Flights to Lisbon
Lisbon is well connected with several European airports. Discover all the direct flights and useful information to get to Lisbon Airport.
Portugal is one of Europe’s most popular destinations, and thanks to an excellent network of air connections, reaching it is far simpler than you might think. The country has five major international airports: Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Madeira and Ponta Delgada in the Azores, each strategically positioned to serve different regions and allow visitors to plan their trip without unnecessary overland transfers.
For European Union citizens, entry to Portugal is unrestricted and requires no visa: a valid identity card or passport is sufficient. Customs controls are minimal and connections are handled within the Schengen area, making transits considerably faster than for visitors from outside Europe.
Which airport you fly into largely depends on your intended itinerary. Those wishing to visit the capital will land in Lisbon, those heading north will choose Porto, whilst those seeking the beaches of the Algarve will find it convenient to fly directly to Faro. For the Atlantic islands, Madeira and the Azores have their own terminals with direct connections from across Europe.
The Humberto Delgado International Airport is Portugal’s main hub and one of the busiest in the Iberian peninsula, handling over 32 million passengers annually in pre-pandemic seasons. Located just 7 kilometres from Lisbon’s city centre, it’s notably more conveniently situated than many other European airports of comparable size.
The IATA code is LIS. Flights to Lisbon from across Europe are operated by numerous airlines, both full-service carriers and low-cost operators, departing from major European hubs. Flight times from most European cities are around 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours depending on your departure point.
The Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport is Portugal’s second-busiest airport by traffic volume and serves as the natural gateway for visitors to Porto and the northern region. Located approximately 11 kilometres from Porto’s city centre, in the Maia area, it’s well served by efficient public transport. The IATA code is OPO.
Flights to Porto from across Europe are numerous and steadily increasing, with direct connections operated by Ryanair, Wizz Air, TAP Air Portugal and other carriers. Flight duration from most European cities is approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
The Faro Airport is the primary gateway to the Algarve, Portugal’s famous southern coastal strip renowned for its golden sandy beaches and dramatic cliffs. Located just 4 kilometres from Faro’s city centre and approximately 60 kilometres from Albufeira, the region’s main tourist destination, the IATA code is FAO.
During summer, many airlines operate charter flights to Faro, making it one of Europe’s busiest airports during the warmer months. Scheduled services are available year-round from major European hubs.
The Madeira Airport, officially named after Cristiano Ronaldo, is one of Europe’s most spectacular airports: the runway is literally supported by pillars over the sea, a breathtaking engineering solution made necessary by the island’s mountainous terrain. Located in the Santa Cruz area, approximately 22 kilometres from Funchal, the IATA code is FNC.
Flights to Madeira from across Europe are available year-round, with greater frequency during the tourist season (April–October). Flight duration is approximately 3 hours 30 minutes.
The Ponta Delgada Airport is the primary hub for the Azores and is located on the island of São Miguel, approximately 3 kilometres from Ponta Delgada’s city centre. The IATA code is PDL. Flights to the Azores from across Europe are available with a connection in Lisbon via TAP, or direct flights with Ryanair and other seasonal carriers.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
The best prices are generally found when booking at least 3–4 months in advance, particularly for summer months (July and August) and the Christmas period. Flexibility with your departure and return dates can lead to substantial savings, particularly when flying mid-week rather than at weekends.
The main low-cost carriers operating from across Europe to Portugal include Ryanair, Wizz Air and easyJet, departing from numerous major hubs. TAP Air Portugal operates scheduled services with onboard amenities included and frequent business-class offers for travelling professionals. For those departing from smaller airports, a connection through Lisbon often allows you to reach Porto, Faro or the islands at competitive fares.
For detailed information on getting around Portugal once you’ve landed, consult our comprehensive transport guide, which includes trains, buses and car hire for all the country’s main destinations.
Hotel 
Budget accommodations 
Apartments 
Family Hotel 
Luxury Hotel