HOME TIPS FOR TRAVELERS TO PORTUGAL
MONEY: (April 2004) the airport is NOT the best place to change money. The bank outside the arrival lounge (there is only one) charges about 4 Euros commission. For travelers checks the commission was E 7.50. One of the Cambios at Rossio will do it without any commission. Quite a big difference. The best way is to use the ATM, if you can do that. If you have American Express travelers checks, then go to the TopAtlantico office on Av. Duque do Loule, off the Marques Pombal roundabout - quite easy to find. They do not charge any commission and you will get about E 82 for US 100 (April 2004 rates!!). This is the only place that will change AmEx checks without a commission.
TRANSPORT FROM AIRPORT: To get to the city, the taxi is the best way. And do not get prepaid vouchers. In 2004, the counter quoted E 14 to Praca da Alegria, which is in the city center. Taking a taxi directly cost about E 6 (prices will obviously be higher now). There is an additional 1.50 for luggage. The taxi driver may try to get more - pulling out some printed sheet . But point to his meter and he may not argue.
PLACES TO LIVE: Lisbon is a pretty easy town to get around, but if you live near the center you will be able to get around on foot. Staying off Av. Liberdade, with its many establishments, is very convenient. It is within easy walking distance of Rossio and attractions like St. George Castle, Comercio Plaza and the shopping and eating of Baixa. You could get to Bairro Alto pretty easily too, by taking the tram - you will see the tram parked on an incline a few blocks north of Rossio.
GETTING AROUND: Taxis are not all that expensive, so you can use them, especially if you have a particular address to get to. The underground system is pretty extensive and easy to use - just buy a ticket at one of the machines, run it through the gate you are entering and hop on. Don't throw the ticket away - you have to run it through the gate you exit. To get to Belem to see Jeronimos Monastery, the Discovery Monument and so on hop on the Number 15 tram at Comercio or Figueiria plazas. You have to buy a ticket on board - have fun figuring out how to do that! The tram stops in front of the monastery - it is the last stop.
SINTRA: Most tourists end up going to Sintra at least once. You can take a tour if you want to, but they can be expensive - the tour offered by Carris is E 40. It is actually more fun going on your own. Trains from Rossio train station run about every 15-20 minutes and get you to Sintra in some 35 minutes (it is the last stop). There are signs leading you to the Sintra train, because it is so widely used. The round trip fare is E 2.60, and you can buy a ticket at a machine. Once you arrive in Sintra you can either walk to the town center to orient yourself, or take the bus. If you are going to be taking the bus to get to the castle and Pena Palace then you can take the Scott circuit bus (Number 424) from in front of the station. There is a Scott office there from which you can get a schedule - the bus runs about every 20 minutes. An all day hop-on hop-off fare is E 3.50. There is also a trail through the forest to the Moorish Castle, and it is very pretty. But you must be prepared for a steep walk. From the Tourism office to the Moorish Castle is 4 kilometers by road, another kilometer to the Pena Palace. It may be wiser to take the bus going up, and walk back. Ask at the Tourism office how to catch the trail if you intend to go that route. You can also get a brochure about Sintra at the office, as well as use the bathroom.
ARRABIDA: A tour is the best bet. A company called Backpackers (www.insidelisbon.com) is a new startup and is offering lower rates than most other tour companies. The Arrabida tour takes you to the Arrabida region south of Lisbon - a really beautiful area. Included are visits to castles in Palmela and the little fishing town of Sesimbra, about 45 minutes at a beach for swimming, an hour or so in Sesimbra for lunch and for walking around, and visits to a lagoon where parasailors congregate. All this would not be possible using public transport. The all-day tour cost E 25.
OTHER PLACES: A guide book will give you better information but, within Lisbon, St. George Castle, the Belem area and its attractions, like the monastery, and the Bairra Alta and Baixa areas, are pleasant.
INTERNET: Internet cafes are not as widely available as in other major tourist destinations. At the PT location at Rossio there is a wait involved frequently. There is another called Utilpost off Av. Liberdade, which was mostly empty in the mornings. Your hotel may have information about Utilpost.
SCAMS: One scam: a young woman stops you to ask the time, then the location of money changers, then she says the money changers were closed, she has to get to the airport, hotels are not willing to change South African rands, and would you be willing to change some for her. Also watch out for bag snatchers.
BATTERY: This may seem like a minor matter, but it is annoying. You may end up paying E 5.40 for four double As. More than $6.