PerkJolt
Can I do a day trip from Lisbon to Tangier?
Short answer: Not a good one. Only one airline flies nonstop, it doesn't fly daily, and the usual departure times leave you with a few hours in Tangier at best. An overnight (or two) works far better.
The details
- Nonstop flights are limited. Ryanair runs 3 direct flights a week from Lisbon to Tangier, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. (checked Oct 12, 2026) Other airlines connect, usually through Madrid or another hub, which rules out a same-day return. Days and times vary by season, so check the Ryanair booking page for your date.
- Flight time is short. Average flight time is 1 hour and 10 minutes. (checked Oct 12, 2026) That's before airport time at both ends and Moroccan immigration.
- The timings don't suit a day trip. Sample fares we found show a Lisbon departure at 14:50, landing in Tangier at 16:00, with return flights leaving Tangier in the evening, around 21:40. (checked Oct 12, 2026) Other listings show late-night departures. Even if a same-day return exists on your date, you'd have only a couple of hours in the city. Many listed return flights are on different days.
- Schedules may end or change. One schedule tracker lists this route's current flights as ending in November 2026. (checked Oct 12, 2026) Confirm on Ryanair's site that your dates are on sale. Trackers also disagree on operating days, which is another reason to check the airline directly.
- There's no Lisbon-to-Tangier ferry. The ferry crossing starts in southern Spain. Tarifa–Tangier ferries run 7 days a week all year, with the first sailing at 09:00 and the last at 21:00. Crossings average around 40 minutes. (checked Oct 12, 2026) Getting from Lisbon to Tarifa is a long trip in its own right, so treat this as an overnight plan, not a day trip.
- Entry rules. Many travelers, including US passport holders, typically don't need a visa for a short tourist visit. Passport validity requirements, however, are described differently by different sources. Check your own nationality's rules on the US State Department's Morocco page (travel.state.gov) or your government's equivalent. Do this before booking.
Tips
- Book a one- or two-night stay instead. An evening flight in and a midday or evening flight out gives you a full day on the ground. Choose your hotel area with .
- Compare both directions. The return flight often leaves at a different time than the outbound, so price a round trip on the actual dates.
- Consider the Spain route. If your trip already includes Andalusia, a Tarifa ferry day trip is the realistic version of this idea. Check timetables with the operators, because sailings are thinner outside summer.
- Check Tanger Ville versus Tanger Med. Ferries from Tarifa go to the city port, Tanger Ville. Other crossings land at the industrial port, which is much farther from town.
- Have documents ready. Carry a valid passport and your onward or return booking. Check your airline's Morocco rules before you go.
- Buy travel insurance for the cross-border leg. A missed late flight means a night you didn't plan for.
FAQ
Is there a direct flight from Lisbon to Tangier?
Yes, but only with Ryanair, and not daily. Listings show nonstop flights on three days a week, and they last about 1 hour 10 minutes. Because schedules shift by season, check Ryanair's official booking page for your exact date before you plan around it.
How long is the flight from Lisbon to Tangier?
About 1 hour 10 minutes in the air on the nonstop. (checked Oct 12, 2026) Add airport check-in, security, and Moroccan immigration on arrival, so the real door-to-door time is several hours each way.
Can I take a ferry from Lisbon to Tangier?
No. The ferries cross the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain, with Tarifa the closest crossing to Tangier. You'd have to get from Lisbon to southern Spain first, which makes it a multi-day trip rather than a day trip.
Do I need a visa for Tangier?
It depends on your passport. US citizens typically don't need a visa for short tourist stays, but confirm this and the passport validity rule on your government's official travel page. Citizens of other countries should check their own government's page or the Moroccan consulate before booking.
What is a better way to visit Tangier from Portugal?
Fly in for at least one night, or combine Tangier with a trip to southern Spain and take the Tarifa ferry. Either gives you real time in the medina, kasbah and cafes without racing a flight home.
Want the whole trip planned? The PerkJolt Lisbon guide puts the routes, timing and points strategy in one place. Get the Lisbon guide
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See every question about Lisbon → /answers/lisbon/
Last verified: 2026-10-12. Flight days, times and the end date of the current schedule are the most likely to change. Check Ryanair's official booking page and your government's Morocco entry page.
Good to know before you go
. Confirm hours, fees, schedules and road or trail status on the official page before you book or go.
Sources
- https://www.google.com/travel/flights/flights-from-lisbon-to-tangier.html
- https://www.skyscanner.com/routes/lis/tng/lisbon-to-tangier-ibn-battouta.html
- https://www.trip.com/flights/lisbon-to-tangier/airfares-lis-tng/
- https://www.flightsfrom.com/LIS-TNG
- https://www.ferryscanner.com/en/ferry-routes/ferry-tarifa-tangier-all-ports