Lisbon Airport Metro
Getting from Lisbon Airport to City via Subway
Lisbon metro can be considered as a reliable, modern and the quickest method available for the people to travel around the capital. It consists of four metro lines, which covers a total distance of 46km. The Lisbon metro covers 55 different metro stations as well. The operating hours of the metro are from 6.30am to 1.am on the following day. It is possible for the people to find a train service through Lisbon metro in every 6 to 9 minutes.
The Lisbon metro was opened back in 1959. It is recognized as the first ever subway system to be opened in Portugal. The idea of building an underground system in Lisbon existed since 1888 but it took some time for the implementation of it. Construction activities began back in 1955 and were completed on the month of December, 1959. The Lisbon metro became popular soon after opening and it has carried more than 15 million people during the first year. The metro system has expanded along with time and it has become one of the most preferred methods of transportation in today’s world.
If you are looking to choose the best way to reach your destination from the Lisbon airport to Lisbon city, there’s no better public transport to take than the Lisbon airport metro. The Lisbon airport metro is one of the most quick, reliable and modern way to travel around.
The Lisbon airport has a metro station with a direct line to the city center. The network of the metro is a great mean to move around the city with ease. The best part about using the Lisbon airport metro is that it is inexpensive, quick and most of all you get to see the different subway stations of Lisbon, each with its own unique decor and theme.
Lisbon Airport Metro Fares & Tickets
Where to buy tickets
Tickets are obtained from Metro stations, both from the ticket machines or ticket offices. The ticket offices are usually busy at the popular metro station or shut at the calmer metro stations, so they aren’t advised. The ticket machines are more user-friendly and offer instructions in different languages, including Spanish, English, and Portuguese. The Metro fare can be loaded onto a “Viva Viagem” card, and it must be acquired with the first ticket. It costs about €0.50. The Viva Viagem card is also reusable and can be utilized for multiple tickets such as single, return, and one-day pass, or ticket ten journeys.
Lisbon Airport Metro Fares
There are two separate fare zones for the Lisbon Metro, but all the major tourist spots, including the airport, are in zone 1. The Lisbon Metro fare prices for 2024:
Carris/Metro Ticket
- 1,80€ – Valid for unlimited journeys on Carris and Lisbon Metro networks, during 60 minutes following the first validation.
- 6.80€ – Unlimited travel for 24 hours (including all Lisbon trams and buses)
Zapping
- 1,61€ – (Zapping is a prepaid travel credit) Valid for a single journey on the Lisbon Metro network – Travel zapping at Carris. Amounts can be topped up: 3€, 5€, 10€, 15€, 20€, 25€, 30€, 35€ e 40€.
Viva Go
- 1,80€ – Valid for a single journey on the Lisbon Metro network.
How does the Lisbon Airport Metro Fare and Ticket System Work?
The Viva Viagem card is used where the metro fares are loaded into. You do not need to worry if you have an unused fare as it can last for several days which is why your return ticket can be used on a later day.
It is necessary to buy the card when you charge it for the first time which costs €0.50 that has validity for one year. During this duration, you can charge and reuse your card as many times as you want.
If you have a 7 Colinas card and you wish to recharge it with a different type of ticket you first need to use the original type.
What’s satisfying about the card system is that when the validity of the card is expired, your cards will no longer be recharged but if you have any leftover tickets, they may still be used or can be transferred to your new card.
Some Guidance and Advice
When you purchase a ticket from the ticket machine, a printed receipt comes out. Make sure you always get this receipt in case you have an issue with your card. The card is used twice for every journey; once when you swipe into the station and other when out of the metro station.
The card is used twice in each journey; you need to swipe it when entering the metro station and when leaving it.
At the place where the barrier exists you need to place the viva Viagem card on its sensor on the right side and the barrier will open for you. However, it might not open in case you swiped the card as soon the previous passenger left.
The same with any public transportation network in busy cities, always be aware of your surroundings. Do not let thieves get an opportunity of stealing any valuable item from you. As a helpful reminder, always be alert because there have already been a number of thefts around the Metro subway. If you are traveling on late hours, sit by busy carriages. Avoid dodge-looking individuals.
Lisbon Airport Metro Station
Lisbon Airport Metro Videos
Lisbon Airport Metro – Rules and regulations
For operation to run smoothly it is essential that all Metro users abide by a set of rules and regulations designed to raise service quality and passenger safety, with benefits for all.
Some of the rules below are official and others are not. However, they all aim towards making Metro rides as smooth as possible from the moment customers enter our stations:
- Always carry a valid ticket when using the Metro;
- When using escalators and travelators, stand on the right or walk on the left;
- Respect queues when waiting to buy a ticket or to go through the access gates;
- Always remember to validate your ticket at the entrance gates, including when they are open;
- Before validating your ticket at the access gates, wait for the gate to close after the customer in front of you has gone through;
- Do not go through the access gates with another customer. This is considered to be an offense punishable by law;
- For safety reasons, customers are not allowed to remain between the edge of the platform and the yellow line marked on the floor;
- The wider access gates at the stations, called special gates, are reserved for customers with restricted mobility, especially those with wheelchairs, baby strollers, carrying children or large objects. Do not use these gates if those conditions do not apply to you. The special gates are usually two-way gates: pay attention to the light signals and cross only when the green arrow is lit.
- Use the help points near to the access gates and on the automatic ticket vending machines whenever you need help from the station staff;
- When the train arrives at the station, do not remain in front of the car doors. Stand to one side and allow passengers to exit the trains quickly;
- Do not enter or exit the train after the door closing buzzer sounds and light signals come on;
- Some seats in the passenger cars are reserved for the disabled, pregnant women and adults with babies. Please, give up your seat for someone who needs it more;
- Do not put your feet on the seats;
- The emergency buttons/levers near the access gates and inside the trains are only for emergencies. Their misuse is an infringement subject to penalty;
- Smoking in the Metro’s premises, namely trains, stations, accesses and adjoining facilities, is strictly forbidden and punishable by law.
- Do not carry objects that by their volume, shape, smell or content may affect the safety or comfort of other passengers;
- Bicycles are allowed on Lisbon Metro trains every day in a maximum of two bicycles per passenger car and only if there are no large crowds of passengers;
- Transport of pet animals is allowed in the Lisbon Metro trains as long as suitably accompanied and accommodated in order not to disturb or upset other passengers. Animal pets are considered suitably accommodated if kept in a proper container or under control with a muzzle and on a lead (up to 1 metre length) fixed to a collar, every item made of resistant material.
Stay safer at the Metro
Timetables and frequency
The operating hours of the metro are from 6.30am to 1.am on the following day. It is possible for the people to find a train service through Lisbon metro in every 6 to 9 minutes.
Red line train frequencies (From/To Lisbon Airport)
Weekdays
| Hours | Waiting time |
|---|---|
| 06:30 a.m – 07:15 a.m | 09’45” |
| 07:16 a.m – 09:45 a.m | 06’00” |
| 09:46 a.m – 04:30 p.m | 07’00” |
| 04:31 p.m – 07:30 p.m | 06’00” |
| 07:31 p.m – 08:30 p.m | 07’05” |
| 08:31 p.m – 10:30 p.m | 07’55” |
| 10:31 p.m – 01:00 a.m | 09’30” |
Weekends and public holidays
| Hours | Waiting time |
|---|---|
| 06:30 a.m – 12:00 a.m | 08’10” |
| 12:01 p.m – 08:15 p.m | 07’00” |
| 08:16 p.m – 10:15 p.m | 08’00” |
| 10:16 a.m – 01:00 a.m | 09’30” |
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Lisbon Airport Metro FAQ
The airport Metro station is directly connected to the city center, and it provides a fast, regular, and reliable method of transportation between the two locations. Keep reading for all of the important questions and answers that you need to know to make your journey on the Metro as smooth as possible.
How long is the Metro journey from Lisbon Airport to the city center?
You can expect the subway ride to take roughly 15 minutes until it arrives at Lisbon’s business neighborhood at the Saldanha stop. The journey takes about 25 minutes to get into the downtown part of the city at either the Alameda or São Sebastião stations.
You can expect the subway ride to take roughly 15 minutes until it arrives at Lisbon’s business neighborhood at the Saldanha stop. The journey takes about 25 minutes to get into the downtown part of the city at either the Alameda or São Sebastião stations.
What hours does the subway operate between the airport and Lisbon?
Metro starts at 6.30am each day and closes at 1am, so you will be able to get a train between the airport and the city on a regular schedule within those hours.
Which Metro line is Lisbon Airport part of?
The subway station at Lisbon Airport is the first stop at one end of Metro’s red line, which is one of four color-coded routes that can take you all around the city and its surroundings.
Is there a lot of room for luggage on the Metro from the airport?
There is some space where you might be able to place one or two suitcases when taking the Metro from the airport into Lisbon, but if you have many bags you might want to consider another option because the train might quickly fill up with regular commuters at other stops.
What is the cost of a one-way journey from Lisbon Airport into the city?
If you are buying a single fare into the center of Lisbon, you can expect to pay €1.50 for the journey, which is much cheaper than other transportation options.
Is a single fare only valid for disembarking at stations on the red line?
No, once you pay a one-way fare from the airport into Lisbon, you can transfer to any of the other Metro lines as part of your journey to wherever you are staying in the city.
Do children have to pay when traveling on the Lisbon Metro?
Not necessarily, because any child under the age of three is allowed to travel for free.