Getting There
Air
Lisbon’s major international airport is not far from the central city. Portugal’s international airline is TAP Air Portugal, who offer reasonably priced flights. Other major airlines fly to Lisbon. It takes just under three hours to fly there from London airports, and the time difference from the UK remains unchanged because Portugal is on the same timezone.
Train
There are two rail services to Lisbon, from outside Portugal. The first is from Irún in Spain to Vilar Formosa, then Coimba and Lisbon. The second is from Irún to Madrid, where you change to cross into Portugal at Marvão-Beirã, continuing onto Lisbon. For train times and prices see the Rail Europe website.
Car
Renting a car in Lisbon is easy and gives you freedom to see the surrounding areas of Lisbon. There are a number of car rental companies at Lisbon airport, but reserving your car online before you travel may secure you a cheaper booking. You can rent a car with any EU driver’s license or an International Drivers License, accompanied by your license from home.
Getting Around
A Bilhete Turístico gives you unlimited travel on buses, trams and funiculars all day until midnight and cost around €2.50. If you flew with TAP then you get a free Bilhete Turístico, just show your boarding pass.
Buses
An Aerobus (bus 91) departs from arrivals of Lisbon airport every 20 minutes. It will go down the main drag Avenida Liberdade, past the main shopping area. There are various bus routes around the city.
Trams & Elavadores
You can’t visit Lisbon without travelling on a tram or elevadore (funicular railways) and there are five routes. Be sure to catch the No.28 tram that trundles up through the steepest hills to the picturesque Largo da Graca where you get a perfect view across the city. Then wander up the lanes to the castle Castelo de São with views across Lisbon from Miradouro da Graça. A warning is to hold onto your wallets though, as this touristy tram is renown for its pickpockets. Tram No.12 is also a good tram to catch up the east city centre, with less tourists. You can pay for tickets on the tram to the driver.
Metro
Lisbon’s metro is the best way to reach Lisbon’s outer districts such as Belém. It has four different colour-coded lines and runs from 6am to 1am. Tickets are sold at all stations and you can buy one-way or a ten-ticket pass. A bilhete diario is a one-day metro pass that is worth buying if you’re travelling on it all day. See more at Metro Lisboa
Ferries
Catch a ferry across Rio Tejo to towns along Lisbon’s coastal towns and outer districts. Points of departure are Praça do Comércio and Cais do Sodré.
Taxi
Taxis aren’t too expensive within Lisbon’s city area. Fares get higher after 10pm to 6am. All taxis use meters and tips aren’t expected.
Lisboa Card
The Lisboa Card entitles you to free entry to more than 80 museums, sights & attractions and also allows you free travel on the public transport system.
An adult 24 hour card costs €18.50
An adult 48 hours card costs €31.50
An adult 72 hour card costs €39
Where to stay
Oasis Hostel Lisbon
Oasis Hostel in Lisbon is a hostel in the real sense of the word. A hostel should be a hostel. We don’t think that it should be a boutique hotel designed by Philippe Stark. A hostel should be cheap and in the best location of the city,
