Newbie Traveling To Portugal in Fall
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 17,939
Hi,
I do not think there is a hotel 'at' the airport but the airport site has 2 hotels very close by
Hotel Stay Inn ( 5min walk)
Hotel Tryp aeroporto ( 10 min walk)
Regards
TBS
I do not think there is a hotel 'at' the airport but the airport site has 2 hotels very close by
Hotel Stay Inn ( 5min walk)
Hotel Tryp aeroporto ( 10 min walk)
Regards
TBS
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: New Mexico
Programs: United, AA, Amex, Delta, Chase
Posts: 26
That is very helpful information with the early morning flight schedules that prevail going west from LIS.
Thank you for taking the time to post!
Thank you for taking the time to post!
#19
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: BA GGL, LH FTL
Posts: 3,579
Few thoughts on this as a fairly regular Portugal traveller:
Other than that, enjoy your time there, it is an amazing place. Have you made any detailed plans yet?
- TAP is not nearly as bad as it's image. They have a range of new long haul aircraft with lie flat seats. The service is a little rough around the edges and the food is a little ethnic (think cod and prawns with everything), but overall I kind of like them.
- Any connection in Europe essentially will mean backtracking as you overshoot Portugal by quite a bit. And European business class is basically Economy with a meal, so it is an extra connection and not a great experience.
- Another option into Portugal would be Porto (OPO), flights from EWR. It's a lovely town and if you plan on travelling around anyway not a detour.
Other than that, enjoy your time there, it is an amazing place. Have you made any detailed plans yet?
#20
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 569
However, I do feel quite strongly that the legacy airlines from the Iberian peninsula (TP, IB, and UX) feature the worst short-haul product in Europe. Even FR has considerably better seat pitch and more comfortable seats than TP.
#21
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA GfL, Marriott PlatfL/Ambassador, TP Gold, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,656
Lisbon is one of the few cities where I wouldn't recommend a hotel based on its proximity to the airport. The airport is very close to the city centre, so most hotels are a 10-15 minutes ride away.
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: New Mexico
Programs: United, AA, Amex, Delta, Chase
Posts: 26
Thank you / obrigada for the thoughtful message, since I am not st all familiar with TAP.
Mainly the complaints I have read have to do with cancellation and refunds, not service on board. What has your experience been with scheduling?
Almost all the airlines now seem to be changing schedules frequently. The Wall Street Journal said most far off schedules now are placeholders for the airlines and the real schedules appear 6-8 weeks out.
You are right about backtracking!
Thank you for the suggestion of Porto, which I had not known about.
I am still trying to make my plans. So far on the list: Aveiro and Tarouca where friends live, same with Alezjur, Penamacor area, Marvão, Serra da Estrella, Madeira. I’m very open to suggestions!
Thank you again!
Mainly the complaints I have read have to do with cancellation and refunds, not service on board. What has your experience been with scheduling?
Almost all the airlines now seem to be changing schedules frequently. The Wall Street Journal said most far off schedules now are placeholders for the airlines and the real schedules appear 6-8 weeks out.
You are right about backtracking!
Thank you for the suggestion of Porto, which I had not known about.
I am still trying to make my plans. So far on the list: Aveiro and Tarouca where friends live, same with Alezjur, Penamacor area, Marvão, Serra da Estrella, Madeira. I’m very open to suggestions!
Thank you again!
Few thoughts on this as a fairly regular Portugal traveller:
Other than that, enjoy your time there, it is an amazing place. Have you made any detailed plans yet?
- TAP is not nearly as bad as it's image. They have a range of new long haul aircraft with lie flat seats. The service is a little rough around the edges and the food is a little ethnic (think cod and prawns with everything), but overall I kind of like them.
- Any connection in Europe essentially will mean backtracking as you overshoot Portugal by quite a bit. And European business class is basically Economy with a meal, so it is an extra connection and not a great experience.
- Another option into Portugal would be Porto (OPO), flights from EWR. It's a lovely town and if you plan on travelling around anyway not a detour.
Other than that, enjoy your time there, it is an amazing place. Have you made any detailed plans yet?
#23
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: BA GGL, LH FTL
Posts: 3,579
If you are using points you may not even have to deal with TAP directly because your booking may be handled by whoever manages your points program.
Madeira is absolutely beautiful, but pretty far out in the Atlantic. Also it is a bit of a geriatric hotspot. My last flight there, about a third of the cabin were Brits in their 80s.