For a light bag and a stay near a metro station, start with the metro. For a doorstep arrival, compare a taxi, an app booking or a pre-booked transfer. The right choice depends as much on your accommodation’s street as on the fare: a short distance on a map can include a steep uphill walk.
Taking the metro
Follow the Metro signs at the airport and take the Red Line. For Baixa-Chiado or Rossio, change to the Green Line at Alameda; for Marquês de Pombal, change to the Yellow Line at Saldanha. Check the live network map before travelling, particularly during engineering works.
A Carris/Metro single costs €1.90, plus €0.50 for a reusable occasional card if you do not have one. Alternatively, a supported contactless bank card costs €1.92 for a metro journey: each passenger needs their own card or device, and must use the same one at entry and exit. These are 2026 fares, not airport supplements.
Allow time for ticket queues, changing lines and the final walk. The airport quotes roughly 20 minutes to Saldanha, not to every address in the historic centre. Normal metro opening hours are 06:30–01:00; arriving near closing time is a reason to plan an alternative.
Taxis and the fixed-price voucher
Use the official taxi rank or enquire at the Ask Me Lisboa desk in the arrivals hall about Turismo de Lisboa’s prepaid Taxi Voucher. The voucher offers an agreed price for your destination before you travel. It is a separate service: do not assume that every taxi picked up at the rank has the same fixed city-centre fare.
The operator’s published voucher prices start at €16. Recent official tourism information and the shop’s full tariff are not yet consistent on all zones and time bands, so ask the desk for the total for your exact address, passenger count and luggage. Keep the voucher and receipt. For a metered journey, check the meter is running and ask about applicable supplements before departure.
Avoid accepting transport from people approaching you inside the terminal. Keep your accommodation’s full address handy, including the postcode: a neighbourhood name alone may not identify the correct drop-off.
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Uber, Bolt and private transfers
The airport’s designated Uber/Bolt pickup is P2, Level 2, at arrivals level. Follow the airport signs and your booking instructions, and check the registration plate before getting in. Request the ride after collecting your luggage; the app’s current quote is more useful than a fixed estimate in a guide.
For a private transfer, confirm the meeting point, flight-delay policy, bag capacity and any child seat or accessibility requirements when booking. For a late arrival or a group with several suitcases, these details can matter more than a small price difference.
Is a city bus a good alternative?
A Carris bus can suit a destination on its route, but the airport limits city-bus luggage to 50 × 40 × 20 cm. Check the current Carris journey planner for the stop and service you need; do not plan around an old airport express-bus timetable found online.
From the station or drop-off to your front door
Before leaving the airport, save your accommodation's full street address, postcode and entrance instructions, along with your check-in time or meeting point. Check the final walking route, not just the nearest station: Lisbon's hills, stairs and cobbles can turn a short distance into a difficult trip with luggage. If you need a step-free route, check the Metro's current lift and line status before relying on a particular station. A taxi or app car may still have to stop short of a pedestrian or restricted street; agree on the closest legal drop-off with your host. If your flight arrives late, check that your chosen service and check-in arrangement will still be available.
Arriving by rail instead? See our guide to Lisbon's main train stations and the journey to your accommodation.
Before choosing a day ticket, compare the journeys you will actually make in our transport and fares guide. If check-in is later, see where to store luggage. Save the safety and useful contacts page for your stay.
Planning your return flight? See when to arrive at Lisbon Airport, passport control and Terminal 2.