Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport

Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) is Portugal's largest and busiest airport, serving as the main hub for TAP Air Portugal. Located just 7 km north of Lisbon's city center, it is one of Europe's most conveniently located major airports, making it easy to reach the historic heart of the city.

The airport has two terminals:

• Terminal 1 (T1): The main terminal handling the majority of flights, including all TAP Air Portugal, Star Alliance partners, and most international carriers. This is a large, connected facility with domestic, Schengen, and non-Schengen areas.
• Terminal 2 (T2): A smaller, separate terminal primarily serving low-cost carriers including easyJet, Ryanair, and Wizz Air.

Critical note: T1 and T2 are not connected by walkway. A free shuttle bus runs between terminals approximately every 10-15 minutes (journey time 5-10 minutes). Always check your terminal before traveling to the airport.

The airport's proximity to the city center is a significant advantage. Unlike many European capitals, you can be in downtown Lisbon within 20-25 minutes by metro for around €2.

LIS is located 7 km north of Lisbon's city center, making it one of Europe's most accessible major airports. Journey times to the city center:

Method	Time to City Center	Cost
Metro (Red Line)	20-25 min to Alameda	~€2
Aerobus	25-35 min to city center	€4.50
Taxi	15-25 min	€15-20
Uber/Bolt	15-25 min	€10-18

Traffic can extend road journey times during rush hours (8-10 AM, 5-8 PM weekdays), but the metro avoids all congestion.

Uber and Bolt both operate at Lisbon airport and are popular choices:

• Pickup: Designated rideshare areas outside arrivals
• Fare to city center: €10-18 depending on exact destination and traffic
• Payment: Through app (credit card required)
• Availability: Good throughout the day

FreeNow also operates in Lisbon, connecting to licensed taxis via app.

Official Taxis (cream/beige colored):

• Typical fare to city center: €15-20 (metered)
• Airport supplement: €1.60 added to meter fare
• Taxi ranks: Outside arrivals at both terminals, 24/7
• Journey time: 15-25 minutes (longer in traffic)

Tips:

• Only use official taxis from designated ranks or apps
• Ensure the meter is running
• Uber and Bolt are typically cheaper than taxis

Metro Red Line (Recommended)

The Metro Linha Vermelha (Red Line) connects the airport directly to central Lisbon.

Fare: €1.65 per journey (requires reloadable Viva Viagem card, €0.50)

Station: "Aeroporto" station is located at Terminal 1

Journey time:

• Alameda: 20 minutes (transfer to Green Line for Rossio/Baixa-Chiado)
• Saldanha: 15 minutes (transfer to Yellow Line for Marquês de Pombal)
• Oriente: 6 minutes (major transport hub for trains and buses)

How to take the Metro from T1:

1. Follow signs to "Metro" from the arrivals hall
2. Purchase a Viva Viagem card at the machines (€0.50) and load with credit
3. Take the Red Line toward "São Sebastião"
4. Transfer at Alameda (Green Line) for Rossio or Baixa-Chiado
5. Transfer at Saldanha (Yellow Line) for Marquês de Pombal

Operating hours: 6:30 AM to 1:00 AM

T2 passengers: The metro station is at T1. Take the free shuttle bus first (adds 10-15 minutes).

Tip: Buy a 24-hour metro/bus pass (€6.80) if you'll make multiple journeys on your first day.

Aerobus

The Aerobus is an express bus connecting both terminals to central Lisbon.

Lines:

• Line 1: Airport → Sete Rios → Marquês de Pombal → Rossio → Praça do Comércio (Terreiro do Paço)
• Line 2: Airport → Sete Rios → Financial District (limited service)

Fare: €4.50 one-way / €6 round-trip (return valid for 1 year)

Frequency: Every 20 minutes (Line 1)

Journey time: 25-40 minutes to Rossio

Operating hours: 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Tickets: Purchase onboard (cash or card) or at airport kiosks

Tip: Aerobus tickets include free transfers to Lisbon public transport for the day.

Night Service

After the metro closes (1:00 AM), night buses operate:

• Night Bus 208: Airport → Cais do Sodré (via city center)
• Frequency: Every 30 minutes
• Fare: Standard bus fare (~€2)

Alternatively, Uber and Bolt operate 24 hours.

LIS offers multiple parking options:

Terminal 1 Parking

Lot	Location	Daily Rate	Notes
P1 Express	Adjacent to T1	From €36/day	Closest, short stays
P1	Near T1	From €20/day	Covered
P3 Long Stay	5-min shuttle	From €7/day	Best for longer trips

Terminal 2 Parking

Lot	Location	Daily Rate	Notes
P2	Adjacent to T2	From €18/day	Low-cost terminal parking

Tips:

• Book online at ana.pt (airport operator) for discounts up to 40%
• P3 Long Stay offers the best value for trips over 3 days
• Electric vehicle charging available in P1

LIS offers a reasonable selection of dining options, though T1 has significantly more variety than T2.

Terminal 1

Landside (before security):

• Starbucks: Coffee and snacks
• Various cafés: Quick bites and pastries

Airside (after security):

• Cervejaria Portugália: Portuguese beer hall with traditional dishes, grilled meats
• Café A Padaria Portuguesa: Pastéis de nata (Portuguese custard tarts), sandwiches, coffee
• Pizzeria Mozza: Italian options
• Burger King, McDonald's: Fast food

Best for quality: Cervejaria Portugália for authentic Portuguese food; A Padaria Portuguesa for pastéis de nata.

Terminal 2

T2 has limited food options:

• Basic café facilities
• Small food kiosk
• Vending machines

Tip: If departing from T2 and arriving early, consider eating in the city or bringing food. Options are very limited.

Portuguese Specialties to Try

• Pastéis de nata: Iconic Portuguese custard tarts
• Bifana: Pork sandwich (Portuguese fast food)
• Queijo da Serra: Portuguese sheep's cheese
• Ginjinha: Cherry liqueur (available at shops)

Free WiFi is available throughout both terminals.

Network name: "ANA-Free-WiFi"

How to connect:

1. Select "ANA-Free-WiFi" network
2. Open browser - redirected to registration portal
3. Register with email address
4. Accept terms to connect

Details:

• Duration: Unlimited
• Speed: Adequate for browsing and email; streaming may buffer
• Coverage: Throughout both terminals

Tip: Connection quality can vary. For reliable access, use lounge WiFi or mobile data.

SIM cards are available at the airport, though prices are higher than in the city.

Airport Locations

Terminal 1:

• Vodafone: Arrivals area
• MEO/TMN: Near departures
• NOS: Available at some shops

Terminal 2:

• Very limited options - purchase in T1 or in the city

Major Portuguese Carriers

• MEO (formerly TMN): Largest network, best coverage
• Vodafone: Strong network, good tourist plans
• NOS: Third major carrier, competitive pricing

Pricing

Prepaid tourist SIMs start around €15-20 for 10-15GB data. Airport prices may be €5-10 higher than city shops.

Tips:

• EU roaming is included on Portuguese SIMs for travel within Europe
• eSIM options (Airalo, Holafly) can be purchased and activated before arrival
• For better prices, buy from carriers' city stores on Avenida da Liberdade or in shopping centers

ATMs are available throughout both terminals, in arrivals and departures areas.

Major banks with ATMs at LIS:

• Millennium BCP
• CGD (Caixa Geral de Depósitos)
• Santander
• Novo Banco

Currency: Euro (€)

Locations: Near arrivals exits, throughout departure halls

Currency exchange: Bureaux de change are available but offer poor rates (5-10% markup). Use ATMs for better rates.

Tips:

• Use bank ATMs rather than independent machines (Euronet, Travelex) to avoid excessive fees
• When ATMs offer "conversion to your currency" - always decline and choose to pay in euros for better rates
• Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are widely accepted throughout Portugal
• Some small shops, taxis, and traditional restaurants may prefer cash

LIS offers duty-free and retail shopping primarily in Terminal 1.

Duty-Free (T1)

Main duty-free store after security with:

• Portuguese wines (Port, Vinho Verde, Douro reds)
• Portuguese products: cork items, ceramics, canned fish (conservas)
• Spirits, perfumes, luxury goods

Notable Stores (T1)

• Vista Alegre: Fine Portuguese porcelain and glassware
• A Vida Portuguesa: Curated Portuguese crafts and vintage products
• Loja das Conservas: Specialty Portuguese tinned fish (sardines, tuna)
• Cork & Co: Portuguese cork products (bags, wallets, accessories)

Portuguese Products Worth Buying

• Port wine: Classic Portuguese fortified wine
• Cork items: Portugal produces 50% of world's cork; bags, accessories widely available
• Azulejo tiles: Decorative ceramic tiles (small versions available)
• Conservas: High-quality tinned sardines and fish
• Pastéis de nata: Boxed for travel

Tip: Terminal 1 has reasonable shopping. For serious gift shopping, Lisbon's shops offer better prices and selection.

Priority Pass Lounges

Terminal 1:

• ANA Lounge (Schengen area): Basic but functional lounge with hot and cold buffet, alcoholic beverages, and Portuguese wines. Views over the apron. Can get crowded during peak hours. Located after passport control.

• ANA Lounge (Non-Schengen area): Similar facilities to the Schengen lounge. Serves passengers departing to destinations outside the Schengen zone.

Terminal 2:

• No Priority Pass lounges available

Airline Lounges

TAP Air Portugal Lounges (Star Alliance status or Business Class):

• TAP Premium Lounge (T1, Schengen): TAP's flagship lounge with Portuguese cuisine, wines, showers, and quiet areas. One of the better lounges in Southern Europe.
• TAP Premium Lounge (T1, Non-Schengen): For intercontinental departures. Similar high quality with hot food and showers.

Credit Card Access

• American Express Platinum cardholders can access Priority Pass lounges
• Some premium Visa and Mastercard products include Priority Pass or Lounge Key access

Pay-Per-Use

Day passes are available at most lounges (€30-40) and can be booked online through LoungeBuddy or at the lounge entrance.

Tip: TAP's lounges are excellent. If you have Star Alliance Gold status or are flying Business Class, these are among the best lounges in the region.

At the Airport

• TRYP Lisboa Aeroporto Hotel: Across from Terminal 1, approximately 5-minute walk. Modern rooms, restaurant, 24-hour reception. From €80/night.

Near the Airport

• Star Inn Lisbon Aeroporto: Budget-friendly option, 10 minutes by taxi. From €50/night.

• Radisson Blu Hotel Lisbon: Near the airport with shuttle service. Full-service hotel with pool. From €100/night.

In the City (Recommended)

Given LIS's proximity to central Lisbon (20 minutes by metro), staying in the city is often preferable:

Baixa-Chiado area: Historic center, easy metro access, excellent restaurants. From €80/night.

Marquês de Pombal area: Business district, direct metro to airport. From €70/night.

Alfama: Traditional neighborhood, slightly longer metro journey. From €60/night.

Tip: The airport's proximity makes city hotels practical even for early departures. The metro starts at 6:30 AM; for flights before 9 AM, consider Uber or taxi (€15-20).

Lisbon is one of Europe's most captivating capitals, combining historic charm, excellent food, and vibrant culture. The airport's city-center proximity makes exploration easy.

Getting to Key Attractions

Destination	Travel Time from Airport	Route
Rossio/Baixa	25-30 min	Metro Red Line to Alameda, transfer Green Line
Praça do Comércio	30-35 min	Metro or Aerobus Line 1
Belém	40-50 min	Metro + tram 15E or Uber
Alfama/Castelo	30-40 min	Metro to Santa Apolónia + walk
Sintra	60-75 min	Metro to Rossio + train

Must-See Attractions

• Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery: UNESCO World Heritage sites, iconic Manueline architecture
• Alfama: Medieval neighborhood, São Jorge Castle, Fado music venues
• Praça do Comércio: Magnificent waterfront square
• Bairro Alto and Chiado: Shopping, restaurants, nightlife
• Pastéis de Belém: Original pastel de nata bakery (queue worth it)

Neighborhoods to Explore

• Alfama: Oldest district, narrow streets, Fado houses, castle views
• Baixa: Downtown grid, shops, cafés, Rossio Square
• Bairro Alto: Nightlife, bars, restaurants (comes alive after 10 PM)
• Chiado: Elegant shopping, theaters, Café A Brasileira
• LX Factory: Creative hub in former industrial complex, restaurants, shops
• Mouraria: Multicultural, authentic, great local restaurants

Day Trips from Lisbon

• Sintra: Fairytale palaces and castles, 40 min by train from Rossio (€2.25)
• Cascais: Beach resort town, 40 min by train from Cais do Sodré (€2.25)
• Óbidos: Walled medieval town, 1 hour by bus
• Setúbal: Seafood, Arrábida beaches, 45 min by ferry + bus

Transport Tips

• Buy a Viva Viagem card (€0.50) and load with journeys or a day pass
• 24-hour pass: €6.80 for unlimited metro, bus, and tram
• The famous Tram 28 gets very crowded - go early morning or use it for short sections only
• Ubers are excellent value in Lisbon

Food and Drink Essentials

• Pastéis de nata: Custard tarts - try at Pastéis de Belém or Manteigaria
• Bacalhau: Salt cod, prepared dozens of ways
• Bifana: Pork sandwich with mustard
• Ginjinha: Sour cherry liqueur, served in chocolate cups
• Seafood: Grilled fish, amêijoas à bulhão pato (clams), arroz de marisco (seafood rice)
• Port and Vinho Verde: Portuguese wines

Practical Tips

• Lisbon is hilly - wear comfortable shoes
• Many restaurants don't take reservations; popular spots fill quickly at dinner (after 8 PM)
• Tipping: 5-10% is appreciated but not obligatory
• Portuguese people appreciate attempts to speak Portuguese, even just "obrigado/obrigada" (thank you)