Arrival
We were staying at a hotel in the city center, which is really convenient because it's easy to get around using public transportation or a taxi. The hotel is on a street called Avenida Liberdade. If you're planning to visit Lisbon, I suggest getting a Viva Viagem card and loading it using the zapping option and not the 24 hour flat rate. The card can then be used for up to a year as long as you keep putting money on it. You can buy Viva Viagem at the airport's Metro station. Check the information (TI) center upon your arrival. They also have a really helpful map that shows the different public transportation routes. Just make sure to ask the agent where you need to get off to get to your hotel. Rick Steves recommends traveling light, so just keep that in mind when you're packing. If you can carry all your luggage by yourself, it's really easy to take the metro from the airport to the hotel. A single ride ticket using a Viva Viagem card is €1.50, and a taxi ride is around €15 to €20 depending on the time of the day. You may also wait to go to the metro station after you settle in your hotel. The hotel concierge is always helpful to answer your question.
​Before leaving the airport, check your internet connection. You can use Google Maps to familiarize yourself with the area, especially your metro station and the hotel. You can also send WhatsApp messages. Don't hesitate to ask questions when you need help. Portuguese people are friendly and helpful. Consider reading Rick Steves' Portugal guidebook, which many visitors find helpful for Getting Around Lisbon.
Lisbon is friendly to navigate by Metro, funicular, trolley and bus. We add directions to the sites for your navigation idea. We recommend to check the directions while you have internet connection, with hotel concierge and Tourist Information.
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1. Rick Steves' Portugal suggested Viva Viagem card for practical transit using Metro.
Metro rider
To get from Humberto Delgado airport (Lisbon) to Hotel Lisboa, you can follow these steps:
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Take the metro from the airport (Aeroporto station) on the red line (Linha Vermelha) towards São Sebastião.
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Get off at the São Sebastião station, which is the end of the red line.
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Change to the blue line (Linha Azul) and take it towards Santa Apolonia.
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Get off at the Avenida station, which is the second stop from São Sebastião (after Marques de Pombal Park and before Restauradores station).
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Exit the station and you will be in Avenida Liberdade, the Hotel Lisboa is across the metro station.
Getting Around Lisbon
To get from Humberto Delgado airport (Lisbon) to Bus Station Sete Rios, you can follow these steps:
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Take the metro from the airport (Aeroporto station) on the red line (Linha Vermelha) towards São Sebastião.
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Get off at the São Sebastião station, which is the end of the red line.
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Change to the blue line (Linha Azul) and take it towards Reboleira.
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Exit at Jardin Zoologica.
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From there, it's a short walk to the bus station, located in the same square.
To get from Humberto Delgado airport (Lisbon) to Bus Station Oriente, you can follow these steps:
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Take the metro from the airport (Aeroporto station) on the red line (Linha Vermelha) towards São Sebastião.
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Get off at the Oriente Station which is the first stop.
Leaving From Lisbon
The first step is to find the nearest departure Bus Station based on your hotel location. If you're staying near Avenida Liberdade, the closest bus station is Sete Rios. The other station, Oriente Station, is also an option. To get to Sete Rios, take the Metro blue line towards Reboleira and exit at Jardim Zoologico. From there, it's a short walk to the bus station, located in the same square. Bus stations and Rodoviario buses in Portugal are reliable and convenient, with wifi available on board. You can also check bus schedules and purchase tickets online at http://www.rede-expressos.pt/ (Bus Conection), where you can see the cost of the ticket before purchasing it. The ticket will be sent to your phone, and you can download the Apps if you plan to use intra-city buses frequently. Find the Bus Route Map.
