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Lisbon Practical
Information
Passport and Visas
Visas are not necessary for citizens of EU countries, the
U.S.A., Canada and the majority of countries, in this case a
valid passport (or
identity card for European Community Nationals) is only
required.
Please contact your local Portuguese Embassy, Consulate or
your Travel Agency for further information.
Accessibility
Lisbon International Airport is located 6 kms from the city
centre and is served by all major international airlines from
all over the world.
Climate
Lisbon is one of the sunniest capitals of Europe, this city
has a very mild and temperate
climate, with short winters and long hot summers
with a maximum temperature of approximately 28º Celsius (84º
F). Although temperatures may fall somewhat in the autumn and
winter
months, sunshine is almost always a constant feature. Due to
its proximity to the sea, mist and drizzly rain can sometimes
make Lisbon
feel cooler
than inland Portugal.
Language
The official language is Portuguese. English and French are
widely spoken.
Currency
As a member of the European Monetary System the accepted
currency in Portugal is the Euro (€).
Public Transportation
Metro
The metro in Lisbon is the quickest way to travel. It has 4
color-code lines network (blue, yellow, green and red) all
coming to the city
centre. Nowadays the 4 lines consist of 50 stations and cover
a distance of 37 km. The metro operates from 6:00 a.m. until
01:00 a.m.
Tickets are available from machines at all stations. Other
tickets which combine the use of the metro with the use of
buses and trams can
be bought at Carris kiosks.
Lisbon Metro is modern, clean and efficient.. Many of its
station are decorated with contemporary art.
Metro website.
Carris (network of buses, trams and funiculars)
There is an extensive network of buses, trams and funiculars
in Lisbon. You can enjoy a ride on the vintage trams and the
funiculars. The
network is constantly changing and more information can be
found on the
Carris website.
Buses and Metro Fares (Carris/Metro Lisboa)
On-board fare - tickets designed for occasional customers that
can be acquired on all Carris vehicles and valid for a single
journey on any
route in urban and suburban regular service):
· Bus on-board fare - € 1.75
· Tram on-board fare - 2.85 €
· Lift on-board rafe - € 3.50 (2 trips)
Pre-buy titles - electronic tickets previously charged
on a non-contact support card (7 Colinas or Viva Viagem) - €
1,25:
One zone ticket – one unit is valid to travel in one
zone (Urban or Suburban), for one hour, counting between the
first and the last validation;
Two units of "One Zone Ticket" are valid for travelling in two
zones (Urban + Suburban), for two hours, counting between the
first and the
last validation.
The validation of “One Zone Ticket” is made in one of the
electronic devices. It only debits one unit on the first
validation and no other
during a hour.The validation of Two Zone Ticket (urban +
suburban) is made in the first trip and on the device with
keyboard. You must press
key 2 and then pass 7 Colinas and Viva Viagem cards at the
same device. It debts immediately two units of the one zone
ticket and
expires 2 hours later. You may travel during this period, but
you still have to validate your ticket on any device, without
having to press any
key and without spend any other unit till the end of title's
validity period.
Please notice that these fares are charged on support cards
"7 Colinas" or "Viva Viagem", which have a €0,50 additional
cost and are reusable.
Metro single ticket (whole Metro network) - €1,25
24 hours ticket Carris/Metro Network - € 5,00
Valid for an unlimited number of trips on Carris and Metro
network during 24 hours since the first entrance validation.
This transport title is not
valid neither in touristic
Taxis
There are taxi services available 24h a day. There is a €2.00
minimum price for hailing a taxi with the fare increasing with
a combination
of distance and time (traffic). During night hours (9pm-6am)
the journeys are usually 20% more expensive. A Taxi can be
hailed from the road,
if the light on top of the taxi is on it indicates that the
taxi already has a fare. The two largest taxi companies within
Lisbon are: Autocoope
(Tel: (00351) 217932756) and Radio Taxis (Tel: (00351)
21811900).
All of Lisbon’s taxis are painted in a cream color but there
are still a few taxis painted in the black and mint green.
Check in/out Policy
Should hotel rooms be required for guaranteed occupancy before
13.00 hrs, the previous night should be reserved. Check out
time is
12.00 hrs noon.
Driving
Vehicles drive on the right side of the road. The use of
safety belts is compulsory, and children under 12 must ride in
the back seats.
Portugal has a large freeway network crossing the whole
country from the North to the South in Algarve, and from the
Ocean front to the
border with Spain.
Valid driving licenses from EU countries, the USA, Canada and
other major countries are acceptable for use in Portugal up to
6 months stay.
Electric Current
European type 2 pin sockets with 220 volts AC at 50 cycles are
used. The phase 380 volt current is normally available in
meeting and
exhibition rooms.
Entertainment
Lisbon has a variety of theatres and venues catering for most
tastes.
Opera, ballet, plays, concerts, etc. take place on a regular
basis all year round. Portuguese Fado and Folklore shows are
popular, and
an international show at Casino Estoril (the largest in
Europe), with glittering cabaret complements the many discos
and other night spots
(Bairro Alto, Av 24 de Julho, Docas).
Exchange
Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, shops and
restaurants. Travellers cheques and currency can be changed at
hotels or at a
bank - these are open Monday to Friday from 08h30 to 15h00.
Automatic changing and ATM linked to international networks
are also
widely available.
Health Requirements
In fact there are no special health requirements, with the
exception of vaccination certificates for persons coming from
areas where yellow fever
is endemic.
Meals
There are a wide variety of restaurants and cafés in Lisbon
ranging from elegant and sophisticated to casual and
inexpensive. Take-away and
fast food is also available from many outlets.
Restaurants, bars, some with live music, and discos along the
river Tejo, at Docas area, Alcântara and at the Nations Park
site, are very
popular meeting spots especially at weekend nights. Breakfast
is normally served between 07.30 and 10.00 hrs, lunch from
12.30 to
15.00 hrs, and dinner from 19.30 to 22.00 hrs.
Medical Care
Clinics and hospitals provide round the clock emergency
service. The national emergency phone number is 112. Hotels
have a doctor on
call through the reception. Reciprocal E.C. cover is available
at out-patient departments, otherwise private consultation
fees are charged.
Smoking
Smoking is forbidden by law in public transportation, and in
closed public areas.
Tipping
Tipping is optional, but normally 10% is customary in taxis,
restaurants and bars.
Sales Tax
Sales tax (VAT) is included in prices quoted. For non E.U.
residents, tax free shopping schemes are available in many
shops, which
give substantial savings to visitors.
Security
Crime rates in Portugal are among the lowest in the world.
Hotels have their own security staff, which is sufficient for
most events. Specialist
firms are also available if necessary, and the police provide
special protection for visiting dignitaries and high risk
individuals.
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