As Lisbon gears up for the forthcoming 2018 Eurovision Song Contest, ESCToday brings you the Discover Lisbon series of articles in collaboration with Urban Adventures in order to introduce you to the Eurovision host city Lisbon. Today we will have a look on how to get from the airport to the city.

Lisbon International Airport

Lisbon’s International Airport known to many as Aeroporto Humberto Delgado is just a 20 minute drive from downtown Lisbon and operates direct flights to all five continents. The airport has two terminals and there are numerous ways to travel to Lisbon’s city centre.

Aerobus (Airport Shuttle Bus)

Aerobus is the airport shuttle bus service connecting Lisbon Airport to the city of Lisbon. The shuttle bus operates frequently from both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 and stops near the main hotels in the city including the Sete Rios Bus terminal,  Entrecampos Railway Terminal, Cais do Sodré and Areeiro-Martim Moniz.

The Aerobus bus fleet offers passangers the following facilities: free Wi-Fi, USB chargers, luggage compartment, and access for reduced mobility. The shuttle bus service operates with 2 lines from 07:30–23:00  local time daily.

• Line 1 – 7:30 – 19:00 (every 20 min) | 19:00pm – 23:00 (every 25 min)
• Line 2 – 7:40 – 19:00 (every 20 min) | 19:00 – 22:45 (every 25 min)

The Aerobus 24hr Pass can be purchased online at aerobus.pt, on the bus and at Turismo de Lisboa counters in the Arrivals Hall at Lisbon Airport.

Fares:

• Single Ticket- Adults: €4.00/ Children €2.00
• Return Ticket– Adults: €6.00/ Children: €3.00

Bus

Another means of a cost efficient way to commute from Lisbon’s Airport to the city centre is the Lisbon’s Bus Network Carris.

In order to use the Lisbon Bus Network you must buy the 7 Colinas’ / ‘Viva Viagem electronic travel card. Hereafter you have to top up the card in order to travel on the Yellow Bus . You can check the bus schedule and plan your journey.

Fares:

• 7 Colinas / Viva Viagem electronic card: €0.50
• Single Ticket: €1.40
• 24H Network Pass: €6.00

Lisbon Metro

One of the easiest and most cost efficient ways to commute from Lisbon’s airport to the heart of Lisbon is by the Lisbon Metro.  Lisbon’s Metro consists of four lines: Green, Red, Yellow and Blue. The Red Line connects the aiport with the city, whilst the Eurovision venue is just 3 stops away from the aiport on the same line.

Lisbon’s Metro system connects most of the city’s main sights and key locations and runs efficiently. It will just take you circa 20 minutes to travel from the airport to the city centre if you opt to take the the Metro.

In order to use the Metro you have to purhase the 7 Colinas’ / ‘Viva Viagem electronic travel card. Hereafter you  have to top up  the card in order to travel by Metro. The same card enables you to use Lisbon’s Bus Service Carris.

Fares:

• 7 Colinas / Viva Viagem electronic card: €0.50
• Single Ticket : €1.40
• 24hr Pass: €6.00

Train

The Lisbon urban train system Comboios de Portugal does not operate direct trains to the airport, hence the nearest train station is Gare de Oriente.

If you wish to use the train then you must go  to Gare de Oriente, adequately located in Parque das Naçaoes where you will find the 2018 Eurovision venue.

You can access the station via Metro, bus or taxi. Gare de Oriente is Lisbon’s central train station connecting the whole country with hundreds of trains both urban and intercity destinations. It will just take you 10 minutes from the airport to get here by Metro, then you can opt to take the train to your hotel/ down town.

You can access the following train stations in Lisbon from Gare de Oriente:  Entecampos, Sete Rios, Santa Apolonia, Rossio, Cais de Sodre.

Fares:

Single ticket Adult: €1.30 onwards

Taxi

Taxis in Lisbon are affordable and cheaper than in most European countries. It is indeed a comfortable and quick way of commuting in the city. Bear in mind that taxis in Lisbon run on with a meter machine and you must not forget to check if the meter counter is turned on when you begin your journey. Always ask for a receipt. A trip from the airport to the city centre should cost you between € 10-20. A taxi ride to the city centre will take between 15-20 minutes depending on the traffic and time of day.

Uber, Cabify etc

Of course if you don’t want to use the either public transport or a taxi, you can always opt for Uber, Cabify etc.

Free Airport Transfer for Accredited Press and Fans

Carristur would like to welcome accredited press to the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Lisbon by offering free airport transfers on AEROBUS

Accredited journalists and fans can pick up a voucher at the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 Welcome Desk upon arrival at Lisbon’s airport in order to access this offer.

If you are an accredited journalist /fan then you must present a copy of your Accreditation Approval in order to pick up your free Aerobus  pass!

Welcome to Lisbon! Bem-vindo a Lisboa! Bienvenu a Lisbonne!