Can you walk from the Lisbon Airport to Old Town?

[Shieldz]

Hi, I have seen several posts about using the metro to get from the airport to Lisbon. Is it possible to walk safely? I arrive in the morning after a long flight, so walking would do me good. Thanks!

 

[Mark McCarthy]

It's over 11 km from Portela to the city centre, taxis are cheap and know where they are going.

 

[jungleboy]

You’re better off using metro/Uber to get to the centre and then walking around the centre, which will give you a much nicer walk with a hill or two to help you stretch your legs, if that’s what you’re after.

 

[Kiwi-family]

Have a peek at google maps and see if getting out of the airport looks too complicated for you. If it does, Lisbon is a lovely city to walk around.

 

[Camembert]

From the Arrivals at the airport it is straight on to the Oriente trainstation (3 kms) and than you are close by on the waymarked caminho . From there you walk back to Lisbon Alfama where is the caminho start at the Sé cathedral and you are almost downtown. As above mentioned it is an about 10 to 11 kms walk. Keep the Tejo river at your left . It is doable .and a nice idea !

 

[marjude]

I took a taxi to my accommodation in Lisbon in 2014 and little did I know I was being driven the long way round. He asked questions and knew this was my first visit to Lisbon.
When my friend arrived two days later and we took another taxi back to the airport to pick up a hire car to drive south and walk the Rota Vicentina did I realize how close our accommodation was to the airport and that I had paid way too much. These days I’m more careful and take public transport.

 

[Vacajoe]

So funny that so many folks here suggested that 11km is too far to walk... . I love walking after a long flight and find myself quite refreshed afterwards. While the walking route to/from the airport isn’t the most scenic, it fits in with the principle that your Camino actually starts the moment you leave your house.

If you have a smartphone, you can use maps.me or similar “offline” apps to find your way. It’s not that far and you can walk a Camino route for much of it.

 

[peregrina2000]

The most agreeable way to walk into Lisbon would be to walk from the airport to Parque Naçoes (on the Tejo Rier) and then follow the camino backwards to the Cathedral. I don’t think it will be too easy to follow the arrows backwards, though. And since it is not the most direct route, it is undoubtedly longer.

Otherwise, I would take Avenida Brasil down to Campo Grande and then figure out what part of the center you want to walk to fromthere.

Leaving the airport, I think there are sidewalks down to the first big traffic circle, but I have never seen a pedestrian cross that traffic circle. There are stop lights, but cars are merging from at least 7 directions, so it is chaotic. Maybe take the metro to Parque Naçoes/Oriente from the airport (just a couple of stops). and then use GPS or phone to walk back into city center?

Walking in Lisbon is a joy. Here is a link to a little walking tour I made up years ago. https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/my-walking-tour-of-lisbon.7257/

 

[robproct]

I'd suggest just catching the train from the station right in the airport and save your walking for once you get into the old city although I guess it depends where your accomodation is.

 

[WalkingJane]

I would agree with all those who suggest taking transit to get downtown, saving your energy for the more interesting parts of the city. There is so much to see, and hills. Take the train from Oriente station to the Apolonia station and you will be right around the corner from the Se cathedral. The tram is a delightful way to see more of the city.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I took a taxi to my accommodation in Lisbon in 2014 and little did I know I was being driven the long way round.

You can use Google to plot a route and the GPS on you phone to see where you are. Give the driver some leeway for knowing faster ways that may be a little longer but if the driver knows what you are doing then honesty will be the best policy.

 

[peregrina2000]

I took a taxi to my accommodation in Lisbon in 2014 and little did I know I was being driven the long way round. He asked questions and knew this was my first visit to Lisbon.
When my friend arrived two days later and we took another taxi back to the airport to pick up a hire car to drive south and walk the Rota Vicentina did I realize how close our accommodation was to the airport and that I had paid way too much. These days I’m more careful and take public transport.

Sadly, this is not an uncommon occurrence in Lisbon. From the Lisbon airport to the historical center, 15-20 euros is pretty standard. More than 20 and you are being ripped off. But what to do about it if you don't speak Portuguese? If you are going to a hotel with a doorman, that's where I would start on arrival.

 

[hughb]

Hi, I have seen several posts about using the metro to get from the airport to Lisbon. Is it possible to walk safely? I arrive in the morning after a long flight, so walking would do me good. Thanks!

The bus is great from the airport terminal direct to the city centre. Costs a few euros 2 or 3, and is valid for any bus in the city centre for 24 hours. Goes every 15 minutes

 

[CanuckPaul]

Hi, I have seen several posts about using the metro to get from the airport to Lisbon. Is it possible to walk safely? I arrive in the morning after a long flight, so walking would do me good. Thanks!

No problem walking side walk all the way have done this many times just walk straight all the way and you will end up at the Tagus River near Alfama the old part of town only about a km from the cathedral I estimate 45 mins to an hours walk depending on your walking speed.
Email me for any more info on Lisboa area know it well and spend three months here and have walked all the Camino Portuguese trails.

 

[Shieldz]

Thank you all for your responses! I can now leave it to how I feel that day, but will likely walk from the airport.

 

[Vacajoe]

When you do walk, please post a follow-up report (good or bad) so that future pilgrims with the same idea will have a concrete answer to reference.