Travel

Getting to Lisbon

By Plane 

Lisbon International Airport is close to the city centre and it is served by the main international airlines. The cities of Porto and Faro also have international airports. You can get to Lisbon in under 3 hours from many European capitals. For more flight info please consult us.  

By Train 

The main train station for international trains is Santa Apolonia station, which is located in the city center. International connections by train are available to some cities in Spain. Several daily connections are available with Porto and Faro, the other two international airports. Another train station in Lisbon, Gare do Oriente, is an impressive work of art by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and worth a visit even if you do not come by train. 

By Bus

International connections by bus are available, mainly to Spain and France, but with onward connections to other countries possible. Please check options here. 

By Car 

Lisbon is accessible by car via the A1 and A2 highways, which have several international connections with Spain. 

Useful information  

Time 

Current time in Portugal is WET, GMT+1 

Climate 

The climate in Portugal may vary from the north to the south and from the seaside to the inland regions. In general, the country has mild winters compared to other countries in Europe, and summers are usually hot and dry inland, though the sea lowers temperatures on coastal areas. Lisbon is a very sunny and bright city and in July, the time of the event, we expect to have long sunny days. For more details, please check here. 

Currency 

The official currency of Portugal is the Euro. You can easily obtain it from ATM machines, even at the Lisbon airport arrivals area. The symbol MB (Multibanco) is also used to identify ATM machines. Foreign currency can also be obtained at exchange offices at the airport or city centre. If you prefer to use a bank, ensure you do so between 8h30 and 15h00. 

Credit cards 

Major credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, Diners, JCB and Maestro are widely accepted; American Express is also accepted but to a lesser extent. 

Electricity 

In Portugal the electric current is 230/400 volts and 50 hertz frequency. Sockets comply with European standards, but you will need a transformer and adaptor to use American-style plugs. 

Local transportation 

The Lisbon area is served by a great network of buses, metro and suburban trains. To travel on them you can get a Viva Viagem Card at a ticket office or ticket machine at the stations. You can also use it on trams, funiculars and ferries. It can be charged with a specific amount and it will be cheaper than buying tickets on board. More information here.