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Portugal Travel Basics - Getting Around in Lisbon & Beyond

Portugal Transport I Lisbon Transport I Visas I Banking I Post I Phone I Health I Language I Internet Cafes

Portugal Transportation

Domestic Flights

Flights within Portugal are expensive. Unless you have an under-26 discount card, you may want to consider other travel options - especially considering the short distances from place to place. TAP Air Portugal (in Lisbon: 218 43 11 00; USA & Canada: 800-221-7370; UK: 845 601 09 32) is Portugal's national carrier. PGA Portugalia Airlines (in Portugal: 218 42 55 59; UK: 087 075 500 25) also flies between many cities.

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Rail

For most travelers, the train and/or bus will suffice. The state railway, CP (Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses), is often less expensive than long-distance buses. It is best used for trips around Lisbon and for those who stay on the Lisbon-Coimbra-Porto-Braga main line. Three types of service are available: Regional (R on timetables), interregional (IR), and rapido or intercidade (IC). Within the final category are the fastest trains, or Alfa Pendular, which are fairly expensive and, depending upon the route, only a bit faster. You can save 10% by buying a return ticket. Children under 12 and people 65 or older receive a 50% discount.

Trains to + in Portugal

Bus

In addition to the former national bus service, Rodoviaria (213 54 57 75), which was recently privatized, there are also private bus companies such as Rede Expressos, Renex, and EVA that offer several types of service. Expresos, which run between cities, are fast and comfortable. They are also in most cases the cheapest way to get from point A to B.

Buses to + in Portugal

Car

With the highest fatality rate on Western European roads, you may want to reconsider driving in Portugal. Roads in recent years have been improved, but Portuguese drivers often have a cavalier attitude towards road regulations. Also, gas is relatively expensive but is cheaper than in the UK, France & Spain. Be careful driving in Lisbon. If you are planning to drive, it is possible to rent a car in Portugal. If possible, do this in advance from your home country, which will be considerably cheaper. For further information on driving in Portugal click here.

Lisbon Transportation

From the airport the easiest and most convenient option is the Aero-Bus, which is 2.30 EUROS (plus an additional 1.50 for luggage). It leaves at twenty minute intervals from the Arrivals Terminal. Please note that buses only run until 9 pm. You can get into town in about 40 minutes depending upon traffic. TAP passengers ride for free by showing their boarding pass. Ordinary buses (#44) do run from the airport for 0.90 EUROS but they are slow and those with luggage would be better off taking the Aero-Bus. The tourist offices and Ask Me Lisboa booths have free maps of the Lisbon bus and tram network

Inside the city itself, there are several reliable ways to get around.

The Companhia Carris de Ferro de Lisboa (213 613 060) runs all public transportation in the city except for the subway.

Buses cost 0.90 EUROS in the city, which is paid on the bus.
A passe turistico which is good for unlimited travel on CARRIS is very convenient. 1-day (2.30 EUROS), 3-day (5.50 EUROS), 4-day (9 EUROS), and 7-day (13 EUROS) passes are available. Passes are sold in train and subway stations.

The Lisbon Metro

The subway or Metro (213 55 84 57) costs .65 EUROS per ride (return 1.05 EUROS). The subway system has four lines in the center of Lisbon that run from 6.30am until 1 am. 10 tickets can be bought for 5.10 EUROS. The Gare do Oriente train station and Parque das Nacoes can both be reached by metro. A link to the Santa Apolonia train station is due to be completed in time for Euro 2004.

In Lisbon, the underground (‘Metro’) is the quickest, easiest and cheapest way of getting to both the Estadio da Luz (home of Benfica and venue for 3 group matches, a quarter final and the final) and Estadio Jose Alvalade (home of Sporting Lisbon and venue for 3 group matches, a quarter final and a semi final).

The Metro trains are fast and frequent and the system easy to use. Moreover, the fares are cheap (compared to Britain) and crime is rare.
The system consists of four colour-coded lines - yellow, blue, green and red.
Trains run from 6.30 am until 1.00 am.
Stations can be seen easily from a distance, as there are clear signs with an ‘M’ for Metro (in white with a red background) at all stations.
Maps of the Metro system are available free from Tourist offices and the ‘Ask Lisboa’ booths (information booths) in the city centre. The Metro system is shown as part of a free ‘map of Lisbon’, which shows the main streets and sights of the city, as well as the public transport network.
Exit signs (‘Saida’ in Portuguese) are easily visible at the stations.

Lisbon Metro Fares

Single - 0.65 EUROS (any distance/zone)
Return - 1.05 EUROS (any distance/zone)
One Day Ticket (‘Bihete Diaro’) - 1.40 EUROS (valid for all stations/zones)
7 Day Ticket - 4.80 EUROS (valid for all stations/zones)
10 Journey Ticket - 5.10 EUROS (valid for all stations/zones)

Buying Tickets

These can be bought from automatic machines, which are plentiful at all stations (queues to use them are rare). Instructions are in Portuguese, English, Spanish and French.
The machines accept 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent coins and 5, 10 and 20 euro notes and can dispense change. There are also ticket offices at all stations and information desks at most stations, where the staff mostly speak some English and are helpful.

Using the tickets at stations is similar to the system used on the London underground. The ticket is inserted into a slot (an arrow on the ticket indicates the correct way to insert) and moves through the machine, validating the ticket, before it reappears at another slot. When the ticket is taken from there, see-through sliding doors open automatically.

The fare for trams is 0.90 EUROS. This is perhaps the most graceful and charming way to travel around town, although not if you are in a hurry. Line 28 is good for sightseeing, Line 15 for the nightlife areas of Av. 24 de Julho and Docas Santo Amaro.

Funicular fares are 0.90 EUROS per ride.

Travelling by taxi is relatively cheap by European standards. Taxis are normally cream (or a few older ones are black with cream roofs). Recommended taxi companies include Radio Taxis de Lisboa (218 11 90 00) and Autocoope (217 93 27 56).

All official taxis are light yellow in colour and clearly marked as taxis - many are Mercedes. They run 24 hours and are metered at an official rate. The meter can be seen on the dashboard, so there are no problems with regard to knowing the fare. They are less plentiful at night and more expensive. They are also more expensive at weekends. However, compared to Britain they are much cheaper. It cost 8 EUROS from the centre to Estadio da Luz at night. The official taxi tariffs are listed on the windows, so it is simple to check if you are being charged the right fare.

A Lisboa Card grants you free use on nearly all city transportation and discounts on museums and monuments. It also knocks 65% off of bus and tram tours. You can buy them in 24-, 48-, or 72-hour increments. A good value if you plan on doing a lot in a short time. Cards are sold at kiosks and Turismo de Lisboa offices.

Prices for the Lisboa Card in Euros are as follows:
Adult tickets cost 12.75 (24 hours), 21.50 (48), 26.55 (72);
for children (ages 5-11), the prices are 5.70 (24 hours), 8.55 (48), and 11.40 (72).
Lisboa Cards are also available at major hotels, Carris ticket booths, the Lisbon Zoo, the National Art Museum, and other locations.

Visas for Portugal

EU citizens require only a valid passport or identity card to stay indefinitely. US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens with a valid passport can enter for up to 90 days. Other nationals require a visa. Contact the Portuguese embassy or consulate in your home country.

Embassies in Portugal

Banking & Money in Portugal

Normal banking hours are Monday to Friday 8.30am - 3pm.
There are numerous ATMs (Multibancos) in nearly all towns and cities. All major credit cards are accepted.

Portugal Post

Post Offices (correios) are open Monday to Friday 8.30am - 6pm. In Lisbon the main post office on Praça dos Restauradores 58 is open Mon. to Fri. 8.30am - 10pm; Sat. & Sun. 9am - 6pm.
In Porto the main post office on Praça General Humberto Delgado is open Mon. to Fri. 8.30am - 9pm; Sat. & Sun. 9am - 6pm.

Telephones/Internet in Portugal

Card operated public phones (credifones) can be used for local or domestic calls. Cards in denominations of EURO 3, 6, 9 are readily available from post-offices, newsagents and kiosks.
Confirm whether the model of your mobile phone will operate in Portugal.

Portugal 'Helpline' cards (see image right) available from tourist offices allow access to free information on museums, restaurants and other tourist resources in Portuguese, English, French and Spanish between 9am-9pm daily.

• Check our Portugal Internet cafes listing for Internet cafes in the venue cities. Large post-offices also have Internet posts which can be used with a pre-paid card.

Health in Portugal

Pharmacies

(farmácia) are widespread throughout Portugal and open Mon. to Fri. 9am - 1pm & 3pm - 7pm; Sat. & Sun. 9am - 1pm. Details of 24-hour pharmacies are listed on every pharmacy door.
In an emergency dial 112.

Hospitals

British Hospital, Rua Saraiva de Carvalho 49, Lisbon, 213 955067
Hospital Santo Antonio, Largo Professor Abel Salazar, Porto, 222 077 500
Hospital Distrital de Faro, near Farense football stadium, Faro, 289 891 100

Tourist Information on Portugal

Your Guide To Portugal - PortugalVisitor.com

Mobile Phone Rental in Japan

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Information on Portugal

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