Lisbon Airport (LIS) is unusually close to the centre – about 7 km, 15–20 minutes by road – and sits right on the Metro Red Line. Here’s how to get into town and when it’s worth paying for a private transfer instead.
At just ~7 km from downtown, Lisbon Airport is one of the most central in Europe – a taxi or private transfer takes 15–20 minutes in normal traffic. The airport also has its own Metro station (Red Line, “Aeroporto”), reaching Saldanha in about 20 minutes, where you can change for Baixa and the riverside. You’ll need a reusable Navegante card (€0.50) topped up with credit. Note: the airport’s official transport page no longer lists an “Aerobus” – don’t confuse it with the Algarve bus of the same nickname, or with resold private shuttles still marketed under that name online.
Transfer options at a glance
Lisbon Airport to city centre
| Option | Price (one-way) | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro (Red Line) | a few euros | ~20 min | Light luggage, budget travellers |
| Private transfer (booked online) | from €24 | 30–45 min direct | Families, direct hotel drop-off |
| Metered taxi | metered fare, no fixed table | 15–20 min | Landing late / no pre-booking |
| Carris city bus (e.g. 744) | a few euros | varies | Light luggage only (max 50×40×20 cm) |
Metro and Carris bus details from Lisbon Airport’s official site; private transfer prices from live GetYourGuide listings, checked 2026-09-24.
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Lisbon Airport to city centre — pick your group size
Totals use listed ‘from' prices per option (per person or per vehicle); items marked approx are typical market rates, not fixed fares. Final prices vary by date and operator.
Yes – about 7 km, roughly a 15–20 minute drive, one of the shortest airport-to-centre distances in Europe.
Yes, the airport has its own Metro station on the Red Line (“Aeroporto”), reaching Saldanha in around 20 minutes (change there for Baixa) – the cheapest option if you’re travelling light. You need a Navegante card (€0.50) loaded with credit.
No – Lisbon Airport’s official transport page lists only the Metro, Carris city buses, intercity coaches and shuttles, with no Aerobus. Some resold tour shuttles still use the name online, so book directly through the Metro, a licensed taxi, or a pre-booked private transfer instead.
If you have heavy luggage, arrive late at night, or are travelling as a family/group, a private transfer (from around €24–25 for up to 3–4 people) often works out similar in price to several metro tickets, with a direct hotel drop-off.
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Page last fact-checked 24 September 2026.
