This post covers each of the best ways to reach the city centre from Lisbon Airport, including both public transportation and private options such as taxis and Ubers.
Overview
There are several different ways to get from the Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon to the city centre.
Since the airport is located within city limits, most transfers are very affordable and quick.
The following post provides a breakdown of each airport transfer available in Lisbon, with information on ticket prices and comparisons between each service to help you choose the right one for your needs.
If you don’t mind crowds, you can save a lot of money on an airport transfer by using either the metro or Aerobus, both of which are less than €4 ($4.45) per ride.
That said, visitors who would prefer to avoid other travelers should consider either an uber, a taxi, or a private car.
While some of these services can be as much as €40 ($44.60), others can be as affordable as €10 ($11.15) or less!
We will also provide details about any discounts you can use to save a few euros on airport transfers and other services while you’re visiting Lisbon.
Metro
Lisbon’s metro service is one of the most affordable ways to reach the city centre from the airport.
The price for a single ride is just €1.50 ($1.70), but you can also purchase full-day passes which are valid on all metro, buses, trams, and more.
If you’re planning to visit multiple popular attractions in Lisbon, keep in mind that you could actually save money on a public transport card by purchasing a tourist attraction discount pass.
The Lisbon airport is the first station on the red line of the metro.
While this line won’t take you directly to sites like Alfama, Baixa, and Chiado, you can hop off at Alameda or São Sebastião to get on the green and blue lines which do include stops in those areas.
Tickets can be purchased from ticket machines at metro stations, and you’ll find the metro entrance right outside the arrivals hall via the doors on the left (or to the right if you’re coming down the stairs).
The metro is open from 6:30 am - 1 am, so you’ll need to consider another option if you arrive in the middle of the night.
TIP: Unlimited access to the Lisbon Metro system is included with the Lisbon Card. If you're also interested in visiting several notable museums and monuments, this could be a great way to save some money on both at the same time!
Aerobus
If you’re traveling with heavy luggage, this is an excellent alternative to the metro.
While taking the metro requires you to hold onto your luggage at all times, the Aerobus offers storage compartments.
Another advantage of this service is that each ticket is €4 ($4.45) for adults/€2 ($2.25) for children and they include 24-hour access to all public buses in Lisbon.
Travelers who can get some use out of a 24-hour bus pass may want to consider this airport transfer over others simply to take advantage of that additional service.
The Aerobus operates between the hours of 7:30 am - 11 pm, which isn’t quite as good as the metro, but most flights into this city take place during the day anyways.
These buses depart from right outside the doors of the arrivals hall, close to the location where you can hail a taxi.
Purchase Lisbon Aerobus tickets or learn more.
NOTE: This service is currently unavailable as of April 2022.
TIP: If you are planning to use public transport at some point, you may want to consider getting a Lisbon Card combo package.
This combo deal includes a 25% discount on Aerobus and a Viva Viagem Card you can use for 3 days of unlimited access to public transportation throughout the city.
Private Car
Whether you’re trying to avoid other travelers or you just want a nice, quiet ride into the city, this is one of the best airport transfer options in Lisbon.
Most private transfers are provided via either luxury sedan or SUV, so it’s almost like you’re getting the royal treatment.
Although it will cost more for this airport transfer than most of the other options on our list, a private transfer is also far more luxurious and it allows you to avoid the crowds while traveling into the city.
There are several different services to choose from, and prices range from €20 - €40 ($22.30-$44.60) on average.
Check this list of Lisbon Airport Transfers to find one that fits your needs.
Uber/Taxi
Since the Lisbon airport is actually located within the city limits, a taxi ride to the city centre won’t cost as much as it would in other popular European destinations.
A typical transfer from the airport will set you back about €12 ($13.4) - €18 ($20.00).
By law, all taxis must use a meter to track the fares, and you can expect them to charge between €0.47 (.52 cents)- €0.55 (.61 cents) per km.
Taxis typically cost at least 20% more from the hours of 9 pm - 6 am, but they’re definitely an excellent option if your plane will be arriving during those hours.
If you want to save a few euros, consider taking an Uber instead. This rideshare service ranges from €7 ($7.80) - €15 ($16.71) per transfer from the airport to the city centre.
Although you could end up spending just as much for an Uber as you would for a taxi, there’s a chance you’ll save some money this way.
The nice thing about an Uber ride is that they give you an estimate for how much the ride will cost on your phone before you even agree to pay for it, so you know exactly what you’re getting into.
With a taxi, traffic and other issues could increase the amount you pay for your ride significantly, and it’s difficult to say exactly how much you’ll owe the driver at the end of your journey.
Ultimately, if money is of concern and you don’t feel the need to avoid crowds, consider either the metro or aerobus instead.
Discounts
This section provides information about each of the different ways you can save money on Lisbon airport transfers, including tourist attraction discount passes and combo packages.
Tourist Attraction Discount Passes
Travelers who are planning to visit multiple attractions or enjoy several tours and activities in Lisbon can use a tourist pass to save money on both admission prices and public transportation.
The Lisboa Card includes a free travel pass for the amount of time you choose to pay for, and the card can be purchased in increments of 1, 2, or 3 days.
Here are a few of the additional attractions and activities provided with this discount pass:
- Belém Tower | €6 ($6.70)
- National Pantheon | €4 ($4,45)
- Jerónimos Monastery | €10 ($11.15)
- LISBOA Story Centre | €7 ($7.80)
- Mafra National Palace | €6 ($6.70)
- National Tile Museum | €5 ($5.60)
- Pilar7 Bridge Experience | €6 ($6.70)
- National Coach Museum | €8 ($8.90)
- National Ancient Art Museum | €6 ($6.70)
- And more!
Depending on which version of the pass you purchase (1, 2, or 3 days), you could pay as little as €22.14 ($23.34) per day for the Lisboa Card.
Considering you’ll pay €7.38 ($7.78) per day for unlimited public transport, it’s almost like half the value of the card is in the free travel pass!
In addition to this, it’s worth noting that the cost of admission for most attractions is between €5 ($5.60) - €10 ($11.15), so you really only need to use it for an additional 2-3 activities in order to start saving a decent amount of money.
For more details, please read our post covering Lisbon tourist passes.
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