Taxi trips departing from Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon have begun operating with pre-established prices for certain areas of the Portuguese capital. This new fare structure came into effect on Thursday, the 15th, defining values ranging between €16 and €23, depending on the destination, the time of day, and the day of the week.
This initiative aims to resolve frequent issues in the airport's taxi service, such as excessive charges and refusal of service.
The new tariff table segments Lisbon into two fare zones, called 'coroas'. Zone 1 includes locations closer to the airport, such as Alvalade, Areeiro, Lumiar, and Parque das Nações. Zone 2 covers neighborhoods like Belém, Benfica, Campo de Ourique, and parts of the historic center, including Baixa and Chiado.
On weekdays, between 7 am and 10 pm, rides cost €16 for Zone 1 and €19 for Zone 2. During the night, from 10 pm to 7 am, as well as on weekends and holidays, costs increase to €20 and €23, respectively.
The prices are valid for groups of up to four passengers and already include baggage transport. Consequently, the extra fee of €1.60 for bags larger than 55 x 35 x 20 centimeters has been eliminated. For vehicles with a capacity greater than four people, fares range between €20 and €28.
For destinations outside these two zones, billing continues to be done by the taximeter. Examples include locations such as Moscavide, Sacavém, and Prior Velho, which are part of the neighboring municipality of Loures, near the airport.
However, some more distant regions also have fixed prices. According to Turismo de Lisboa, trips to Cascais, Estoril, and Sintra, for example, cost €53.40 during the day and €64 at night, on weekends and holidays. Travelers can check these fares on the Turismo de Lisboa website.
In addition to fixed fares, the agreement prohibits the refusal of rides and requires taxi drivers to accept electronic payment methods, such as bank cards and the Portuguese MB Way system, as well as vouchers from the Lisbon Tourism Association (ATL). It will not be permitted to charge extra fees based on the chosen payment method.
A change planned for early November includes the installation of informative panels displaying the fares in the arrival areas and outside the terminal.
The implementation of these new rules occurred after numerous complaints from tourists and residents regarding the taxi service at Lisbon Airport. Reports included drivers refusing to take passengers to certain destinations, charging amounts higher than indicated by the taximeter, or demanding cash payment.
In August, an operation conducted by the Public Security Police identified 67 infractions during the inspection of about 100 taxis at the airport. Of these, 32 were related to the incorrect positioning of the taximeter. Irregularities in driver documentation and vehicle inspections were also recorded.
The new protocol was formalized in September by the City Council, ANA – Airports of Portugal, and the Lisbon Tourism Association, in collaboration with entities representing taxi drivers.
As an alternative to a taxi for those looking to save money, there is the metro. The airport has a station connected to Terminal 1, on the Red Line, which allows reaching the city center in approximately 20 minutes. The single ticket costs €1.90 and the service operates daily from 6:30 am to 1 am. The airport also offers the Uber service.