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Portugal
- Overview
- The Basics
- Attractions
- Events
- Public Holidays
- Travel Health
- Useful Contacts
- Airports
- Climate
- Currency
- Visa & Passport
- Phrases
- Flights to Portugal
- Tour Operators
- Portugal Map
Ports of Call
- Port of Lisbon
Airports in Portugal
Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS)
Overview
The main destination for flights to Portugal and the country's biggest airport, Lisbon Portela Airport serves 14 million passengers each year. Located 4.3 miles (7km) north of Lisbon, flights to Lisbon Portela Airport come in from all around the world, including cities like London, Paris, Dublin, Toronto, Amsterdam, Tel Aviv, Maputo, Cancun, Boston, Luanda, Caracas, Miami, Moscow, Rio de Janeiro, Istanbul and New York.
The airport has recently added a second terminal, although the original terminal (Terminal 1) houses most of the shopping and dining options. Terminal 1 handles all international flights, while the smaller Terminal 2 is for domestic flights within Portugal. Transferring between gates can take a few minutes, and even walking to baggage claim from the gates is a 10-minute journey.
Lisbon Portela Airport is clean and modern, although check-in desks can be disorganised with long queues at peak times. Officials have plans for further improvements over the next few years, meaning the passenger experience at Lisbon Portela Airport will only get better.
Location
The airport is five miles (7km) north of Lisbon.
Getting to the city
The Carris Aerobus no 91 runs every day between 7.45am and 8.45pm, connecting Lisbon Airport to the city centre. Tickets cost €1.35, purchased on the bus; you can also purchase an all-day bus and tram network pass for €3.35. A shuttle bus service also operates between the airport and the resorts of Estoril and Cascais. Taxi stands are situated outside departures and arrivals. The meter should read €2.35 (daytime pick-up) or €2.50 (at night) at the start of the ride. Fares are 20 percent higher on weekends, holidays and at night.
Time
GMT (GMT +1 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October).
Contacts
Tel: +351 (0)21 841 3500
Faro Airport (FAO)
Overview
Located just 1.6 miles (2.6km) from Faro, Faro Airport is a small facility in the Algarve region of Portugal, popular for its coastal holiday resorts.
Faro Airport sees just over a million passengers each year, and is currently expanding to meet the demand. Construction is expected to be completed sometime in 2013, and until then passengers should bring a bit of patience with them, as long queues are commonplace at peak times. The airport is busiest during the summer months between March and October.
Location
The airport is two miles (4km) west of Faro.
Getting to the city
Many different bus companies service the airport, taking commuters to the EVA Bus Terminal in Faro where further travel by bus throughout Portugal is possible. Taxis are available outside the terminal building to take passengers to all areas of the Algarve.
Time
GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).
Contacts
Tel: +351 (0)289 800 800.
João Paulo II Airport (PDL)
Location
1.9 miles (3km) west of Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel Island
Getting to the city
There is a bus to downtown Ponta Delgada every hour.
Time
GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).
Contacts
+351 296 205 400
Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO)
Overview
One of Portugal's busiest airports, Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport serves more than five million passengers each year, nearly half of which comes from Germany and France; however the airport offers flights to many worldwide destinations, including London, Toronto, Milan, Montreal, Amsterdam, Casablanca, Caracas and Zurich.
Located six miles (10km) northwest of Porto, the airport is a graceful structure with corvuing lines reminiscent of Gaudi, however the interior, though spacious and comfortable, has an onnoying lack of natural light. There are several dozen shops and restaurants, as well as a children's play area, in the terminal.
Location
6 miles (10km) northwest of Porto
Time
GMT (GMT +1 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October).
Madeira Airport (FNC)
Overview
Madeira Airport has several names: it used to be called Santa Catarina Airport, and is locally known as Funchal Airport. Located eight miles (13km) from the city of Funchal, Madeira Airport is a small but busy facility processing more than two million passengers each year.
Considered one of the most unique airports in the world, Madeira Airport is equipped with a runway that extends out over the ocean, supported by 18 columns 230 feet (70m) tall. The structure has won several engineering awards, and has appeared on the History Channel programme Most Extreme Airports.
The airport itself consists of a single terminal, mostly underground. There are a good selection of shops selling local souvenirs, including excellent Madeira wine and traditional cakes; however there are only a few coffee shops and one sit-down restaurant to choose from when you get hungry.
The primary gateway to the island resorts of Portugal, flights to Madeira Airport come in from cities around Europe, including destinations like London, Paris, Oslo, Moscow, Amsterdam, Milan, Glasgow, Helsinki and Vienna; many routes are seasonal however, operating only during peak summer months.
Location
The airport is located eight miles (13km) from the city of Funchal.
Time
GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).
Lisbon Airport Taxis: the taxi fares above are intended as a guideline only.
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