Is the Lisbon Airport big or small?

The airport is the main international gateway to Portugal. As of 2022, it was the 14th-largest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume, and carried 190,700 tonnes of cargo.



Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) is considered a large and major European hub, currently ranked as the 18th busiest airport in Europe as of early 2026. However, its "feel" is often described as cramped or over-capacity because it is an older facility hemmed in by the city's residential neighborhoods. It features two terminals: Terminal 1, which handles the vast majority of international and full-service carriers, and Terminal 2, a much smaller, no-frills facility dedicated exclusively to low-cost airlines like Ryanair and easyJet. While it handles over 30 million passengers annually, the airport’s layout often leads to long walking distances and significant congestion at security and passport control. For 2026 travelers, the airport’s size is less about vast physical acreage and more about the high volume of "hub-and-spoke" traffic it manages between Europe, South America, and Africa.

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Passage through Customs is mandatory for all Portuguese or foreign travellers entering or leaving the country transporting money or goods.

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Please note that, even though Fast Track speeds up your way to the flight, by reducing queueing times, it does not replace or speed up the mandatory check-in, security screening or boarding procedures. Thus, it is always advisable that you reserve time for these procedures.

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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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You'll need to clear customs and immigration. Next, you'll recheck your luggage for the domestic flight. Finally, you'll need to go through Transportation Security Administration screening. This may include a physical inspection of your luggage and personal items with a metal detector or a full-body scan.

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Do You Have To Go Through Customs During A Layover? Customs and immigration are usually required at the connecting airport for international flights. You don't always have to for domestic flights. In most cases, passengers on layover flights must clear customs and immigration at the first point of entry.

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An enclosed walkway connects the Departures Level of Terminal 1 with the Arrivals Level of Terminal 2. Once you pass through security in both terminals, you are within a common departures area, and you can freely walk between the shopping areas and boarding gates across both terminals.

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When entering the United States from overseas, you must obtain your luggage and bring them through Customs and Border Protection (CBP). You will need to check them back into the airlines to make your next flight. Baggage not obtained after your international flight will not get to your final destination.

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