Lisbon Airport (LIS) is one of the few major European airports that’s inside the city, so you can often reach central Lisbon quickly and cheaply—if you choose the right terminal and the right transport option. This guide is built for real trips: Terminal 1 vs Terminal 2, the free terminal shuttle, Metro line + transfers, 2026 ticket prices, bus luggage rules, and the simplest routes to Baixa, Alfama, Oriente, Rossio, and Cais do Sodré.

✅ Lisbon Airport at a glance (what travelers need first)

📍 Location & time to the center
Lisbon Airport is close to the city, and the airport itself says it’s about 20 minutes to downtown by Metro on the “Aeroporto – Saldanha” line.

🧭 Two terminals (important!)
Lisbon Airport has Terminal 1 (main) and Terminal 2 (departures-only for specific airlines). Terminal 2 is used by a list of airlines (including several low-cost carriers) and is closed between 00:30 and 03:30.

🛫 Terminal 1 vs Terminal 2 (don’t waste time)

🏢 Terminal 1 (T1)

Best for: ✈️ Arrivals, most services, easiest access to 🚇 Metro / 🚖 Taxi / 🚘 Car rental

T1 is where you’ll find the most infrastructure and the smoothest “arrive → transport” workflow.

🏷️ Terminal 2 (T2)

Best for: ✈️ Departures on specific airlines (check your ticket!)

Lisbon Airport states Terminal 2 is exclusively for departures of certain airlines and repeats that your ticket should indicate whether you depart from T2.

⏱️ Key detail: Terminal 2 is closed 00:30–03:30.

🚌 Free shuttle between terminals (official schedule)

If you need to go from T1 to T2 (or back):

  • 🚌 Free shuttle operates from 03:30 to 00:30 (next day)
  • 🔁 Every 12 minutes
  • ⏱️ Trip takes ~3 minutes
  • 📍 Departs from the Departures area of each terminal

⚠️ Practical rule: If your flight departs from T2 early morning, ensure you’re at T1 in time for the first shuttle at 03:30.

✈️ Airport Connections (LIS): fastest ways to get where you’re going

Below are the most useful connections—written the way you actually travel: what to take, where to transfer, and what it costs.

🚇 Metro from Lisbon Airport (the default “best” option)

✅ Why Metro is #1 for most visitors

Lisbon Airport confirms there is a Metro station at the airport with a direct connection and states the “Aeroporto – Saldanha” line takes you to downtown in about 20 minutes.

⏰ Metro operating hours

Lisbon Metro states it operates 06:30 to 01:00 daily (under normal conditions).

🗺️ The airport is on the 🔴 Red Line

On the official network diagram, Aeroporto is on the Red Line (Linha Vermelha).

💳 Tickets & prices (official 2026 fares)

🎟️ What you must buy first

The airport states you must purchase the navegante electronic travel card for €0.50, then load it with tickets or balance.

💶 2026 ticket prices (Metro/Carris)

Lisbon Metro’s official 2026 fare notice lists:

  • 🎫 Carris/Metro ticket: €1.90
  • 💳 Zapping: €1.72
  • 💳 Bank card: €1.92

⏱️ Validity rules (important)

Lisbon Metro’s “Buy” page states the €1.90 Carris/Metro ticket is valid for 60 minutes after first validation and cannot be used for consecutive journeys on the Metro.

🚇 Airport → City Center routes (simple + fast)

Use the official network diagram for the line logic and transfer points.

🟢 Airport → Baixa-Chiado (historic center)

  • 🔴 Red Line from Aeroporto
  • 🔁 Transfer at Alameda to 🟢 Green Line
  • Continue to Baixa-Chiado

🔵 Airport → Santa Apolónia (Alfama / cruise-area access)

  • 🔴 Red Line from Aeroporto
  • 🔁 Transfer at São Sebastião to 🔵 Blue Line
  • Continue to Santa Apolónia

🟢 Airport → Cais do Sodré (Cascais trains + riverfront)

  • 🔴 Red → 🔁 Alameda → 🟢 Green → Cais do Sodré

🏙️ Airport → Saldanha (business center / hotels)

Lisbon Airport highlights the direct Aeroporto – Saldanha connection.

🚆 Airport → Train stations (Oriente, Rossio, Cais do Sodré)

🚉 Airport → Oriente (Gare do Oriente) — easiest rail hub

Lisbon Airport explicitly says Gare do Oriente is the main train station in Lisbon, about 10 minutes away by Metro (a bit longer by bus).

Best route: 🔴 Red Line → Oriente

🚉 Airport → Rossio area (Sintra day trips)

  • Metro to Rossio (Green Line station) as shown on the network diagram, then walk to Rossio train station area.

🚉 Airport → Cais do Sodré (Cascais line)

  • Metro to Cais do Sodré (Green Line terminus).

🚌 Buses from Lisbon Airport (plus luggage rule)

Lisbon Airport states there are city and intercity buses near the arrivals terminal and warns:
Only luggage up to 50×40×20 cm is allowed on city buses.

🚌 City buses (Carris)

The airport points you to the Carris network for urban transport.

🚌 Intercity buses (FlixBus)

The airport also notes FlixBus connections between airports and other destinations.

🧭 Useful connection: Airport → Oriente by bus

The airport lists:

  • 🚌 Buses: 208, 705, 744
  • 🚇 Metro station: Oriente

✅ When buses make sense: daytime, light luggage, you want a cheaper above-ground ride.
⚠️ When to avoid: big suitcases (size rule), rush hour traffic.

🚖 Taxi from Lisbon Airport (official guidance + typical cost)

Lisbon Airport states:

  • Taxis normally queue outside the departures and arrivals terminals
  • The trip to the city center is usually quick and typically costs €10–€15 (including luggage fees) depending on traffic
  • Make sure the meter is on and ask for a receipt/invoice

✅ Taxi is best when: 🧳 heavy luggage, late night (after Metro closes), traveling with kids, or you want door-to-door without transfers.
⚠️ Safety tip (official): the airport warns passenger transport should be contracted on site or via app and NEVER by approaching in the terminal.

🚗 Bolt / Uber (TVDE) — pickup location you must know

Lisbon Airport states:

  • 🚗 Pickup for Bolt/Uber (online reservation platforms) is at P2, Level 2, arrivals level
  • 🚗 Drop-off at departures is Drop Off 1 or Drop Off 2 next to the departures area

✅ Best for: price transparency + in-app route tracking.
⚠️ Avoid: anyone inside the terminal offering “rides” directly (airport explicitly says not to do this).

🚘 Car rental at Lisbon Airport (who’s in the terminal)

Lisbon Airport lists the following car rental companies located in the terminal:
Avis, Europcar, Goldcar, Guerin, Hertz, Sixt.

✅ Best for: day trips beyond Lisbon (Sintra coast drives, Alentejo, Algarve).
⚠️ Note: Lisbon central driving/parking can be stressful; many travelers rent only when leaving the city.

🧠 Smart travel tips (the stuff that saves your trip)

🕒 If you’re departing from Terminal 2

  • T2 is closed 00:30–03:30
  • Shuttle runs 03:30–00:30, every 12 minutes, ~3 minutes ride
    ✅ Plan to be at Terminal 1 early enough to catch the shuttle.

🧳 If you have large luggage

  • Avoid city buses (size limit)
  • Use Metro (manageable), taxi, or Bolt/Uber pickup P2 Level 2

⏰ If you land late

  • Metro closes at 01:00 (under normal conditions).
    If you exit arrivals after that, plan for 🚖 taxi or 🚗 Bolt/Uber.

🧩 Quick “where should I go?” cheat sheet

🎯 Best option by destination

  • 🏙️ Downtown (Baixa/Chiado): 🚇 Metro (fast + cheap)
  • 🏛️ Alfama / Santa Apolónia: 🚇 Metro with one transfer
  • 🚆 Main rail hub (Oriente): 🔴 Red Line direct; airport says ~10 minutes by Metro
  • 🌊 Cais do Sodré: Metro to Green Line terminus
  • 🧳 Door-to-door with luggage: 🚖 Taxi (€10–€15 typical to center) or 🚗 Bolt/Uber pickup zone

FAQ — Lisbon Airport (LIS)

Is Lisbon Airport connected to the Metro?

Yes. The airport states it has a Metro station with a direct line and cites the “Aeroporto – Saldanha” connection (~20 minutes to downtown).

What are Metro hours in Lisbon?

Lisbon Metro states 06:30–01:00 daily (under normal conditions).

How do I get to Terminal 2?

Lisbon Airport says: go to Terminal 1, then take the free shuttle (03:30–00:30, every 12 minutes, ~3 minutes ride).

How much does a Metro ticket cost in 2026?

Lisbon Metro’s official 2026 fares list the Carris/Metro ticket as €1.90 (zapping €1.72; bank card €1.92).

How much is a taxi to the city center?

Lisbon Airport says €10–€15 to the city center depending on traffic (including luggage fees) and advises ensuring the meter is on and requesting a receipt.

Where do I meet Uber/Bolt at Lisbon Airport?

Lisbon Airport states pickup is at P2, Level 2 (arrivals level).

Can I take big luggage on city buses?

The airport says city buses allow luggage only up to 50×40×20 cm.

Conclusion

Lisbon Airport is “easy mode” once you know the rules:

  • ✅ Check Terminal 1 vs Terminal 2 early (T2 is departures-only, closed overnight)
  • ✅ Use 🚇 Metro for fast, predictable trips (airport → downtown ~20 min; Metro 06:30–01:00)
  • ✅ For trains, head to Oriente (airport calls it Lisbon’s main train station, ~10 min by Metro)
  • ✅ With luggage or late arrivals, use 🚖 taxi or 🚗 Bolt/Uber (official pickup area)

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