Getting from Lisbon Airport to the city centre is quick and cheap: the airport sits just 7 km northeast of downtown, so most transfers take 20 to 30 minutes. The fastest budget option is the Metro Red Line from the Aeroporto station, while a taxi or rideshare is easiest if you have heavy luggage or land late at night.
This 2026 guide to getting from Lisbon Airport to city centre covers every option from Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), with journey times, costs, and frequencies, plus a clear pick for your travel style. Sorting your ride in advance saves time when you land, so it helps to book flights to Lisbon and your hotels in Lisbon before you travel.
- Distance: Lisbon Airport is about 7 km from the city centre, roughly a 20-minute drive.
- Cheapest: the Metro Red Line reaches the centre in about 20 minutes for €1.90 (single) at the time of writing.
- Easiest with bags or late at night: a taxi, Uber, or Bolt to the centre, typically around €10–20.
- Aerobus is discontinued — the dedicated airport shuttle no longer runs; use the Metro or a Carris city bus instead.
- Buy a reusable Navegante card (€0.50) once, then load Metro and bus fares onto it.
How far is Lisbon Airport from the city centre?
Lisbon Airport is about 7 km northeast of the historic city centre. By road that is roughly a 20-minute drive in normal traffic, or 20 to 30 minutes by Metro.
The airport’s official name is Humberto Delgado Airport, and its code is LIS. Because it sits so close to town, no transfer option is slow — the choice comes down to price, luggage, and the time you land.
Every way to get from Lisbon Airport to the city centre
You have five main options: the Metro, a Carris city bus, a taxi, a rideshare (Uber or Bolt), and a pre-booked private transfer. The table below compares them at a glance, and each is explained in detail underneath.
| Option | Journey time | Cost (at time of writing) | Frequency / hours | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro (Red Line) | About 20 min to the centre | €1.90 single, plus €0.50 for the Navegante card | Every 5–10 min; 06:30–01:00 daily | Budget travellers with light luggage |
| Carris city bus | About 30–45 min | €1.90 on the Navegante card, or €2.30 onboard | Roughly every 15–20 min; plus night bus 208 | Budget, plus late-night arrivals via bus 208 |
| Taxi | About 15–25 min | Around €10–20 to the centre | 24/7 rank outside the terminal | Luggage-heavy travellers, groups, any hour |
| Rideshare (Uber/Bolt) | About 15–25 min | Around €10–15, price shown in the app | 24/7 via app; designated pickup point | Fixed upfront price, cashless payment |
| Pre-booked private transfer | About 15–25 min | Fixed fare, higher than a taxi | Booked for your flight; meet-and-greet | Families, first-timers, zero-hassle arrivals |
Lisbon Airport to the city centre by Metro
The Metro is the fastest and cheapest way into central Lisbon, reaching downtown in about 20 minutes. The Aeroporto station is on the Red Line (Linha Vermelha), right outside the Terminal 1 arrivals hall.
A single Carris/Metro ticket costs €1.90 at the time of writing, loaded onto a reusable Navegante card that costs €0.50. If you plan several rides, “Zapping” pay-as-you-go credit drops each Metro trip to €1.72.
The Metro runs every day from 06:30 to 01:00, with trains roughly every 5 to 10 minutes. To reach the centre, take the Red Line towards Saldanha, then change once if you are heading to Baixa, Rossio, or Cais do Sodré.
How to do it, step by step:
- Follow the “Metro” signs from arrivals down to the Aeroporto station.
- Buy a Navegante card at a machine or ticket office and load a single ticket or Zapping credit.
- Tap in at the gate, board the Red Line towards Saldanha, and change lines if needed for your final stop.
Lisbon Airport to the city centre by Carris city bus
Carris city buses connect the airport to central Lisbon for the same €1.90 fare as the Metro, though the ride is slower at around 30 to 45 minutes. Buses stop in front of the Terminal 1 arrivals building.
Daytime routes include bus 783, which runs to Amoreiras via Saldanha and Marquês de Pombal roughly every 15 to 20 minutes from about 06:00 to midnight. A single fare is €1.90 on the Navegante card, or €2.30 if you buy it from the driver onboard.
For late arrivals, the 208 night bus links the airport to Cais do Sodré via Oriente and the centre through the early-morning hours. Carris city buses only allow luggage up to 50 x 40 x 20 cm, so they suit light packers.
Is the Aerobus still running in Lisbon?
No — the dedicated Aerobus airport shuttle has been discontinued and no longer operates. Lisbon Airport’s official transport information lists the Metro, Carris city buses, taxis, and ride-hailing, but no Aerobus service.
If an online listing still advertises an “Aerobus,” treat it with caution. The Metro Red Line and Carris buses now cover the same routes into the centre for less.
Taxi from Lisbon Airport to the city centre
A taxi is the simplest door-to-door option and typically costs around €10 to €20 to central Lisbon, with the ride taking 15 to 25 minutes. Licensed taxis queue at the rank outside the arrivals and departures terminals.
Fares run on a metered tariff, which is higher at night, on weekends, and on public holidays. At the time of writing, Portugal’s national taxi tariffs were under review, so confirm the meter is running when you set off and check the current fare before you travel.
Only accept rides from the official taxi rank. Never follow anyone offering a taxi inside the terminal, as licensed transport is always arranged at the rank or through an app.
Uber and Bolt from Lisbon Airport
Uber and Bolt both operate at Lisbon Airport, usually costing around €10 to €15 to the centre with the price fixed in the app before you book. This removes any worry about the meter or fare disputes.
After landing, open the app and follow signs to the designated TVDE (ride-hailing) pickup point rather than the taxi rank. Surge pricing can push fares above a metered taxi at busy times, so compare both before you confirm.
Pre-booked private transfer from Lisbon Airport
A pre-booked private transfer gives you a fixed price and a driver waiting with your name at arrivals. It costs more than a taxi but removes every decision after a long flight.
This suits families, groups with lots of luggage, and first-time visitors who want a stress-free arrival. Book it before you fly so the driver is scheduled to your flight time.
Which option is best for you?
The right choice depends on your budget, luggage, and arrival time. Here is a quick guide by traveller type.
- On a budget: take the Metro Red Line — €1.90 and about 20 minutes to the centre.
- Heavy luggage or a group: take a taxi or rideshare door-to-door; Carris buses have a luggage-size limit, while the Metro can be awkward when it is crowded.
- Late-night arrival: after the Metro closes at 01:00, use the 208 night bus, a taxi, or a rideshare.
- Families or first-timers: a pre-booked private transfer or a rideshare with a fixed price is the least stressful.
- Fastest overall: a taxi or rideshare in light traffic, at 15 to 25 minutes, just edges the Metro.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Lisbon Airport to the city centre?
The quickest, cheapest way is the Metro Red Line from the Aeroporto station, which reaches central Lisbon in about 20 minutes for €1.90. You can also take a Carris city bus, a metered taxi, an Uber or Bolt, or a pre-booked private transfer. The airport is only about 7 km from the centre, so every option takes 20 to 45 minutes.
How far is Lisbon Airport from the city centre?
Lisbon Airport is about 7 km northeast of the historic city centre, which is roughly a 20-minute drive in normal traffic. By Metro the journey takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
How much is the Metro from Lisbon Airport to the city centre?
A single Carris/Metro ticket costs €1.90 at the time of writing, plus a one-off €0.50 for the reusable Navegante card. Using Zapping pay-as-you-go credit lowers each Metro trip to €1.72.
Is the Aerobus still running in Lisbon?
No, the dedicated Aerobus airport shuttle has been discontinued and no longer operates. Lisbon Airport’s official information lists the Metro, Carris city buses, taxis, and ride-hailing instead, which cover the same routes into the centre.
How much is a taxi or Uber from Lisbon Airport?
A metered taxi to central Lisbon typically costs around €10 to €20, and an Uber or Bolt is usually around €10 to €15 with the fare fixed in the app. Fares are higher at night, on weekends, and on public holidays, so confirm the meter is running and check the current fare before you travel.
What is the best way from Lisbon Airport to the centre with luggage?
With heavy luggage, a taxi, an Uber, a Bolt, or a pre-booked private transfer is best, because you get a door-to-door ride with no size limits. Carris city buses only allow luggage up to 50 x 40 x 20 cm. The Metro does not have the same stated bus-style size cap in this guide, but it is still easier with light luggage, especially at busy times.
Plan your Lisbon trip
Whichever transfer you pick, Lisbon’s centre is only a short hop from the airport, so you will be exploring within the hour. Line up your ride before you land, and you can head straight from arrivals to your hotel.
Ready to go? Compare flights to Portugal and book your stay on Wego to lock in the best fares for your trip.
Sources
- Metropolitano de Lisboa — New fares 2026 (effective 1 January 2026)
- Metropolitano de Lisboa — Timetables and frequency
- Carris — Occasional journeys and single fares
- Carris — Route 783 (Amoreiras / Prior Velho via Aeroporto)
- Carris — Route 208 night bus (Cais do Sodré / Oriente via Aeroporto)
- Lisbon Airport (ANA) — Public transportation to and from the airport
- Government of Portugal (gov.pt) — Consult the taxi fare
Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content.
