Practical Info — What you’ll need while in Lisbon for UXLx
Updated 15 March 2024
Lisbon is the beautiful capital city of Portugal and honestly we couldn’t ask for a better setting for UXLx. Its rich and varied history, sunny days, mouth-watering food and breathtaking sunsets make it the ideal place to gather UX pros from all over the world for 4 days of hands-on training.
If you’re attending UXLx in May then you’re probably counting down the days to get on the plane. To help you prepare the trip we’ve put together a quick guide with some useful information you might need while in Lisbon for UXLx.
Getting Around
The best way to roam about the city is to get a ticket on the metro. It’s valid for buses too and you can even hop-on and off with the same ticket for one hour. Each ticket is €1,80 or you can get an unlimited daily ticket for €6,80. Taxis are fairly cheap and will get you around the city for around €5 to €10 a ride. Please be aware that they can charge you extra for carrying big luggage or if you call them on the phone (+351 218119000). Other networks available are Uber and Bolt. For scooter rental you can use cooltra. For electric scooters or bikes go with Lime, Bolt and Link. Bike sharing (including electric bikes) is also available through Gira stations.
Mobile Cards and Data
You can get a SIM card from a lot of shops in Lisbon (even at the Airport). The main networks are Vodafone, NOS and Meo. A data sim card will cost you about 25€ on Vodafone (10 GB of internet during 30 days), 15€ on NOS (for unlimited data during 8 days) and 20€ on MEO (unlimited data to use for 15 days).
There is free unlocked WI-FI at the Venue (Hotspot: UXLX). Other than that, there are two main networks of WI-FI, the MEO Wi-Fi which has many roaming agreements with other providers, so you can probably use it. The shopping centre near the venue and several restaurants and coffee shops offer free WI-FI too. Just look for the free WI-FI sign for instructions.
Electric Sockets
Portugal uses standard European electric plugs (the Schuko kind). They’re 220V and use two round pins. Usually laptop chargers have a built-in voltage adapter. For your convenience just bring one adapter and a multiple power strip from your country. We provide abundant power strips through the venue to charge all your gear.
VAT Free Shopping
Portugal’s standard VAT rate on most goods is 23%. Prices everywhere are required by law to include all taxes already. If you live outside the EU, you may be entitled to claim back what you paid for VAT, giving you substancial savings. All you have to do is follow the instructions for our Tax Free Shopping Scheme.
Safety and Healthcare
Lisbon is one of the safest cities in Europe, but we do have pick-pockets. As in any city, just be careful carrying your stuff in public transportation and major tourist spots.
Public healthcare is free if you come from within the EU, but you’ll have to have your EU Health Card. For Private healthcare you have two options near the venue — CUF Descobertas and Clínica Lusíadas.
Currency
The currency in Portugal is the Euro which makes it a very worry-free destination when it comes to money matters for those of you coming from the Eurozone.
Twenty-four hour ATMs (or Multibancos in Portuguese) are everywhere in Lisbon, you’ll always find one around the corner. The maximum amount per withdrawal is 200€, with a daily limit of 400€. All have onscreen instructions in English and other languages.
Banks are the easiest places to exchange money, charging around 3 to 5€ commission. They are open from 8.30am to 3pm, Monday to Friday. Debit and major credit cards (such as Visa, MasterCard or American Express) are widely accepted.
Language
Portugal’s oficial language is Portuguese. Derived from Latin roots, Portuguese is the third most spoken European language in the world, with around 250 million speakers.
In the city centre and major tourist spots English is spoken fairly widely, specially by people working within the tourist industry. When travelling on public transportation, most signs are displayed in Portuguese and English as well. Eating out is also very easy as restaurants and cafes commonly have an English menu and most waiters can speak English.
We must tell you that Portuguese people always appreciate when visitors try to say a few basic words. So why not learning some useful Portuguese words and phrases? Start with a simple Olá! (hello) and Obrigado (thank you), for example.
Sightseeing
If you’re planning to see some museums and other attractions, then your best option is a Lisboa Card, which not only includes city-wide transportation but also free admission to more than 80 museums and attractions. They cost €22 for 24h, €37 for 48h and €46 for 72h. You can even buy them online. If you are a fan of Hop On Hop Off service, you can get a ride from double decker buses from Yellow Bus or Cityrama for about €25 per day.
We hope you find all this information useful for your trip. Overall, Portuguese people are very welcoming so you’ll feel like home here.
The countdown to UXLx 2024 has started! See you soon! 🤩
