Lisbon Airport Guide

LIS Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Lisbon Portela Airport (Code: LIS).

What to Expect

Lisbon Airport has two terminals. Terminal 1 handles arrivals and departures on traditional airlines (i.e. TAP Air Portugal), whereas Terminal 2 is for flights on low-cost carriers (i.e. easyJet). Terminal 1 is reportedly much larger than Terminal 2, with better food and shopping choices. Free unlimited WiFi is available to help pass the time. Economy-class passengers can pay to use one of the first-class lounges, a few of which have showers.

Sleeping in Lisbon Airport

The more modern Terminal 1 is, by far, the more highly recommended of the two terminals, particularly for sleeping options. The seating is a mix of seats with armrests and some armrest-free benches. If you prefer sleeping on the floor, you won’t be the only one – bring extra layers for some added cushion. If you’re unable to stay on the airside, you’ll have to head to the landside/public zones, which tend to have harder furniture and colder floors, so be prepared.

Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:

• Terminal 1’s food court has some benches, though they may fill up quickly!
• In Terminal 1, there may be a few couches near Gate 16.
• The international gates in Terminal 1, around Gates 40-50, tend to be quieter when not in use.
• In the landside areas of Terminal 1, Burger King has several cushioned benches.

For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels near the airport. See the Airport Hotels section below for locations.

Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Lisbon Airport Guide.

Airport Hours

Terminal 1 is open 24 hours, while Terminal 2 closes between 12:30 AM and 3:30 AM.

Rest & Relaxation Zones

Living Spot is where you can lie down on recumbent chairs, charge your mobile phone or use one of the interactive features. Location: Terminal 1, Departures Restricted Area/Airside, near gates S19 and 20.

Take precautions even when sleeping in the rest zones.  In December 2019, a traveller at another airport reported that money and credit cards had been stolen from their bag even though the bag was right beside them.  Protect and lock your bags as you would sleeping elsewhere in public.

Airport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Lisbon Airport:

• Melia Lisboa Aeroporto Hotel – Located next to Terminal 1. The hotel is within walking distance. » Check Rates
• Star Inn Lisboa – Located next to Terminal 1. The hotel is within walking distance. » Check Rates
• Radisson Blu Hotel Lisbon » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Lisbon Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.

Airport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!

• ABC – Airport Business Center – Location: Terminal 1, Landside, near check-in desks 14-36. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Lounge membership programs.
• ANA Lounge – Location: Terminal 1, Airside, 6th Floor, near Gate 22. Showers are available ($). Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.

Related Pages: Lisbon Airport Lounges

Drinking Water

A reader tells us, “There is a place to refill water bottles right after security in both terminals 1 and 2.” (February 2024)

Food & Drinks

When you get the midnight munchies or give up trying to sleep and need a coffee to stay awake, 24-hour food concessions are available. Check out these vendors:

• Terminal 1, landside: Go Natural, Go To Cafe, and Grab It
• Terminal 1, airside: 1st Cafe (2 locations), Cockpit, and Express Market, a new vending machine concept.

There are no 24-hour dining options in T2.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Storage Services and lockers are available with varying rates. Locations: Landside, Arrivals Hall, Meeting Point • Landside, outside Arrivals, near Metro Entrance • T1, Landside, Departure Floor.

Mobile Charging

Recharge your mobile devices and yourself at the Living Spot. See Rest Zones.

Showers

Freshen up (and loosen those stiff muscles) with a shower before your flight. Locations: pay-to-use ANA Lounge and ABC Business Center. See Airport Lounges above for details.

WiFi/Internet

Unlimited free WiFi is available at Lisbon Airport. Connect to the “VINCI Airports wifi” network.

Security & Safety

Airport staff and security guards seem to tolerate airport sleepers, both landside and airside zones. Do expect security staff to check your ID and tickets, especially if you sleep on the landside areas.

At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Lisbon Airport. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:

• Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
• Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
• Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
• Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.

Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.

More Airport Information