Destination Lisbon
Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) is situated to the north of the city. It is the main hub for Star Alliance member TAP Air Portugal and is served by numerous Oneworld and Star Alliance airlines connecting within Europe and to Africa, North America and South America.
Airport Code – LIS
Distance to Central Lisbon – 4.5 Miles
Lisbon Population – 3,100,000
Language – Portuguese
Currency – Euro (EUR)
Voltage – 230v
Plug – Types C and F.
Credit Cards – Widely Accepted.
LGBTQ Friendly – Yes.
Lisbon Airport to City Transport Options
Metro
Car & Pick Up
Bus
Take the Aeroporto – Saldanha (Red) Metro line from the station beneath the airport terminal to the city centre with connections to the Blue, Green and Yellow lines.
Journey time is around 20 minutes. Tap with your contactless card when you enter and leave the system. Each ride costs EUR1.50 with a daily maximum of EUR6.50 or use the rechargeable Navegante card.
Taxi
Official black and green Lisbon taxis can be found outside the arrivals area with a typical EUR25 fare to the city centre. Journey time is 20-40 minutes. These might not be equipped for contactless payment.
The usual ride hailing apps are in operation.
There are two Aerobus lines linking Lisbon airport with the city.
Aerobus Line 1 operates every 20 minutes during the daytime to the Historical Centre and then the Marques de Pombal area.
Aerobus Line 2 operates every 20 minutes during the daytime to the Marques de Pombal Area.
Tickets can be bought with contactless payment from machines or direct from the driver with cash. Navegante cards are valid.
Carris City Bus services also serve the airport but have a 50x40x20cm baggage limit.
Welcome To Lisbon
Lisbon welcomes visitors with a unique blend of old-world charm and vibrant modern culture.
The Portuguese capital stretches across seven hills, offering sweeping views of the Tagus River and a maze of cobblestone streets lined with pastel-colored houses and intricate azulejo tiles. Begin your exploration in the historic district of Alfama, where narrow alleyways lead to hidden courtyards and the scent of grilled sardines drifts from traditional taverns. Here you can hear the haunting strains of fado music while wandering past centuries-old churches and small artisan shops.
From Alfama, make your way to the grand squares of Baixa, rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake with elegant neoclassical architecture. Praça do Comércio opens onto the riverfront, a lively spot to watch ferries glide across the water as you sip a bica, Lisbon’s strong espresso. Nearby, the stylish Chiado neighborhood offers chic cafés, independent bookstores, and theaters, a perfect setting to pause and soak up the city’s intellectual spirit.
For a taste of bohemian life, cross into Bairro Alto, where the atmosphere shifts from quiet daytime charm to a buzzing nightlife scene after sunset. Rooftop bars here reveal a dazzling panorama of rooftops and church spires. A short tram ride away lies Belém, home to the ornate Jerónimos Monastery and the iconic Tower of Belém, both testaments to Portugal’s Age of Discovery. Don’t leave without sampling the original pastel de nata from the famous bakery that perfected the custard tart centuries ago.
Lisbon’s modern side shines in the Parque das Nações district, a waterfront area with contemporary architecture, a striking oceanarium, and wide promenades perfect for evening strolls. Throughout the city, the iconic yellow trams rattle up and down steep hills, offering an easy way to see the sights and enjoy the scenery. Whether you are savoring fresh seafood in a family-run tasca, listening to music late into the night, or simply watching the golden light play across tiled façades, Lisbon invites you to slow down and embrace its warm, welcoming rhythm.
Getting Around Lisbon
Getting around Lisbon is straightforward once you understand how the city’s network of trams, buses, metro lines, and ferries fit together.
The metro is the fastest way to cover longer distances, with four color-coded lines connecting key districts from the airport to downtown and the riverfront. Stations are clearly marked and trains run frequently from early morning until around one in the morning, making it an efficient choice for daily travel or late-night returns.
For a more scenic journey through the city’s historic heart, the iconic yellow trams remain a quintessential experience. Route 28 is the most famous, winding past Alfama’s steep streets, the Baixa squares, and the lively Bairro Alto, but other lines can be less crowded while still offering dramatic views.
Buses complement the metro and reach neighborhoods that trams and trains do not. They operate until late at night, and special night buses cover key routes when the metro is closed.
Carris, the main operator for trams and buses, uses the same ticketing system as the metro, so a single pass can cover multiple modes of transport. Many visitors choose the rechargeable Viva Viagem card, which can be loaded with pay-as-you-go credit or day passes for unlimited travel, providing flexibility and savings if you plan to explore extensively.
When crossing the Tagus River to see the views from Almada or visit the Cristo Rei statue, ferries provide a pleasant and inexpensive ride. They depart regularly from terminals such as Cais do Sodré, which is also a hub for metro and train connections. For trips beyond the city, commuter trains head to seaside towns like Cascais or the palaces of Sintra, with departures from stations including Rossio and Cais do Sodré.
Taxis and ride-hailing services are widely available and reasonably priced, but the public system is reliable enough that you can comfortably rely on it for most journeys.
Because Lisbon is built on steep hills, walking between some neighborhoods can be challenging, yet funiculars and elevators help bridge the climbs. The Elevador de Santa Justa and the three hillside funiculars are attractions in their own right, offering striking city views as well as a break from the uphill trek. Whether you are gliding along the river by ferry, rattling through narrow streets in a vintage tram, or speeding beneath the city on the metro, Lisbon’s public transport combines practicality with a distinct charm that makes the journey part of the adventure.