap way to explore the city. The Navegante ocasional card is personal, meaning no more than one person can use it at a time. At the ticket machine, you have the following three options :
A single journey (Carris/Metro) costs € 1.80; the ticket is valid for one hour on the metro and Carris. A single ticket does not allow two consecutive entries on the metro, so once you’ve clocked out, you’ll get charged another € 1.80. Click here to read more about public transport in Lisbon.
Day tickets
Do you arrive early and want to use public transport the whole day? Then a day ticket is available for € 6.80. The ticket is activated on the first journey and is valid for 24 hours. You can use the ticket as much as you like, and it can be used on the metro and Carris, including buses, trams, funiculars and lifts. If you want to go further afield (Sintra, Cascais, Azambuja and Sado lines), a day ticket costs €10.80, or €9.80 for the metro, Carris and the ferry to Cacilhas.
Zapping
Zapping is the cheapest way to get around if you use public transport throughout the day, but it is less than € 6.80 (the day ticket price). You can top up the Navegante occasional card with a minimum of € 3.00 and multiples of € 5.00. Then each journey costs only € 1.65 for the metro and Carris. You can easily top up again when your card is out of balance.
Buying public transport tickets
There is usually staff to help you buy a ticket at the machines if you struggle. You can also select the language English to make buying a ticket easier.
Don’t get scammed!
You might get approached by someone claiming they have a Navegante ocasional card for you with some credit left. Only buy your card from the dedicated machines and not from strangers.
The red line, the Aeroporto – Saldanha line, will then take you to the city center. The metro runs between 06:30 AM and 01:00 AM, and the waiting time is usually between 6 to 9 minutes. If needed, change to the green line at Alameda, the yellow line at Saldanha, and the Blue line at São Sebastião.
The Aerobus routes
A special airport bus also drives from Lisbon airport to the city. The Aerobus departs outside the Arrivals Hall in Terminal 1, and there is a special place to store your luggage. On board, you’ll enjoy a free Wi-Fi connection and USB chargers. There are two routes to choose from.
- Line 1 drives to Cais do Sodré (downtown station) and runs daily between 08:00 AM to 09:00 PM. A bus departs every 20 minutes.
- Line 2 goes to the Sete Rios Coach Terminal and runs between 08:00 AM to 07:00 PM. This bus leaves every hour.
A one-way trip costs € 4.00 for adults and € 2.00 for children. A round trip costs € 6.00 for adults and € 4.00 for children. You can already purchase tickets online.
Carris buses to town
Carris operates several bus routes from Lisbon Airport LIS. The 722 drives to Praça Londres, the 744 to Moscavide and Marquês Pombal, and the 783 to Amoreira and Prior Velho. If you need to travel to Oriente, a big train station in Lisbon, you can take the 705 bus. The fares are the same as above, and buying a Navegante ocasional electronic card is highly recommended.
Airport facilities
There are several airport facilities before and after customs. So if you have some time at the airport, you’ll be in good hands. Let’s look at the services at the main international gateway in Lisbon.
ATM machines and currency exchange
You’ll also spot the arrivals hall’s first ATMs and currency exchanges. You can get some euros here if needed, depending on your bank cards and the exchange rates. Airports usually have a higher exchange rate, though, and it might be wise to exchange some money before your trip. The fees at the ATMs depend on your bank, and it’s good to know these beforehand!
The Euronet ATM machines can charge high fees, especially when travelling from outside the European Union. Selecting the local currency and trying ATMs near a bank during opening times is best. If anything happens to your card, you can speak to someone. Some banks offer debit and credit cards without foreign exchange fees, so check this before your holiday. Besides the bank, check that the ATM won’t charge an extra fee. Wise and Revolut are also great options to avoid high exchange fees.
Order your Lisboa Card
The Lisboa Card is fantastic if you plan to use the public transport system and want to visit some sights. If you ordered your Lisboa Card online, the airport is one of the places where you can pick it up! The card is available for 24, 48, or 72 hours and provides unlimited free access to the public transport system.
On top of that, you’ll enjoy free admission to top attractions such as the Jerónimos Monastery, the Azulejo Museum, and the Tower of Belém. You’ll get free entrance to 37 museums and monuments, which can be used to obtain 5% to 50% discounts at more than 60 locations in Lisbon. Order yours online so you’re ready to explore the city, or find out if it’s worth the money!
Pick up your Lisboa Card
Your Lisboa Card can be picked up at the VisitLisboa desk, as pictured below. The pass will ‘start’ when you first activate it. So when you arrive today and pick up the card, you can activate the Lisboa Card tomorrow. Is there a long queue at the airport? There are many other Lisboa Card pick-up points in Lisbon! For example, Terreiro do Paço I, Rossio Square, Lisboa Story Center, and Cais de Sodré have pick-up points.
Get a local SIM card
If you travel from outside the EU, a local SIM card might be your best friend. This way, you avoid roaming costs and have access to the internet 24/7. Navigating Lisbon with Google Maps and making online reservations when you’re on the go is super handy. Order your SIM card with Airalo before your trip to get the best deals!
Vodafone also has a small shop in Terminal 1 where you can buy a local SIM card. The shop is open daily between 7 AM and 10 PM. Tip: If you decide to get a SIM card in the city centre, always be mindful of the place where you buy it. Sometimes SIM cards get swapped without you realising it. Prices can also vary a lot, so shop around before deciding.
How to rent a car at Lisbon airport
Renting a car is fantastic for enjoying the ultimate feeling of freedom! Not only can you decide where to drive to, but you can also easily pack your things and discover the whole country independently! One note before renting a car: when you stay in Cascais, Sintra town or Lisbon, there is NO need to rent a car. As a matter of fact, it will be a pain to park and traffic in the city is super busy! So, a vehicle is only necessary to discover and explore places further afield.
Booking your rental car
If you want to rent a car, booking this well in advance is recommended. For a price comparison, you can look at DiscoverCars. This company will show you the best offers from well-known car rental companies. If you’re looking for reliable partners, pick car hire companies such as Sixt, Europcar, and Hertz. You will get all the support you need, and the insurance policies are excellent. Cheaper is not always better when it comes to renting a car. You’ll need a credit card (or debit card) for the deposit, and the amount depends on the car rental company.
Many extras are bookable with your car hire. These are optional things like damage waivers, a navigation system, and an additional driver. The optional E-Toll Service might be easy because Portugal has a toll system on the motorways. When you return your vehicle, you’ll receive an end bill totalling the costs for the toll roads. Tip: Check out this complete guide about car hire in Portugal.
Rental car desks
Each rental company has a desk where you can finalise the paperwork before picking up the car. The desks are open daily, but the time depends on the car rental company. The car rental desks are conveniently located in Terminal 1, and you can easily follow the signs to the correct location.
Picking up your car and Lisbon Airport parking
The cars are parked in the large car park close to Terminal 1. You’ll see the entrance behind the Metro station. Your rental car company will tell you exactly where you’ll need to go to pick up your car. Car rental leave options are at the same location, and it’s only a short walk from the terminal.
Lisbon Airport Departures
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, and there will be a time when you need to go back to the airport to catch a flight elsewhere. Hopefully, you had a wonderful time in Portugal, bringing many memories with you! For smooth travel departing from Lisbon, come to the airport 2 to 3 hours ahead of time, depending on your next destination. Especially for flights outside Europe, being 3 hours before departure is wise.
Important: customs will be before the gate when flying to the US and other destinations outside the European Union! So don’t spend too much time in the duty-free shopping area. Also, not all gates have air bridges, and you might take a bus from the gate to reach the aircraft.
Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 at Lisbon airport?
There are two terminals at the airport. The second terminal was constructed in 2007 to handle the increased passenger traffic. Terminal 2 is currently a boarding terminal only; all arrivals are in Terminal 1.
When you fly back, your boarding card might already mention which terminal you’ll depart from. However, as a rule of thumb, all intercontinental flights depart from Terminal 1, and all low-cost airlines fly from Terminal 2. Some of the low-cost airlines are Ryanair, Vueling, Transavia, Norwegian, Wizz Air, Blue Air, and Eurowings. EasyJet and TAP Air Portugal depart from Terminal 1.
Free shuttle bus to Terminal 2
From outside Terminal 1, a free shuttle bus travels to Terminal 2 every 10 minutes. The journey takes only 3 minutes, and the buses run between 03:30 AM and 00:30 AM. Don’t attempt to walk the distance as there are no pavements!
Check-in
Both terminals have several self-check-in machines and check-in desks where you can drop your luggage. Please note Lisbon Airport Terminal 2 has fewer facilities than Terminal 1.
Tip: Leave ample time to arrive at the airport. Your airline will advise you how many hours in advance you should arrive to enjoy a smooth check-in experience.
Duty-free shops
Do you have enough time before departure? Then you can check out the duty-free shops! Terminal 1 has the most extensive assortment of products and a relatively large shopping area, and there are several restaurants before the boarding gates. Terminal 2 is smaller, and the choices are fewer. There are some eating stores and shops. Before heading to the plane, check the screens once more to see if you’ve received new boarding gates or if everything is still according to plan.
Connecting flights at Lisbon Airport
Maybe you fly into Lisbon, but there is no time to leave the airport. Chances are that your luggage is already labelled to your end destination, so you don’t have to worry about that. Thankfully, there are several services available to you. You can look at the shops, use free WiFi, and find multiple restaurants to grab something to eat.
Lounge ANA Aeroportos de Portugal
Lounge Ana is the perfect space to chill if you want to relax. The lounge is located in Terminal 1 before passport control (Schengen area) and is open from 6 AM until 11 PM. There is free WiFi in the lounge, there are newspapers, and you get to enjoy a drink and snacks. An optional shower kit is bookable on top of the standard lounge offers so you can freshen up. There is also a unique child lounge for children between 3 and 12 years old. Time will fly by, and you’ll be en route again soon!
Other lounges in Terminal 1 are the Blue Lounge, the Airport Business Center, and the TAP Premium Lounge. These lounges are also hugely helpful if your flight is delayed. Be aware of any compensation you might be entitled to. For more information about delays and compensations, click here.
Hotels around the airport
Nothing is worse than sleeping on an airport floor; thankfully, this is unnecessary in Lisbon. A hotel is ideal for connecting flights and early departures from Lisbon airport. Several hotels are close to the airport, and most have free shuttle bus service.
Some favourite hotels are the Star Inn Lisbon Airport, Meliá Lisboa Aeroporto, the Holiday Inn Express Lisbon Airport, Stay Hotel Lisboa Aeroporto, and the Lisbon Airport Hostel. The map below might help you find the right hotel for you.
Storage lockers
If you have little time to explore Lisbon, you can leave your luggage in the storage lockers at the airport. The lockers are located outside Terminal 1 on the upper level. In the city centre, there are plenty of spots where you can leave your belongings safely for some time. It’s advisable to book tours in advance to avoid disappointment if excursions are fully booked. It will also save you a lot of time during your short trip so you can fully explore Lisbon! Happy holidays!
Portuguese Airlines
TAP Air Portugal is Portugal’s national airline and started its commercial flights in 1946. TAP Express is also part of the national airline, and LIS Airport is the main hub for the Portuguese flag carrier. Azores Airlines and ATA Air Açores fly between Portugal’s mainland and the Azores. It is a focus city for Azores Airlines, euroAtlantic Airways, Hi Fly and White Airways.
Other major airlines, such as Air Canada, British Airways, Ryanair, Aer Lingus, Air Transat, Delta Airlines, Emirates, Eurowings, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, United and Vueling, all fly to Lisbon International Airport. There are many more, so check Skyscanner for the best connection! KLM and TAP Air Portugal are reliable partners with whom we fly personally.
Future airport
Every airport is flawed, and Lisbon Airport has seen many strikes in 2023. Lisbon Airport handles around 14 million passengers annually, becoming one of Europe’s most congested airports. Besides, LIS airport is the main airport in Portugal. Lisbon is also one of the only major airports in Europe that have a flight path directly over the city. You can enjoy great views over the city from your window seat, that’s for sure!
Other airports are in Porto, Faro, Funchal and the Azores. The Portuguese government plans to change the existing airport, but nothing is written in stone. Would a third terminal be the solution for additional passenger traffic? Or a new airport? The third terminal was drawn up but didn’t start. And moving the international airport to the other side of the Tejo River is another option being discussed. For now, there are two terminal buildings, and personally, I never had any major congestion or issues at the airport.
FAQ
Conclusion
As you can see, the trip from Lisbon airport to the city is short and easy. You can book a transfer or take a taxi, metro or bus. The journey takes around 20 to 30 minutes, depending on where you stay. Lisbon International Airport (LIS) has two terminal buildings, so it’s wise to know where you fly from before departure. Always try to be early. The airport transfers a few million passengers annually, so it can be busy before reaching the departure gates.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and will be updated as often as needed. As things at airports change constantly, certain parts might become outdated quickly. Always check with your airline or the airport to be absolutely sure about critical things. Discover Portugal is not responsible for any arrivals, departures, or services used at the airport.
