Lisbon Airport to the City Centre: Metro, Bus, Taxi and Fares
Humberto Delgado airport sits inside the city, so the trip to the centre is short. The cheapest route is the metro; which one is best depends on the hour and your luggage.
The cheapest quick way from Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado airport to the city centre is the Metro red line from Aeroporto station, with one change at Alameda, Saldanha or São Sebastião. As of November 2026 a single Carris/Metro ticket costs €1.90, plus €0.50 once for the reusable card. Taxis and ride-hailing cars offer door-to-door trips.
A metro trip on prepaid credit costs €1.72 instead of the single ticket. Fares below come from Metro de Lisboa’s tariff sheet in force since 1 January 2026. The former Aerobus airport shuttle no longer runs, so ignore older guides that recommend it.
How do I take the metro from the airport?
Aeroporto is the end of the red line (Linha Vermelha), which runs west to São Sebastião. You will usually change once, depending on where you are going.
| Change at | Line | For |
|---|---|---|
| Alameda | Green | Baixa-Chiado, Rossio, Cais do Sodré (trains to Cascais, ferries) |
| Saldanha | Yellow | Marquês de Pombal, Rato, Campo Grande |
| São Sebastião | Blue | Marquês de Pombal, Restauradores, Baixa-Chiado, Santa Apolónia |
| Oriente (no change) | Red | Oriente station: CP trains and long-distance buses |
The metro runs from about 06:30 to about 01:00. Check the operator’s notices for strikes and line works, which are announced in advance.
How much does the metro cost from the airport?
The airport is inside the normal metro network, with no airport surcharge. Fares in force since 1 January 2026:
| Ticket (as of November 2026) | Price |
|---|---|
| Navegante occasional card (reusable, bought once) | €0.50 |
| Single Carris/Metro ticket, valid 1 hour | €1.90 |
| Metro trip on prepaid credit (zapping) | €1.72 |
| Metro trip paying with a contactless bank card | €1.92 |
| 24-hour Carris/Metro ticket | €7.25 |
Ticket machines at Aeroporto sell the card and load tickets or credit (top-ups of €3 to €40). The single ticket does not allow two consecutive metro entries, so a second metro trip needs another ticket. If you live in Lisbon and already have a monthly pass, it covers the airport; see our guide to the Navegante pass. Aeroporto station is also one of the places where Metro issues personalised Navegante cards, which cost €7 on the standard route.
Is there a bus from the airport?
Yes. Several Carris city bus routes stop at the airport, including a night service when the metro is closed. Routes and timetables change, so check the Carris route planner for the stop and line that suits your destination.
City buses are regular service buses with no luggage racks, which makes them awkward with large suitcases at busy times. The same Carris/Metro ticket and Navegante passes work on Carris buses; buying a ticket on board costs more than using a loaded card.
What about taxis and ride-hailing?
Licensed taxis wait at the official taxi rank outside arrivals and charge by the meter. Use only the rank, not people offering rides inside the terminal.
Ride-hailing cars, known in Portugal as TVDE (transporte individual e remunerado de passageiros em veículos descaracterizados a partir de plataforma eletrónica), pick up at designated points shown in the apps and on airport signs. The fare is shown in the app before you book. Taxi and app fares vary with traffic and time of day, so we do not quote a fixed figure; check the app estimate or ask the driver about supplements before you set off.
What is the best option at night or with luggage?
Late at night, after the metro closes, the choice is between the night bus and a taxi or app car. With heavy bags, several people or a destination far from a metro station, a taxi or app car is usually simpler. For trips beyond Lisbon, take the red line one stop to Oriente for CP trains, or see our guide to CP trains to Sintra and Cascais via Cais do Sodré and Rossio.
How do I continue beyond Lisbon from the airport?
Most onward trips start from a metro interchange, so you rarely need a taxi to reach the wider region.
- Cascais line and the coast: red line to Alameda, green line to Cais do Sodré, then CP trains toward Oeiras and Cascais.
- Sintra line: red to Alameda, green to Rossio for CP trains from Rossio station, or red line to Oriente for other Sintra-line services.
- South bank: green line to Cais do Sodré for ferries to Cacilhas, Seixal and Montijo; see our guide to Lisbon’s Tagus ferries.
- Porto, the Algarve and long-distance buses: red line to Oriente, three stops from the airport, for CP long-distance trains and the coach terminal.
Metro de Lisboa posts service changes, strikes and station closures on its official website. Check it on strike days, when the metro may run reduced service or close, and plan a taxi or bus instead.
Bottom line
For €2.40 the first time (card plus one ticket) the metro gets you to the centre with a single change, and residents with a monthly pass ride it free. Buy the card at the machine before the queue builds after a long-haul arrival, and keep it: the same card works for every later trip.
FAQ
Can I pay the metro with a bank card?
Yes. Metro de Lisboa’s 2026 tariffs list a contactless bank card fare of €1.92 per metro trip, valid across the network.
Does the airport metro run all night?
No. The metro closes at about 01:00 and reopens at about 06:30. At night use the Carris night bus, a taxi or a ride-hailing car.
How do I get to Lisbon’s Oriente station from the airport?
Take the red line from Aeroporto; Oriente is on the same line, with no change.
Is there a train from the airport?
No train stops at the airport. Use the metro to Oriente, Rossio or Cais do Sodré for CP rail services.
