How do I get from Lisbon Airport to the city?

The Lisbon Airport has a Metro (subway) station with a direct line to the city centre. The 'Aeroporto – Saldanha' line takes you to downtown Lisbon in about 20 minutes. The Metro network will allow you to move around the city at ease.



In 2026, the Lisbon Airport (LIS) offers several high-value "gate-to-city" options. The most efficient is the Metro (Red Line), which costs approximately €1.80 and takes about 20 minutes to reach the city center (with a transfer at Alameda for the Green/Blue lines). For a "door-to-door" high-value experience, taxis are safe and modern, typically costing €15 to €20 plus a €1.60 luggage fee. Ride-sharing apps like Uber and Bolt are also highly popular and often cost slightly less than a taxi. For budget-conscious travelers with heavy bags, the Aerobus remains a peer-recommended choice, providing a direct connection to major hotel hubs for about €4. A high-value "pro" tip: if you plan to use the metro and buses frequently, buy the Lisboa Card at the airport "Ask Me Lisboa" desk; it includes unlimited transit and free entry to several museums, providing an instant high-value "win" for your first 24 to 72 hours in the Portuguese capital.

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Taxi: A taxi is a comfortable and reasonably priced way to get from the Airport to your hotel. It normally costs around € 35 ( US$ 37.40) to get to the city center. You can purchase a pre-paid ticket at the taxi rank, that way you'll know the price before getting in the taxi and avoid possible surprises.

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Uber, Bolt and ride hailing apps Their fares vary depending on demand, but a transfer to the centre of Lisbon typically costs around €7 and will always be cheaper than a taxi.

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Yes, Uber is available at LIS Airport. Open the Uber app, enter your location, and you'll be connected with a driver in no time. Where is the Uber Lisbon Airport pickup point? All pickup locations are subject to change, so be sure to check your Uber app for where your pickup location has been set.

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Uber/Bolt are plentiful in Lisbon and are often a fraction of the cost of taking a regular taxi. Uber/Bolt is more reliable and the drivers are generally very friendly, speak English and can give you some great local advice.

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Lisbon Taxis: Payment Methods Although your taxi driver will likely accept payment via debit or credit card, this is not a rule. Hence, you should always carry some euros with you, as many taxis aren't equipped with a POS machine. In that case, bank card payments are out of the question.

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While there's no obligation to tip in Portugal, it's also important to remember that when you do leave a tip, it's essential to use cash euros (the European currency), so the recipient of your tip can easily use the money without having to make a special trip to a bank (and then pay a transfer fee).

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Taxis usually accept the payment of the fare by credit card, but it's better to ask the driver before you get in. You usually get a receipt at the end of the ride.

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The Lisbon Airport has a Metro (subway) station with a direct line to the city centre. The 'Aeroporto – Saldanha' line takes you to downtown Lisbon in about 20 minutes. The Metro network will allow you to move around the city at ease.

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Best Areas To Stay in Lisbon Highly coveted districts for a Lisbon stay include Baixa, Chiado, Bairro Alto, and to some extent, Avenida da Liberdade. These are sought-after locations due to their central positioning. Scoring a reasonably priced lodging here requires some early planning.

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Tipping in Portugal is just as important as in other parts of the world. All waiting staff, attendants and clerks earn a wage, but wages are low and many do rely on tips to supplement their income.

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While Lisbon is the most expensive city to live in Portugal, it is quite affordable when compared to other countries in western Europe, although, what once was a cheap city has seen its prices creeping up. This said, the cost of living in Lisbon for international students and expats is usually still very affordable.

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Drinking tap water in Portugal is considered safe in all regions and the water meets all EU standards. Lisbon tap water is of a medium hardness, rich in minerals and has chlorine added during treatment. It can have a strong taste, so most Lisbon residents drink bottled water and use tap water for most everything else.

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Cash, card and ATMs When travelling to big cities like Lisbon and Porto, you can usually use a card in most places. However, be prepared to come across smaller shops and restaurants that do not accept cards. Especially in smaller towns, you are expected to pay with cash for small purchases.

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Cards are by far the most popular cashless payment method in Portugal, including international cards from Visa and Mastercard. Both credit and debit cards are used, but debit cards are much more common. It's worth noting that Multibanco cards – which we'll explain below – can be used as both debit and credit cards.

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They are safe, even for night transfers. Portuguese taxi drivers speak English but often not adequately.

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Buses are an ideal option on a budget (or everyone!), and you'll get to enjoy the slower views from your window. There are some fun ways to get around Portugal, like ferries, boats, bikes, trams, funiculars, elevators (you won't get far on those-but you will get high up!:).

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The Dining Experience In Portugal In Portugal, restaurants open for lunch starting at 12:00 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. but don't usually fill up until around 1:00 p.m. Dinner is most commonly taken at 9:00 p.m. or 9:30 p.m., but restaurants do open as early as 7:00 p.m.

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