Arriving Early: Lisbon Airport Travel Tips And Tricks

how early to arrive lisbon airport

Lisbon Airport recommends that passengers arrive at least two hours before departure for European flights. However, some travellers recommend arriving three hours before departure to allow for long security lines and passport control queues. The airline check-in desks open three hours before the flight, and boarding is likely to begin 50-60 minutes before departure.

Characteristics Values
Minimum time to arrive before departure 2 hours
Time to arrive before departure to reduce stress 3 hours
Time to arrive before departure for US flight 3.5 hours
Time to arrive before departure if no checked bags 2 hours
Time to arrive before departure if 15 minutes away 2.5 hours

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The Lisbon Airport website recommends arriving 2 hours before departure for European flights

It's always better to be safe than sorry, so giving yourself plenty of time is a good idea. This is especially true if you are travelling at peak times or during busy periods. The wayfinding at Lisbon Airport can be poor, so it's easy to get lost and add extra time to your journey through the airport.

If you are travelling during a busy period, such as the summer holidays or a long weekend, it is definitely worth arriving early. The airport can become very crowded, and the security lines can be long. This could add extra time to your journey, so it's better to be prepared.

It's also a good idea to check the status of your flight before you leave for the airport. This will ensure that you are aware of any delays or cancellations and can adjust your travel plans accordingly. You can usually do this by checking the airline's website or app, or by using a flight tracking service.

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Some travellers suggest arriving 3 hours before departure to avoid stress

Some travellers suggest arriving at Lisbon airport three hours before departure to avoid stress. This is because the airport can get very busy, with long security lines and passport control queues. The Lisbon Airport website recommends arriving a minimum of two hours before departure for European flights, but an ongoing work-to-rule and overtime ban among airport security staff can cause serious issues, so some people are saying to get there three hours before departure.

One traveller on Reddit said they arrived two and a half hours early and found it to be too busy, so they would arrive three hours early next time. They also recommend checking in online. Another traveller on Tripadvisor said they got to the airport three hours ahead of their flight and found the queues minimal, but they were at the airport far too long.

If you are travelling from old Lisbon, you should allow at least one hour for travel time. Buses are not very reliable, but the metro seems to be okay. It is also recommended that you go through passport control early, as there can be a 30-minute queue.

Arriving three hours before your flight will give you plenty of time to navigate the airport and get through security and passport control without feeling rushed or stressed.

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The airline check-in desks open 3 hours before the flight

It is recommended that you arrive at Lisbon Airport at least 2 hours before your flight. However, some sources suggest that you should arrive 3 hours before your flight to allow for long security lines and passport control. The airline check-in desks open 3 hours before the flight, so if you arrive at the airport 3 hours in advance, you will be able to check in straight away.

If you are travelling from old Lisbon to the airport, it is recommended that you allow 1 hour for travel time. Buses are not considered to be reliable, so it is best to take the metro if possible.

Once you are through security, you will need to go through passport control and then walk to your gate. Boarding usually takes place 50-60 minutes before departure, so it is important to allow enough time to get through the airport and to your gate.

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It takes around 1 hour to travel to the airport from old Lisbon

If you are travelling internationally, it is recommended that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight to allow time for the security line and passport control. The boarding process usually begins 50-60 minutes before departure, so it is important to factor this into your arrival time.

When planning your travel to the airport, consider the method of transportation. While the metro seems to be a reliable option, buses may not be as dependable. It is always better to give yourself more time, as you never know what could go wrong.

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Wayfinding through the airport is poor, so allow extra time

It is recommended that you arrive at Lisbon Airport at least 2 hours before your flight, but some sources suggest that 3 hours is a safer bet. This is because there is often an overtime ban among airport security staff, which can cause serious issues and long queues. In addition, wayfinding through the airport is poor, so you should allow extra time to navigate the airport and find your gate. The airport is set up with most people in a central area waiting for their gate to be posted, so you may find yourself waiting around for a while. It is also recommended that you go through passport control early, as the queues can be long and unpredictable.

Frequently asked questions

It is recommended that you arrive at least 2 hours before your flight. However, some people suggest arriving 2.5 hours before your flight to allow for long security lines and passport control.

The check-in desks open 3 hours before the flight.

Boarding is likely to be 50-60 minutes before departure.

It takes around 1 hour to travel to the airport from the city centre.

The metro is a good option for getting to the airport. Buses are not considered to be very reliable.

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