Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport sits barely 7 km from the Baixa district, the historic heart of the city. A metro line connects directly to the centre, the bus network is reliable, and taxis are plentiful — making Lisbon one of the more straightforward European capitals to arrive into, despite the hills that lie ahead of you.
Metro: quick and cheap
The Linha Vermelha (Red Line) of the Lisbon Metro runs from Aeroporto station — connected directly to the terminal building — into the heart of the city. The journey to Alameda (where you can change to the Green Line) takes about 10–12 minutes; to Baixa-Chiado (the centre) around 20–25 minutes with a line change at either Alameda or Rato. It is one of the best airport metro connections in southern Europe.
The Red Line runs from around 06:30 until just after midnight. Outside those hours — for very late arrivals or very early departures — you need a taxi or bus. During the hours it runs, the metro is by far the cheapest and most reliable option for individuals and couples.
Tickets are bought from the vending machines inside the airport station. You need a Viva Viagem card (a reloadable card with a small deposit) and can load it with a single trip or a daily pass. A 24-hour unlimited metro, bus and tram pass is excellent value if you plan to use public transport during your stay — Lisbon's hills are steep and the trams and funiculars are useful to have on the same ticket.
Line change to reach Baixa-Chiado: From Aeroporto, the Red Line goes to Oriente (10 min) and on to Alameda (13 min), where you change to the Green Line for Rossio, Baixa-Chiado and Cais do Sodré. Oriente itself is a major transport hub with mainline trains to Porto and Algarve, so if you are heading there rather than the historic centre, you may not need to change lines at all.
Aerobus and other bus options
The Aerobus service connects the airport directly to several central stops including Marquês de Pombal, Restauradores, Praça do Comércio and Cais do Sodré, without requiring a metro line change. Journey time is roughly 30–45 minutes in moderate traffic; longer during rush hour. The Aerobus is comfortable and the route is a good alternative if you are staying near the waterfront and want to avoid carrying luggage through a busy metro interchange. Tickets are bought from the driver or online.
Standard Carris city bus routes also serve the airport, though they are slower and less straightforward for visitors with luggage. The 744 bus connects to the Oriente transport hub, which is useful if you are heading in that direction.
Taxi and ride-hailing
Lisbon taxis are metered, cream-coloured and plentiful outside arrivals. The fare to central Lisbon is relatively modest by western European standards — the city is not far and Portugal remains one of the more affordable western European destinations. A rate-2 supplement applies at the airport (and between 21:00 and 06:00), and luggage in the boot incurs a small additional charge. These are legitimate and regulated costs.
Uber, Bolt and Free Now all operate widely in Lisbon and can be more predictable in price than a metered taxi. Pickup zones for app-based services are clearly marked outside arrivals. For two or three people sharing, the per-person cost of a taxi or ride-hail becomes very competitive with the metro.
Onward connections from Oriente
Gare do Oriente — the striking station designed by Santiago Calatrava — is directly on the Red Line and acts as Lisbon's main hub for long-distance trains. From Oriente you can take direct trains to Porto (roughly 3 hours by Alfa Pendular), the Algarve (about 3–4 hours depending on destination), and cross-border services to Madrid and Vigo in Spain. If you are continuing onwards by rail, getting off at Oriente rather than continuing to the centre saves backtracking.
Lisbon is also a major port for Atlantic cruise ships and some ferry routes; the Transtejo ferries cross the Tagus from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas and other south-bank towns, which is not directly accessible from the airport but is quick from the centre.
Airport orientation: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2
Humberto Delgado Airport has two terminals — Terminal 1, used by most full-service international carriers, and Terminal 2, mainly handling low-cost airlines, situated a short distance away and linked by a free shuttle bus. The metro station, Aerobus stops and taxi rank are all at Terminal 1, so if you land at Terminal 2, factor in the shuttle transfer time before you can reach any of the transport options described above — it typically adds 10–15 minutes to your journey into the city.
Luggage and comfort on each option
The metro has ticket barriers and stairs or escalators at most stations, which can be awkward with large suitcases, particularly at the Alameda interchange where you switch lines — travellers with heavy luggage often find the Aerobus or a taxi more comfortable despite the higher cost. The Aerobus has a dedicated luggage rack at the front of the vehicle and is the easier choice for anyone with more than a small bag. Taxis and ride-hailing cars take luggage in the boot without any extra hassle, the simplest option if you are travelling with a family or a lot of gear.
Practical tips for first-timers
- Buy or top up your Viva Viagem card before queuing for the platform — the machines can have a short queue at busy arrival times, so allow a few extra minutes.
- Have small-denomination euros ready for the Aerobus if paying the driver directly, since change is not always guaranteed.
- Lisbon's steep hills mean that even after arriving centrally, the final stretch to some hotels may involve stairs, trams or a short uphill walk — check your accommodation's exact location before committing to a fully step-free route.
Money-saving tips
For a solo traveller or couple with light luggage, the metro combined with a 24-hour Viva Viagem pass is comfortably the cheapest way into the centre and doubles as your ticket for sightseeing by tram and funicular during your stay. For three or more people travelling together, splitting a taxi or ride-hail fare often works out similar to or cheaper than everyone buying individual metro tickets, while also saving the hassle of navigating the interchange with luggage.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct metro from Lisbon Airport to the city centre?
Yes — the Red Line (Linha Vermelha) connects Aeroporto station to Alameda in about 12 minutes, where you change to the Green Line for Baixa-Chiado and the historic centre. The full journey takes about 25 minutes.
Does the Lisbon airport metro run at night?
The metro runs until just after midnight on most nights. For arrivals after that, taxis and ride-hailing apps (Uber, Bolt) are the practical options — they are available 24 hours.
How much does a taxi from Lisbon Airport to the city cost?
Fares are metered with a rate-2 airport supplement. The total for a journey to central Lisbon is relatively moderate by western European standards. App-based services give upfront pricing, which many travellers find easier to budget.
Can I take the metro from the airport to Gare do Oriente?
Yes — Oriente is one of the stops on the Red Line between the airport and the city centre. It takes about 10 minutes from Aeroporto to Oriente, making it convenient for onward trains to Porto or the Algarve.
Sources and further reading:
- Lisbon Metro Red Line timetables and fares: Metro de Lisboa (metrolisboa.pt).
- Aerobus routes: Carris (carris.pt).
- Mainline trains from Oriente: CP (cp.pt).
- Airport information: ANA Aeroportos (ana.pt).