Getting There & Getting About

International Airports

• Lisbon (LIS): 7 km from the city.
• Faro (FAO): 4 km from the city.
• Oporto (OPO): 11 km from the city.
• Full list of airports in Portugal with associated airport codes >

Internal Transport

There is a domestic air network connecting Lisbon, Faro, Madeira, Porto Santo, Porto and the Azores. There is also a service that operates between the various Azores islands.

There is a rail service to every town, with fast links between Lisbon and the north (Porto, Braga or Guimaraes, with stops in Coimbra and Aveiro) and from Lisbon to the Algarve. Tourist tickets are available from main railway stations, valid for 7, 14 or 21 consecutive days. The Intra-rail card gives those aged 12 to 30 years 3 or 10 days' travel in 4 pre-defined zones in Portugal plus 2 or 9 nights in youth hostels. The InterRail One-Country Pass offers travel for 3, 4, 6 or 8 days in one month within Portugal.

Every town and village in Portugal can be reached by a good system of roads. Travel by motorway is subject to a toll according to the type of vehicle and distance covered. Speed limits are 120 kph (70 mph) on motorways, 90 kph (56 mph) outside built-up areas and 50 kph (30 mph) in built-up areas. Car hire is easily available from major and local providers in main towns and airports. The minimum age for driving is 18, although drivers must be at least 21 to 25 when  hiring a car.

There are frequent coach services between all Portuguese cities.

Lisbon enjoys good public transport, with an extensive underground system, trams, buses and suburban rail lines. There are also ferries available to cross the Tagus. Porto also boasts trams, buses and an underground (Metro de Porto). Taxis are readily available in both cities; drivers should be tipped 10%.