How to get from the airport to the city in Portugal: Lisbon, Porto, Faro and Madeira

Portugal's airports are refreshingly close to their cities. Lisbon Airport is just 7 km from the centre, Porto's is connected by metro, and Faro's is a 20-minute bus ride from town. This guide explains every option from Portugal's main airports, with 2026 prices and journey times.

Quick answers:

Lisbon Airport to City Centre

Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) is about 7 km northeast of the centre of Lisbon.

Metro (best value)

The Red Line (Linha Vermelha) starts at the airport (Aeroporto station, outside Terminal 1).

• Price: single ticket €1.90 plus €0.50 for the reusable Navegante occasional card
• Time: 20–30 minutes to the centre
• Hours: about 6:30 to 1:00
• Frequency: every 4–10 minutes

How to get downtown:

• To Saldanha or Alameda: stay on the Red Line
• To Baixa-Chiado, Rossio, Restauradores: change at Alameda (Green Line) or São Sebastião (Blue Line)
• To Oriente station (trains to Porto and the Algarve — see getting around Portugal): stay on the Red Line – it's the third stop from the airport

A single fare covers the whole journey, including line changes. You can also use contactless payment at some gates, or load zapping credit for slightly cheaper fares.

Note: the Metro doesn't reach Alfama, Graça, Belém or Alcântara directly – you'll need a tram, bus or short taxi ride from the nearest station.

Taxi

• Price: about €10–€18 to central Lisbon, including luggage and airport surcharges
• Time: 15–25 minutes (longer at rush hour)
• Use the official taxi rank outside Arrivals. Taxis are metered.

Uber, Bolt and other apps

• Price: usually €10–€15, fixed in the app
• Pickup is in the designated ride-hailing area – follow the signs.

Bus

Regular Carris city buses serve the airport at normal city fares, but they're slower and not ideal with large luggage.

What about the Aerobus?

The Lisbon Aerobus was discontinued. Ignore old websites that still mention it.

Terminal 2 (low-cost flights)

Some budget airlines use Terminal 2. A free shuttle bus connects T2 with Terminal 1, where the Metro and taxi ranks are.

Porto Airport to City Centre

Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) is about 11 km northwest of the centre.

Metro Line E (Violet) – best value

• Price: Z4 ticket ~€2.25 plus €0.60 for the blue Andante card (~€2.85 the first time)
• Time: about 30–35 minutes to Trindade (city centre)
• Hours: about 6:00 to 1:00
• Change at Trindade for other lines (e.g., to São Bento or Campanhã stations)

Remember: validate your Andante card on the yellow reader before boarding – and again every time you change lines.

The Andante 24 or Andante Tour passes can be worth it if you'll use public transport a lot on arrival day.

Taxi

• Price: about €20–€30 to the centre
• Time: 20–30 minutes

Uber / Bolt

• Price: often €15–€25

Bus

STCP buses (e.g., 601, 602, 604) connect the airport with the city and use the same Andante card. Night buses run when the metro is closed.

Faro Airport to City (Algarve)

Faro Airport (FAO) is about 4–7 km west of Faro city centre and is the gateway to the Algarve.

Bus 16 (Próximo)

• Price: about €2.25, paid to the driver
• Time: around 20 minutes to the bus station near the marina
• Hours: roughly 5:00 to around midnight, every 30–60 minutes
• Buses marked "Praia de Faro" go to the beach, not the city – check the direction.
• Line 14 also serves the airport, less frequently.

From Faro's central bus station you can connect to Vamus/EVA regional buses and the train station (a short walk) for other Algarve towns.

Taxi and Uber

• Faro city: about €10–€20
• Albufeira: about €45–€60
• Vilamoura: about €30–€40
• Lagos / Portimão: about €70–€100

Ride-hailing is often cheaper, but demand is very high in summer.

Getting to other Algarve towns

There's no direct public bus from the airport to most resorts. Options:

• Bus 16 to Faro, then regional bus or train
• Shuttle buses and shared transfers (book ahead in summer)
• Rental car – recommended for exploring the Algarve (driving in Portugal)

Madeira Airport to Funchal

Madeira Cristiano Ronaldo Airport (FNC) is about 16–20 km east of Funchal, near Santa Cruz.

Airport bus

An airport express bus (operated by SAM) connects the airport with Funchal's hotel zone and city centre, taking around 30–45 minutes. Check the operator for current timetables and fares.

Taxi

• Price: about €30–€40 to Funchal
• Time: about 20–25 minutes

Rental car

Recommended if you plan to explore the island (see our Madeira guide) – roads are steep but good.

Azores (Ponta Delgada)

João Paulo II Airport (PDL) on São Miguel is only about 3 km from Ponta Delgada. A taxi costs around €10–€12, and there's a local minibus service. Most visitors rent a car to explore the island.

Tips for Arriving in Portugal

• Have small change and a contactless card. Most machines accept cards, but some buses take cash only.
• Keep your transport card – Navegante (Lisbon) and Andante (Porto) cards are reusable for your whole trip.
• Avoid rush hour (8:00–9:30 and 17:30–19:30) in taxis.
• Late arrivals: after the Metro closes (around 1:00), use taxis, Uber/Bolt, or night buses.
• Lots of luggage? A taxi or pre-booked transfer may be worth it, especially in Lisbon's hilly neighbourhoods.
• Luggage storage: if you arrive before check-in, use luggage storage services near stations.

Renting a car at the airport? Take the Via Verde toll device the rental company offers — see how Via Verde works.

Final Thoughts

Arriving in Portugal is easy: take the Metro in Lisbon and Porto, bus 16 in Faro, and a taxi or bus in Madeira. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are affordable everywhere, so if you're tired or carrying heavy bags, they're a perfectly reasonable choice. Fares change regularly, so check the operator's website before you travel.