Lisbon Getting There

If you are planning a trip to Lisbon and need information on getting there, here is a quick overview.

From the Airport to Lisbon

International and domestic flights arrive at the Aeroporto de Lisboa, just 4 miles from the city. From the airport you can catch the AERO-BUS. It connects with the Cais do Sodre train station. Along the way, it stops at central places like Praça dos Restauradores. It’s a smart option if your hotel is near one of its main stops. The fare is just over $4 USD. A cab ride into the city costs about $15 to $20 dollars.   

By Train

Portugal’s Sud Expresso line connects Lisbon to Madrid and Paris. If you are traveling from France, take the TGV from Paris to Hendaye. Portugal’s rail system (CP) will take you from there to Lisbon’s Estação da Santa Apolónia. The trip takes about two days. From economy to premier, prices vary from $90 to $300 USD. The trip from Madrid to Lisbon is direct. Buy a Spain-Portugal pass from Rail Europe. A train from Madrid’s Chamartín station will take you straight to Santa Apolónia. Prices start at $120 dollars. Local trains depart from Estoril, Cascais, Sintra, Sado or Azambuja and go into Lisbon. If you are traveling from other area in Portugal contact the CP at (351) 2110-26708.

Bus Basics

Arco do Cego is Lisbon’s main bus terminal. It has international and national departures. It is located by the Saldanha metro stop. Gare do Oriente is another important terminal with international and national departures. Lastly, terminal Sete Rios, by the Jardim Zoológico metro, has a number of national destinations.  

Often the fastest way to reach Lisbon is to By Air, but this is also the least romantic way. I prefer the slow regional By Train myself because then you have time to look out of the window and arrive gradually into town, without having to bother with traffic or parking place.