Portugal is a stunning country with a lot to offer for travelers, but how much does it cost to travel there? How much do you need per day to cover your expenses? In this article, we’ll give you an accurate idea of the Portugal trip cost and answer all of your questions so that you can plan the perfect budget Portugal vacation.
We’ll share our own Portugal trip costs as well as costs for food, transportation, accommodations, activities, and more! So whether you’re already planning a Portugal vacation or just curious about the cost of traveling there, read on for all the details.
Trip to Portugal cost per day
Budget travelers: for those traveling to Portugal on a tight budget, daily expenses can be kept low. A typical day could include sleeping in hostels or camping, cooking meals at home, and taking public transportation to get around – all of which will cost around $30-60 per person.
Middle-class travelers: for those looking for a bit more comfort and convenience in their travels, the daily expenses will be higher but still quite manageable. Staying in double-occupancy hotel rooms and eating out at restaurants with mid-range prices will cost around $80-120 per person.
Luxury travelers: for those who want to experience all that Portugal has to offer in style, daily expenses will be higher. Luxury hotels and dining at high-end restaurants can easily take up $200 per person every day.
The overview below is based on our road trip through Portugal.
| Accommodation | Food | Transport | Activities | Miscellaneous |
| Dorm: $15-20 | Street food: $1-4 | City bus: $1-3 | Wine tour: $20-40 | Travel guide: $24 |
| Budget room: $25-30 | Lunch: $15-20 | Day pass: $5-20 | Guided tour: $20-30 | Travel insurance 21 days: $200 |
| Middle-class room: $50-100 | Fancy restaurant: $40-50 | Rent car per day: $25 | Fado show: $16 | Souvenir: $5-$20 |
| Luxury: $150-400 | Local beer: $1-2 | Lisbon – Sintra: $2.30 | Entree tickets: $5-$15 |
Portugal trip cost: accommodation
There are several things you can do to keep Portugal’s costs of travel as low as possible.
Budget travelers: hostel dorms are the cheapest option, costing around $15-20 per night. Private rooms in hostels can be a bit more expensive, but still quite affordable at $25-30 per night. If you want to save even more money, camping can be as cheap as $10 per person per night.
Middle-class travelers: double-occupancy hotel rooms will typically cost around $50-100 per night.
Luxury travelers: five-star hotels are available in Portugal and their prices can range from $150-400 per night.
When compared to other European countries, Portugal’s accommodation prices are quite reasonable and can easily be within the budget of all types of travelers. To save money on your accommodations, it’s best to book in advance as prices tend to go up closer to the travel date.
Are you looking for the best hotels and hostels in Portugal?
We’ve got your back! Let us share our favorite places in Portugal with you.
Portugal trip cost: food
The cost of food in Portugal can vary greatly depending on your budget and tastes. When you stay in one of our recommended accommodations, breakfast is usually included. Then for lunch, you can either make yourself a sandwich from the grocery store or enjoy a meal at some local eatery. Finally, in the evening you can visit a cafe or restaurant.
Budget travelers: groceries are very affordable in Portugal, with the average meal costing around $5-10 per person. Eating out at fast food restaurants or local cafes is also an option and will typically cost $7-15 per person.
Middle-class travelers: eating out at mid-range restaurants will cost around $15-25 per person.
Luxury travelers: for a more luxurious experience, you can restaurants with a Michelin which can cost upwards of $50 per person.
Overall, the cost of food in Portugal is quite reasonable compared to other countries in Europe. To save money on food, opt for grocery stores or local cafes instead of fine dining restaurants. You can also take advantage of daily meal deals offered at many restaurants during lunchtime which will significantly reduce your food costs.
Portugal trip cost: transport
Portugal is one of the most easily accessible countries in Europe, thanks to its excellent public transport network. From Lisbon’s metro and trams to Porto’s extensive bus routes, traveling around Portugal is convenient and affordable.
Budget travelers: public transportation costs will typically range from $1-3 per ride or $5-20 for a day pass.
Middle-class travelers: renting a car is the best way to explore Portugal and prices start at around $25 per day. We always use Rentalcars to find the best deals.
Luxury travelers: private chauffeur services are available in Portugal, with prices ranging from $30-90 per hour depending on the vehicle type.
Overall, the cost of transportation in Portugal is quite reasonable and can easily fit into any traveler’s budget. To save money on transport, book your public transport tickets upfront.
Good to know is that transport costs can be very different per person, as it depends on which area you are visiting and what you do. The indication below is based on our Portugal itinerary. The total costs are shown based on two persons.
Airplane + rental car: plane ticket +/- $200 p.p. | rental car +/- $715 | 1700 km | petrol $200 | total $1315
Looking for a travel route through Portugal? Check our 3 weeks Portugal itinerary
Portugal trip cost: activities
There are plenty of activities to do in Portugal, ranging from free walking tours to day trips and other excursions. Also, many activities can be done independently to save costs on activities.
Budget travelers: for those on a tight budget, there are several free or low-cost options such as visiting local parks, museums, and galleries. The average cost per activity is around $10-15 per person.
Middle-class travelers: for slightly more comfort and convenience, activities such as day trips to nearby cities can cost between $25-50 per person.
Luxury travelers: if you are looking for a luxurious experience, there are several high-end excursions available which will typically cost around $75-150 per person.
To save money on activities in Portugal try to book tickets ahead of time which can save you money because you can find better deals. Exploring the beautiful cities of the world can be even more enjoyable when you go for a free walking tour, rather than paying for one.
Portugal trip cost: miscellaneous
Miscellaneous costs, such as souvenirs, snacks, entrance fees, and insurance can add up quickly. To save money on miscellaneous costs it is important to plan ahead.
Budget travelers: budget travelers, should look for deals and discounts when shopping for souvenirs or snacks. For example, visiting local markets and buying directly from vendors can save you a lot of money.
Middle-class and luxury travelers: looking at the costs in Portugal you cannot really save on this.
Travel insurance
World Nomads travel insurance policies offer coverage for more than 150 activities. Get a quote, make a claim, or buy or extend your policy while on the road.
How much did Portugal cost us per day
- Accommodation is $36 (average two-person room of $72)
- Food: $22
- Transport $31
- Activities $12
Total: $98 per person per day (amounts are rounded). These amounts are based on our journey through Portugal. For us the total costs for our trip through Portugal per person were: 21 days x $98 = $2058.
During our journey, we had the pleasure of staying in luxurious hotels and relished delicious dinners at a restaurant each night.
- Accommodation: although it’s possible to save on accommodation costs, we don’t suggest doing so. If you’re attempting to cut corners and reduce your budget for lodging, chances are that you’ll end up spending the night in accommodations of a lower quality or further away from the city center.
- Food: It is cheaper to go to the supermarket in the afternoon. You can save money by eating breakfast at our recommended accommodations.
- Transport: if you want to travel through Portugal without spending too much money on transport, it is best to rent a car in advance.
- Activities: $12 per day for activities is not a lot of money. You can save money by not doing any activity, but we don’t recommend this. After all, you go on vacation to do fun things, right?
FAQ trip to Portugal cost
1. How do you visit Portugal on a budget?
To save money on a trip to Portugal, it is important to plan ahead. Look for deals and try activities such as free walking tours and book tickets ahead of time to save money on activities.
Conclusion cost of travel in Portugal
If you travel just like us, with great accommodations, grand experiences, and incredible restaurants, your budget should be around $80 to $120 per day. We hope this article has provided clarity on the cost of traveling throughout Portugal!
If you’re curious to know more about Portugal and what it has to offer, we highly suggest taking a look at our road trip through Portugal. This article is perfect to explore the highlights of Portugal! For more general information regarding Portuguese culture and ideal travel seasons, check our comprehensive Portugal guide.
What do you think of our Portugal budget tips? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Disclaimer: the prices mentioned in this article may differ from the current situation. We regularly update our articles. Would you like to help us to provide to best possible insights to help other travelers leave a comment with the latest information. Thanks!
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