General Travellers Information
Official Language
The official language is Portuguese.
Currency
Portugal is a member of the European Monetary System, and the previous currency Escudo was replaced by the Euro on January 2002.
Exchange
Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, shops and restaurants. Travellers' cheques and currency can be changed at exchange bureaux or at hotel receptions. Automatic changing and cash dispensing machines linked to international networks are also widely available.
Sales Tax
Sales tax (VAT) is included in prices quoted. For non EU residents, tax free shopping schemes are available in many shops, which give substantial savings to visitors.
Climate
The average maximum daily temperature and average minimum temperature in the Lisboa area in May/June are 22ºC / 72F (high) and 18ºC / 64F (low). Please take in consideration that Lisboa is located by the river and the ocean, and therefore can be windy in the late afternoon or evening. A sweater or a ladies pashmina may be necessary.
Time Zone
The time zone in Portugal is GMT+00 (Lisboa, Dublin, London).
Electric Current
Portuguese standard is the European type, 2 pin sockets with 220 volts AC at 50 cycles. The phase 380 volt current is normally available in meeting rooms and exhibition halls.
Accessibility
Lisboa International Airport (Portela) is located close to the city centre (7 km), about 15-20 minutes transfer to most of the centrally located hotels. The Airport is served by daily direct flights operated by the traditional air lines as well as by many of the low cost companies operating in Europe.
The Lisboa Underground (Metro) has a station just outside the arrival hall. There is also an Airport shuttle bus (AeroBus) with several stops in the city centre, every 30 minutes (last stop: Cais do Sodré).
Public Transportation
The joint fleet of the two public transportation companies Carris (buses and trams) and Metro (underground) covers the entire city with regular bus and tram routes as well as underground lines.
Taxis
The city is served by 3.500 taxis and a taxi ride from the airport to the city centre should cost between 8.00 € and 15.00 €. The usual urban taxi fares are:
- Day (06.00h to 21.00h) - 3.25 € + 0.10 €/km
- Night, weekend and holidays: 3.90 € + 0.10 €/km
Taxis are widely used by the locals, and in comparison to the taxi fares in other countries, the Lisboa taxis are still to be considered a rather inexpensive means of transportation.
T: +351 214 660 101 /+351 214 659 500
Health Requirements
With the exception of vaccination certificates for persons coming from areas where yellow fever is endemic, at the present there are no special health requirements.
Medical Care
Clinics and hospitals provide 24 hrs emergency service.
The national emergency phone number is 112. Hotels have a doctor on call through the reception. Reciprocal E.C. cover is available at out-patient departments, otherwise private consultation fees are charged.
Hotel Check In/Out Policy
Normal check in time at hotels is 14.00h. The established check out time is 12.00h. Should you need guaranteed occupancy before 14.00h on the day of your arrival, the previous night should be reserved.
Gratification
The gratification is optional, but usually we give 10% in taxis, restaurants and cafeterias.
Pharmacy
The pharmacies are opened on weekdays from 09.00h to 19.00h (some may be closed between 13.00h and 15.00h) and on weekends from 09.00h to 13.00h.
An illuminated green cross indicates that that pharmacy is opened after hours. For further information regarding the afterhour's pharmacies please consult www.farmaciasdeserviço.net
Smoking
The Portuguese law, in accordance with Regulations in force in the majority of European Countries and the USA, does not allow smoking in any public transportation or in any closed public areas. (Some restaurants, bars and discotecs may have a designated smoking area).
Venue