How to Get to Lisbon. Flights, Transportation, Airlines

Airport and Airlines

Lisbon Portela Airport LIS

Officially known as Humberto Delgado Airport, this is the main international airport serving Lisbon and central Portugal. It is 7 km (4.3 miles) northeast of the city center.

Airport Information

Terminals: Two terminals, T1 and T2. T1 handles most international and domestic flights. T2 serves low-cost carriers.
Connecting Terminals: A free shuttle bus operates regularly between T1 and T2.
Amenities: Duty-free shops, restaurants, cafes, car rental agencies, ATMs, currency exchange, free Wi-Fi, lounges.

Airlines and Routes

Lisbon has direct flights from many significant global cities.

Flight Options

TAP Air Portugal: The national carrier, with an extensive network in Various parts of europe, Americas, Africa, and Asia.
Major European Airlines: Lufthansa, France's National airline, Ba, Ryanair, easyJet, and Vueling.
From The usa or canada Carriers: United, Delta, American Airlines, and Air Canada direct flights from major US and Canadian hubs.

High Season June-August

Flights are more often and expensive because of high demand. Make reservations months beforehand. Use Dollar Flight Club for deals.

Shoulder Seasons April-May, Sep-Oct

Good balance of weather and mild flight prices. You find better deals compared to summer. Check Skyscanner for options.

Low Season November-March

Airfare is lower, and you find excellent prices. Some routes have reduced frequency. Prices increase around Christmas and New Year.

Transfer Options from Airport to City

Public Transport

Metro: Red Line connects directly to the central area. 20-30 minutes. Single journey €1.65 (plus €0.50 VIVA Viagem card). 06:30 to 01:00 daily.
Aerobus: Dedicated airport shuttle. Route 1 to Cais do Sodré. Route 2 to Sete Rios. €4-€6. Every 20-25 minutes.
Taxi/Ride-share (Uber/Bolt): Readily available. €15-€25 to city center. Useful with heavy luggage or late-night arrivals.
Private Transfer: Pre-booked services. More expensive than taxis, but peace of mind.

Booking and Pricing

Purchase a VIVA Viagem card at the airport metro station immediately upon arrival. This rechargeable card works for all public transport.
Allow ample time for transfers between terminals at the airport.
Fares vary by service and time of day.
Taxi has a small surcharge for luggage in the boot.

Flight Booking Strategies

Early Booking

Book flights several months in advance for better prices, especially during high season.

Flight Deal Alerts

Comparison Sites

Use Skyscanner to compare prices across different airlines and dates.

Land Transportation to Lisbon

Train Connections and Services

Portugal's national train operator, Comboios de Portugal (CP), offers extensive services. Lisbon has several train stations.

Lisbon Train Stations

Santa Apolónia: Serves long-distance national and global routes. Connected to Metro (Blue Line).
Oriente: Modern hub for long-distance, regional, and international trains. Major transport interchange (Metro Red Line, bus station).
Cais do Sodré: Cascais commuter line. Rossio: Sintra commuter line.

Long-Distance Bus Options

Buses a comprehensive network, reaching virtually all cities and towns in Portugal, and also international destinations.

Bus Operators & Terminals

Main Operators: Rede Expressos and Flixbus.
Main Bus Stations: Sete Rios (major hub for national routes) and Oriente (national and global routes).
Destinations: Connects Lisbon to destinations across Portugal and cities in Spain (e.g., Seville, Madrid) and other European countries.

Self-Driving Considerations

Renting a car offers flexibility for exploring regions outside Lisbon. City driving has its challenges.

Car Rental & Rules

Requirements: Valid national driving license (IDP good for non-Portuguese/English licenses). Credit card for deposit. Minimum age 21-25.
Road Conditions: Good quality highways (autoestradas), mostly toll roads. City driving in Lisbon is challenging due to narrow, hilly, cobblestone streets, and heavy traffic.
Tolls: Many motorways have electronic tolls (Via Verde). Clarify toll payment methods with your the hire company (DiscoverCars.com).

Parking and Safety

Parking in central Lisbon is difficult and expensive. Public places to park cars sell out fast.

Driving Safety & Parking

Parking: Difficult and expensive in central Lisbon. Public car parks are available.
Safety: Highways are safe. Portuguese people who drive are assertive. Driving in Lisbon city center is not for tourists. Use public transport instead.
Fuel: Gasoline (gasolina) and diesel (gasóleo) are available.

Border Crossing Information

Portugal shares a long land border with Spain.
Both countries are members of the Schengen Area.
No routine passport checks at the border.

You typically pass between the two countries without stopping.
Ensure your travel documents are in order for entry into the Schengen Area.
Check any specific requirements based on your nationality.

Sea/River Arrivals to Lisbon

Ferry Services and Cruise Ports

Lisbon’s historical connection to the sea means it welcomes visitors arriving by water, notably cruise ship passengers and those using river ferries.

Water Arrival Options

Cruise Port: Lisbon Cruise Terminal is a modern facility near Santa Apolónia train and Metro station.
Ferry Services (Transtejo & Soflusa): Public ferries across the Tagus River. They connect Lisbon southward bank.
River Transportation: Various private companies offer boat tours, sunset boat tours, and sailing experiences on the Tagus River.

Immigration and Connections

Immigration procedures apply upon your first entry into the Schengen zone.

Port Procedures and Links

Immigration Procedures: For cruise ship passengers from outside the Schengen Area, standard immigration procedures apply.
Lisbon The Passenger terminal: Good connections to Santa Apolónia Metro station (Blue Line) and various bus stops.
Ferry Docks: Well-integrated with the urban area’s public transport network.

Scenic Arrival

Cruise ships offer a scenic arrival without stopping into the heart of the city.

Unique Views

Private boat tours give different perspectives of Lisbon’s riverside landmarks.

Commuter Option

Public ferries are an useful and scenic way to cross the river.

Departure Information from Lisbon

Departure Procedures and Timing

Lisbon Airport is efficient. Allowing ample time is always a good approach.

Departure Tips

International Flights: Arrive at Lisbon Airport at least 2-3 hours before departure.
Domestic/Schengen Flights: 1.5-2 hours before departure is generally enough.
Documents: Have your passport and boarding pass readily accessible.

Airport Facilities and Fees

Lisbon Airport (LIS) has wide-ranging facilities for departing travelers.

Airport Services & Fees

Exit Fees or Taxes: No separate exit fees are typically charged. These costs are usually in your airfare.
Facilities: Duty-free shopping, restaurants, cafes, lounges, currency exchange, free Wi-Fi.
VAT Refunds: Allow extra time for processing at the airport customs office prior to verifying in luggage.

Train and Bus Station Facilities

Santa Apolónia

Offers shops, cafes, and comfortable waiting areas for travelers.

Oriente Station

Provides shops, cafes, and pleasant places to wait for travelers.

Sete Rios Station

Offers shops, cafes, and nice waiting rooms for travelers.

Pre-Departure Check

Confirm your flight status and terminal before heading to the airport. T1 and T2 are separate terminals, and you need to know which one you are departing from.

How to Get to Lisbon