Lisbon Airport

Not a bad airport but the overall impression of the airport is being let down with the huge queues for TAP european flights in which the queue controllers are working efficiently but you still need to stand in a line for at least 30 mins. I do not think it will be a fun experience in high season. TAP self-check-in is a big joke as you need the ticket number not the reference number in order to use the service which is seldomly stated. Security was a big maze but quick and efficiently terminals and gates are nice and up to date.

Efficient baggage handling and arrivals area. The airport is undersized for Lisbon's dimension and traffic volume however services are well managed as is access to taxi public transportation and the car parking lots. The Departures area is more spacious but organization is less clear. No need for excessive walking or unintelligible circuits in both areas of Terminal 1 or 2 getting around is easy and intuitive besides adequate signalling. (Terminal 2 is only for domestic departures and is slightly noisy inside).

Efficient and friendly airport. Better for connections than its main competitor Barajas- Madrid. Terminal to plane / plane to terminal connection need to be quickened. Lacks a few basic services such as a chapel or subway connections to the city centre and efficient public transport to suburban and coastal areas.

If you are using the main terminal Lisbon airport is easy to navigate and usually efficiently run. The check-in if you are taking a TAP flight can be a little more chaotic because at least for the European flights all open desks serve any flight. The security channel is fast and efficient even at the rush hours. A reasonable selection of eating places but the toilets can still be a hit or a miss affair. On arrivals if you came from schengen countries it is possible sometimes to get out of the airport in less than thirty minutes even if you need to retrieve your luggage.

LIS isn't a huge airport so it's quite easy to get around and it's really close to the city centre. The facilities are good the shops and food concessions are plentiful and reasonably priced the staff were largely very friendly - even in the security channel (where one of the operatives collected the coins I dropped - with a friendly smile). The only down side was the confusing signposting - there's just too much of it.

The airport is improving looks much fresher most of the facilities have been redecorated and renovated. The new Tap Executive lounge looks good to few new shops/restaurants have been added. The smoking area by the arrivals area has gone.

Previous correspondents have obviously found the T1 to T2 transfer a bit of a fiddle but actually it isn't that bad just not especially well signposted. Here's the process : on arrival at T1 go through immigration (assuming you're from a non-Schengen country) then follow signs for T2 transfers and go through security screening again. You're now airside in T1. Follow the signs and ground arrows to the T2 transfer gate - where you get taken by shuttle bus (airside) to T2. You're dropped off airside in T2 which is a big shed but fit for purpose - bar/cafe/bookstall/booze shop.

I use both first and second terminals many times a year and I'm liking it more rather than less. Airport Hotels are conveniently located and reasonably priced. Hire Car Areas are a bit cramped but certainly close enough to the Terminal. Summer gets very busy with holiday flights and very crowded early in the morning. Winter is much quieter. Check-In areas are well laid out and a dream if your airline does online check-in. Security can get crowded but professional and courteous behaviour as always from the staff makes a huge difference (maybe something many passengers could learn). Overall a nice and functional airport.

Arrived at Lisbon Airport with 2 hour wait to carry on to Faro. What we didn't realise was the connection to Faro meant a bus transfer to Terminal 2. We waited for the boarding announcement and finally realised we were in Terminal 1 an enquiry at a transfer desk made us see what was happening but confused instructions from the clerk meant we couldn't find our way to the bus until too late. We got across to Terminal 2 just in time to see the plane taxi down the runway. A complaint to the Groundforce desk got us tickets on the next flight - five hours later - and a 15 Euro charge each not happy but could have been worse. All the girl would say was Terminal 1 was International flights and Terminal 2 was Internal flights but how were we supposed to know? And we were not the only ones several people were at the desk complaining as well. We bussed back to Terminal 1 for some food and the bus dropped us off at the front entrance. We stood amazed as we could see clearly marked on the floor green arrows showing the way to the buses for Terminal 2. Why on earth weren't these markings painted on the floor airplane arrival side for internal flight transfers? A lot of worry and hassle all for the sake of better signage. Be aware!

Arrival in Lisbon from Germany was straight forward. Toilets at the baggage claim were badly signposted and not well kept. A taxi-voucher service for arriving passengers is offered by the tourist office stand at the airport you must provide your destination address at the counter (any destination in Lisbon for Euro 16 tip the driver a Euro when dropped off at your destination) to avoid tourists being ripped off. Access to check-in counter only for people with a ticket (or a printout of you booking confirmation e-mail). The reason behind this procedure struck me as odd. Layout and signposting of check-in counters and access to security check confusing; staff friendly when asked for directions. Security check efficient and professional. Airside shops and eateries plentiful but did not check the price. Toilets well kept signage and layout/arrangement of gates confusing. Announcements over the PA-system very clear. In short: needs improvement regarding signage and layout staff are friendly and approachable experience was average.