2.1 Airport

Aeroporto Humberto Delgado is north of the city centre and west of Parque das Nações. It is claimed to be Europe’s busiest single runway airport. Flights approach the airport either along the river valley to the north, or over the river estuary and the western suburbs, from the south. Almost all passengers arrive through Terminal 1, with some low-cost punters departing through Terminal 2. Let’s look at arrivals first.

Arrivals

If your flight arrives outside Terminal 1, you may walk directly into the terminal using an airbridge. From Schengen countries, you’ll pass directly to baggage reclaim and out, maybe with customs checks, into the arrivals hall. And from non-Schengen countries, like the UK, it’s passport and visa control first.

Flights arriving outside Terminal 2 will transfer their passengers to buses, taking them round to Terminal 1, where the bus driver unlocks the magic door through which access is provided to passport and visa control. That’s the easy bit; there is then a long walk (there are travolators and escalators) before arriving at the baggage reclaim and customs.

Once through that door into the arrivals hall, you may be lucky and have someone waiting. Mostly you won’t. Usually you’ll turn right as you pass through those doors, and at the foot of the slope, it’s left for buses and taxis, and straight on for the Metro. You pick up TVDEs (Bolt and Uber) in their own area within Parking P2. Section 3 has all the info for public transport ticketing and costs, as well as some thoughts on taxi and private hire services.

CAR HIRE. Anyone thinking they’ll just pick up a hire car like they did in the Greek Islands or Spain, and drive around the city? I have just one word of advice for you.

DON’T. Lisbon’s choking traffic is bad enough without a load of novices rocking up and making it worse. Use public transport, or if that’s not for you, get a taxi or private hire vehicle. Let someone else grin and bear the crush.

Departures

Check which terminal your flight uses.

For Terminal 1 - through the main entrance and straight up the escalators, then follow the signs. Your departure gate will start with S for Schengen countries, or N for everywhere else. N means allowing more time to get through passport and visa control.

For Terminal 2 - up the escalators to the left, then straight on, and back outside. A shuttle bus which runs every few minutes departs from that upper level and will take you round to Terminal 2 departures.

Security: Terminal 2 is less grimace-inducing. You may well walk out to the waiting aircraft. Terminal 1 - be patient, it doesn’t take so long.

Retail overload: inevitable and often horribly expensive, as in, more horribly expensive than airports in, say, the UK. Again, less bad in Terminal 2.

That includes frankly rip-off prices for bottled water. HOWEVER. In both terminals, immediately after you exit security, there is an automatic machine that dispenses 50cl bottles of water for just €1 a go. COIN ONLY.

Are the allegedly duty free shops worth it? Personal opinion only - no they aren’t. Also, and this cannot be stressed too highly, AVOID THE CANNED FISH SHOP. Cos it’s a rip-off, big time (also personal opinion, lawyers).

In Terminal 1, there may be a long walk to the gate. Allow time, as ever. ALSO  gates may change at short notice.

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