Transfer at Lisbon Airport

Lisbon

The airport area is divided into two terminals divided by airlines.

  • Terminal 1 - All airlines, except those using Terminal 2
  • Terminal 2 - Eurowings, Norwegian, Ryanair, Transavia, Volotea, Vueling, Wizz Air

Cheap hotels near Lisbon airport

Terminal 1

Terminal 1 is significantly larger with many more shops, restaurants and services. A central security checkpoint leads to a common transit area for all flights.

You will find yourself in the "S" departure gate area for all flights within the Schengen area. The "N" departure gates are after passport control and are used for departures to destinations outside the Schengen area.

Queues for security checks can reach up to 30 minutes and queues for passport control after arrival can reach up to 45 minutes. However, there are automatic gates for European passport holders (maximum waiting time 5 minutes).

The distance from the security checkpoint to the furthest gates is approximately 10 minutes on foot.

Departure check-in desks are on the 1st floor and arrivals on the ground floor.

Terminal 2

Terminal 2 is a small building with very simple facilities and significantly less spacious than Terminal 1. It serves mainly low-cost airlines.

Check-in is faster here than at Terminal 1, but the journey to Terminal 2 is longer, as there are no metro or public buses.

Queues for security checks usually reach a maximum of 15 minutes.

Transfer between flights

Transferring within Terminal 1 is very brisk, although the airport can be a bit crowded at peak times.

Do I have to leave the transit area?

No.

Terminal 1 has a direct transit option. This applies to passengers connecting on a single booking or passengers with hand luggage and boarding pass only for a connecting flight.

  • Schengen -> Schengen - You will exit the aircraft directly into the departure gate area. There is no security check.
    • Net transfer time after deplaning - approx. 5 to 10 minutes
  • Schengen -> Non-Schengen - Exit the aircraft directly into the departure gate area and head towards gate "N", which is behind passport control.
    • Net transfer time after deplaning - approx. 15 to 30 minutes
  • Non-Schengen -> Schengen - Exit the aircraft into a special corridor directly to passport control. This is followed immediately to the right by the security checkpoint for transfer passengers.
    • Net transfer time after deplaning - approx. 30 to 60 minutes
  • Non-Schengen -> Non-Schengen - You will exit the aircraft into a special corridor, but before passport control it is possible to pass through security directly to the departure gate area "N".
    • Net transfer time after deplaning - approx. 10 to 20 minutes

Do I have to collect my luggage?

Your checked baggage will be automatically transferred and collected at your final destination if you have a connecting flight purchased in one booking.

Transfer between terminals

You can only move between terminals 1 and 2 via the public landside.

A green shuttle bus runs between the buildings every 10 minutes between 3:30-1:30, taking approximately 3 minutes.

The shuttle bus is free of charge.

  • Bus stop in front of Terminal 1 - departure level (one floor higher than the bus stops to central Lisbon)
  • Stop in front of Terminal 2 - before the exit from the arrivals hall

What to do on a long layover?

If you have more than 5.5 hours between transfers, it may be worth heading into town. For tips on what to see, check out our guide to Lisbon.

This article may contain affiliate links from which our editorial team may earn commissions if you click on the link. See our Advertising Policy page.

Any questions left?

If you have any questions or comments about the article...

0 comments

Sign in to Cestee

... the worldwide travel community

Do not have your travel account yet? Sign up