Welcome / Lisbon / Airport to City

Getting from Lisbon Airport to the City of Lisbon

Nadia Anagnostopoulou

September 22, 2023

Lisbon, Portugal’s captivating capital, offers a stunning blend of timeless charm and contemporary vibrancy. Here, you’ll find historic treasures like the Alfama district and São Jorge Castle – both a testament to the city’s rich heritage, while the bustling Baixa neighbourhood adds a modern touch.

There are three modes of transportation available from Lisbon Airport (LIS), also called Humberto Delgado Airport, to the city centre of Lisbon: taxi, metro and bus. The most convenient method to get to the city is by an airport taxi or private transfer. A regular taxi ride will cost a minimum of €12.50 in the daytime and €15 at nighttime, and it will take approximately 20 minutes to reach the centre. The combination of bus lines 722 and 767 will cost €1.65 per traveller and will get you to your destination in 40 minutes at best (not including wait times), while the metro will only set you back €1.65 for a 35-minute journey.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Lisbon at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi Learn more

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups	€26	20min	24/7	Book
Book
Taxi	€12.50	20min	24/7
Metro	€4.10	20min	06:30–01:00
Bus	€3.30	40min	06:26–20:56

How to get from Lisbon Airport to city centre by taxi

The most convenient way to reach Lisbon’s downtown area is by taking a taxi. Local taxis may be cream-coloured, or black with a green roof. Since Humberto Delgado Airport is busy more often than not, you may have to wait in line for a while to get a taxi. Without heavy traffic, the ride from Lisbon Airport to the city takes approximately 20 minutes.

Taxi fare from Lisbon Airport to Lisbon city centre

There is no flat fee for the taxi transfer from Lisbon Airport to the city of Lisbon. Therefore, your taxi’s cost will be determined by a taximeter depending on the time of the day and the distance travelled.

The minimum estimated cost of the journey amounts to €12.50 for day trips and €15 for evening and early-morning trips (21:00-06:00). Extra costs for things like luggage, pets and waiting in traffic may also apply.

To secure a competitive set fare that won’t change, you can consider pre-booking your door-to-door transfer from Lisbon Airport to the city centre with Welcome Pickups.

Photos (4)

Taxis at Lisbon airport

Cost

From €12.50

Trip Duration

20 Min.

*Fares may vary unless you book in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available at Humberto Delgado Airport 24/7.

Where do I get a taxi from?

The official airport taxis can be found lined up just outside of Terminal 1. You can use the airport’s free shuttle bus to get there if you happen to land at Terminal 2.

Convenience

Taxis are much more convenient than the other transfer options from Lisbon Airport to Lisbon City since they can take you straight to the door of your hotel or apartment. In addition, they run 24/7 and the local fares aren’t at all expensive, so taxis certainly serve as an excellent mode of transportation, even for solo travellers who value convenience and comfort.

Editor’s Note

The waiting time for an available taxi at Arrivals can be very long since Humberto Delgado Airport is usually very busy. You can always pre-book your trip to secure a prompt ride or use the escalators to get to the departure floor, to try your luck for an available cab there.

Useful Tips

Taxis in Lisbon can fit up to 4 people with 3 pieces of luggage.

Never accept taxi services from random individuals inside or outside the airport premises. Just head to the official taxi rank.

Most of the Lisbon taxi drivers know at least basic English, however, it is recommended to have the details of your destination written down.

How to get from Lisbon Airport to city centre by metro

You can easily get from Lisbon Airport to the city centre by metro. It is a fast and cheap way to get around, and it’s definitely worth seeing Lisbon’s famous metro stations, each with its own theme and decor. The ‘Aeroporto – Saldanha’ line takes you directly to the centre in 20 minutes.

How much is the metro from Lisbon Airport to city centre?

The first time you use the Lisbon Metro system you will have to buy a re-loadable Viva Viagem card for €0.50 which you can use throughout the public transport network of Lisbon during your stay.

For your trip from the airport to the city, you’ll need to top the card up, the one-way metro fare is just €1.65 and is valid for an unlimited number of journeys for 60 minutes, while a 24-hour pass costs €6.30.

All in all, taking the metro from Lisbon Airport to the city will cost you €2.05, making it a fantastic budget alternative.

*The ‘occasional trip’ Viva Viagem metro passes, as well as the re-loadable cards, can be purchased from a ticket counter and the automated ticket machines at the airport.

Photos (5)

Lisbon Airport Metro

Cost

€2.05