Hello, I am traveling from United States to Lisbon and have made a self connecting flight from Lisbon to Seville on the same day. I arrive in Lisbon at 8:00 am and would be departing for Seville at 12:35 pm. Can someone explain what to expect in terms of customs and security clearance when landing in Lisbon as well as requirements to clear for the self connecting flight to Seville? Will I have enough time to do this?
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23273 posts
I assume you are asking because you have to separate tickets -- one to Lisbon and another to Seville. There types of connections are rarely recommended because of the risk involved. You miss the second flight and this is no alternative other than another ticket and additional expense.
When you hit Lisbon you will go through both immigration (passport control) and customs but customs is a thirty seconds walk through the green door. From there you check-in for your next flight, go through security, and get to the next gate. Should have the time IF the first flight is on time. If it is late, who knows???? Good luck
Posted by
WA USA
1091 posts
I'm guessing you will be flying into Terminal 1. If your 2nd ticket is on a low cost carrier, you may be flying out of Terminal 2 which adds a bus ride between the 2 terminals and a bit of time. Lisbon has a separate line for passport control for those who have connections, which is not as long as the normal line (at least that was the case in 2021). If your plane arrives late, I have seen individuals speak with one of the workers and get brought to the front of the line, so it's worth asking if you get into that situation.
Lisbon airport can be unpredictable on the time needed and varies greatly for passport control (point of entry to Schengen so you will be going thru immigration in Portugal). But, I understand they also have implemented electronic readers that US individuals can use, which should speed things up. Here's a link to a youtube video that goes in a bit of detail (maybe too much) about the e-passport line. And there tends to be someone in front of those multiple lines, so ask.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueM9tAl63vQ
I've not flown on separate tickets, so I'm not sure if you can stay airside or not. If you check in online and don't have luggage, perhaps you can stay airside which will help in regards to time. If you have to leave airside and check in, take a look at Fast Track. The Lisbon airport website mentions it and it might save you time for security. https://www.aeroportolisboa.pt/en/lis/services-shopping/premium-services/fast-track
Anyways, it sounds like you already bought the tickets, so you either make the connection or not. If not, Lisbon is a wonderful place and a short and easy trip from the airport, so not necessarily a bad thing if you need to spend a night there.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
“Anyways, it sounds like you already bought the tickets, so you either make the connection or not. If not, Lisbon is a wonderful place and a short and easy trip from the airport, so not necessarily a bad thing if you need to spend a night there.”
Thanks for the info. Only RT tickets have been bought from USA to Lisbon. I thought it would be great to take a quick trip to Seville at the start of my (originally planned) 15 day stay in Portugal. I thought I would check here to see if it was doable/worth it before booking a separate flight to Seville.
Posted by
WA USA
1091 posts
I'd not want to connect on the same day on a separate ticket, but that is just my risk tolerance and perhaps yours may be different. I think there is plenty to see in Portugal to occupy you for the 15 days, but ultimately it will be your judgement call on what you want to see and do.
Edit to add: the two "risks" to your plan are the international flight and passport control/immigration. I don't know your itinerary, but have you considered adding in Seville in the middle which would eliminate those two risk factors? Flights between Portugal and Spain are considered domestic, so no need to go through immigration. If going to the Algarve, you could take a bus from Faro to Seville ~2.5 hrs. Or if in Porto, take a flight from there to Seville.
Posted by
Houston, Texas
911 posts
Thanks for the info. Only RT tickets have been bought from USA to Lisbon. I thought it would be great to take a quick trip to Seville at the start of my (originally planned) 15 day stay in Portugal. I thought I would check here to see if it was doable/worth it before booking a separate flight to Seville.
All you need is for your original flight to be late or cancelled to blow up a side trip to Seville. I would definitely make it for another day. Not the day day you arrive in Lisbon.