The short answer: take the metro
Lisbon Airport has its own station on the red metro line. The station is called Aeroporto and it is the end of the line. From there, the ride to Saldanha takes about 20 minutes, according to the airport operator ANA.
The metro is the best choice for most people. It is cheap, it does not get stuck in traffic and it needs no booking. A taxi or a ride-hailing car is easier if you travel with heavy luggage, arrive in a group or go straight to a hotel on a street the metro does not serve.
Airport to city center: the options compared
Prices are for adults, as of October 2026.
| Option | Time to the center | Cost (2026) | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red metro line | About 20 minutes to Saldanha; 20 to 25 minutes to Baixa-Chiado with one change | €1.90 plus €0.50 for the Navegante card | Most visitors, one or two bags |
| City bus | – | €2.30 on board, €1.72 with Zapping credit | Hotels near a bus stop, if you know the route |
| Taxi | Depends on traffic | About €10 to €20 including the luggage surcharge | Heavy luggage, groups, late arrivals |
| Uber or Bolt | Depends on traffic | – | Door-to-door without cash |
The fare for ride-hailing is shown in the app before you confirm.
Airport transfers and city tours in Lisbon
Private transfers, first-day walking tours and day trips you can book before you land, with live prices and availability.
Metro from Lisbon airport, step by step
Follow the signs for the metro after you collect your bags and buy a ticket at a machine. The one-way ticket for the Carris and Metro network costs €1.90 and is valid for 60 minutes. You also need a rechargeable Navegante card, which costs €0.50 and which you can reuse during your stay.
Two cheaper or more flexible ways to pay exist. If you load Zapping credit on the card, a metro ride costs €1.72. At the turnstile you can also tap a contactless bank card for €1.92 per ride. Hold the card itself against the reader, not a wallet that holds several cards.
For Saldanha and the north of the center, stay on the red line. For Baixa and Chiado, change at Alameda to the green line. Allow 20 to 25 minutes for the whole trip, according to a secondary source. If you arrive by long-distance train, Oriente station is the next stop on the red line, about 5 to 10 minutes from the airport.
Tickets: what to buy at the airport
The right ticket depends on how many rides you plan.
Single ticket, €1.90
Valid 60 minutes in the Carris and Metro network. It does not cover consecutive metro rides. Fine if you only travel to your hotel.
Zapping credit, €1.72 per ride
Load from €3 upward on the Navegante card. Each Zapping ride is valid for one operator only, so a change between metro and bus is charged again.
24-hour ticket, €7.25
For metro, buses and trams from the first validation. It pays off from about four rides. With the suburban trains to Sintra and Cascais it costs €11.40.
Lisboa Card →The Lisboa Card includes public transport, so you do not buy a separate ticket if you collect the card first. Read the details on the Lisboa Card page before you decide.
Taxi and ride-hailing
Official advice and the prices people report do not fully agree.
Taxi
ANA states that the ride to the center costs between €10 and €15 depending on traffic, including the luggage surcharge. An unofficial site quotes €15 to €20 plus a €1.60 luggage fee, with a 20 percent night and weekend surcharge from 9 pm to 6 am. Plan for roughly €10 to €20 and insist on the meter. Ask for a receipt.
Uber and Bolt
Ride-hailing cars are called TVDE in Portugal. The pick-up zone is at P2 on level 2, the arrivals level. Drop-off happens at departures 1 or 2. Order the car in the app, check the price and the plate, then walk to the zone.
Do not accept offers in the terminal
ANA advises booking taxis and TVDE only at the taxi rank or through an app, and never from someone who approaches you inside the terminal.
What happened to the Aerobus?
Older guides still recommend it.
The Aerobus airport shuttle no longer appears on the official airport pages. Secondary sources report that it stopped running in 2022 or 2023. Treat any guide that lists it as out of date. Replacements are the metro and the Carris city buses. ANA mentions lines 208, 705 and 744 for the Oriente area, and the 208 as a night bus. Other sources add 728 and 783, so check the route and the stops on the day.
The metro is simpler: one line, no route to learn. Once you are in town, read about the tram 28 and the closed lifts before you plan steep days. The historic funiculars and the Santa Justa lift are closed in 2026, which affects how you reach the upper districts.
Plan your first hours in Lisbon
Where to go once you are in town.
Lisbon airport to the city: frequently asked questions
How long does it take from Lisbon airport to the center?
The metro takes about 20 minutes to Saldanha. To Baixa-Chiado, with a change at Alameda, allow 20 to 25 minutes. A taxi depends on traffic.
How much is the metro from the airport?
A single ticket costs €1.90 in 2026, plus €0.50 for the Navegante card the first time. With Zapping credit a ride costs €1.72. A contactless bank card costs €1.92 per ride.
Is there an airport bus?
The Aerobus no longer appears on the airport's official pages and is reported to have stopped. Carris city buses such as the 208, 705 and 744 serve the airport, but the metro is easier for a first visit.
How much is a taxi from the airport?
The airport operator says €10 to €15 including the luggage surcharge. Unofficial sources report €15 to €20 and a night surcharge. Expect about €10 to €20, depending on traffic and time of day.
Where do I find Uber or Bolt at the airport?
The pick-up zone is at P2 on level 2 of the arrivals area. Drop-off is at departures 1 or 2. The app shows the fare before you book.