Lisbon airport issues?

We'll have a layover at the Lisbon airport on our way between the US and Madrid so we may face some of the same issues you will. One of the best things to prepare is to study the airport layout prior to getting to the airport so you have an idea of what to expect.

Lisbon Airport:
https://www.lisbonairport.pt/en/lis/home

It likely depends on time of day and other uncontrollable factors. We flew Delta in and out of Lisbon about a year and a half ago and breezed in and out. We arrived somewhat early in the morning.

All those things can be overcome by just giving yourself enough time at the airport. Airport stuff should not be memorable in any way!

Expect too much and you may get very little. Relax, go with the flow and don't listen to all the static on social media.

I have had mixed experience with passport control lines at Lisbon airport but no problem with signage and other navigation around the airport. Several years ago, for a trip to Portugal, it took over an hour to get through passport control, with frequent interruptions from people begging to cut through for connecting flights; those of us in line accommodated. No airport staff around to help direct the lines or the people with connecting flights. A couple months ago, I flew through Lisbon on the way to and from Milan. On my way to Milan, in the morning, there was no delay at all getting through passport control in Lisbon. However, on my return trip, it did take about a half hour to get through passport control, with again, people begging to cut through to make connections and no airport staff in sight to help them. Given my previous experience, I made sure to allow enough time and had no problem myself, but I was glad that I did not choose one of the TAP 70 minute layovers.

Make sure that when you land in Portugal, that you get your passport stamped.
If you come from another Euro country they don't stamp you but when you leave Portugal the line up for the 'unstamped' is very long and it could cost you a missed flight.
There is a security check as normal and then when you go to your gate, there is a passport check and that is where the delay is.
John from Canada

I read all the comments the night before we flew back to the states. I studied the layout. I am pretty well educated. I still found it to be one of the most, if not the most, confusing airport I have used. Better and more signage would help. We got there early and I told my husband. “Keep moving until we actually hit the actual gate”. There are a few spots where you might think you are done but are not.

As others have suggested, give yourself some extra time. Four hours would not be unreasonable for me. I would rather have too much time and not be stressed out if lines are long.

You can read about my Lisbon airport experience this past March in my trip report:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/solo-in-lisbon-portugal-my-trip-report

I just returned from a trip to Lisbon, from NYC. Upon arriving via Delta, the airport signage in Lisbon was fine, easy to navigate to the exits. The passport control area was kinda frustrating. They use passport scanners, which easily caused confusion and required assistance by one of the airport workers. We used an Uber, which was quick (10-15 minute ride) and very cheap (about $8 USD to central Lisbon). Uber pickup is located in a parking garage near an exit (look for the Starbucks Coffee). The Uber process was easy; the driver will pick you up in a designated spot in the garage area, which was very safe and organized.

On departure, the whole system is very different from what you might be accustomed to in the USA. First, they don't have TSA pre-check or Global Entry, so everyone uses the same lines to get through security. Secondly, there are multiple steps in the process. I don't remember exactly how many, but be prepared to go through one line, then another, then another, eventually to your gate. Finally, once you arrive at your gate, you might think you are done, but, once again, it was frustrating. There were very few seats available, then they had everyone leave the gate area, stand in another line for one more passport check, then stand in a final line based on your boarding zone. Overall, the staff were kinda aloof and not particularly warm or welcoming. Best wishes on your travels.

Honestly, it was such a breeze both directions that we can barely remember it and it was just 1.5 years ago. On our return we had Uber problems. Waited more than an hour then finally ran 2 blocks to grab a waiting taxi at a place we knew the taxis waited. When we got to the airport we ran up to the Delta counter in a panic, about a bit over an hour before the flight and the Delta agent calmed us down and said we were just fine, and we were. Perhaps the big rush was just before we got there, but we did not wait more than 5 minutes in any line.

We also didn’t have any problems. It was entirely unremarkable. We did have our flight to Porto delayed but that had nothing to do with the airport.

We arrived to depart to US a little over 2 hours early and had plenty of time. There were multiple lines and not much seating but nothing too terrible. Coming into Lisbon there were machines that read our passports like in London and we were through very quickly.

I do remember the signage being a bit strange but it didn’t hang us up very long.