Vacay AlchemistPortugal is consistently one of the cheaper Western European countries to visit, especially outside Lisbon's summer peak. A Lisbon-Porto-Algarve week is very doable in the mid four figures all-in from the US.
Per-person total for one week
- Budget: $1,300-$1,800 (hostels and guesthouses, trains and buses, markets and cafes) - Mid-range: $2,200-$3,000 (boutique hotels, a rental car for a few days, restaurant meals, a couple of tours and a wine tasting) - High-end: $4,500+ (pousadas and design hotels, private transfers, tasting menus) Round-trip US flights are included at roughly $600-$1,000.
Flights and transport
US-Lisbon or US-Porto round trip is often $600-$1,000, among the cheaper transatlantic fares to Europe. Trains between Lisbon and Porto cost $25-$45 and take about 3 hours. A rental car runs $30-$55 a day and is worth it for the Douro Valley, the Alentejo, and parts of the Algarve.
Lodging
Mid-range doubles run $90-$160 a night in Lisbon and Porto, less in smaller towns, more in the Algarve in July-August. Lisbon's Alfama and Chiado and Porto's Ribeira carry a location premium; staying a 10-minute walk out cuts 20-30%.
Daily spending
Budget $50-$80 per person per day beyond lodging and transport. A prato do dia lunch is $8-$12, a full dinner with wine $20-$35, a pastel de nata about $1.50, port tastings in Vila Nova de Gaia $15-$30.
How to keep it cheap
Travel in April-June or September-October, base yourself in Porto (cheaper than Lisbon), use trains instead of a full-trip car rental, and eat the lunchtime set menus, which are the same kitchens at half the dinner price.
Frequently asked
Is Portugal cheaper than Spain?
Generally yes, by a modest margin - lodging, dining, and wine tend to run a bit lower in Portugal, especially outside Lisbon.
How much money do you need per day in Portugal?
About $50-$80 per person per day for mid-range travel, excluding lodging and intercity transport.
What is the cheapest way to travel between Lisbon and Porto?
Intercity trains at roughly $25-$45, or long-distance buses for a little less. Both take around 3-3.5 hours.
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