Practical Information about Lisbon
Getting to Lisbon
Lisbon offers diverse and convenient travel options, ensuring a smooth arrival for all delegates.
With its international airport just minutes from the city center, well-connected rail stations, and various port access points, reaching Portugal’s vibrant capital is straightforward.
For those traveling by road, excellent routes from northern and southern Spain provide direct access.
Arriving By Air
Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) serves as a central gateway, providing direct connections to major European cities (typically 1-3 hours flight time) and North America (5-8 hours flight time), as well as daily non-stop flights to South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Its exceptionally close proximity to the city center, just 7 kilometers away, allows for quick transfers – often within 15 minutes to downtown, and 30-45 minutes to other regional areas.
Arriving By Train
Lisbon’s city center is readily accessible by train. Both national and international services arrive daily at Santa Apolónia station, conveniently located near many traditional neighborhoods.
For an arrival with unique architectural flair, consider alighting at Gare do Oriente, designed by Calatrava, which offers an impressive modern experience.
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Public Transportation
From the Airport to Downtown Lisbon
Navigating from Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) to your accommodation is remarkably easy,
thanks to an efficient public transportation network.
Subway
The most efficient and cost-effective way to reach downtown Lisbon is by subway. The airport has its own dedicated station on the Red Line (Linha Vermelha). This line directly connects to major interchange stations like Alameda (for the Green Line) and São Sebastião (for the Blue Line), allowing you to easily reach most areas of the city. Metro services operate from approximately 6:30 AM to 1:00 AM daily.
Taxis & Ride-Sharing Services (Uber/Bolt)
For a direct and convenient transfer, taxis are available just outside Terminal 1. Ride-sharing services like Uber and Bolt are also widely used and can often be a cost-effective alternative, especially for groups. Their pick-up points are clearly signposted.
- Journey Time: Typically 15-25 minutes to the city center, depending on traffic.
- Fares: Taxi fares are metered, while ride-sharing apps provide an upfront cost estimate.
Public Transportation Tickets
The Navegante Card
Lisbon’s public transportation network is efficiently integrated, and the easiest way to navigate it is with a reusable Navegante electronic card. This card is essential for most journeys on the Metro, buses, trams, and funiculars.
The physical Navegante card itself costs a small fee (typically €0.50). You can purchase it at any Metro station or at staffed ticket offices.
Once you have your card, you can load it with various travel options depending on your needs during the congress:
Pay As You Go
A popular and flexible option that allows you to load the card with a desired balance. Each journey's fare is then deducted from this balance. Valid across Metro, buses, trams, funiculars, and suburban trains.
24-Hour Passes
If you plan to use public transport frequently, various passes offer unlimited travel. For most congress attendees, the Carris/Metro 24-hour ticket (valid on Metro, buses, and trams) is sufficient.
Single Journey Tickets
You can also load single journey tickets onto the card, though the Pay-As-You-Go or a 24-hour pass often provide better value for congress attendees.