Lisbon Customs/Immigration time
Mar 17th, 2015, 03:19 AM
#1
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Lisbon Customs/Immigration time
Hi there,
I am travelling to Lisbon in two weeks, and then I will need to get from there to Porto on the same day. My flight lands in Lisbon at 12.30pm. There are trains from Oriente station to Porto leaving at 14.09pm and 15.39pm. I have never been in another country by myself just for a fews days and I am unsure which train I should book as I have no idea at all of how long it would take me to get through customs etc. There is a train from the airport to the station, taking 15minutes at 1.30pm, which would enable me to get there in time to get the 14.09train. I am not from the EU also, so I don't know if that would slow me down because I don't have an EU passport. I just have no idea at all roughly how long customs usually takes, one hour? two? Also I thought maybe because it is around Easter it may take longer? I just don't want to be in the situation where I have booked and paid for the earlier train but cannot get there in time. Also the earlier train would be better because it means I will arrive in Porto when it is light, and I can find my accommodation more easily. I'm sorry for my complete lack of knowledge about this!!
I thought I would ask on here as I cannot find any answer from any airline or airport and I would be so grateful for any informations or estimates!!
Thank you very much!!
I am travelling to Lisbon in two weeks, and then I will need to get from there to Porto on the same day. My flight lands in Lisbon at 12.30pm. There are trains from Oriente station to Porto leaving at 14.09pm and 15.39pm. I have never been in another country by myself just for a fews days and I am unsure which train I should book as I have no idea at all of how long it would take me to get through customs etc. There is a train from the airport to the station, taking 15minutes at 1.30pm, which would enable me to get there in time to get the 14.09train. I am not from the EU also, so I don't know if that would slow me down because I don't have an EU passport. I just have no idea at all roughly how long customs usually takes, one hour? two? Also I thought maybe because it is around Easter it may take longer? I just don't want to be in the situation where I have booked and paid for the earlier train but cannot get there in time. Also the earlier train would be better because it means I will arrive in Porto when it is light, and I can find my accommodation more easily. I'm sorry for my complete lack of knowledge about this!!
I thought I would ask on here as I cannot find any answer from any airline or airport and I would be so grateful for any informations or estimates!!
Thank you very much!!
Mar 17th, 2015, 04:30 AM
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How long it takes to get through an airport is a moving taget.
How long it will take depends on:
If your plane is on time
If you get to a jetway right away
How many other international flights have landed at the same time (and so how long the line at immigration)
Where the flights are from (American typically go through immigration very quickly, if a flight has landed from Africa the line can be interminable)
How long it takes luggage to reach the carousel
How long it take to walk form the airport exit to the train
Best ways to cut time:
Have only carry-on luggage
Sit at the front of the plane
As soon as deplaned jog to the immigration section (yes, you will be racing other passengers from your plane)
I have landed at Lisbon only twice - both in the very early am - 6 to 7 am - and was out in the street in about 45 mins or so - but could easily have been longer.
How long it will take depends on:
If your plane is on time
If you get to a jetway right away
How many other international flights have landed at the same time (and so how long the line at immigration)
Where the flights are from (American typically go through immigration very quickly, if a flight has landed from Africa the line can be interminable)
How long it takes luggage to reach the carousel
How long it take to walk form the airport exit to the train
Best ways to cut time:
Have only carry-on luggage
Sit at the front of the plane
As soon as deplaned jog to the immigration section (yes, you will be racing other passengers from your plane)
I have landed at Lisbon only twice - both in the very early am - 6 to 7 am - and was out in the street in about 45 mins or so - but could easily have been longer.
Mar 17th, 2015, 04:52 AM
#3
nyt has it spelt out very well, I've always found Lisbon easy enough, but if you arrive at the same time as major drugs bust then things will take time.
As well has the excellent advice, I would also
1) dress to impress, so tidy clean clothes
2) and I would book the second ticket.
3) google and google street view exactly where you are going, 4) check the train/bus connections within Porto
As well has the excellent advice, I would also
1) dress to impress, so tidy clean clothes
2) and I would book the second ticket.
3) google and google street view exactly where you are going, 4) check the train/bus connections within Porto
Mar 17th, 2015, 07:19 AM
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I landed at Lisbon airport two weeks ago. Our aircraft, a TAP flight from LHR, parked at a remote stand, so we had to deplane, board a bus, and get driven to the terminal. There were three border agents, only one of whom was handling the non-EU passport passengers. Throughput was glacial, but it wasn't a full plane.
On the plus side, our bags were on the luggage carrousel when we reached the customs hall.
Total elapsed time from opening the aircraft door to walking towards the taxi was just about 60 minutes.
You might just make the 14:09 to Porto, but I'm with bilboburgler on this one. For peace of mind, I'd book the later train.
On the plus side, our bags were on the luggage carrousel when we reached the customs hall.
Total elapsed time from opening the aircraft door to walking towards the taxi was just about 60 minutes.
You might just make the 14:09 to Porto, but I'm with bilboburgler on this one. For peace of mind, I'd book the later train.
