Are you planning your trip to Portugal, flying to Lisbon Airport and wondering if you can buy a prepaid sim card at the airport? Avoid high roaming charges and slow overseas data roaming plans. This is a complete guide with everything you need to know before buying a sim card at Lisbon Airport.
Find out where to buy a sim card at Lisbon Airport, the opening times of the sim card shops, up to date prices as per January 2025, my recommendation and more about eSIMs for Portugal.
Buying a local prepaid sim card or ordering an eSIM online is the best way to stay connected when traveling abroad and avoid roaming charges.
Table of Contents
- My recommendation
- Why buying a sim card for Portugal
- Portugal prepaid sim cards and EU data roaming
- Arriving at Lisbon Humberto Delgado International Airport (LIS)
- Where to buy a sim card for Portugal at Lisbon Airport
- Prices prepaid sim cards at Lisbon Airport in 2025
- Best sim card at Lisbon Airport
- Best eSIMs for Portugal
- Buying a prepaid sim card for Lisbon online
- Vlog about buying a sim card at Lisbon Airport
- How to get from Lisbon Airport to the city
Traveltomtom also wrote specific guides on how to buy a prepaid sim card for tourists in Portugal in 2025 and a comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Portugal in 2025.
RELATED: Ultimate 2025 Guide for 3 Days in Lisbon, with everything you need to know: itinerary, best places to visit, cool things to do, etc.
Some links in this article about the best Lisbon sim card are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. This is at absolutely no extra cost to you!
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends buying a Lycamobile sim card at the Money Exchange in the arrival hall at Lisbon Airport. The Lycamobile sim cards are much cheaper than the Vodafone sim cards. For around $10 USD you get 25 GB data.
Vodafone and Lycamobile are the only tourist sim cards available at Lisbon Airport, but in the city center there are many more prepaid sim cards at shops from MEO and NOS, More info in my guide for the best prepaid sim card for Portugal in 2025.
But why not get yourself an eSIM and arrive prepared? Be online as soon as the plane lands with an eSIM. A Jetpac eSIM for Portugal gives you 15 GB data for just $15 USD.
Check out my complete guide with a comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Portugal in 2025.
Are you traveling onwards in Europe then better check out my list of the best sim cards for traveling in Europe and find the best sim card deals for Europe in 2025.
Why buying a sim card for Portugal
First of all, when buying a prepaid sim card in Lisbon or getting an eSIM you avoid high roaming charges.
Did you know that overseas data plans limit their internet speed? You will mostly be roaming on 3G! We are already in 2025, we want 5G!
Don't rely on Wifi either. It is no guarantee and also a reminder that public WiFi is through an UNSECURED network. Use a VPN to protect your data.
Last but not least, life is simply much easier with a data connection and it makes traveling in Portugal much more fun.
Think about finding nearby restaurants or rooftop bars, looking up info about a historical site you are looking at or simply getting directions from Google Maps, access your banking apps or find your friends when lost.
Traveltomtom is on a journey to travel to every country in the world but my other passion is blogging about essential travel tips and that is how I started writing about sim cards for tourists. Everywhere I go I write sim card guides and therefore you can already find more than 200 sim card guides on Traveltomtom from all over the world: Brazil, Madrid, Spain, Oslo, Dublin, Ireland, Norway, Paris, London, Europe, Asia, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Marrakech, Algeria, Mexico, USA, Colombia, Thailand, Bali, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and many more.
Another great alternative is an international sim card with coverage in Portugal. Check out my comparison of the best international travel sim cards in 2025 and find the one that suits your trip the best.
So when planning your next adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and eSIM advice for your holiday destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money.
Portugal prepaid sim cards and EU data roaming
When buying a prepaid sim card in Portugal and you are traveling onwards in Europe then always double check first the provider when you buy a sim card for tourists. In general prepaid sim card plans from Portugal allow free EU roaming which means that is you travel onwards to for example Spain you can use your Portugal sim card like you are in Portugal without any extra charges.
For more info about EU data roaming and tips and tricks for buying a local prepaid sim card on arrival in Europe check my guide in the link.
If you want to arrive prepared for your trip to Europe you can also buy prepaid or eSIMs online that are valid in all of Europe. Check out my comparison of the best Europe sim cards in 2025.
Arriving at Lisbon Humberto Delgado International Airport (LIS)
There are two terminals at Lisbon Airport but ALL flights arrive at Terminal 1. Terminal 2 is only used for departures for in general low-cost carriers and European flights. Lisbon Airport is a pretty small airport and Terminal 1 tends to be busy. The Arrival Hall is pretty spcaious and has ATM's, currency exchange, convenience stores and of course shops where you can buy a sim card for Portugal.
Where to buy a sim card for Portugal at Lisbon Airport
At Lisbon Airport there are 4 different places where you can buy a prepaid sim card for Portugal. The first opportunity is already at the Luggage Belts. Next to luggage belt no. 9 there is a Vodafone store which is open from 07.00 am to 10.00 pm. Of course they only sell Vodafone sim cards here.
There is Vodafone staff that helps you to set everything up and they also have a vending machine in case you arrive outside to opening hours of the store.
Then in the arrival hall there is another Vodafone store on your right hand side. They sell the same tourist sim cards as the Vodafone store in the luggage claim area.
A third place where you can buy a sim card at Lisbon Airport is at the Currency Exchange in the arrival hall. It is a rather small place next to the tourist information center. Check out the photo above to see what it looks like.
There is another Money Exhcange near luggage belt 8 and they also sell prepaid sim cards for tourists. There are also ATM’s and the store has a Lycamobile sign.
Summerizing, there are two stores for sim cards at Lisbon Airport: Vodafone and Money Exchange. Both have a shop in the arrival hall as well as at the luggage belts.
Prices prepaid sim cards at Lisbon Airport in 2025
All prices and info are updated in January 2025 and prices are in Euros: $1 USD = €0.98 EUR and €1 EUR is $1.02 USD.
Vodafone Lisbon Airport
The picture above is outdated, below you will find the Portugal prepaid sim card deals that are offered by Vodafone Portugal:
- 10 GB data in Europe + 500 minutes/sms + 50 international minutes/sms for 30 days = €25 EUR - $25 USD
- Unlimited data (no EU data roaming) for 30 days (hotspot available) = €35 EUR - $36 USD
Vodafone offers both eSIMs as well as physical prepaid sim cards. The Vodafone sim cards are 5G ready.
Currency exchange stores
- 25 GB data + 1,000 minutes/sms for 30 days = €10 EUR - $10 USD
This Lycamobile sim card is only available as a physical prepaid sim card and not as an eSIM. The Lycamobile sim cards do not support 5G, only 4G/LTE network is available. Free EU data roaming is included.
Best sim card at Lisbon Airport
The Vodafone stores offer more service but the prices for Vodafone sim cards are more than double as expensive as the Lycamobile sim cards and you get half the data.
It is a very easy conclusion that a Lycamobile sim card is the best sim card for tourists at Lisbon Airport.
The Lycamobile sim card deal at Lisbon Airport is in fact a very good sim card deal. For around $10 USD you get 25 GB data.
Is a Lycamobile the best prepaid sim card in Portugal? No! Away from the airport you can even get better sim card deals in phone stores around Lisbon.
Check out my complete guide for finding the buying a tourist sim card in Portugal in 2025.
Even the amazing eSIMs for Portugal can't compete with this Lycamobile sim card. However, the Currency Exchange at Lisbon Airport has limited opening times and you will need to wait till you reach the arrival hall for this sim card deal.
An eSIM for Portugal can be ordered online an when the plans lands in Lisbon you are instantly online. Therefore Traveltomtom also recommends eSIM for Portugal.
For more detailed info check out Traveltomtom's comparison of the best eSIMs for Portugal in 2025.
If visiting more countries in Europe after your trip to Lisbon then take a look at the best sim cards for traveling in Europe in 2025
Best eSIMs for Portugal
The easiest way to get connected when traveling to Lisbon in 2025 is an eSIM. No more swapping physical prepaid sim cards and visiting a phone store. You arrange everything on the internet.
You order an eSIM for Lisbon on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Portugal eSIM installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Lisbon it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
For more detailed info check out check out Traveltomtom's complete guide with an answer to all FAQ's and everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for Portugal in 2025.
SimOptions
Traveltomtom has used sim cards from SimOptions now for more than 5 years in uncountable countries around the world and is therefore a very recommended eSIM provider.
Check out our full review of SimOptions.
SimOptions offers a wide range of eSIM but the most interesting eSIMs for Portugal are the international eSIMs.
These eSIMs support incoming and outgoing calls/sms and they come with a phone number.
Bouygues Telecom
- 15 GB data-only for 15 days = $15.90 USD
- 20 GB data + unlimited calls for 15 days = $21.90 USD
- 30 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $32.90 USD
- 60 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $39.90 USD
Orange Holiday Europe
- 12 GB data + unlimited calls/text + 30 minutes international for 14 days = $28.90 USD
- 30 GB data + unlimited calls/text + 120 minutes international for 14 days = $49.90 USD
- 70 GB data + unlimited calls/text + 120 minutes international for 28 days = $55.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order an international eSIM for Portugal via SimOptions.
These eSIMs are valid all over Europe and they include free EU data roaming. The best thing about these eSIMs for Portugal is that they also include unlimited calling and texting.
Airalo
Airalo is another reputed eSIM provider that sells eSIM plans for pretty much every country in the world. Traveltomtom has used Airalo uncountable times and never faced an issue.
Check out the Airalo eSIM plans for Portugal in 2025:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $7 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $9.5 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $10 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $17 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $32 USD
Click here to directly order an eSIMs for Portugal via Airalo.
The Airalo data-only eSIM are from Fofo Mobile and they operate on the NOS 4G/LTE network in Portugal. Incoming and outgoing calling and texting is not supported.
Make sure your phone is eSIM compatible before ordering an eSIM for Portugal.
For much more details and eSIM offers from GigSky, Roamless, Ubigi, Jetpac, Sim Local, etc. check out Traveltomtom's comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Portugal in 2025.
Buying a prepaid sim card for Lisbon online
If your phone is not eSIM compatible but you would like to order a sim card for traveling to Lisbon online before your trip then check out the following.
Arrive prepared in Portugal with an international prepaid sim card. You order them online and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address. You put this sim card in your phone and it automatically connects to an available network upon arrival in Lisbon, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for Portugal:
- 15 GB data-only for 15 days = $15.90 USD
- 20 GB data + unlimited calls for 15 days = $21.90 USD
- 10 GB data + $2 calling credit for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 10 GB data + unlimited calls/sms for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 12 GB data + 30 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $29.90 USD
- 30 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $44.90 USD
- 30 GB data + 120 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $49.90 USD
- 60 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $51.90 USD
Click here to order a physical prepaid sim card for Portugal via SimOptions.
A last reminder that if your phone is eSIM compatible you can arrange everything online within just a couple clicks. There are some amazing Portugal eSIM deals available online.
Vlog about buying a sim card at Lisbon Airport
To make it even easier for you here is a video of what it looks like arriving at Lisbon Airport. From disembarking the plane, through passport control, navigating the airport and showing you where to buy a prepaid sim card for tourists.
How to get from Lisbon Airport to the city
There are several busses outside the arrival hall, just follow the signs for busses. A ticket costs €5 EUR and can be bought on the bus by credit card. Depending on where you go it takes around 45 minutes to reach your destination in the city center.
Best way to get from Lisbon Airport to the city center is by Uber. Normal taxis will charge you around €25 EUR ($26 USD), but an Uber will cost only around €15 EUR ($15 USD) only. Also try Bolt another taxi app they use in Lisbon.
There is free WiFi at Lisbon Airport, use it to order an Uber in case you did not buy a sim card at Lisbon Airport and you don't have an eSIM.
I hope the above tips for buying a prepaid sim card at Lisbon Airport were helpful for your upcoming trip to Lisbon. If you have any questions please leave me a comment below and I am more than happy to help you out.
Is traveling also your passion? As of January 2025 I have visited more than 155 countries, check out my wanderlust fuelling Instagram profile @traveltomtom or check out my road to visit every country in the world.
Enjoy your trip to Portugal!