vacaman2

We have a flight layover on a sat May 18 arrive 10:15, depart to Madrid at 15:05. Would we have time to get lunch in the Lisbon area.
Americans traveling, don't know how early we should be back at the airport before departure, do we need to clear customs, etc? (Assuming taxi back and forth).

Would prefer something reasonable 15 euros/person seafood or any other suggestions. If there are some very highly recommended places for slightly more, we're up for that too.

Have never been to Lisbon would appreciate any good restaurant recommendations.

thank you!

nytraveler

Not sure you have time.

If coming from the US you have to go through Immigration, get into town eat (lunch is usually 1 pm or later) and rush back to the airport and through security - don;t see how to do that with a 3 pm flight.

If your luggage is checked through you won;t see it in Lisbon and that will solve one problem. If it's not checked through you will have to figure out what to do with it - not aware that there is anyplace to check it.

If you provide more details people can give better advice.

vacaman2

Coming from London on BA, departing on EasyJet to Madrid, hoping to check our bags in w/Easyjet then go to lunch.

Might there be any restaurants that would be open earlier, say 11:30/noon?
It does sound rather tight timewise. Any worthwhile restaurants close to the airport??

thanks again

Robert2533

Most restaurants do not open for lunch until noon, so you would have to rush to get back to the airport. With the limited amount of time, I would settle for having lunch at the airport. The only place nearby that I would recommend is the Hotel Olissipo Oriente, located a few minutes east of the airport by taxi.

Southam

easyJet has precise times when its services open. The luggage counter may not be available when you emerge from immigration/customs. I looked at their site and could not find when it opens but your e-ticket may indicate when you can drop your luggage. If not, try e-mailing them.
As of the start of April you must check in on-line for the flight, not at the airport. You can do so up to 30 days in advance. If you do leave the airport you must plan to be back for a full security check. easyJet has a specific deadline for reaching the departure gate, too, well before the stated departure time. And they are a lot stricter about carry-ons. You should have bought your luggage allowance with the ticket as it is more expensive at the airport.
I'm curious whether this combination of cities is cheaper than flying from London directly to Madrid as a continuation of your BA trans-Atlantic flight? Did you price the BA flights separately or as a single itinerary?

vacaman2

Southam-

Thanks for the reply, yes much cheaper ($300-400US) flying into Lisbon than Madrid. BA flight part of trans-atlantic, originating in NYC. Did pay for bags when I purchased our Easyjet tix for the better price.

I knew it would be tight to try to go get lunch but I thought I'd ask just in case there was a nearby place, it would help to break up the layover. Think we'll stay in the airport.

We are flying back through Lison on the return, spending a night and I'm going to post for some hotel & dinner recommendations for that night.

thanks again!

spaarne

I had lunch with a view from the ninth floor cafeteria of the Pollux department store in Lisbon. Just basics but cheap, apparently designed for employees. Eat on the balcony overlooking the Santa Justa Elevator a few hundred meters away. I have no idea how long it would take to get there from the airport but I would guess that it is open during store hours as are most department store cafeterias in Europe.

amer_can

Don't push your luck as far as time goes..Have had excellent luck with traffic on 2 occasions to LIS and very stressful and very worrisome on 2 others..seconds to check in!! Not worth it at all. Nearby hotel sounds better.

lowcountrycarol

I agree you will not have enough time. Sometimes the security screening in Lisbson airport can get backed up, or of there was a tie up on the road to get back....just not worth it.