Portela Airport Metro Line

The Lisbon metro network, established in 1959, is considered fast, efficient, and budget-friendly. It consists of four color-coded lines and serves Lisbon International Airport via the Red Line, which departs directly from LIS Airport and travels toward São Sebastião Station in the city.

Our Tip 1: The Lisbon metro includes 56 stations across the city. Each station has a unique artistic design, making metro travel an experience in itself.

Our Tip 2: There is no designated luggage storage on metro trains. If you are traveling with large or multiple suitcases, especially during rush hours, another transport option may be more convenient.

Red Metro Line Timetable from Lisbon Airport

Like all Lisbon metro lines, the Red Line operates daily from 06:30 am to 01:05 am, including weekends and public holidays.

  • Weekdays: every 6–10 minutes
  • Weekends & public holidays: every 7–9.5 minutes

Travel time from Lisbon Airport to central Lisbon stations is approximately 20 minutes.

The Metro Station at Lisbon Airport

The Lisbon Airport metro station is located at Terminal 1, on the south side of the terminal, at the Arrivals level.

Terminal 2 is not directly connected to the metro network. However, all arrivals are handled at T1, and passengers departing from or arriving at T2 are transferred to T1 via the free airport shuttle bus.

Metro Ticket Prices from Lisbon Airport

Lisbon’s public transport system is divided into zones, but most travelers only need Zone 1, which includes the airport and all central Lisbon areas.

To use the metro, you must first purchase a Navegante Occasional Card.

  • Navegante Occasional Card: 0.50€ (valid for 1 year, personal use only)
  • Card must be scanned when entering and exiting the metro station

After purchasing the card, you can choose among the following ticket options:

  • Zapping (pay-as-you-go): 1.61€ per metro ride (card loaded with cash)
  • Contactless payment: 1.80€ per ride (one traveler per bank card)
  • Single 60-minute ticket: 1.80€ – valid for buses, trams, and one metro journey (no station exit allowed)
  • 24-hour ticket: 6.80€ – unlimited bus, tram, and metro travel
  • 24-hour ticket incl. CP trains: 10.80€ – valid for metro, buses, trams, and suburban trains

Tickets and cards are available from automatic machines and ticket offices at the airport metro station. Automatic machines are usually faster, as ticket desks tend to be crowded.

Our Tip: Children up to 4 years old travel for free on the Lisbon metro.

Navegante Occasional Card or Lisboa Card?

Besides the Navegante Occasional Card, travelers may also choose the Lisboa Card.

The Lisboa Card is available for 24, 48, or 72 hours and offers:

  • Unlimited public transport (metro, bus, tram, train, lifts)
  • Free entry to many major Lisbon attractions
  • Discounts on museums and sightseeing

If sightseeing is a priority, the Lisboa Card is often the best-value option.

Is There a Train Station at Lisbon Airport?

Lisbon Airport does not have a train station. To reach Lisbon by train, you must first travel by metro or bus.

For onward rail travel, you can take the Red Metro Line to Oriente Station, located just 10 minutes away by subway. Oriente is one of Lisbon’s main railway hubs, serving regional, intercity, and international train routes.

For more information, visit the official CP (Comboios de Portugal) website.