Lisbon is a gorgeous city, but it can be a bit of a pain to navigate, particularly if you’re new to the city. If you’re landing at Lisbon Airport (also known as Humberto Delgado Airport) and wondering what the best way to get to Lisbon’s city centre is, you’re in luck!

There are three convenient and efficient options available for you to get from Lisbon airport to the city centre:

• The metro
• Uber, Bolt, and taxis
• Buses and the Aerobus

There’s also the Coimbra Airport Shuttle service available at Lisbon airport, which you can take towards the centre of Portugal, although the website offers no information on whether it’ll take you to the Lisbon city centre. Even if it does, you’re better off trying the other methods noted above as they’ll likely be more affordable.

You can find a breakdown of the best ways to reach the heart of Lisbon from the airport based on my experience of travelling the city.

1. The Metro: Travel like a local

The Lisbon Metro is a popular and cost-effective way to travel from the airport to the city centre, but it’s long. When I first started visiting the city, I would jump on the Metro and ride it through to the city centre.

However, over time I’ve found that the station and line changes, and the frequent climbing and descending of stairs with luggage was overly tiring, particularly since Lisbon requires lots of climbing from you anyway!

The metro is handy if you’re travelling light and are keen to experience the city like a local. If you’re looking to get to the city centre, you’ll want to begin your journey at the Aeroporto Metro Station, which can be accessed just outside of the airport.

Grab a Viva Viagem card from the metro station, which you can use throughout your stay in the city simply by topping it up at stations. The card can be used on the metro, busses, and trams, so it’s very handy.

The card itself costs €0.50, but you’ll need to add journeys. A single journey will cost €1.65, but you can grab a 24 hour ticket for the Metro only for €6.60. Adding buses and other forms of transport increases the price of the 24-hour ticket, so check what you’ve got planned out.

From the Aeroporto Metro Station, you’ll want to jump onto the Red Line or Linha Vermelha in Portuguese, and take it nine stops to Alameda Station, where you can switch to the Green Line or Linha Verde, which should take you into the city centre if your hotel is located nearby.

Baixa-Chiago Station is the heart of Lisbon, and it’s close to plenty of great restaurants and tourist attractions, so expect to spend a lot of time around here.

Getting from the airport to the city centre can take between 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the time of the trains. Remember to check whether any lines or stations are closed before travelling though!

If you’re really stuck or want more in-depth directions to your destination, download City Mapper for Lisbon, as it’ll give you all the information you need.

2. Uber, Bolt, and Taxis: Quick and convenient

Alternatively, you can take an Uber or use a similar app. I opt for this method when I visit Lisbon, as it’s faster, much more comfortable, and a lot easier. It also gives you a short tour of the city, rather than the maze of metro tunnels under the ground.

If price isn’t an issue, you may want to order an Uber from the airport directly to your hotel. You’ll get to relax a little after a lot of travelling, can speak with a local (If they’re friendly enough!), and are usually dropped directly to your hotel with all your luggage, so there’s little to no need for you climbing up and down stairs.

The apps available in Lisbon for these services include:

• Uber: The safest app to use and the best.
• Bolt: Easier to get rides, although I have been matched with some strange drivers from time to time.

It’s important to note that many roads within the Lisbon city centre are closed off from non-residents, so your Uber or other driver may need to drop you off close to your hotel and then you walk from there.

You can also get a taxi from outside the airport.

There are usually queues just outside the departure and arrival terminals, which are easily marked with easy-to-spot signage. If you don’t mind paying with cash in person and don’t mind waiting in queues, taxis are a good option.

3. Buses and the Aerobus

Another option is to take ordinary buses, as there are several bus routes scattered around the airport that can take you into the city centre and around it. Buses are likely the cheapest option, but there are reasons for that.

They’re going to be slower than all other transport methods I’ve listed, and depending on your destination, you may need to swap routes or jump onto the metro. They also come with luggage size restrictions, so you may not be able to use them if your luggage exceeds the 50x40x20cm size, which won’t be ideal for most people.

However, there are Aerobus services from the airport that take you to Lisbon’s city centre and other parts of the city. There are three major Aerobus services that take you to:

• Upper Lisbon: Marques de Pombal, Rossio, Estacao de Entrecampos, Restauradores, and Campo Pequeno
• Central and Southern Lisbon: Cais do Sodre, Martim Moniz, Praca do Comercio, and more
• Western Lisbon: The Sete Rios coach terminal, where you can exchange for other transport services

If you’re looking to get into central Lisbon, you’ll want to take the Aerobus towards Cais do Sodre, as that’ll drop you closer to the centre than the other routes. Most of Lisbon’s city centre is small and a short walk from anything, so this shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

If you do opt for a bus or Aerobus, you’ll want to use your Viva Viagem card. A single journey for the ordinary bus goes for €1.65, according to the bus operator Carris website, while an Aerobus single journey will set you back around €4 for adults but offers a more comfortable and faster journey.

Whether you choose the metro, Aerobus, or opt for a taxi, Uber or Bolt, getting from Lisbon Airport to the city centre is usually straightforward and hassle-free. Both options can be used, but you’ll have to consider your budget, comfort level, and time constraints when making a decision.

Whichever mode of transport you choose, you’re sure to fall in love with the charm and beauty of Lisbon. Safe travels! When you do get to Lisbon’s city centre, why not stop off at Empanar for some drinks and Argentinean empanadas?