How to get from Lisbon Airport to Belém Tower
Cities & Metropolitan Areas · Portugal · Urban & Cultural · Belém · Belém Tower · Lisbon · Lisbon Airport
Getting from Lisbon Airport (LIS – Humberto Delgado Airport) to Belém Tower is straightforward once you choose between the metro plus tram or train, a direct taxi or private transfer, or a rental car/scooter if you’re planning a wider Lisbon road trip; below you’ll find at-a-glance picks, booking links, and step-by-step instructions for each option.
At A Glance (Lisbon Airport to Belém Tower)
| Mode | Duration | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 🚈+🚆 Metro + Suburban Train (Cais do Sodré → Belém) | ~45–60 minutes (incl. walk) | Fast, reliable, good in most weather |
| 🏷️ Cost: ~€3.50–5 one-way with Viva Viagem or day pass metro ticket & pass info | Cascais line trains | ||
| 🚈+🚊 Metro + Tram 15E (Cais do Sodré → Belém) | ~45–65 minutes (traffic-dependent) | First-time visitors, scenic riverside ride |
| 🏷️ Cost: ~€3.50–5 one-way with Viva Viagem or 24h Carris/Metro ticket Carris tickets | Belém Tower tickets & tours | ||
| 🚕 Taxi / Ride-hailing / Private Transfer | ~25–40 minutes door-to-door | Late arrivals, lots of luggage, groups |
| 🏷️ Cost: ~€22–40 per car depending on time/traffic private transfers | shared airport shuttles | ||
| 🚗 Rental Car / Scooter | ~25–40 minutes driving | Road-trippers, onward coastal drives |
| 🏷️ Cost: From ~€35–60/day for car hire, scooters from ~€20–30/day compare car rentals | scooter rental Lisbon | ||
Which Option or Route Should You Choose?
- Fastest / Most Reliable: Metro + suburban train via Cais do Sodré is usually the quickest and least affected by traffic, especially at rush hour.
- Most Scenic / Classic Lisbon Experience: Metro + tram 15E lets you ride the historic yellow tram along the Tagus, ideal if it’s your first time in the city.
- Most Convenient with Luggage or Kids: Taxi or private transfer from the airport straight to Belém Tower or your hotel nearby.
- Best for Road Trips: Rental car or scooter if you’re planning to explore coastal areas like Cascais or Sintra as well as Belém.
How to Book and Practical Tips
- Contactless & Viva Viagem: For metro, trams and most local trains, buy a reusable Viva Viagem card at the airport metro station and load single tickets or 24h passes; it also works on the Cascais trains to Belém.
- Check timetables: Confirm metro hours on the Lisbon Metro timetable and tram/bus info on the Carris website, especially if traveling early morning or late night.
- Prebook transfers if arriving late: If your flight arrives after 22:00 or with heavy luggage, consider a prebooked airport transfer on GetYourGuide, Klook or Trip.com.
- Ride-hailing apps: Uber, Bolt and FREE NOW all operate in Lisbon, alongside prebooked services such as GetTransfer; for a meet-and-greet style service you can also use airport transfers from GetYourGuide.
- Luggage storage: If you want to visit Belém before checking into your accommodation, you can drop your bags at city locations using Radical Storage Lisbon.
- Where to stay: Many visitors base themselves near Baixa/Chiado or Cais do Sodré for easy access to both the airport metro and Belém; compare hotels on Booking.com Lisbon.
🚈 Option #1 — Metro + Suburban Train (Fast & Reliable)
Fast Budget-friendly One easy transfer
- Overview: Take the red line metro from Aeroporto station to the city, change for the green line to Cais do Sodré, then hop on a suburban train on the Cascais line to Belém station and walk to Belém Tower.
- Duration: Around 35–40 minutes on the metro and train plus 10–15 minutes’ walk from Belém station to the tower (~45–60 minutes total).
- How to book (with price): Buy a Viva Viagem card and load a Carris/Metro ticket or 24h pass at the airport metro station (from about €1.85 per 60-minute Carris/Metro trip or €7.00 for a 24h pass). Train tickets from Cais do Sodré to Belém are roughly €1–2 each way; check times on the official Comboios de Portugal Cascais Line page.
- Pros: Predictable journey time, frequent departures, covered almost end-to-end. Cons: One line change and a short walk at the end; can be busy at rush hour.
Step-by-step: Metro + Suburban Train
- From Arrivals, follow signs to the Metro (red line) at Lisbon Airport and buy a Viva Viagem card at a ticket machine or counter.
- Board the red line towards São Sebastião and ride to either Alameda or Saldanha, then change to the green line towards Cais do Sodré.
- Stay on the green line to its terminus at Cais do Sodré, where the metro connects directly with the suburban train station.
- In the train station area, buy a ticket or top up your Viva Viagem for the Cascais suburban train, and board any westbound train stopping at Belém.
- Get off at Belém station; from here it is about a 10–15 minute walk through the riverside park and underpass to Belém Tower, following local signs for “Torre de Belém”.
Getting to the main embarking points (Airport Metro & Cais do Sodré / Belém Station)
- From the arrivals hall to the metro: The metro entrance is signed inside the terminal; lifts and escalators connect directly to the station, so it’s easy with luggage.
- At Cais do Sodré: Follow signs for Comboios (trains). The suburban platforms for Cascais and Belém are in the same building as the metro, just a level up.
- Belém station to the tower: Exit towards the river, cross through the gardens and use the pedestrian underpass beneath the main road to reach the riverside path; the tower will be clearly visible.
- Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap
🚊 Option #2 — Metro + Tram 15E (Iconic & Scenic)
Iconic tram Scenic Traffic-dependent
- Overview: Take the metro from the airport to Cais do Sodré or Praça da Figueira, then ride the famous tram 15E along the Tagus riverfront to the Belém area, finishing with a short walk to the tower.
- Duration: Around 35–40 minutes on the metro plus 15–25 minutes on the tram, depending on traffic and crowding (~50–65 minutes total).
- How to book (with price): Use the same Viva Viagem card as for the metro; a combined Carris/Metro ticket is about €1.85 for 60 minutes, or €7.00 for a 24h unlimited Carris/Metro pass, ideal if you’re also riding other trams and buses. Check route and service updates on the official Carris 15E page.
- Pros: Classic Lisbon experience, riverside views, frequent departures. Cons: Can be crowded with tourists, and delays are possible when traffic is heavy.
Step-by-step: Metro + Tram 15E
- From Lisbon Airport, follow signs to the Metro and purchase or top up your Viva Viagem card.
- Take the red line towards São Sebastião and either:
- Change to the green line at Alameda or Saldanha and ride to Cais do Sodré, or
- Change at Alameda to the green line and get off earlier at Baixa-Chiado, then walk to Praça da Figueira.
- At Cais do Sodré or Praça da Figueira, follow the signs for the 15E tram heading towards Algés or Belém.
- Ride tram 15E until you reach the Belém area (look for stops near Mosteiro dos Jerónimos or the riverside); from the tram stop, walk across the park and underpass towards the river until you see Belém Tower.
- Validate your Viva Viagem each time you board the tram to avoid fines; keep an eye on your belongings as trams can be busy.
Getting to the main embarking points (Airport Metro, Cais do Sodré & Praça da Figueira)
- Airport to metro: The red line station is directly connected to the terminal, well signed with the “M” metro logo.
- For Cais do Sodré: Stay on the green line to the final stop; tram 15E stops are right outside the station, along the waterfront.
- For Praça da Figueira: Exit at Baixa-Chiado and follow signs for Praça da Figueira or Rossio; tram 15E departs from the large square with multiple tram platforms.
- Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap
🚕 Option #3 — Taxi, Ride-hailing or Private Transfer (Most Convenient)
Door-to-door Fast Higher cost
- Overview: Travel directly from the airport arrivals area to Belém Tower or your hotel in Belém by licensed taxi, ride-hailing app, or prebooked private transfer.
- Duration: Typically 25–40 minutes, depending on traffic along the 2ª Circular and riverside roads.
- How to book (with price): Expect around €22–35 for a standard taxi or ride-hailing trip (more at night or in heavy traffic). For fixed-price services and meet-and-greet, you can prebook via GetYourGuide airport transfers, Klook shared or private transfers, or Trip.com private transfers. Another option is to arrange a car in advance with GetTransfer.
- Pros: No transfers, comfortable, ideal after a long flight or with young children. Cons: More expensive than public transport; travel time can be affected by rush hour.
Step-by-step: Taxi / Private Transfer
- After collecting your luggage at Lisbon Airport, follow signs for the taxi rank outside arrivals, or meet your prebooked driver at the agreed meeting point.
- If using a ride-hailing app (Uber, Bolt, FREE NOW), order your ride once you’re in the arrivals hall and follow in-app directions to the pickup point.
- Give your driver the destination “Torre de Belém” or your Belém hotel’s address; most drivers are familiar with this very popular landmark.
- Pay in cash or card for taxis (check before departure), or via the app/online for prebooked services.
Getting to the main embarking points (Airport Taxi / Ride-hailing Pickup)
- Official taxi rank: Located just outside arrivals – join the queue for licensed city taxis displaying meters and official logos.
- Ride-hailing pickup zones: Check your app for the exact pickup location; in most cases it will be in the same general area as the normal taxi rank or a nearby car park.
- Late-night tip: If the metro is closed or infrequent, taxis and prebooked transfers are usually the simplest and safest way to reach Belém.
- Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap
🚗 Option #4 — Rental Car or Scooter (For Wider Exploring)
Flexible Great for day trips Parking needed
- Overview: If you plan to explore beyond Lisbon – for example Cascais, Sintra or the Costa da Caparica beaches – renting a car or scooter from the airport can make sense and Belém can be an easy first stop.
- Duration: Around 25–40 minutes drive from Lisbon Airport to Belém Tower, plus time to pick up/return the vehicle and find parking.
- How to book (with price): Compare airport car rentals on Booking.com Car Rental. For two-wheeled options, check scooter and motorbike offers on BikesBooking Lisbon scooter rental, where daily prices often start from around €20–30 depending on model and season.
- Pros: Maximum flexibility, easy access to coastal viewpoints and nearby towns. Cons: City driving and parking can be stressful; you may not need a car if you’re staying mostly in central Lisbon.
Step-by-step: Rental Car / Scooter
- Reserve your vehicle online in advance through Booking.com Car Rental or BikesBooking, checking pickup location (usually at or near the airport terminal).
- On arrival at Lisbon Airport, follow signs to the car rental desks or the indicated pickup point for your scooter/motorcycle provider.
- Drive towards central Lisbon following signs for the city and then for Belém, or simply use GPS with “Torre de Belém” as your destination.
- Look for signed parking areas near Belém’s riverside parks or streets; paid parking may apply during the day, especially in high season.
Getting to the main embarking points (Airport Rental Car Desks)
- Car rental desks: Most major agencies have counters within the terminal or in adjacent car parks, connected by signed walkways.
- Scooter pickup: Some scooter rental companies may be in the city; if so, first use the metro or a taxi into town, collect your scooter, then ride out to Belém.
- Driving tips: Watch out for bus/taxi lanes and tram tracks, and avoid the tightest historic streets in central Lisbon if you’re not used to European city driving.
- Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap
FAQ (Lisbon Airport to Belém Tower)
How long does it take to get from Lisbon Airport to Belém Tower?
Most journeys take between 30 and 60 minutes. Metro + train or tram usually takes around 45–60 minutes door-to-door; taxis and private transfers take about 25–40 minutes depending on traffic.
What is the cheapest way to get from the airport to Belém Tower?
The cheapest option is usually the metro plus train or tram using a Viva Viagem card loaded with single Carris/Metro tickets or a 24h pass, keeping the total one-way cost to around €3.50–5.
Is there a direct train or metro from the airport to Belém?
No, there is no single direct line. You need to take the red line metro from Aeroporto and change (typically to the green line for Cais do Sodré), then continue by suburban train to Belém or by tram 15E or bus along the riverfront.
Can I use the same ticket on metro, tram and train?
In many cases, yes: the Viva Viagem card and some day passes can be used across metro, Carris trams/buses and certain suburban trains within the Lisbon urban area. Always double‑check the fare type at the ticket machine or with staff to ensure it covers your full route to Belém.
Is it easy to visit other Belém sights from Belém Tower?
Yes. From Belém Tower you can walk along the riverfront to attractions like the Monument to the Discoveries and Jerónimos Monastery, or ride tram 15E or a bus a few stops back towards the city.