Car Hire

Being one of the major hubs in Europe, Lisbon Portela Airport receives around 14 million passengers a year. It is the main gateway to Portugal and the country's capital, Lisbon. It is less than five miles from the city centre and is easily reached by the new Lisbon Metro extension and a number of bus lines. Driving from here to the city or vice-versa is easy as the roads to the 2ª Circular (Avenida Marechal Craveiro Lopes), the main access road to the airport, are well signposted.

Who to Book With
Car hire companies operating at Lisbon Portela Airport include Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Guerin, Goldcar Rental and Auto-Jardim. The desks of these companies are at the southern end of the Arrivals area. There is a specific area for car rental returns―between car parks P1 and P2, to the south of the main terminal building.

Need to Know Essentials
When collecting a hire car, the renter will need to present the following:

- National or international driving licence
- Official documentation with a photo, such as a passport
- Credit card used for the booking

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
Credit cards can be used at most petrol stations but it is advisable to check with your car supplier prior to travel. A £0.40 tax is levied on most credit card transactions. Seatbelts are required for front seat as well as rear seat passengers, if fitted. When driving in Portugal, it is compulsory to carry photographic proof of identity, a reflective jacket, a warning triangle and a temporary electronic toll device (should you wish to avoid paying toll fees in cash).

More useful information about driving in Portugal can be found in our guide here.

Transport

Located less than five miles from the city centre, Lisbon Portela Airport is easily reached by a number of transport options. A new extension of the Metro takes travellers from the airport directly to the city centre. Bus services are regular and aplenty. Driving from the airport to Lisbon is easy, too, as the route is well signposted. The airport can be accessed via the 2ª Circular (Avenida Marechal Craveiro Lopes).

Trains
A newly opened Lisbon Metro station now connects the airport to Lisbon city centre, as well as to Lisbon's other three Metro lines. The airport link is an extension of the Red Line, which goes east then south towards Lisbon's administrative centre at Saldanha Station. A single journey ticket which covers the whole Metro network costs around £1. A one-day pass costs around £4.

Taxis
Taxis are available at both the Arrivals and Departures areas, but it is advisable to get one from the Departures area. Cabs at the Arrivals area are known to overcharge unsuspecting travellers. Metres are used and it is illegal for a cab to not have a working one. Booking a taxi from within the terminal is also possible. Each item of luggage is an additional £1.

Taxi prices:
Lisbon Portela Airport to Lisbon city centre is about £8.

Buses
Two bus companies operate at Lisbon Portela Airport. Aerobus runs three bus lines between the airport and various parts of the city, with services departing every 20 to 30 minutes. Line 1 travels from the airport (both terminals) to the city centre, Line 2 travels to Oriente rail terminal and Line 3 travels to Lisbon's financial centre. A single journey costs around £3. Tickets are valid for one day and are easily purchased from the Lisbon Tourism counters in the Arrivals area. Carris has four bus lines which also travel to various points in the city. Luggage exceeding 50 x 40 x 20cm is not permitted in Carris coaches. A ticket can be purchased on the bus for around £1.50.

Facilities

Terminals
Lisbon Portela Airport has two terminals. Terminal 1 is the main terminal, while the smaller Terminal 2 is currently only used by EasyJet, Transavia and Blue Air. The two terminals are linked by a free shuttle bus. The airport is a major European hub and the main gateway to Portugal. It received more than 14 million passengers in 2010. It receives domestic as well as international flights from North America, South America, Africa and Europe. From the UK, travellers can fly here directly from London, Manchester, Liverpool or Edinburgh.

Parking
The airport has five car parks. P1 and P2 are easily reached from the terminals within five minutes on foot. P3, P4 and P5 can be reached by shuttle bus. Booking a parking spot can be done online at ParkEU.com. The minimum parking duration is three hours, which costs up to £10 depending on which car park you choose.

Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi internet is provided at the airport in both terminals by Boingo. A credit card is needed for registration. The first 30 minutes of every 12-hour period is free.

Information Services
Two information desks can be found at the airport: one in the Arrivals area (open to the public) and another in the Departures area close to Gate 15A.

Useful Numbers
Airport: +351 21 841 3500
Lost and Found: + 351 21 844 4530
Tourist Information: +351 21 845 0660

Accessibility
MyWay is the service operating at Lisbon Portela Airport to assist and support persons with reduced mobility. MyWay services can be booked through your carrier or agent. Assistance is provided for check-in, at border controls, security controls and with boarding and luggage. MyWay also provides adapted toilets and lifts. A MyWay desk is located at the airport, close to the lift in the Arrivals area.

Restaurants and Bars
Around 30 restaurants, bars and cafés are found in all areas of Terminal 1. The public area (before security controls) has a few cafés, including Cafe Cafe, First Cafe and Spoon Cafe. It also has My Bistro, La Pausa Restaurant and Grab & Go. The Departures area has Buondi Café, Oregano, Pizza Hut, McDonald's and many others. Terminal 2 has a Tasty 2 Go branch.

VIP Lounges

Departures:
Groundforce (Blue Lounge)
Portway (Lisbon Lounge)
TAP Premium Lounge

Money and ATMs
The Arrivals area has a Unicâmbios branch for currency exchange. The Departures area also has a Unicâmbios as well as a Santander Totta bank branch. There is an ATM at the Arrivals area, close to the car hire desks, and a number of further ATMs at the Departures area, specifically at the check-in counters and gates 13, 16, 41 and 44.

Shopping
The airport has an array of shops selling all sorts of wares: luxury clothes and accessories, beauty products, wine and cheese, confectionery and gift items. Lacoste, Tie Rack and Accessorize each have a store at the public area. Mont Blanc, Swatch, Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo and other brand name outlets are found at the Departures area. Duty-free shopping can be done at Just for Travellers at the Departures area.