In a nutshell
- Flying into Lisbon? You’ll land at Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) — and from there you have several solid options to reach downtown.
- Our top pick is the metro — it’s fast, cheap, and super easy to use. If you want door-to-door convenience, a private transfer from Lisbon Airport is the way to go.
- We break down all your options — with prices, travel times, and our real experiences — so you can pick what works best for you.
Transfer Overview: From Lisbon Airport to the City Center
You have these options for getting from Lisbon Airport to downtown:
| Price | Duration | |
|---|---|---|
| Metro | 1.90 € | 30 min |
| Private Transfer | Approx. 25 € | 20 min |
| Taxi | Approx. 20 € | 20 min |
| Uber | Approx. 14 € | 20 min |
Our Top Pick: Take the Metro from Lisbon Airport
- Price: €1.80
- Travel time: About 30 minutes
- Operating hours: 6:30 AM – 1:00 AM
- Frequency: Approximately every 10 minutes
If you’re not hauling a ton of luggage, the metro is absolutely the way to go. The metro station is right next to Terminal 1 and is well-signposted throughout the airport building.
Once you’re at the station, just hold your credit card up to the reader and you’re in — the single fare of €1.90 is automatically deducted. Easy.
From there, take the red line toward São Sebastião — it’s the only line serving Lisbon Airport. You’ll need to transfer once to reach the city center.
Info: If you plan to use the metro frequently during your Lisbon city trip, pick up a Navegante Card with credit loaded on it. We cover everything you need to know in our guide to public transportation in Lisbon.
Either transfer at Alameda station onto the green line toward Cais do Sodré, or at São Sebastião onto the blue line toward Santo Apolónia.
Private Airport Transfer from Lisbon Airport
- Price: Around €25
- Travel time: 20 minutes
Traveling with lots of luggage or coming as a group? A private airport transfer is your best bet. Your driver will be waiting for you at arrivals and takes you straight to your hotel in Lisbon — no fussing with tickets or connections.
Book a private airport transfer in Lisbon
Getting to the City Center by Taxi or Uber
- Price: €12–20
- Travel time: About 20 minutes
Taxis and Uber are both popular ways to get into the city and reach all the top attractions Lisbon has to offer.
We prefer Uber over taxis every time. Through the app, the ride runs about €14, and since you pay in-app, you’re protected from being overcharged.
If you do take a taxi, budget around €15–20 — and always make sure the meter is running. Lisbon taxi drivers are known to charge inflated flat rates if you don’t ask.
Extra Tip: How to Get from Terminal to Terminal
Lisbon Airport has two terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
Terminal 1 is the main terminal and handles the majority of flights. Terminal 2 is a bit further out and is used mainly by budget airlines.
The two terminals are connected by free shuttles called Aerobuses, which run every 12 minutes from the departure areas.
Note: Aerobuses used to run between the airport and Lisbon’s city center too, but that service has been discontinued.
Our Experiences at Lisbon Airport
We’ve been through Lisbon Airport many times — here’s a quick rundown of what to expect.
Our Experiences Arriving in Lisbon
We’ve always arrived at Terminal 1, and from the arrivals hall it’s genuinely just a two-minute walk to the metro station.
Since only one metro line runs from there, the station is super easy to navigate — everything is clearly marked and simple to find.
Our Experiences Departing from Lisbon
On the way back, we’ve used both Uber and the metro to get to the airport.
We went with Uber once because of an early morning flight. In the app, you can specify exactly which terminal you need, and the driver drops you right there — really convenient.
With the metro, you always arrive at Terminal 1. If you need Terminal 2, just hop on the free Aerobus to get across.
We usually showed up at the airport two hours before departure, and that was always plenty of time — though we were only traveling with carry-on luggage.
To find your gates, follow the signs on the ceiling (Portas de embarque in Portuguese). Security has always moved quickly in our experience.
Extra tip: If you ever experience a flight delay, our article on flight delay compensation gives you tips on how to get your money back.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lisbon Airport
Does Lisbon have two airports?
No — Humberto Delgado Airport is the only major passenger airport serving Lisbon.
How long does it take to get from Lisbon Airport to the city center?
Around 20–30 minutes, depending on which mode of transport you choose.
How far is Lisbon Airport from the city center?
About 7 kilometers.
