Lisbon

Departing from Birmingham Airport

Flying from Birmingham Airport is a fantastic choice for anyone flying from the UK. With great shops, restaurants and other amenities on offer, you can feel like your holiday has begun before your flight even takes off. 

Whether you’re arriving by car, train, bus, or taxi, Birmingham Airport is easy to get to. Drivers will find a choice of seven car parks, which are all easily accessible from the terminal on foot or via the courtesy shuttle bus. Book a parking space online in advance and save up to 70%. 

Taxis can drop you right outside the terminal or, if you prefer to take public transport, you will find bus services running directly to the airport or to Birmingham International Airport train station. 

When you arrive, you’ll find many shops, cafés, bars and restaurants to keep you entertained whilst you wait to board your flight. 

Whether you need last minute holiday essentials or a new outfit for your trip, you can get it at Birmingham Airport. Discover all your favourite brands at discount prices at World Duty Free. Any last-minute travel essentials will probably be found in InMotion (for electricals and gadgets) or Boots (for health and beauty). 

Need currency for your trip abroad? Look no further. Head over to our Travelex stores conveniently located in the Arrivals area of the terminal building and Departures Lounge.  If you prefer, you can pre-order your currency and get next day collection if you order before 3pm at Birmingham Airport. 

If you want to enjoy a meal before you fly, we recommend Factory Bar & Kitchen. Pret a Manger is great whatever time you’re at the airport, with organic coffee, sandwiches, wraps, salads, hot food and even sushi. 

If you prefer the finer things in life, why not book into one of our fantastic airport lounges? Enjoy comfy seating, complimentary food & drinks, and WiFi.  

To find out about our other services, head to our terminal facilities page. 

Whether you like to get through the airport as quickly as possible, or you enjoy spending time looking in the shops and having something to eat, check out our ‘Plan your Journey’ articles for the speedy and leisurely traveller.

Arriving at Lisbon Airport

Lisbon Airport is one of the largest in Southern Europe and has two runways and two terminals. Terminal 1 handles most of the airport's flights whilst Terminal 2 is the smaller terminal dedicated to low-cost airlines.

Lisbon Airport is very well connected to the city centre, located just 20 minutes away. The public transport network is very efficient. The airport has its own metro station which connects directly to the city and is an inexpensive way to travel. The 'Aeroporto – Saldanha' line takes you to downtown Lisbon in about 20 minutes. To use the metro, purchase the '7 Colinas' / 'Viva Viagem' electronic travel card, which can be used across the metro and bus networks. 

There are several bus lines that stop at the airport arrivals terminal which take you across the city. It is worth noting that the max baggage size on buses is 50x40x20cm so if you have larger luggage, you must take the airport's specific buses. 

There are always taxis available outside the terminal and the train station can be reached by bus. 

What to expect in Lisbon

Lisbon is a vibrant and bustling city, offering an attractive climate all year round. It's heritage and history can be seen in its tourist attractions and landmarks including the Torre de Belem. 

It is an ideal location for a relaxed city break, a cultural excursion or a family beach holiday. It was named by Lonely Planet as one of the top 10 cities in the world. It is the perfect base for day trips to nearby Sintra, Cascais and Setubal. 

The best time to visit is in late Spring when the temperatures are warm but not unbelievably hot so you can still explore on foot in the bright sunshine.

Culture in Lisbon

The historic centre of Lisbon is made up of different districts - Baixa, Alfama, Chiado, Bairro Alto and the Avenida de Liberdade. They are all within easy walking distance and would be a great base for a city break exploring the area.

There is a bohemian feel to the city built on years of history stemming back to the Roman imperialists and the Berber pirates. The Torre de Belem soars high above the Lisbon sea front and is an incredible architectural tower boasting styles from the Gothic and Romanesque periods. 

The iconic Tram 28 journeys along steep cobbled streets in the old Alfama district and is a must-ride for people watching and sight seeing. The Alfama district is the oldest part of the city and you can find the Lisbon cathedral here which is worth a visit.

Whilst in Lisbon, it would be criminal not to try the pastel de nata - dating back to the 1800s when monasteries made them as a way to use up extra egg yolks - the 'custard tart' is a moreish local delicacy.