Exploring Lisbon: Multiple Airports, One Vibrant City

Lisbon, Portugal's vibrant capital, is served by Humberto Delgado Airport, also known as Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS). Located around 7km from the city centre, it is the main international gateway to Portugal and one of the largest airports in Europe in terms of passenger volume. Lisbon Airport has two terminals and is easily accessible by public transport, including the city's metro network. While it is the main airport serving Lisbon, there are other airports in the Lisbon District, including Cascais Airport and Sintra Air Base.

Lisbon Airport's two terminals

Lisbon Airport, officially known as Humberto Delgado Airport, is located around 6-7km from the historic centre of Lisbon. It is the main international gateway to Portugal, serving both international and domestic flights. The airport has two terminal buildings: the larger Terminal 1, which handles all arrivals and most international departures, and Terminal 2, which serves as the departure terminal for low-cost airlines.

Terminal 1 dates back to 1983, and its age and limited capacity are becoming increasingly apparent, especially during peak times. Insufficient capacity results in long queues for passport control, passenger confusion in the main waiting areas, long walks to the gates, and dreadful traffic around the site. However, these issues are not unique to this airport and are comparable to those of other older European airports. For most passengers, leaving enough time and exercising patience will result in a relatively smooth travel experience.

Terminal 2 was originally designed for domestic flights but now handles departures for low-cost carriers. The transition to accommodating high-volume international flights has revealed the terminal's shortcomings, including long queues, inadequate facilities, and overcrowding during peak hours. If you are departing from Terminal 2, it is advisable to allow ample time to navigate the various queues for bag drop-off, security, passport control, and even food services.

Both terminals offer check-in counters, ATMs, food vending machines, and restaurants. However, the quality of services and facilities differs significantly between Terminal 1 and the low-cost Terminal 2. Terminal 1 boasts a decent duty-free shopping area, while Terminal 2's shopping options are very limited. Additionally, Terminal 1 houses several airport lounges, including the ABC Airport Business Centre, ANA Lounge, and Blue Lounge, while Terminal 2 has none.

It is important to note that there is no airside connection between the two terminals. Passengers transferring flights from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 must go through immigration, collect their luggage, pass through customs, take the shuttle bus from T1 to T2, check-in their luggage, and then proceed through security and immigration again. This process can be time-consuming, and missing a flight due to these delays will result in the need to purchase a new ticket, as low-cost airlines will not accommodate transfers to the next flight.

Transport to and from the airport

Lisbon has one airport, Humberto Delgado Airport (formerly known as Portela Airport), which is located around 6-7km from the historic centre of the city. It is the largest airport in Portugal and one of the busiest in Europe, with a capacity of around 26 million passengers per year.

By Taxi

Lisbon taxis are available 24/7 at the airport and can be found outside both terminals. The ride to the city centre takes around 20 minutes without heavy traffic and costs between €10-€15 during the day and €20 at night or on weekends.

By Metro

The airport is connected to Lisbon's metro network, with the Aeroporto-Saldanha line (red line) taking you directly to the city centre in 20 minutes. The metro is inexpensive, with single tickets costing €1.80, and runs from 6.30 am to 1 am.

By Bus

Several urban buses, operated by Carris, provide connections from the airport to the city centre and beyond. The journey takes around 35 minutes and costs €1.61 with a reusable Viva Viagem card or €2.10 without. Bus 783 runs every 25-30 minutes and stops close to the city centre.

By Private Transfer

A private transfer can be booked in advance and offers a personalised meet and greet at arrivals, with a driver waiting for you outside with a sign with your name on it. This option is more expensive than the others, costing €26 during the day and €28 at night.

The airport's location

Lisbon has one airport, Lisbon Airport (LIS), which is also known as Humberto Delgado Airport or Lisbon Portela Airport. It is located within the city limits, around 6-7km from the historic centre of Lisbon. The airport is conveniently connected to the red metro line, with metro services departing every 5 to 10 minutes. The metro is the best option for most visitors, as it is inexpensive and safe. A single ticket to anywhere in the city costs €1.80, which is charged to a reusable 'Navegante' card, which itself costs €0.50.

Lisbon Airport has two terminal buildings. Terminal 1, which opened in 1983, is the main terminal and handles all arrivals and most international departures. Terminal 2 was originally constructed for domestic flights but now serves as the departure terminal for low-cost airlines. A free shuttle bus service runs between the two terminals, departing every 10 to 20 minutes.

Lisbon Airport is the largest airport in Portugal and is the main international gateway to the country. It is the main hub for Portugal's flag carrier, TAP Air Portugal, and, as of 2017, has been the 20th busiest airport in Europe. In 2021, it was the 16th largest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume, carrying 190,700 tonnes of cargo.

Airlines operating from the airport

Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport, formerly known as Portela Airport, is located 7km northeast of the city centre of Lisbon, Portugal. It is the country's main international gateway and the 12th-largest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume, serving over 35 million passengers annually. The airport has two terminals, with international and local carriers operating from the main terminal (T1) and low-cost airlines based in the smaller terminal (T2).

Humberto Delgado Airport is the main hub for Portugal's flag carrier, TAP Air Portugal, and its subsidiary, TAP Express. It is also a hub for low-cost carriers Ryanair and easyJet. The airport serves as a focus city for Azores Airlines, euroAtlantic Airways, Hi Fly, and White Airways.

In total, over 57 airlines operate from Lisbon Airport, serving more than 132 destinations. Some of the airlines operating from the airport include:

• El Al Israel Airlines
• Euro Atlantic Airways
• Latam Airlines Brasil
• TAAG Angola Airlines
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
• LAM Mozambique Airlines
• Norwegian Air International
• Azul Brazilian Airlines
• Beijing Capital Airlines
• Scandinavian Airlines
• Swiss International Airlines
• Air Canada
• Air Transat
• Delta
• Air Arabia
• Royal Air Maroc
• British Airways
• Lufthansa
• Brussels Airlines
• EasyJet Switzerland
• United Airlines
• Emirates
• Air France
• Iberia
• Wizz Air
• Transavia
• Transavia France
• Vueling
• Eurowings
• Turkish Airlines
• Air Europa

The airport's history

Lisbon Airport, also known as Humberto Delgado Airport, is the main international gateway to Portugal. It is located around 7 kilometres north-east of Lisbon's city centre and is directly connected to the city's metro network. The airport first opened in 1940, serving as the main hub of Portugal's flag carrier, TAP Air Portugal.

During World War II, the airport operated in conjunction with the Cabo Ruivo Seaplane Base. Seaplanes performed transatlantic flights, and passengers were then transferred to continental flights operating from the airport. As a neutral airport, it was open to both German and British airlines and was a hub for smuggling people into, out of, and across Europe. It was heavily monitored by both Axis and Allied spies. Although Portugal was neutral, the airport was used by allied flights en route to Gibraltar, North Africa, and Cairo.

By the end of the war, the airport was rapidly developing. By 1946, it was used by major airlines such as Air France, British European Airways, Iberia, KLM, Sabena, Pan Am, and Trans World Airlines. The number of passengers reached 100,000 by 1954. From 1959 to 1962, the airport underwent major upgrades, including a new runway capable of handling the first generation of jets, such as the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8. The first direct flight to New York was operated by TWA with a Boeing 707 in 1962.

In 1983, a major upgrade to the buildings and facilities commenced, and the first air bridges were added in 1991. In 1998, the airport's concessions to provide support to civil aviation were conceded to ANA Aeroportos de Portugal. The construction of Terminal 2 was completed in August 2007, and expansion of Terminal 1 with new boarding gates was concluded in 2011. A large new shopping and restaurant area, new air bridges and parking positions, and a new underground Lisbon Metro station were inaugurated in July 2012.

In 2019, the Portuguese government unveiled a €1.1 billion plan to expand the airport, which is currently at capacity. Construction began in December 2024, and the project is expected to be completed by 2027, increasing the airport's capacity to receive up to 50 million passengers per year. However, due to its congestion and frequent delays, there are plans to build a new airport in Montijo, located 30 kilometres from Lisbon, which is expected to be fully operational by 2034.

Frequently asked questions