Getting to Lisbon

Visitors heading for Lisbon can choose from a range of transport options for arriving here, with air travel being the most popular means for those coming from abroad.

By car

Travellers can get to Lisbon from six main highways. The A2 is the main route from the south, and from the east, the A6 provides access from Madrid. There are two bridge options from the A2: the 25 de Abril Bridge, which attracts a lot of commuter traffic; and the Vasco da Gama Bridge, which is the longest bridge in Europe. The latter has fewer traffic problems, but the toll charge is more expensive.

From points north, take the A1 highway, which links Lisbon to Fátima, Coimbra and Oporto as well as the airport. The A8 is another option from the north, serving Torres Vedras, Caldas da Rainha and Leiria. From the west, take the A5 from Estoril and Cascais, or highway IC19 from the suburbs and Sintra.

Three ring roads serve Lisbon: the 2A circular, which connects the A1 to the IC19; the CRIL IC17 (still under construction), linking the Vasco da Gama Bridge with the A1 and A8; and the CREL A9, connecting the A1 with the A8, IC19 and the A5.

By rail

Train travel within Portugal and Lisbon is pleasant and reliable. Two major train stations serve central Lisbon: Santa Apolónia and Orient Station, and three others handle services to the outer areas. The national rail service provider is Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses. All Portuguese train lines connect with services to Lisbon and Porto. Overnight trains are available to connect travellers with Paris, a 19-hour journey, and Madrid, a 10-hour journey.

By bus

The main bus station is located near Saldanha metro terminal, on Avenida Casal Ribeiro, and this is primarily where international bus services arrive and depart from. Inter-Centro runs buses from points in the UK, France and Spain. Rede Nacional de Expressos offers coach services to several destinations within Portugal.

By air

Portela International Airport (LIS) is a single terminal facility situated right inside the urban infrastructure of Lisbon, seven kilometres north of the city centre. The airport handles flights between major international destinations across the world including London, New York, Sydney, Los Angeles and Toronto as well as several daily scheduled flights between major European cities.

The airport has been undergoing renovations and upgrades, and most major facilities and amenities are offered here including ATMs, postal services, banks and money changing as well as several lounges.

Transport to the city centre is available on the Aerobus line 91, with services departing every 20 minutes, while city bus lines 5, 8, 22, 44, 45 and 83 offer alternative services. Taxis are also readily available, although travellers should note that an extra charge applies for each item of luggage. The airport also sells vouchers for taxis, which are good for anywhere in Lisbon and are inclusive of the luggage charge.  Vouchers may cost slightly more than if you bargain hard for your fare, but they can be a wise purchase in light of a rise in dishonest taxi drivers.

Lisbon Airport

Portela International Airport is a major continental hub and one of the largest airports in southern Europe, handling 10 million passengers and 81,000 tonnes of cargo annually. The airport itself is situated within the city, just seven kilometres north of the urban centre. Two national carriers utilise Portela Airport as their hub: TAP Portugal and Portugalia. In addition, the airport services flights with several major carriers such as British Airways, Lufthansa, Alitalia and Air France.

The airport is a single-terminal facility, split into domestic and international areas. The airport has been undergoing major renovations and expansions, and now has good amenities and facilities such as ATMs, banking services, money changers, duty-free and retail shopping, dining options and car rental outlets. The airport also offers six business stations including those offered by airlines, which feature fax and internet services as well as telephones, computers and photocopiers.

Lisbon airport transportation

Ground transportation from Portela Airport is plentiful and the ride into the city centre is short. An Aerobus shuttle departs every 20 minutes and several public bus lines offer service to all sectors of Lisbon.

Taxi service is available outside the terminal, from the taxi rank. However, we recommend you use taxis that have their rates posted. Extra charges are applied for luggage. Taxi vouchers are available from inside the airport that will cover the fare plus luggage on any taxi trip within Lisbon. The charge of the voucher may be higher than a regular fare, but will deflect the chances of having to deal with an unscrupulous driver.

Car hire is also available from within the terminal, with many major car rental companies operating booths.