What is the cheapest way from Lisbon airport to the city centre?

The Metro: ride the Red Line from Aeroporto station and transfer to the Green Line at Alameda for Baixa-Chiado or Rossio, all on a single €1.72 zapping fare, about 25–30 minutes door-to-centre.

Do I pay twice for changing lines at Alameda?

No — the Red-to-Green transfer happens inside the paid area, so your single €1.72 zapping fare covers the entire ride to Baixa-Chiado.

How much does a taxi cost from Lisbon airport to the centre?

Metered taxis typically cost €15–22 to central Lisbon depending on time and traffic — more than ten times the metro fare.

Where do I buy a metro ticket at Lisbon airport?

At the ticket machines or ticket office inside Aeroporto station, about a 5–7 minute walk from arrivals; buy the €0.50 Navegante Occasional card and load it with zapping credit.

What is the best way from LIS to downtown Lisbon?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the Metro from Aeroporto station — Red Line to Alameda, then the Green Line to Baixa-Chiado or Rossio — a single €1.72 zapping fare and about 25–30 minutes to the city centre.

How to get from Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) to downtown Lisbon — the cheapest way

The cheapest way from Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) into central Lisbon is the Metro: buy a €0.50 Navegante Occasional card at Aeroporto station, ride the Red Line to Alameda, then transfer to the Green Line for Baixa-Chiado or Rossio — a single €1.72 zapping fare covers the whole trip in about 25–30 minutes. Don't wait for the old 'Aerobus' shuttle, which hasn't run since the pandemic, and skip the taxi rank, where a metered ride runs €15–22.

How to find it

AIRPORTLisbon Humberto Delgado Airport
01From arrivals and baggage reclaim, follow the 'Metro' signs to Aeroporto station — a flat, roughly 5–7 minute walk with escalators and elevators the whole way.
02At the ticket machine, buy a Navegante Occasional card for €0.50 and load it with zapping credit (or a single €1.72 fare), then tap it at the fare gate.
03Board the Red Line (Linha Vermelha) — Aeroporto is the end of the line, so there's only one direction, towards São Sebastião — and ride 4 stops (about 8 minutes) to Alameda.
04At Alameda, follow the signed transfer inside the paid area to the Green Line (Linha Verde) towards Cais do Sodré — no need to exit or tap again.
05Ride about 6 more stops (10–12 minutes) and get off at Baixa-Chiado for Praça do Comércio (a short walk downhill), or one stop earlier at Rossio to arrive right on the square.
CITY CENTRELisbon

Ticket

Navegante Occasional card, zapping fare (formerly Viva Viagem)

Where to buy: Ticket vending machines or the ticket office at Aeroporto metro station, right by the arrivals hall (about a 5–7 minute walk).

How to pay: The card itself costs €0.50 (one-time, reusable for a year); load it with cash or card at the machine, then tap it at the gate — zapping deducts the €1.72 single-journey fare automatically and covers the Red-to-Green transfer at Alameda at no extra charge.

Local's trick: Buy the Navegante Occasional card at the machine right inside Aeroporto station and load it with zapping credit: the Red-to-Green transfer at Alameda counts as one continuous journey, so you pay the single €1.72 fare, not two. Skip the €7.25 24-hour pass unless you're also using transit later that day.

Trap to avoid: Don't wait for the 'Aerobus' airport shuttle some guides still mention — it stopped running during the pandemic and, as of 2026, has never restarted. A metered taxi from the airport rank typically costs €15–22 to the centre, more than ten times the metro fare.

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from Lisbon airport to the city centre?: The Metro: ride the Red Line from Aeroporto station and transfer to the Green Line at Alameda for Baixa-Chiado or Rossio, all on a single €1.72 zapping fare, about 25–30 minutes door-to-centre.
Is the Aerobus still running from Lisbon airport?: No. The Aerobus shuttle stopped running during the pandemic and, as of 2026, has never restarted, even though some outdated guides still list it.
Do I pay twice for changing lines at Alameda?: No — the Red-to-Green transfer happens inside the paid area, so your single €1.72 zapping fare covers the entire ride to Baixa-Chiado.
How much does a taxi cost from Lisbon airport to the centre?: Metered taxis typically cost €15–22 to central Lisbon depending on time and traffic — more than ten times the metro fare.
Where do I buy a metro ticket at Lisbon airport?: At the ticket machines or ticket office inside Aeroporto station, about a 5–7 minute walk from arrivals; buy the €0.50 Navegante Occasional card and load it with zapping credit.
What is the best way from LIS to downtown Lisbon?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the Metro from Aeroporto station — Red Line to Alameda, then the Green Line to Baixa-Chiado or Rossio — a single €1.72 zapping fare and about 25–30 minutes to the city centre.

Last verified: Jul 2, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.