Lisbon Airport to the City Centre: Metro, Taxi, Bus or Train?

A practical guide to getting from Humberto Delgado Airport into Lisbon, with real costs, timings and which option I would book for different arrivals.

Metro: The Predictable, Cheap Option

Lisbon's metro connects the airport directly to the city centre via the red line from Aeroporto station, which sits a short covered walk from Terminal 1 arrivals. A single ticket loaded on a Viva Viagem card costs €1.80 including the €0.50 card fee, and the journey to Alameda (green line interchange) takes about 20 minutes; to Baixa-Chiado, allow 30–35 minutes with one change at Alameda or Saldanha. Trains run every 6–9 minutes from 06:30 to 01:00. Buy the card from the machines in the station—they accept notes and cards—and top up as you go.

The metro is my default recommendation for solo travellers and couples with wheeled luggage staying anywhere near a red or green line station. It is fast, runs late and avoids traffic on the Avenida da Liberdade and the Segunda Circular, which can stretch a 15-minute drive into 40 at rush hour. The trade-off is stairs and long corridors at interchanges like Alameda and Baixa-Chiado; if you have heavy bags, consider a taxi instead. For stays in Chiado, Baixa or Saldanha, the metro is hard to beat on value.

Taxi and Ride-Hailing: Door-to-Door with a Fixed Floor

Taxis from the airport rank outside arrivals charge a metered fare with a €1.60 airport supplement (plus luggage if applicable). To Baixa or Chiado expect €10–15, to Belém or Alcântara €15–20; ride-hailing apps often quote €8–14 for the same trips but pick-up points are in the P2 car park, a 5–8 minute walk from the terminal. The drive to Baixa takes 15–20 minutes outside peak hours; allow 30–40 minutes between 08:00 and 10:00 or 17:00 and 20:00. Drivers accept cards, but keep some cash for smaller operators.

Book a taxi if you are arriving after midnight (the metro stops around 01:00), travelling with family or heavy bags, or staying in Alfama or Bairro Alto where metro access means a steep walk. For Bairro Alto, ask to be dropped at Praça Luís de Camões rather than inside the grid of narrow streets. I would not pre-book a private transfer unless your hotel is outside the centre; the rank and apps are reliable and cheaper. Skip the unofficial drivers who approach you inside the terminal—they are not licensed.

Buses and the Aerobus: Useful for Specific Stays

Carris city buses 744 (to Marquês de Pombal and Restauradores) and 783 (to Amoreiras via Saldanha) stop at the airport and cost €1.80 with a Viva Viagem card, or €2.00 on board. They are slower than the metro—45–60 minutes to Restauradores—and less useful with luggage, but they run past 01:00 on some routes. The Aerobus (lines 1 and 2) is a dedicated airport shuttle costing around €4 one way or €6 return; it serves Rossio, Cais do Sodré and Av. da Liberdade. Buy from the driver or the kiosk outside arrivals.

I would only choose the Aerobus if your hotel sits directly on its route and you are travelling light, or if you land when the metro has closed. For stays in Alfama or Mouraria, the 744 stops near Martim Moniz, which is a 10-minute walk to most guesthouses—handy if you arrive late. Otherwise, the metro is cheaper and more frequent. The bus is not a scenic option; you will mostly see dual carriageways and the Avenida da Liberdade.

Train and Transfers: What They Are Good For

There is no direct mainline train from the airport; the nearest useful connection is Oriente station, a 10-minute taxi (€8–10) or a 3-stop metro ride on the red line from Aeroporto. From Oriente, trains run to Sintra (via Rossio, but Oriente is on the CP Sintra line? Actually Oriente is on the Azambuja line; for Sintra you change at Rossio or take the metro to Rossio). For Porto and the Algarve, Oriente is the departure point. If your trip includes a day in Sintra, stay in Lisbon and take the train from Rossio—it takes 40 minutes and costs €2.30 each way.

Pre-booked transfers make sense for groups of four or more, for arrivals after 01:00, or if you are staying in a hotel with no easy metro access, such as Lapa or Estrela. Expect €25–40 for a private car to the centre. Otherwise, I would put that money towards a hotel with a good location: a stay near Baixa-Chiado or Avenida da Liberdade saves you taxi fares all week. For winter visits, check our winter stay guide for area-by-area advice on where to base yourself.

Questions, answered

How much does the metro from Lisbon airport to the centre cost?

A single journey costs €1.80, which includes a €0.50 Viva Viagem card. You can top up the card at machines in the airport station. The ride to Alameda takes about 20 minutes; to Baixa-Chiado, allow 30–35 minutes with one change.

Is there a direct train from Lisbon airport to the city centre?

No, the airport is served by the metro's red line, not mainline trains. For trains to Porto or the Algarve, take the metro three stops to Oriente station. For Sintra, take the metro to Rossio and catch the CP train from there.

How much is a taxi from Lisbon airport to Baixa?

Expect €10–15 on the meter, including the airport supplement. The trip takes 15–20 minutes outside peak hours, but allow 30–40 minutes during morning and evening rush. Ride-hailing apps often quote €8–14, with pick-up in the P2 car park.

What is the cheapest way to get from Lisbon airport to the city?

The metro at €1.80 including the reusable card is the cheapest option. Carris buses 744 and 783 also cost €1.80 with a card, but take longer. The Aerobus at around €4 is convenient but not the cheapest.

Does the Lisbon metro run late at night?

The metro runs from 06:30 until around 01:00. If you land after that, take a taxi or ride-hailing app, or check whether your hotel offers an airport transfer. Night buses run on some routes but are less convenient with luggage.

Which option is best for families with children?

A taxi is usually easiest with children and luggage, costing €10–15 to the centre. The metro is fine if your children can manage stairs and you are staying near a station. Avoid the Aerobus if you have a stroller and are not staying on its route.

Should I book an airport transfer in advance?

Only for late arrivals after 01:00, groups of four or more, or hotels without easy metro access. Otherwise, taxis and ride-hailing apps are readily available. Pre-booked private transfers typically cost €25–40 to the centre.

How do I get from Lisbon airport to Sintra?

Take the metro to Rossio (about 25 minutes), then the CP train to Sintra (40 minutes, €2.30 each way). Alternatively, a taxi direct to Sintra costs around €40–50. Sintra makes a good day trip from a Lisbon base.

← Lisbon's page