Lisbon's Airports: A Comprehensive Guide To All Of Them

Lisbon, Portugal, is served by Humberto Delgado Airport (IATA: LIS, ICAO: LPPT), informally Lisbon Airport and previously Portela Airport. It is an international airport located 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) northeast of the historical city centre of Lisbon. Lisbon Airport is the largest airport in Portugal and is one of the busiest in Europe, with more than 35 million passengers per year. The airport has two terminals, with Terminal 1 used by most airlines and Terminal 2 used exclusively by low-cost carriers. Lisbon Airport is accessible by metro, bus, taxi, bicycle, and car, with various parking options available.

Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport is 7km from the city centre

Lisbon is served by Humberto Delgado Airport (IATA: LIS, ICAO: LPPT), informally known as Lisbon Airport and previously called Portela Airport. It is located just 7km from the historic city centre of Lisbon, Portugal. With more than 35 million passengers per year, it is the 12th-largest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume and the busiest single-runway airport in mainland Europe. It is also one of the most congested airports in Europe and has consistently ranked poorly in customer satisfaction.

The airport is easily accessible from the city centre by several major highways and main roads. A trip to the city centre by taxi takes approximately 15 minutes. Lisbon city taxis are readily available 24 hours a day outside the arrival and departure areas of the airport. Alternatively, shuttle buses connect the airport to the centre of Lisbon, running every day between 8 am and 9 pm. The metro also connects the airport to the centre of Lisbon in approximately 10 minutes. The Aeroporto Saldanha line takes around 20 minutes to reach downtown Lisbon.

Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport has two terminals. Terminal 1 is used by most airlines, except low-cost airlines, and all arrivals are at this terminal. Terminal 2 is the much smaller, newer terminal, used exclusively by low-cost carriers. It is located away from Terminal 1 on the southern border of the airport perimeter. There is a free shuttle that connects the two terminals.

The airport has undergone several structural and equipment improvements and expansions since 2007, including the construction of Terminal 2, lighting and baggage claim refurbishment, and enlargement of express cargo facilities. In 2019, the Portuguese government unveiled a €1.1 billion plan to further expand the airport. However, the airport is already at capacity, and the expansion faces opposition due to concerns about increased pollution and noise.

Lisbon Airport has two terminals

Lisbon Airport, also known as Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport, Lisbon Portela Airport, and Aeroporto de Portela, is the largest airport in Portugal and one of the busiest in Europe. It is located 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) northeast of Lisbon's historical city centre. The airport has two terminals, with Terminal 1 serving most airlines and Terminal 2 catering exclusively to low-cost carriers.

Terminal 1, located on the northern side of the airport, is the primary hub for most airlines operating at Lisbon Airport. It features a spacious airside commercial area with various stores and a large food court. The arrivals area at Terminal 1 provides easy connections to the city centre through different modes of transportation. The Aeroporto Metro station is situated at the southern edge of the Terminal 1 arrivals area, offering a quick 10-minute connection to the city centre. Additionally, Carris city buses serve this area, providing connections to Marquis of Pombal Square and Amoreiras, as well as night routes to downtown Baixa, Cais do Sodré, and Gare do Oriente train stations.

Terminal 2, the smaller and newer of the two terminals, is located on the southern border of the airport perimeter. This terminal is exclusively used by low-cost carriers such as Ryanair, Wizz Air, Transavia, and others. It has 22 check-in desks and 15 departure gates, mostly utilising walk boarding with some bus connections. A free airport shuttle service connects Terminal 2 with Terminal 1, ensuring convenient access for passengers.

Over the years, Lisbon Airport has undergone significant improvements and expansions to accommodate increasing passenger traffic. Between 2007 and 2013, several projects were completed, including the construction of Terminal 2, lighting and baggage claim refurbishments, and the enlargement of cargo facilities. In 2019, the Portuguese government unveiled a €1.1 billion plan to further expand the airport, highlighting its importance as a major transportation hub in Europe.

It is the 12th-largest airport in Europe

Lisbon Airport, also known as Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport, Lisbon Portela Airport, and Aeroporto de Portela, is the largest airport in Portugal. It is located 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) northeast of Lisbon's historic city centre. With more than 35 million passengers per year, it is the 12th-largest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume. It is also the busiest single-runway airport in mainland Europe, carrying approximately 200,000 tonnes of cargo annually.

The airport has two terminals. Terminal 1 is used by most airlines, except low-cost airlines, and is where all arrivals are processed. Terminal 2 is the smaller and newer of the two terminals, used exclusively by low-cost carriers. It is located away from Terminal 1 on the southern border of the airport perimeter. A free shuttle service connects the two terminals.

Lisbon 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 several other airlines, including Azores Airlines, euroAtlantic Airways, Hi Fly, and White Airways. It is a major hub for flights to and from South America, notably Brazil, and Africa.

The airport has undergone several improvements and expansions in recent years, including the construction of Terminal 2, refurbishment of lighting and baggage claim areas, and the enlargement of cargo facilities. In 2019, the Portuguese government unveiled a €1.1 billion plan to further expand the airport, which is currently at capacity. However, the expansion faces opposition due to concerns about increased pollution and noise.

Passengers can easily access the city centre from Lisbon Airport via the metro, bus, taxi, or bicycle. The Aeroporto Saldanha metro line takes approximately 20 minutes to reach downtown Lisbon, while a taxi ride takes about 15 minutes. There are also Carris city buses that connect the airport to various locations in the city. For those travelling by bicycle, two bicycle paths connect the airport roundabout to the city's 70 km cycle infrastructure network.

The airport has been expanded and improved since 2007

Lisbon Airport, also known as Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport, Lisbon Portela Airport, and informally simply as Portela Airport, is an international airport located 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) northeast of Lisbon, Portugal. It is the largest airport in Portugal and the 12th largest in Europe in terms of passenger volume, with more than 35 million passengers per year. It is also the busiest single-runway airport in mainland Europe.

In July 2013, a new commercial area was inaugurated in Terminal 1, featuring 20 new stores and spacious, naturally lit internal circulation areas. Two years later, in July 2015, a significantly larger food court was introduced, catering to a wider range of tastes and cuisines. Lisbon Airport continues to be a focus for expansion and improvement, with the Portuguese government unveiling a €1.1 billion plan to expand the airport in January 2019. However, the expansion faces opposition due to concerns over pollution and noise.

Lisbon Airport has consistently ranked low in customer satisfaction, partly due to its congestion. It is one of the most congested airports in Europe and the only major airport with a runway directly over the city. Despite plans to build a new airport elsewhere, these have been repeatedly postponed or suspended due to various challenges.

There are several ways to get to the city centre from the airport

Lisbon Airport, also known as Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport, Lisbon Portela Airport, or simply Portela Airport, is located 7 kilometres northeast of Lisbon's historical city centre. With more than 35 million passengers per year, it is the largest airport in Portugal and the 12th-busiest airport in Europe.

By Metro

The Aeroporto Saldanha line takes approximately 20 minutes to reach downtown Lisbon. The metro station is located at the southern edge of Terminal 1's arrivals area. To use the metro, passengers can purchase a 7 Colinas/Viva Viagem card, which can be topped up and used on the metro and bus network. Contactless payment is also accepted at the metro gates, but this is not valid on other modes of transport in the city.

By Bus

Terravision buses run from the airport to the centre of Lisbon every day between 8 am and 9 pm. A ticket costs $19.42 each way. There is also a night bus route that runs to downtown Baixa. Carris city buses also stop at the airport arrivals section, connecting to Marquis of Pombal Square and Amoreiras.

By Taxi

Lisbon city taxis are readily available 24 hours a day outside the arrival and departure areas of the airport. A trip to the city centre by taxi takes approximately 15 minutes.

By Bicycle

Two bicycle paths connect the airport roundabout, located 300 metres south of Terminal 1, to the city's 70 km cycle infrastructure network. One path heads west towards the University of Lisbon main campus, passing through central neighbourhoods such as Alvalade, Campo Grande, and Entrecampos.

Frequently asked questions