Europe

Minimum cost for a stay in Lissabon, Portugal

18 Jan '24

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What is the minimum cost for a touristic stay in Lisbon, Portugal?

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Lisbon is a beautiful, hilly coastal city famous for its pastel buildings, café culture, and Fado music. It’s also one of the most affordable destinations in Western Europe, but how much does it really cost to visit Lisbon as a tourist?

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In this blog post, we’ll break down the main expenses of a touristic stay in Lisbon, such as flights, accommodation, transportation, food, drinks, and attractions. We’ll also give you some tips on how to save money and enjoy the best of Lisbon on a budget.

Flights to Lisbon

The cost of flights to Lisbon depends on where you’re flying from, when you’re flying, and how far in advance you book your tickets. Generally speaking, the cheapest time of year to fly to Lisbon is in March, while the most expensive time is from June to August.

Lisbon’s main airport is Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS), which is the main international gateway to Portugal and a major transport hub in Europe. You can find direct flights to Lisbon from many European cities, as well as some destinations in North America, Africa, and Asia.

To give you an idea of the average airfare to Lisbon, we’ve checked some prices for a roundtrip ticket from different cities for March 2024:

– London: $100
– New York: $400
– Berlin: $150
– Dubai: $600
– Tokyo: $1400

Of course, these prices are only estimates and they may vary depending on the availability, demand, and exchange rate. To find the best deals on flights to Lisbon, we recommend using Skyscanner or Kayak to compare prices and book your tickets.

Accommodation in Lisbon

Lisbon offers a wide range of accommodation options for every taste and budget. You can find everything from hostels and guesthouses to hotels and apartments in the city center and beyond.

The average price of accommodation in Lisbon is around $60 per night for a double room in a mid-range hotel. However, you can find cheaper options if you’re willing to stay in a hostel dorm or a shared Airbnb room. On the other hand, if you want to splurge on a luxury hotel or a spacious apartment, you can expect to pay more than $100 per night.

To give you an idea of the accommodation prices in Lisbon, we’ve checked some rates for different types of accommodation for March 2024:

– Hostel dorm: $20 per night
– Hostel private room: $40 per night
– Guesthouse: $50 per night
– Hotel: $60-$182 per night
– Airbnb room: $30-$80 per night
– Airbnb apartment: $50-$150 per night

Of course, these prices are only averages and they may vary depending on the location, quality, and season. To find the best deals on accommodation in Lisbon, we recommend using Booking.com or Airbnb to compare prices and book your stay.

Transportation in Lisbon

Lisbon is a compact city that can be easily explored on foot or by public transportation. The city has an efficient and affordable network of buses, trams, metro, trains, and ferries that can take you anywhere you want to go.

The average price of transportation in Lisbon is around $2 per ride for a single ticket on any mode of public transportation. However, you can save money by buying a rechargeable Viva Viagem card that costs $0.60 and allows you to load money or passes on it. You can use this card on all modes of public transportation within Lisbon and some nearby destinations.

To give you an idea of the transportation prices in Lisbon, we’ve listed some fares for different types of tickets and passes:

– Single ticket: $2
– 24-hour pass: $7.60
– 7-day pass: $16
– Train ticket to Sintra: $3
– Ferry ticket to Cacilhas: $1.50

Of course, these prices are only estimates and they may change depending on the exchange rate and inflation. To find more information about transportation in Lisbon, we recommend visiting the official website of Carris or Metro de Lisboa.

Food in Lisbon

Lisbon is a food lover’s paradise that offers a variety of delicious dishes and snacks that reflect its rich history and culture. From seafood and pastries to wine and coffee, there’s something for everyone in Lisbon.

The average price of food in Lisbon is around $20 per day for three meals at cheap or mid-range restaurants. However, you can spend less if you cook your own meals at your accommodation or buy street food or takeaway fare. On the other hand, if you want to treat yourself to a fine dining experience or a fancy brunch, you can expect to pay more than $30 per day.

To give you an idea of the food prices in Lisbon, we’ve listed some examples of typical dishes and snacks and their average cost:

– Pastel de nata (custard tart): $1.50
– Bifana (pork sandwich): $3
– Bacalhau (salted cod): $10
– Sardines: $5
– Caldo verde (green soup): $3
– Francesinha (sandwich with cheese and sauce): $8
– Arroz de marisco (seafood rice): $15
– Vinho verde (green wine): $3 per glass
– Espresso: $1

Of course, these prices are only averages and they may vary depending on the place, quality, and portion size. To find the best places to eat in Lisbon, we recommend using TripAdvisor or Zomato to read reviews and ratings from other travelers and locals.

Drinks in Lisbon

Lisbon is a lively city that has a vibrant nightlife scene that caters to all kinds of tastes and preferences. You can find everything from cozy bars and pubs to trendy clubs and rooftop terraces in the city.

The average price of drinks in Lisbon is around $5 per drink for a beer or a glass of wine at a bar or a pub. However, you can find cheaper options if you buy your drinks at a supermarket or a convenience store and drink them at a park or a viewpoint. On the other hand, if you want to enjoy a cocktail or a bottle of champagne at a club or a rooftop terrace, you can expect to pay more than $10 per drink.

To give you an idea of the drink prices in Lisbon, we’ve listed some examples of typical drinks and their average cost:

– Beer: $2-$4 per bottle or pint
– Wine: $3-$5 per glass or $10-$20 per bottle
– Port: $4-$6 per glass
– Ginjinha (cherry liqueur): $1.50 per shot
– Cocktail: $8-$12 per glass
– Champagne: $50-$100 per bottle

Of course, these prices are only averages and they may vary depending on the place, quality, and brand. To find the best places to drink in Lisbon, we recommend using The Culture Trip or Time Out to discover the best bars, pubs, clubs, and rooftops in the city.

Attractions in Lisbon

Lisbon is a city that has a lot to offer to its visitors, from historical monuments and museums to cultural events and festivals. You can find something interesting and fun to do in Lisbon every day of the year.

The average price of attractions in Lisbon is around $10 per attraction for a ticket or an entrance fee. However, you can find free or cheaper options if you visit some of the free sights or take advantage of the discounts and free days that some museums and monuments offer. On the other hand, if you want to join a guided tour or an activity, you can expect to pay more than $20 per attraction.

To give you an idea of the attraction prices in Lisbon, we’ve listed some examples of popular attractions and their average cost:

– Castelo de São Jorge: $15
– Torre de Belém: $9
– Oceanário de Lisboa: $22
– Museu Coleção Berardo: $5
– Museu Calouste Gulbenkian: $10
– The LX Factory: Free
– Walking tour: Free-$22
– Cycling tour: $30-$33
– Surfing class: $75

Of course, these prices are only estimates and they may change depending on the season and availability. To find more information about attractions in Lisbon, we recommend visiting the official website of Visit Lisboa or Get Your Guide.

Summary

So, what is the minimum cost for a touristic stay in Lisbon? Based on our calculations, you can expect to spend around $40-$75 per day for all expenses as a budget traveler. This includes accommodation, transportation, food, drinks, and attractions. Of course, this is only an estimate and your actual expenses may vary depending on your travel style, preferences, and choices.

To save money and enjoy Lisbon on a budget, here are some tips that we suggest:

– Book your flights in advance and use Skyscanner or Kayak to compare prices.
– Stay in a hostel dorm or a shared Airbnb room instead of a hotel or an apartment.
– Buy a Viva Viagem card and use public transportation instead of taxis or Uber.
– Cook your own meals at your accommodation or buy street food or takeaway fare instead of eating at restaurants.
– Buy your drinks at a supermarket or a convenience store instead of drinking at bars or clubs.
– Visit some of the free sights or take advantage of the discounts and free days that some museums and monuments offer instead of paying for tickets or entrance fees..