One of the first things you’ll notice as you approach Lisbon is our chaotic traffic and driving skills. However, unlike most European cities, the madness calms down as soon as you are in the historic downtown, where pedestrians rule in the wide car-free avenues and public squares. You will find that traffic politely stops at crosswalks without signals, and beeping horns are rare. We have a clean and safe transit system with onboard surveillance cameras and many stops post up-to-date bus and metro wait times electronically. Our historic trolleys and elevators create a charming way to reach the hilltops, where sidewalk and cafe culture are alive and flourishing away from heavy traffic.
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portela airport to lisbon transportation, 5-easy options
The Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS) is located five miles (7km) from the city center. To go to and from the airport, you have 5 options listed below. Private vehicles and shuttles can also be reserved, but they are not necessary unless you are traveling with a large group or want the luxury of a driver meeting you outside of the customs gate. Please contact us if you prefer a private shuttle service.
1. AmiRoad Transfers in a Luxury Vehicle: Private transfers will have a driver waiting for guests as they exit the customs gate with a sign that has their last name on it. A private transfer appointment should only be made with trusted companies with a proven track record. Our preferred private luxury transfer service is AmiRoad. Use our Customer code, "025," and André Costa, Lisbon Explorer's Account Manager at Private Lane, will respond quickly to your request.
Email: amiroad@amiroad.pt, or phone: +351 910 364 511 (also available on WhatsApp)
2. Underground Metro: The Metro Red Line connects the airport to the rest of the city. Our metro is very clean and safe with security cameras and little graffiti. The airport metro is outside the Departing Flights terminal. Just turn right when you step outside and walk along the sidewalk to the end of the terminal. There are elevators and escalators to easily move you up and down the various platforms along your journey. The Red (Vermelho) Line ends at the São Sebastião station in about 20 minutes. From there, you can easily connect to the Blue (Azul) and Green (Verde) Lines to reach most points in Lisbon. There are English-speaking station attendants at ticket windows between 8:00am and 7:00pm, and English-language kiosks so you can easily buy a one-way pass, a multi-day transit pass, or a multi-day pass during hours of operation. (Metro hours: 6:30am to 1:00am). Click here to download and print a Lisbon city Metro map here.
3. Taxis: You can be downtown at a hotel within 15 minutes. The price is generally between €15 and €20, and a gratuity of about 20 percent is acceptable. The taxi stand is easily found outside the departures and arrivals doors, and there is a very organized line that usually takes no more than 5 minutes. Remember to write the name and address of your hotel on a piece of paper in case the driver doesn’t speak English. Many taxis today have a GPS on board to help drivers avoid getting lost, and always ask for a receipt, as this will help prevent the driver from trying to gouge the price.
5. AeroBus: You can buy Aerobus tickets for Lisbon online or at the airport. Options include one-way, round-trip, and 48-hour passes, with different prices for adults and children. Online tickets are often discounted, and tickets can be purchased from the bus driver.
Ticket types and prices (as of November 2025)
One-way: €4.00 for adults, €2.00 for children (4-10 years old).
Round-trip: €6.00 for adults, €3.00 for children (4-10 years old). This is valid for two 24-hour periods.
48-hour pass: €8.00 for adults, €4.00 for children (4-10 years old).
Where to buy
Online: You can get discounted prices by buying online in advance.
At the airport: Tickets can be purchased from the bus driver or at designated ticket kiosks.
In the city: You can also exchange a voucher for a ticket at points in the city, such as Praça do Comércio.
Additional information
Online discounts: Booking online can result in a discount, for example, €3.60 for a one-way ticket and €5.40 for a return ticket.
Luggage storage: Aerobus has ample luggage storage space onboard.
Amenities: Buses offer free Wi-Fi and USB charging ports.
Service frequency: The Aerobus runs every 20 minutes during its operating hours (08:00-21:00).
Routes: There are two routes (lines 1 & 2) with various drop-off locations in different parts of the cit
Click here for a simple map of the AeroBus service.
City Buses: Don’t attempt to take a local city bus from the airport with luggage, unless you have a really small carry-on bag. The drivers will not allow you to board if they think your bag is too large. City buses are also operated by Carris and can be found near the AeroBus stop. You can pay the driver directly with cash Euros.
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cruise ship docks in lisbon:
Reaching downtown Lisbon from the cruise ship docks is quick, easy. Use Uber, taxis or a private luxury shuttle mentioned above. Here is a link to more information n teh Port of Lisbon website: https://www.portodelisboa.pt/en/terminal-de-cruzeiros-de-lisboa
Below are the names of the main cruiseship docks in Lisbon. Check with your cruise line to findout which dock your ship will use.
Lisbon Cruise Terminal (Also called the Santa Apolónia Cruise Terminal, or Jardim do Tabaco)
Santa Apolónia Cruise Terminal
Gare Marítima da Rocha Conde de Óbidos
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lisbon city public transportation in 3-easy steps!
Lisbon is a city where you can relax about using public transportation. Purchase one card, and you will have access to every bus, tram, trolley, metro and elevator in Lisbon for 24-hours.
1. where to buy metro and bus passes:
Transportation cards can be purchased at most metro stations, including the airport, tobacco shops around town.
2. which metro or bus pass:
Prices for Lisbon public transport vary depending on the type of ticket and card, but single journeys typically range from about €1.85 (Carris/Metro) to €3.10 (Tram). A 24-hour pass costs about €6.40–€7.00, while monthly Navegante passes cost €30 (municipal) to €40 (metropolitan). For a flexible option, the "Zapping" system allows you to load money onto a card for cheaper per-journey fares. Buy here: https://www.metrolisboa.pt/en/buy/
3. Touch your card on the validation sensor
The timer on the card is activated the first time you board city transport and place it on a validation sensor. A green light will appear on the validator, indicating a successful capture of your card information. You must place your card on the validator every time you board public transit. The 7-Colinas and Viva Viagem cards can be recharged after their time has expired, and this will save you the €0.50 fee for a new card.
Navegante Card
Bus validator
Ticket Kiosk
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online transit help!
The websites below will easily help you plan your commute through Lisbon and Portugal.
GoogleMaps is remarkably up-to-date with all modes of Lisbon’s public transportation. You can plan an entire jaunt through Lisbon using GoogleMaps showing transit times, dates, routes, street level images and a variety of other options. maps.google.pt.
Carris- Lisbon’s public transit website in English, contains everything you need to know about getting around the city by bus and the underground metro. They even have downloadable maps, but for routes and directions GoogleMaps is still a better option.
CP- Portugal’s train service website in English. View time tables, prices, special offers, maps, and purchase tickets online. Fast and easy to use, but tickets can also be purchased directly at the train station. All ticket widows and info desks personnel speak English.
SAVE MONEY! Lisboa Card is a smart-chip card offering cardholders free public transport as well as access to the city’s rich cultural heritage and other attractions. With that taken care of, all you have to do is have fun discovering Lisbon!! Prices start at €16.00
4. Uber: The SmartPhone car service app in your home country will work here in Portugal. You can download the app first and make sure that it works correctly before you arrive. You will also need to arrange an International mobile data plan with your phone service provider. This way, you can avoid costly roaming fees when using your phone apps abroad. The Uber drivers cannot meet you at a taxi stand. However, there are other places curbside where they can meet you. The price is about the same as a taxi, and the cars are clean and modern. Many visitors are now using Uber instead of public transit.
Metro turnstile validator
