March 19 Heart of Portugal - return to MSP from Lisbon

We had a flight out of Lisbon at 10:30am, and we stayed city center and took a taxi to the airport in the morning. It was quite easy. If you stay close to a metro line, you could also use the metro. We didn't use the metro because we had about 8 bottles of wine in our suitcases which made them heavy (and we would have needed to walk uphill to the metro stop). With the time of your flight, I certainly think its safe to enjoy the evening in Lisbon and then get to the airport in the am.

We also flew in and out of Lisbon because that was the best airfare, by far.

Thanks, good to know. I just figured by the time I checked out, took the train, etc. I might just be ready to eat and crash ... ?I think it is about a 3 hour train ride? Much to think about. Definitely not taking the metro. At 69, no longer up for that!!! Curious about the wine ... how does that work, haven't checked into it. Do you just pay duty on that many bottles?

We are doing that tour a month from now. We have chose to take an afternoon flight from Porto to London and stay over at Heathrow Aerotel then fly back to Seattle mid morning the next day to avoid that early flight. Eliminates the stress.
Either way enjoy your trop

Each person can bring back a liter of wine/alcohol duty free. However, we 've often brought back 8-10 bottles between the two of us. In theory, there's a duty, but I've never been asked to pay it. I usually say, "some wine" and they don't ask how much. My guess is that its not worth their time. The duty if you have to pay is quite small, and we typically do not bring expensive bottles back in our luggage. With the temperature variation and jostling around, we don't want to chance it. We have the bubble wrap wine bottle bags from Amazon. We've also just wrapped bottles in dirty clothes and put in a plastic bag. We've never had a bottle break.

That sounds like a good plan to return to Lisbon. I’m am curious about where folks go after Porto, to extend the trip. Porto seems too far by train or bus to travel on to Spain, maybe Bilbao or up toward Brittany.

Like you, do most people take the train back to Lisbon for their plane or train connections?
I would probably have to fly home to San Diego if I did a pre-tour extension.
Thanks for the food for thought.

PS: (I too despise early flights but chuckled at flying to London Heathrow to avoid the hassle. Our flight home this summer from HRW was hassle with a capital H (after security). (And another time connecting to VCE).
But glad it worked well for y’all! Awesome!

Hey Karen! We are also booked on the March 19th tour. We are looking to fly into Lisbon early and take a train to Lagos in the Algarve for a few days. We are also looking at extending about a week after Porto by going up to Santiago de Compostela by train, and then possibly take the fast train over to Madrid. We would fly home from Madrid. We look forward to meeting you! John and Carol Monahan

@Shawn, I am going to stay on in Porto for I think 7 nights.  The tour doesn't spend much time in Porto.  There is plenty to do and see in Porto, but I am also looking at day trips to Braga, Guimaraes, maybe a day tour to Paneda-Geres Park.  Also considering Vila do Conde/Povia de Varzim, Aveiro, Viana do Castelo, going back to Douro Valley.  In Porto itself, so far I have booked a food tour.

I have read posts both ways --- using both Porto and Lisbon airports, or just Lisbon. I am returning to Lisbon for two nights after Porto.

@csmonahan -- I look forward to meeting you!!!  I will be on the tour solo!   I am not being quite as adventurous as you ...  my current plan is to just stay in Lisbon for a week before the tour and do day trips.  Within Lisbon I have a food tour booked, will explore Cacilhas, possibly Parque Das Nacoes, all the scenic spots.  For day trips am looking at Cascais/Estoril/Boca do Inferno/Cabo da Roca for one day.  Also Setubal area for a day.  Considering Sintra, National Palace of Queluz, National Palace of Mafra.  I need to put more thought into this after the holidays.

Karen, I will also be going on the March 19th tour and will be getting into Lisbon on the morning of the 18th. I have been looking into taking a cooking class on the morning of the 19 and getting my bearings on the 18th!

@ mitzie.larson. Look forward to meeting you!! I am taking a food walking tour ‘oh my cod’ after arriving in Lisbon My girlfriend took it last year.

Sintra isn't included on the tour, and I decided to spend 3 nights there. I took a car service from there to the Lisbon airport which was less than an hour away.

@ LIZinPA .......... how did you like Sintra. I haven't decided if I am going there or not .. and if I do, which of the things I would see. I have read that the National Palace of Queluz and National Palace of Mafra are also nice and less crowded.

I am currently (this could change) splurging (for me) a bit for my last two nights -- taking the train from Porto, then staying at the Avenida Palace - and will get transportation to the airport from there. My flight home is at 12:45.

I'm glad I saw Sintra.
I didn't do everything available there as I wanted a relaxed pace after the tour, and the ease getting to the airport from Sintra was a plus.