A glitch fare took me to Portugal pt 5

•the practical stuff•

Transportation to/from & within

The main airport is Aeroporto de Lisboa (LIS). It is modern and clean, located 6 km north of the city centre. It is an international hub that services direct flights to major cities including Toronto, New York City, Atlanta, London and Paris.

If you fly with Sata Airlines from Toronto, I strongly advise pre-selecting an emergency row seat otherwise the recline from regular seats will have someone's head all up in your space (I had trouble eating with my tray down). It was way too tight, the food was pretty bad and….I don’t plan to fly with them again.

The main public systems in Lisbon are: Carris (bus, tram, elevator), Metro (subway) and Comboios De Portugal (train).

Get a Viva Viagem or Lisboa card at the airport or metro station to get around. Both cards provide unlimited use of the public transport systems as a visitor. Difference: The Lisboa card gives you free/discounted entry to certain monuments. For me, it was worth getting the Lisboa card. To help you decide, take into account if any attractions you want to see are listed on the Lisboa card.

*Cabs are affordable, but not necessary. Uber was illegal in 2016 when I visited, but it’s available now in major areas across the country.

Safety

As with any new place you're visiting, always be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on personal belongings. Lisbon is a major capital city just like any other in Europe and that means visitors can be targets for pickpocketing. I recommend leaving valuable items at home or secured in your hotel's safe (which is hopefully provided in your room). While out, keep your bag/purse closed and within eyesight at all times. Lastly, spread out your cash and credit cards into various pockets, in case someone does manage to get into one of your pockets.

*if you are going to enjoy the lively nightlife, keep an eye on your drink.

Language

The official language is Portuguese.

Please do not expect everyone to know English. While it is common for the younger generation to know some or even be fluent, in addition to French, that is not the case for everyone.

Here are some key words and phrases:

Hello=Olà
Good bye=Tchau
Good morning=Bom dia

Good afternoon=Boa tarde

Good night=Boa noite

Yes= Sim

No= Não

Please= Por favor

I don’t understand=Não entendo *personal fave*

Thank you= obrigado (m)/obrigada (f)

Where is the washroom?=Onde está a casa de banho?

Help!= Socorro!
Do you speak English?=Voce fala Inglês?

Footwear

I recommend a comfortable pair of walking shoes, as Lisbon is best discovered by foot. You don't need to bring heels unless you're going out at night and can guarantee you won’t twist your ankle on the calçada (Portuguese pavement). I saw few women wearing them. You'll understand when you see those hills and remember...you only get one set of knees for life!

Currency

Euro (EUR), symbol: €

1 British Pound (£)= 1.18 €
1 Canadian Dollar ($) = 0.76 €
1 United States Dollar ($) = 0.98 €

Accessibility

If you have mobility issues, exploring Lisbon can certainly pose a challenge due to its hilly nature but it is not impossible.

The airport is fully wheelchair accessible, some newer hotels have wheelchair accessible rooms (like Vincci Liberdade) and there are tours catering specifically to those with mobility issues.

Lisbon Metro unfortunately is not 100% accessible, some stations have lifts and others escalators. Check ahead with the Lisbon Metro Accessibility Map here: https://www.metrolisboa.pt/en/travel/diagrams-and-maps/

Research beforehand is key.

Passport/Visa Requirements

Canadian, American and British citizens require a passport that is valid for up to six months. European Union nationals do not require a passport.

Depending on which country you are coming from, you may or may not require a passport and/or visa. I strongly advise checking with your local embassy for requirements and conditions.

Phew! You made it to the end of probably the longest blog series I’ll have on here, but I had to do this solo trip justice. Lisbon is full of culture, interesting history, food and very friendly locals who love their city. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

xo