Quick answer: Lisbon Airport (LIS) is unusually close to the centre. The cheapest way in is the Metro (Red line) for about €1.80 plus a reusable card (~20–30 min); a taxi or Bolt/Uber is only about €10–15 and takes 15–20 minutes.
Your options compared
| Option | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Metro (Red line) | 20–30 min | ~€1.80 + card |
| Bolt / Uber | 15–20 min | ~€8–13 |
| Taxi | 15–20 min | ~€10–15 |
| Aerobus / city bus | 30–45 min | cheap |
Which should you choose?
For most travellers a Bolt or Uber is the sweet spot — cheap, fast and door-to-door. Take the Metro if you’re on a tight budget and your accommodation is near a station (you’ll likely change lines for the centre).
Tips
Buy a reusable Viva Viagem card for the metro (the €1.80 fare is per trip on top of the €0.50 card). Use the official taxi rank or an app to avoid overcharging.
FAQ
Cheapest way from Lisbon airport? The Metro Red line (~€1.80 + card).
How far is the airport from central Lisbon? Very close — about 15–20 minutes by car.
See our best time to visit Portugal.
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Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.