Lisbon Airport to City Center: All Transfer Options Compared (2026)

Getting from Lisbon Airport to the city center is a short hop — Humberto Delgado Airport sits about 7 km from central Lisbon, with the metro, taxis and ride apps all waiting outside Terminal 1. How long it takes depends on where you’re staying and the traffic. But easy doesn’t mean obvious. The right choice depends on luggage, your hotel’s neighbourhood, the time of day, whether you have kids, and how much friction you’re willing to accept with public transit.

Before you pick a transfer, check which terminal you are actually flying from — the metro station serves Terminal 1, and Terminal 2 is linked to it by a free shuttle bus. Our Lisbon Airport guide covers the terminals, the shuttle and the arrivals hall.

Arriving before check-in or flying out late? You do not have to carry the case around all day. Our Lisbon luggage storage guide covers the Terminal 1 lockers and the cheaper city options.

This guide breaks down every option — metro, taxi, Uber/Bolt, bus, private transfer, and rental car — with current 2026 prices, journey times, and clear recommendations by traveller type. The AeroBus, which used to be the obvious answer, no longer runs; we’ll cover what to do instead. Updated for 2026.

The Quick Answer

For most travelers, the Metro red line is the right choice. €1.90, no traffic, about 20 minutes to Saldanha (longer where you change lines), and the airport station connects directly to Terminal 1.

Use a taxi or Uber/Bolt if you’re traveling with two or more big suitcases, arriving with kids, staying at a hotel away from the metro line (Alfama, parts of Bairro Alto), arriving after 1 AM when the metro closes, or simply want door-to-door service. Expect €10–€18 by taxi or app, with the journey time depending on traffic.

Skip the bus unless you have minimal luggage and your hotel is directly on the route; with the AeroBus discontinued, regular city bus 744 is functional but slow.

Lisbon Airport (LIS) Quick Facts

Humberto Delgado Airport (also called Lisbon Portela Airport, IATA code LIS) is Portugal’s main international airport. It sits inside the city limits, about 7 km from the city center. Two terminals:

• Terminal 1 — The main terminal, with the metro station; departures for every airline not listed at Terminal 2.
• Terminal 2 — Departures for Eurowings, Norwegian, Ryanair, Transavia, Volotea, Vueling and Wizz Air. Connected to T1 by a free shuttle bus; the airport’s Terminal 2 page has the current timetable.

All transport options below leave from Terminal 1, so if you land at Terminal 2, take the free shuttle across first.

Option 1: Metro (Best for Budget and Reliability)

Cost: €1.90 per trip (single-zone ticket; €0.50 reusable Navegante occasional card required first time, total €2.40)
Time to city center: 20–35 minutes depending on destination
Hours: 6:30 AM – 1:00 AM daily
Best for: Solo travelers, couples with carry-on luggage, budget-conscious travelers, anyone whose hotel is near a metro station

The airport’s metro station, Aeroporto, is on the Red Line (Linha Vermelha) and sits directly under Terminal 1. Follow signs from baggage claim. If you need step-free access, check the live line and lift status on Metro Lisboa’s site before you set off.

How to Use the Metro From the Airport

1. Buy a Navegante occasional card. The card costs €0.50 and is reusable. Top it up with a single ride (€1.90), a 24-hour pass (€7.25, includes buses and trams), or “zapping” credit (€1.72 a trip). Vending machines are at the airport metro entrance with English menus.

2. Tap in at the gates. Hold your card to the yellow reader. Wait for the green light, push through.

3. Take the Red Line toward São Sebastião. Frequencies change with the time and day, and Metro Lisboa publishes the timetable for each line. The airport is the eastern terminus of the Red Line.

4. Transfer if needed for your destination.

• For Baixa, Chiado, Cais do Sodré: Take Red Line to Alameda (9 stops). Transfer to the Green Line toward Cais do Sodré. Get off at Baixa-Chiado for Baixa or Chiado, or continue to Cais do Sodré. Allow extra time for the change of line.
• For Avenida da Liberdade, Marquês de Pombal: Take Red Line to São Sebastião (11 stops, the end of the line). Transfer to Blue Line toward Santa Apolónia. Get off at Marquês de Pombal or Avenida, leaving time for the walk between platforms.
• For Saldanha: No transfer needed — stay on the Red Line. Saldanha is about 20 minutes from the airport.
• For Areeiro, Roma: Take the Red Line to Alameda and change to the Green Line, which serves both stations.
• For Belém: Red Line to Alameda, Green Line to Cais do Sodré, then a Cascais-line train that stops at Belém, about 8 minutes on. Trains run about every 20 minutes through much of the day, so allow for waits as well as two changes.
• For Alfama: Red Line to Alameda, transfer to Green Line, get off at Martim Moniz, then walk uphill or take Tram 28. Alfama is hilly — see taxi/Uber section if you have luggage.

Metro Pros and Cons

Pros: €1.90 a ride, far below a taxi. Reliable, frequent, traffic-free, climate-controlled. Strollers and wheelchairs can use it, though it’s worth checking Metro Lisboa’s lift status before you travel.

Cons: Requires lugging suitcases up and down at some transfer stations (most have escalators or elevators, but not all are reliable). Trains can be crowded when commuters are travelling. Last train at 1:00 AM.

Option 2: Taxi (Best for Door-to-Door Convenience)

Cost: €10–€18 to most central neighbourhoods
Time to city center: Depends on traffic
Hours: 24/7
Best for: Travelers with multiple suitcases, families, late arrivals, anyone whose hotel isn’t near metro

Lisbon’s airport taxis are metered, generally honest, and plentiful. The official taxi rank is at the arrivals exit on the ground floor of Terminal 1. Avoid anyone soliciting taxi rides inside the terminal; always use the official rank.

Typical Taxi Fares to Major Lisbon Neighbourhoods

Taxi Tips

Always make sure the meter is running. Lisbon taxis are metered, and Portugal’s taxi tariff is being reformed in 2026, so go by the fare on the meter rather than an old rate card. If the meter isn’t on, ask: “ligue o taxímetro, por favor.”

Ask about luggage charges. Supplements are among the things the 2026 tariff reform changes, so check what the driver adds and ask for a receipt.

Card payments are increasingly accepted but not universal. Keep €25–€30 in cash as backup.

Taxis can use bus lanes, a help when the roads into the centre are busy.

Tipping: Round up to the nearest euro or add 5 percent. Not required, always appreciated.

Option 3: Uber and Bolt (App-Based Rides)

Cost: €8–€18 typically, with surge pricing during peak hours and major flight arrivals
Time to city center: Same as taxi, depending on traffic
Hours: 24/7
Best for: Travelers who prefer app-based pricing, English-speaking drivers, easier card payment

Uber and Bolt both pick up at Lisbon airport, as an alternative to the metro and Carris buses. Bolt is an Estonian company with a Portuguese operation. Compare the quotes in both apps before you book; either works fine.

How to Catch an Uber or Bolt

The dedicated rideshare pickup zone is on Floor 2 of Parking P2, on the arrivals level. Head for the pickup point shown in your app. This is not the same as the taxi rank.

The walk includes a covered bridge between the terminal and the parking structure, so weather isn’t a problem.

Pros and Cons vs Taxi

Uber/Bolt pros: A price quote before you book (read the app’s conditions, as it can change), and payment through the app.

Uber/Bolt cons: Availability at the airport varies, so check the live wait time in the app. Surge pricing during peak hours can push fares above taxi prices. The pickup zone is in car park P2 rather than at the terminal door.

If app pickup wait times are showing 10+ minutes, walk to the taxi rank — you’ll be in a car faster.

Option 4: City Bus 744 (Cheapest, Slowest)

Cost: €2.30 bought on board (€1.90 with a Carris/Metro single on a reusable card)
Time to city center: slower than the metro, and traffic decides
Hours: departure times are on Carris’s 744 route page
Best for: Backpackers with very little luggage, budget travelers in no hurry

Carris bus 744 connects the airport to Marquês de Pombal and Restauradores via Avenida da República and Avenida da Liberdade. It’s a regular city bus — no luggage rack, just standard floor space — so it only works if you have a single small bag.

Other bus lines through the airport: 705 (Oriente to Roma-Areeiro), 783 (Prior Velho to Amoreiras via Saldanha), and night bus 208 (Cais do Sodré to Oriente; Carris lists its times at the airport stop).

For most travelers, the metro is faster, more reliable, and the same price. The bus only wins if you’re staying directly on the route.

Option 5: Private Transfer (Best for Groups, Hassle-Free)

Cost: €25–€60 depending on vehicle size
Time to city center: Same as taxi
Best for: Groups of 4+, families with multiple suitcases, business travelers, anyone wanting a meet-and-greet at arrivals

Private transfer companies (Welcome Pickups, Daytrip, Suntransfers, GetTransfer) send a driver who waits at arrivals with a name sign. Pre-paid, fixed-price, includes meet-and-greet.

Standard sedan: €25–€35. Larger vehicles for groups: €40–€60. Some operators include child seats at no extra cost. Worth it for groups of 4+ where the cost per head becomes comparable to metro tickets, for late-night arrivals, or for the first day of business trips.

Option 6: Rental Car (Generally Not Recommended)

Rental companies, Enterprise among them, operate at Lisbon airport; your booking confirmation gives the collection point.

That said, renting a car for a Lisbon city trip is almost never the right call. Central Lisbon has reduced-emissions zones (ZER) that restrict vehicles by emissions standard, parking is scarce and expensive (check a garage’s tariff before you leave the car), and the city is compact enough that walking, metro, tram, and the occasional taxi handle every itinerary.

Rent a car only if you’re using Lisbon as a base for extended trips to the Algarve, Évora, or the Alentejo — and even then, consider renting the day you actually leave the city. For a pure city trip, skip it entirely.

Comparison: Which Option Is Best for You?

Step-by-Step: From Plane to Hotel

Arrival in Terminal 1

Walk from your gate to the exit, through passport control if you’re flying in from outside Schengen. Border queues vary a lot, so don’t book anything tightly within 90 minutes of landing.

Baggage Claim

Free luggage carts are available; ATMs and currency exchange are nearby. The currency exchange rates are poor — wait until the city for cash, and see our Lisbon money and currency guide for which ATMs to use.

Customs and Exit

Walk through the green “Nothing to Declare” channel unless you’re carrying restricted items. You’ll exit into the Arrivals Hall.

Choosing Your Transport

For metro: Turn left out of Arrivals, follow the “Metro” signs to the station under Terminal 1.

For taxi: Follow the signs from Arrivals to the taxi rank at the terminal exit.

For Uber/Bolt: Make your way to car park P2, Floor 2, on the arrivals level. Order your ride only after reaching the pickup zone.

For private transfer: Look for your driver with a sign in the Arrivals Hall.

Returning to the Airport: Same Options, Few Notes

The same six options work in reverse, with a few things to know:

Metro: Work back from your airline’s advice on how early to arrive, then add the metro ride from your hotel, with time for any change of line. Top up your Navegante card before boarding (€1.90 single ride).

Taxi: The hotel desk can call one. Avenida da Liberdade taxis can also be flagged on the street. Check a live route estimate before you leave and add a margin for traffic, on top of your airline’s check-in deadline.

Uber/Bolt: Demand can push the quote up at any time of day. If the app shows €25+ for a fare that should be €15, wait 15 minutes or switch to a taxi.

Private transfer: Book the day before. Morning slots fill up fast.

For the full breakdown of getting around Lisbon once you arrive, see our Lisbon Transportation Guide, our Lisbon Metro Guide, and our guide to Lisbon’s iconic trams.

Money-Saving Tips

Use the same Navegante card for the whole trip. The €0.50 card stays reloadable for a year. Top it up with day passes (€7.25) for unlimited metro, bus, and tram for 24 hours from first use.

Lisboa Card includes free metro from the airport. If you’ve bought a Lisboa Card online, it activates on first use and covers unlimited metro, Carris buses and trams, and CP trains on the Sintra and Cascais lines, plus free entry to 50+ museums and monuments. Whether that maths works for your trip is the subject of our Lisboa Card breakdown.

Avoid airport currency exchange. Compare its rate and fees with what a bank ATM charges; Multibanco machines are everywhere in central Lisbon.

Buy a Portuguese SIM in the city, not the airport. Vodafone and MEO kiosks at the airport are convenient, but compare the same plan in a city store first. Airport SIMs: €15–€25 for a 30-day data plan; city stores: €10–€15.

FAQ

What is the cheapest way to get from Lisbon Airport to the city center?

The metro costs €1.90 with a single ticket, or €1.72 with Zapping credit, plus €0.50 for the card the first time. Bus 744 is €1.90 on the same ticket (€2.30 bought on board) but significantly slower.

How long does it take to get from Lisbon Airport to the city center?

About 20 minutes by metro to Saldanha, and longer to stations that need a change of line, such as Baixa-Chiado. Taxi, Uber and bus times depend on where you’re going and the traffic.

Is the AeroBus still running in Lisbon?

No. The AeroBus airport shuttle no longer runs. Use the metro red line, a taxi, Uber, Bolt, or private transfer instead.

Does Lisbon airport have a metro station?

Yes — the Aeroporto station is the eastern terminus of the Red Line (Linha Vermelha), connected directly to Terminal 1 and signposted from baggage claim.

Is Uber or Bolt cheaper than a taxi in Lisbon?

Usually slightly cheaper at off-peak times, but surge pricing during peak hours and major flight arrivals can push fares above taxi rates. Taxis can also use bus lanes, which sometimes makes them faster.

Can I use a credit card in Lisbon taxis?

Increasingly yes, but not universal. Confirm before starting the ride. Keep €25–€30 in euro cash as backup.

Is the metro safe at night from Lisbon Airport?

Yes, generally — the metro is well-staffed, well-lit, and monitored. Last train around 1:00 AM. After that, take a taxi or Uber/Bolt.

How do I get from Lisbon Airport to Belém?

Cheapest: metro red line to Alameda, green line to Cais do Sodré, then a Cascais-line train that stops at Belém (about 8 minutes). Total ~€3.30, allowing for two changes. Easier: direct taxi/Uber for €18–€25, ~30 minutes.

How do I get from Lisbon Airport to Sintra?

Metro red line to Alameda, transfer to the green line for Rossio station, then take the Sintra suburban train (about 40 minutes). You pay €1.90 for the metro plus the CP fare to Sintra, which cp.pt lists. Or rent a car at the airport for ~€35/day if you plan to explore the broader region.

Bottom Line

For most travelers, the Lisbon Metro red line is the right call — €1.90, no traffic, and about 20 minutes to Saldanha. Take a taxi or Uber/Bolt if you have heavy luggage, kids, an Alfama hotel, or arrive after 1 AM. Skip the bus unless you’re traveling light and your hotel is on the route.

Once you’re in town, our complete Lisbon transportation guide, Lisbon metro guide, trams guide, and funiculars and elevators guide cover everything for getting around the city.

Photo Credits

Lisbon Airport and its metro entrance: Aeroporto Internacional de Lisboa – Portugal (52379968416) by Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

A train at Aeroporto metro station: Aeroporto Metro (red line) in 2020.01 by CAPTAIN RAJU, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.