But in Lisbon, just like in any other large metropolis in Europe, it matters when, where, and what you eat. These factors can have a dramatic effect on how much you end up spending.

Related:

• Exploring the top free attractions in Lisbon
• The top budget hotels in Lisbon
• 10 Ways to save on a trip to Portugal

Lisbon Cheap Eats Guide

Are you ready to dine out in Lisbon? Here’s how to eat on the cheap in this beautiful Portuguese city.

1. Feast on fixed-price fare at lunch

If you want to try a variety of local dishes at a fraction of the cost, go out at lunch and order a local restaurant’s fixed price menu, called the prato de dia. Ordering the same dishes a la carte will cost you approximately more than twice as much in the evening.

A typical Lisbon lunch paired with a glass of local beer. Photo: Tim C.

2. Research before you go

Knowing what’s out there, what prices to expect, and what times things are actually open will save you money hand over fist, as you won’t end up stuck in a chain restaurant or a tourist trap because you wandered around aimlessly until well after everywhere shut down for a break between lunch and dinner. That’s right, some of the city’s best budget restaurants close for a couple of hours before dinner after serving up daily menus to the lunch crowd.

3. Get away from the busy main streets

This is especially true in the Old Town of Lisbon. If a restaurant is really prominently located next to a tourist attraction, or even just somewhere very convenient, the fare is likely to be more expensive—after all, they’re paying rent, and the saying goes, “location, location, location.”

If you want to find cheaper eats in Lisbon’s Old Town, head to the seaside of things near the Fado Museum where you’ll find a good selection of reasonably priced places serving up authentic local fare.

Related: How to spend two days in Lisbon on the cheap

4. Go where the locals go

When you see a place full of people speaking Portuguese and free of anyone with a camera around their neck, chances are, it’s a good place to try authentic and inexpensive local fare. Another good clue? Older folks running the kitchen or serving drinks behind the bar.

You’ll find plenty of fresh seafood, like these grilled sardines, around Lisbon. Photo: Theo K

5. Eat on Portuguese time

If you can manage to adapt to the local schedule, you’ll have a much easier time finding good deals on local meals. Look for breakfast offers from early morning until around 10 a.m. At lunchtime, fixed price feasts on special peak around 1 p.m., while dinner starts at around 8 p.m. on weeknights. However, many locals sit down to dinner much later with some folks having their evening meal at 11 p.m.

6. Snack at neighborhood bars

Neighborhood bars around town may not be much to look at, but they’re the perfect choice for a tipple and some stripped down bar food. Think olives, chicken pot pie (torta de frango), and the like paired with lots of local wine and beer.

Find a classic neighborhood bar for cheap (and tasty!) eats in Lisbon. Photo: We Love Lisbon

7. Drink house wine

House wine is good enough in Portugal for pretty much anyone except for serious wine connoisseurs. Plus, it’s much cheaper than ordering a specific vintage in a bottle.

Related: 5 Lookout points offering a drink with a view in Lisbon

8. Skip mixed drinks

Mixed drinks may be cheaper in Lisbon than they are in say London or Paris, but they can still dig into your daily dining budget. If you don’t want your bar tab to soar, stick to wine and beer.

9. Don’t leave a big tip

Service workers are paid living wages in Portugal, and they’re not depending on your tip to make it. A tip of a few coins is usually plenty, but if you get exceptional service and want to make a splash, leave something foldable.

10. Skip hotel breakfasts

Hotel breakfasts are usually a bit pricey for what you get. Unless breakfast is included with your room, skip it and head out for a coffee with milk called a galão and fresh-baked pasteis de nata, a custard filling in a flakey pastry shell topped with cinnamon and powdered sugar.

The cost? €2 or less!

And book a cheap hotel in Lisbon and start dreaming about Portuguese pastries.

11. Leave that plate of olives alone

In Lisbon, when restaurants bring out bread and olives before a meal, it’s generally not a freebie. So unless you’re down on your gluten and olive quota for the trip, skip them. It’s much cheaper to snack on fresh bread from the bakery and olives from the market on a picnic in the park.

12. Order a half-ration

If you’re not very hungry and aren’t keen on begging for a doggy bag (taking your leftovers home is still taboo here), you can always order a half-ration, sometimes called mini pratos. Half-rations aren’t available in a lot of European cities, but they are available in Lisbon.

The best part? Mini pratos are dirt cheap, starting at just €3-4 for a generous helping.

Your tips for cheap eats in Lisbon?

Have a tip for ways to save on dining in Lisbon? Share with us in the comments section below!

If you’re ready to visit, check out our full list of budget hotels in Lisbon.

The post Lisbon Cheap Eats: How to save on eating out appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The second-largest city in Portugal after Lisbon, Porto is a budget traveler’s paradise. Eating and drinking, even in more upscale, sit-down restaurants is still substantially cheaper here than elsewhere in Europe, and centrally-located, comfortable accommodations can be had for less than a nice meal out in London or Paris.

While Porto proper reaches further than you might imagine, its historic old town, Ribeira, is easily explored on foot. If you want to wander beyond the center, city transit options (trams, buses, and metro) are reasonably priced and relatively easy to use if you buy an Andante ticket — which is valid for all three.

Getting There

From Lisbon, Porto is an hour and twenty minutes via plane, 2 hours and 50 minutes on the train, or between four and five hours on the bus.

Flights: Budget airlines fly direct to Porto from all over Europe and Lisbon, and start at around €70 round-trip.

Train: From Vigo, Spain, or Lisbon, you can also catch the train to the lovely São Bento Railway Station in Porto from about €25-30. You can search for tickets on the official train site, Comboios de Portugal.

Car: If you’d rather rent a car, expect to spend €70 or less (not including gas) for a two-day rental. For groups traveling together and planning on exploring the countryside, renting a vehicle is probably worthwhile for flexibility and cash savings. Just remember, Portuguese drivers are notoriously aggressive on the road, and centrally-located budget accommodations don’t usually include free parking, so it might be best to rent a car just for trips out of town.

Hop on one of Porto’s historic trams. Photo: jocelyn777

Getting Around

The city is great for walking (and even biking), and Porto is well-connected with a modern metro system, a few tram lines, a light rail, and buses.

Andante Ticket

If you plan on using transit to get around the city, go for an Andante Tour ticket. At €7 for a one-day pass or €15 for a three-day pass with unlimited trips on buses, metro, and train, it is well worth the investment. You also won’t have to worry about figuring out the zone system.

However, if you’re only planning to grab the metro to and from the airport, grab an Andante card for €0.60 and charge it up with one Zone 4 (Z4) trip. Wait to add a return trip until you’re ready to leave Porto, as each Andante card can hold only one type of zone ticket at a time. For example, if you wanted to use the bus to get around the city center on a rainy day, you’d either have to waste a Z4 ticket, or buy another Andante card to keep track of it.

Whatever Andante ticket you choose, make sure to validate it — the fines can be steep, to say the least.

Historic trams

The city’s historic tram lines are popular with visitors, but they are not included in the Andante ticket. You can buy tickets on board for €6 or combine with a visit to the Museu do Carro Eléctrico for a slight discount.

Stroll the shops and stands at the Mercado do Bolhão. Photo: celine181

Free and Cheap Entertainment and Attractions

Your number one free option in Porto is touring its charming old town, Ribeira, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy great people-watching in the city’s sun-soaked plazas and venture into free attractions as you go. Don’t miss the city’s massive Sé Cathedral and the stunning golden interior of São Francisco Church or tile murals at São Benton Train Station.

Shopping

The recently renovated 19th-century Mercado do Bolhão is a great place to buy olives, local sweets, sample local cheeses and charcuterie, and eat freshly caught fish on the cheap. The market features a mix of traditional stalls and modern eateries, offering an interesting blend of old and new Porto. Browse a wide range of local wares (everything from soap to sneakers) on display at A Vida Portuguesa.

Later on, continue to Avenida Miguel Bombarda to get a glimpse of some of the city’s coolest graffiti and galleries full of work by local artists and artisans. Peruse the ancient shelves at the stunning Lello & Irmão Bookstore, considered by many to be the world’s most beautiful bookstore. Note that there’s now an entrance fee of €8, but it’s redeemable against book purchases.

Douro River Walk

Another great option is a walk along the Douro River, snapping shots of the colorful houses along the banks and the city’s iconic bridges.

The most famous is the Ponte D. Maria railway bridge, designed by Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame), often confused with the strikingly similar Ponte Dom Luís, designed by one of Eiffel’s former partners. There’s a trick to distinguishing the two: The Ponte D. Maria is a one-level bridge whereas the Ponte Dom Luís is a double-decker. Head to the pedestrian walkway on top for views of the city’s old town from above.

Porto’s Green Spaces

Get away from the traffic and noise in the center. Pack yourself a picnic and spend an afternoon exploring the city’s green spaces. Head to Portugal’s biggest urban park, City Park, designed by landscape architect Sidónio Pardal or the Pasteleira Urban Park to see a few of Portugal’s famous Cork trees.

You can also follow one of the themed learning trails from the Romantic gardens at Palácio de Cristal to the riverside to find interesting factoids about the city plus sweeping views of the river Douro and Porto. If you’re after avoiding the crowds, midweek is best.

Related: The perfect Cheapo day in Porto

Cheap eats in Porto

Local restaurants serve up hearty traditional fare, like the ubiquitous Francesinha, a Portuguese take on a Croque monsieur, as well as Italian, Chinese and Turkish options. The Francesinha is made with local sausage, steak, and ham with a thick tomato and beer sauce, and usually served with fries or tripe and bean stews (if you’re not a fan, avoid dishes listing tripas among the ingredients),

As in the rest of Portugal, creamy pasteis de nata pastries and bacalhau (salt cod) are ever-present, and portions are generous, to say the least. Order up a “Prato do Dia” (dish of the day) at small local cafes from €6, or a multi-course menu at upscale establishments for as little as €12.

Wine in restaurants and bars is very cheap, particularly if you stick to Vinho Verde whites and Douro reds. Whatever you do, don’t leave without trying a glass of the heady local drink famous the world over, Port. You can sample this fine fortified wine at one of the city’s oldest makers, The House of Taylor’s.

For the freshest fish and seafood at the best price, take the metro to Mercado station in Matosinhos and choose from dozens of restaurants that grill fresh fish in the area around Rua Herois de França. For the best Francesinhas in town, head to Capa Negra (Rua Barros Lima 487), but expect to set down between €12-18 for your Francesinha and fries with a beer or two. (That said, it’s totally worth it, as chances are you’ll be so stuffed you’ll want to skip your next meal.) Or you could always learn to share and split the plate with a friend.

The Moov Hotel Porto Centro

Sleeping cheap in Porto

Comfortable mid-range budget hotels can be had from around €55 a night. Like neighboring Spain, Portugal has plenty of clean, basic accommodations at rock-bottom rates. Want to go even cheaper? Dorm rooms in hostels start at around €12 per night.

A few hotel suggestions:

• We like the clean, and stylish Moov Hotel Porto Centro –within walking distance to historic sights in Porto’s city center. Make sure to request a room on an upper floor facing away from the Praça de Batalha for a quieter night.
• Traveling with a big group of friends? For a slightly more expensive but infinitely cooler hostel experience, we recommend CATS Porto Hostel. It’s centrally located and bright and airy with a boutique feel.

Want more suggestions? Search over 700 hotels in Porto on EuroCheapo.

The Porto Card

Starting at €7.50 per day, the Porto Card can be a good deal if you’re really interested in seeing many of Porto’s museums. The basic card covers free entrance to five museums, and depending on the card, may also cover transportation.

Have fun!

The post Budget travel guide to Porto, Portugal appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

That said, the savviest Cheapos are always looking for new ways to save a few extra euros. If that’s you, you’ve come to the right place!

Related articles:
• 10 Days in Portugal: A budget-friendly itinerary through Lisbon, Porto Braga
• Saving in Sintra, a perfect day trip from Lisbon
• How to save on dining out in Lisbon

Portugal budget travel guide

Here are 10 of our best tips to stretch your budget even further in Lisbon, Porto and beyond.

1. Embrace the off-season

For the best prices on flights, accommodations and pretty much everything else, try to plan your trip to Portugal any time other than peak travel dates. If you can, avoid June through September along with the Easter and Christmas holidays. Generally speaking, late January through mid-March (depending on when Holy Week and Easter fall) bring lower prices and fewer crowds.

2. Book last-minute hotels

For the best prices on many aspects of travel, plan way ahead (months, not weeks) or wait until the last possible moment to book. In our experience, this works better with accommodations and package deals than with airfare. For the most extreme savings on hotels and hostels, the best prices are quite often found at the last minute, when rates tumble as push comes to shove. Search EuroCheapo to find a deal on Portugal hotels.

TAP flies non-stop to Portugal from the US. Photo: Miguel C.

3. Keep flight costs down

Because Portugal is already a very budget-friendly destination when it comes to food and lodging, the best way to cut your expenses way back is to spend less on your airfare to Europe. While flying to Porto will usually save you some cash, TAP Portugal flies direct to Lisbon from the US, while Iberia makes one stop in Madrid.

Serious Cheapos should consider flying into another major European hub (think Paris, Dublin or London) and then hopping on a low-cost flight to Lisbon, Porto or Faro. Since low-cost flights on carriers like Vueling and Ryanair are priced each way, to save time and money on ground transportation, consider flying into Porto in the north and back from Lisbon in the South or vice versa.

4. Sleep cheap in pensions

For a charming (and budget-friendly) local experience, stick to pensão, small, family-run inns. Some also offer inexpensive but authentic home-style meals, too. Hostels and apartments are also very reasonable, and if you plan to stay in one place for two or more nights, you may even be able to negotiate a discount.

In bigger urban areas like Porto (Search over 4,000 hotels in Porto) and Lisbon (search for budget hotels in Lisbon), pick something central to save time and money on transportation.

Related: Search for affordable hotel rooms across Portugal

5. Walk

Pack comfortable shoes and walk as much as you can. It’s free, and Portuguese towns and cities are wonderful for pedestrians. If you must, take the odd joy ride on one of the old-fashioned cable cars, but after that, stick to your own two feet whenever possible to keep your transportation costs down.

6. Skip the taxis

Good public transit options, rideshares and reasonably priced rental cars make splurging for a taxi seem silly. Take the trip from Lisbon Airport to the city center, for example. Whereas a taxi fare will cost you around €10 to €15, public transit costs only €2, while a shuttle or rideshare option starts at about €5.

Related: How to save on your rental car in Portugal

7. Spend less on dining out

For the best way to save on dining, go for the fixed price menus at lunchtime. Many restaurants offer a menu of the day, “prato do dia,” “menu do dia” or sometimes “menu fixo” in Portuguese. When dinner rolls around, opt for snacks on-the-go from bakeries or supermarkets.

In restaurants, just say no to the bread and olives the waiters bring out unless you really want them. They’re an added charge on the bill at most establishments.

And don’t overtip. In Portugal, as in many European destinations, tips are a bonus, not part of your server’s salary, so most of the time a few euros are more than enough. Generally, you shouldn’t even think about leaving more than 10% on top of the bill. Also, check to make sure a service charge hasn’t already been tacked on to your bill.

8. Pick up a fresh meal at a local market

While eating and drinking out is cheaper in Portugal than in other parts of Europe, it’ll still save you money to pick up fresh produce, bread, and snacks at outdoor markets and supermarkets. Grab a nice Vinho Verde, some local cheese and charcuterie, and a few pasteis de nata (traditional egg custard tartlets) for dessert, and you’re all set — no complicated cooking skills or formal kitchen required.

9. Some of the best sights are free

You’ll find that many popular activities that normally charge admission are free some of the time. Wherever you are in Portugal, it’s pretty likely that local museums have a free morning, afternoon or day, so asking around is well worth the effort. For example, the first Sunday of the month, you can take in major museums in Lisbon (like the Tile Museum and Jeronimos Monastery) without paying admission.

Related: Free attractions and things to do in Lisbon

Porto’s sweetened the pot for tourists even further — every Sunday morning from 10 am to 1 pm, museums and cathedrals are free. We recommend the Port Wine Museum (although it is currently under renovation) or the Serralves Foundation’s modern art collection.

Want someone to show you the sights on the cheap? In both of Portugal’s major cities, there are free walking tours (tips are encouraged). Check out these walking tour options in Porto and Lisbon.

10. Slow down

Spending more time in one place is a sure-fire way to keep your budget in check and stay sane. Instead of rushing around on an organized bus tour, or driving from one city to the next, consider making a temporary home base in a small town, renting a nice room or apartment and exploring an area in a leisurely fashion.

Don’t overbook your time with activities. Instead, take your time and wander — it’s free. You’ll save money on transportation and have a much more relaxing trip.

The post 10 ways to save on a trip to Portugal appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

It may require a bit of diligence to ignore the masses of tourists hurling themselves up and down the town’s hilly roads at virtually all times of the year, but the sense of wonder Sintra imparts will be well worth the effort.

Related: 10 Days in Portugal on the cheap through Lisbon, Porto & Braga 

How to get there

Considering that stepping within Sintra’s limits feels akin to time travel, the ease of reaching the town for a day trip from Lisbon is surprising. Simply purchase a €4.50 round-trip ticket at Rossio Station, located in the historic center of Lisbon, for one of the trains departing the station; depending on the time of day, trains depart every 10-20 minutes.

Board the train, get comfortable in one of the trains’ cozy seats and savor a leisurely 40-minute ride out of the hustle and bustle of Lisbon and into a world of both natural and human-made splendor. As the train passes buildings covered in graffiti followed by a series of quaint towns, choose to quietly absorb the rapidly shifting landscape, rest, meditate, daydream, or read — perhaps consider digesting Eça de Queirós’s The Relic or other equally good Portuguese Renaissance literature to accompany the journey into Sintra’s wondrous world.

Getting around Sintra

Once on Sintra’s hallowed ground, exploring the town’s every nook and cranny is a low-cost delight. The 434 bus route was specifically designed for visitors to Sintra, and at €6.90 for round-trip travel, it is much less expensive than the €25 Hop-On/Hop-Off and other tour buses. In fact, while researching this post, we waited 20 minutes at each of two Hop-On/Hop-Off bus stops. When the buses finally arrived, we were told by the drivers that we could not board because no one was disembarking and there were no free seats.

This could potentially happen to you while you wait for the 434 bus, of course, and you should definitely expect exceptionally long lines of people queuing up to wait for the bus at every stop (especially the Palácio de Pena). Your alternatives are to rent a car in Lisbon and do the driving yourself (not at all a bad idea, and affordable if you are sharing the cost with others) or hire a tuk-tuk driver or taxi driver to take you for a private tour (at least €50per person).

The Hop-On/Hop-Off bus does offer two bus routes with many more stops than the 434 bus, but we found that unless you have physical limitations or are going to spend the night in Sintra (not a bad idea, either, if you have the time — then you can experience the town virtually free of tourists in the morning and evening!) the 434 is your best bet for a single day of exploration.

Accommodations: Search more than 250 hotels and vacation apartments in Sintra

Eating in Sintra

If you find yourself hungry after all your exploring, pop into Saudade (the Portuguese word for something close to nostalgia) for whatever your body craves, whether coffee, tea, a sandwich, or a full meal. The varied offerings will tantalize omnivores and vegetarians alike.

Day trip tip

Take the earliest train you can (maybe 7:01 am?) and return as late as you can (11:20 pm, perhaps?) and — though Sintra’s magnificence cannot be absorbed in a day — you will have grasped at least an appetizer portion of the area’s marvelous offerings to tide you over until your next visit.

The post Portugal: Saving in Sintra, a perfect day trip from Lisbon appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any tricks to make the most of your money on the road. Read on for 10 of our best tips to help you stretch your euros farther on your next trip to Southern Europe.

More articles on saving in Europe
• Guide to buying a SIM Card: The cheapest way to use your phone in Europe
• 11 Simple ways to save on your trip to Italy
• 12 Tips for traveling solo in Europe

Tips for saving in Southern Europe

Getting there cheaper

One of the biggest costs when it comes to Southern Europe is getting there. New budget airlines like Norwegian and Wow Air have helped keep prices down, but direct flights in peak season to destinations in Italy, Spain, Greece from the US still cost double — or even triple — the price of flights with stops. To spend less getting there, follow the two rules below:

TAP Portugal airlines taking off from Manchester. Photo: joolsgriff

1. Hub it for cheaper airfare

Hop the cheapest flight you can find into a major hub city (think London, Frankfurt, or Paris). Then book a seat on a European low-cost carrier like Ryanair, easyJet or Vueling the rest of the way to your destination. If you have extra time, you can even take a bus or train for a scenic and affordable ride.

Search for affordable flights with CheapoSearch

2. Travel during the off-peak season

Take advantage of southern Europe’s milder climate and travel during winter (but not Christmas), late fall or early spring. Not only will you get to see the sites minus the crowds, your flights will cost substantially less — you may even be able to get a deal on a direct flight.

Related: 8 Tips for finding cheap flights to Europe

Getting around without breaking the bank

The costs of ground transportation can really add up. Keep expenses on track during your time in Southern Europe with the tips below.

Tourists walking through Dubrovnik. Photo: Chris B.

3. Use your feet whenever possible

This is a no-brainer in sunny Southern Europe where even in winter, the weather is fairly mild and doesn’t get in the way of getting around on your own two feet (provided you bring weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes). That said, in many destinations like Barcelona, when it rains, it pours and drizzles for hours, and sometimes for days, so bring a rain poncho or an umbrella so that a little inclement weather doesn’t spoil your plans for a self-led walking tour around the old town.

4. Make the most of inexpensive public transit

Because of the comparatively low cost of living in Southern European countries, public transit is a serious bargain when compared to the cost of hopping a train or bus in Denmark or Switzerland.

Related: Tips for saving on transportation in Portugal

5. Car share to reach out-of-the-way attractions

Do yourself (and anyone else you might be traveling with) a favor — don’t take a million different modes of transportation to get to something. If the attraction or town you really want to see is hard to get to by public transit, take advantage of the generally lower car rental costs in Southern Europe or grab a rideshare with BlaBlaCar. What’s BlaBlaCar? Read about the ridesharing service, here.

Related: Calculating the “real cost” of a car rental in Europe

Saving on Food and Drink

One of our favorite things about traveling in Southern Europe is the quality to quantity ratio when it comes to the cost of food and drink. It’s one part of Europe where, if you really wanted to, you could probably afford to budget all of your meals out at restaurants — no supermarket runs required. Feast on delicious cuisine and sip local wine without emptying your wallet by keeping the following advice in mind.

Pasta is always a good choice for lunch in Italy. Photo: Flavio E.

6. Eat out at lunchtime

When it comes to great local food for less, the midday meal is where it’s at throughout Southern Europe. Fixed price menus offer cheap multi-course options — sometimes with water, bread and wine included!

Related: Don’t leave Rome without tasting these 5 classic dishes

7. Drink like a local

If you’re eating at a restaurant where beverages aren’t included, or you’re out at the bar, drink like a local. That means sticking to house wine, beer on tap, regional liquors — you name it. Ordering up a Bombay Sapphire and Schweppes isn’t going to save you any money or make you any friends. Try something new and have what the locals are drinking.

Related: 5 Tips for buying and saving on Spanish wine 

8. Munch on street food

When you want something to eat in off hours, or in the evenings when restaurants switch to a la carte menus, skip the fast food chains in favor of whatever street food’s popular with locals. Fill up on churros and fries from churrería stands in Spain, gyros and those tasty sesame bread rings in Greece and treats like panelle (hearty chickpea pancakes) and gelato in Italy.

Related: Eating for cheap at Barcelona’s best street food

Spending less on sleeping

Good news! When it comes to a place to rest your head, you can expect to pay substantially less per night in Greece, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Croatia than elsewhere in Europe. Basic but clean and comfortable accommodations are widely available. With only €10, you can find bunks in shared dorms at most destinations, while private rooms (with a shared bathroom) start at just €20. Even if you go all out for a private room with a private bathroom, you can still find excellent hotels for €50 per night.

Related: When should you book hotels in Europe for the best rates?

Hostal Eixample offers 7 rooms in a lovely residential building in Barcelona.

9. Stay in small hotels and guesthouses

Around Southern Europe, particularly in smaller towns, staying in small guesthouses will cost you less than staying at hotel chains, or even sometimes, a private room at a hostel. These sorts of accommodations are mostly booked by and geared towards locals as opposed to international visitors. We include many of these in our lists for the best budget hotel guides to Barcelona, Rome, and Florence.

Related: Kosovo Houses in Bulgaria: An affordable escape to a scenic mountain village

10. Book a hotel room or hostel with kitchen access

Staying in a hotel, hostel, or apartment with kitchen access is a great way to save on expenses. Even with food and drink as cheap as it is in Southern Europe, you can save even more by cooking occasionally — and you’ll have a great excuse to spend a morning shopping for local ingredients at an open market.

Search for cheap hotels in Europe

Have you been anywhere in Southern Europe recently? Share your money-saving tips with us in the comments.

The post 10 Tips for saving in Southern Europe appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

What should you expect to spend getting from Lisbon to Sintra, and Porto to Guimarães and back again? Will hopping a train or booking a rental car break your budget?

As it turns out, probably not. Throughout Portugal transportation costs are very reasonable and savvy travelers can save even more by following through with the tips below.

Related
• 10 Days in Portugal: A budget-friendly itinerary
• A Budget travel guide to Lisbon
• 10 Ways to save on your trip to Portugal

5 Tips for getting around Portugal on a budget

Taking the train to Porto means you get to travel through this stunning station. Photo: Jumilla

1. Hop on the train for views and low-key travel

On the train in Portugal, it’s easier to soak up views and relax. For about the same price as taking the bus — and half the travel time — it’s much more comfortable and the train routes are usually more picturesque than what the tollway buses travel. Plus, with no need to get behind the wheel, you won’t have to worry about swearing off Vinho Verde at lunch.

That said there are some limitations to train travel — the trains just don’t go to some places. If you want to explore Portugal’s tiny villages, you’re better off with a rental, a GPS and a detailed regional map.

Check rates and destinations on the official Portuguese train website (Comboios de Portugal).

Hailing a taxi in Lisbon might not be the cheapest option. Photo: McPig

2. Book a rideshare before an Uber or a taxi

Taxis in Portugal are cheaper than in destinations like France or Germany, but they’re still quite expensive when compared to public transit. But how do they compare to Uber and rideshares?

First off, at the time of writing, Uber isn’t widely available in Portugal, so for the best and most dependable Uber experience, you’re pretty much limited to the Porto and Lisbon metropolitan areas.

Secondly, even for short trips in those cities, Uber is only slightly cheaper than taking a cab (most of the time). But your savings are only likely to be a few euros at best, so if there are taxis waiting at a stop or transit station nearby, you may not find it worth your while to wait around for an Uber driver — although Uber has one major advantage — no cash necessary.

For longer trips, (20 minutes or more) Uber is about half the price of a taxi, but depending on the distance and route you may also be able to book a ride with a European ridesharing company called BlaBlaCar for a fraction of the cost. (Check out our guide to using BlaBlaCar in Europe, here.)

If getting to your destination as quickly as possible is your priority, you may want to spend a few more euros on an Uber or a taxi — rideshares often make multiple stops to drop off passengers along a route.

3. Skip the bus (most of the time)

Portugal is connected by multiple bus and coach lines run by public transit authorities, as well as private companies such as ALSA, Bus Rede Expressos, Bus RenEX, and Bus Groupo AVIC. While these buses are reasonably priced and comfortable, they can also be terribly slow with limited timetables and destinations.

To find the cheapest possible deal on bus travel (or any travel) between a route in Portugal, head to Rome2Rio.com and search for your route. Under your results, in the bus section, you’ll see an approximate price and the names of companies that operate on it.

For the most part, buses are cheap (if very slow way) to travel between off-the-beaten-path destinations that aren’t connected via national rail routes, although you’ll often have to make multiple connections to get to Portugal’s truly tiny villages.

All things considered, buses are rarely the cheapest option for longer trips. Between cities, driving, ride sharing, training it, or even hopping a budget flight is usually as cheap as (and sometimes cheaper) than taking a bus. If you’re traveling deep into Portugal’s gorgeous rural areas, a rental car is almost always a better and cheaper choice. And speaking of rental cars…

Driving along the Douro River in a rental car. Photo: pedrik

4. Go where you want (and when) in a rental car

If you’re traveling in a group of two or more, or are committed to seeing lots of small towns and villages, renting a car is the best bet for your money, personal comfort, and time. Having a vehicle will allow you to sleep in less expensive towns (make sure your accommodations include free or cheap parking) and will save you time spent waiting on trains and buses.

For the cheapest rentals, book as far in advance as you can manage. You can pick up your rental at a major airport (Porto, Faro, or Lisbon). Check rates for car rentals in Portugal and across Europe

For more tips on the cheapest and safest ways to drive in Portugal see our guide to driving in Portugal. Don’t forget to bring your international driver’s license!

Nice view! Flying Ryanair over the Azores. Photo: Adamina

5. Get there faster (and sometimes cheaper) on budget air carriers

If you want to get from the one end of this long and skinny country to the other in short order, your fastest (and sometimes cheapest) option may be to fly between big hubs on budget carriers. Ryanair has flights from Lisbon to Porto for as low as €20 round trip, and we found flights with TAP starting at €68.

In short, it’s worth at least checking budget flights before booking ground travel. We recently tested out a trip from Porto to Faro and found we could spend five hours on the train (from €35), a rideshare (from €36) or a rental car (from €85). Or you can get there in one hour and 10 minutes for €26 on a cheap flight (plus time getting to and from the airport, of course).

CheapoSearch: Check airfare for budget flights across Europe

The post Portugal Transportation: 5 tips for saving on trains, buses, rental cars and flights appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

An island of gardens, inland valleys and flowing levadas — irrigation channels, which double as hiking trails — Madeira draws legions of tourists, including many retirees from across Europe all year long. For decades, huge numbers of British tourists have visited Madeira, and one consequence of this tourism history is that Madeirans tend to speak English very well.

Funchal is the largest city on the island, as well as the regional capital. It’s so cute it hurts. The municipal gardens overflow with flora, and the streets are full of beautiful Portuguese tile work. The museums are great, too. The Old Town (Zona Velha) is beguiling and atmospheric. The modern bits of Funchal are also charming.

Many use Funchal as a jumping-off point for countryside walks or even the neighboring island of Porto Santo. Check out Outdoor Madeira, published by the Madeira Islands Rural Tourism Association, for more information on Madeira beyond Funchal. While you won’t come to Madeira for the beaches, you can find idyllic beaches on the nearby island of Porto Santo. Reach Porto Santo by ferry (€57.40 round trip April to September, €47 in low season; 2.5 hours’ duration) or plane (round-trip fares starting at €83; 15 minutes). For more information, check the official tourism resource for Porto Santo.

Related:
• A 10-Day budget itinerary through Portugal
• 10 Easy ways to save in Portugal
• Budget guide to Lanzarote, Canary Islands

Funchal, Madeira budget travel tips

Here are five easy ways to save on your trip to Funchal, Madeira:

1. Take the cable car… one way.

By all means, take the Madeira cable car (Teleférico do Funchal) up the mountain to the Botanical Garden. The views are amazing and there are some lovely gardens to check out.

But instead of coughing up €15 for a round-trip fare, pay €10 for a one-way journey up the mountain and walk back to town. The hills are very steep, and you’ll need to wind your way down carefully. (If you’re quite fit, walk uphill and take the cable car down the mountain.) Whether you walk or ride, the views are amazing.

2. Explore Funchal’s affordable museums

Take advantage of Funchal’s very inexpensive museums. The Casa-Museu Frederico de Freitas (€3) has a remarkable tile collection. The over-the-top Universo de Memórias João Carlos Abreu (€3.50) houses its namesake’s personal collections. The worldly Abreu, Madeira’s former Minister of Tourism, has a quirky aesthetic vision, and this museum makes for a very entertaining exploration. There is also café on the premises.

3. Eat well for cheap

It is easy to eat well in Funchal without breaking the bank. One good local restaurant among many is Taberna Madeira (Travessa de João Caetano 16). Sandwiches start at €2.50 and the local soup of the day is €3. Order the roasted lamb for two for only €20.

For snacks and fresh produce, try the Mercado Dos Lavradores, a vibrant farmer’s market.

4. Shop for local gifts (while you sip glass of wine)

Stop by Made in Madeira (Rua Serpa Pinto 27) for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine — and a spot of shopping. This lovely little shop-cum-café sells reasonably priced local handicrafts and delicacies as well as clothing. It focuses on local production in an attractive and compelling manner.

A budget stay at Hotel do Carmo includes a beautiful rooftop pool!

5. Stay at Hotel do Carmo

Madeira resident Kash Bhattacharya recommended this lovely budget-friendly charmer, located in the middle of Funchal. The style of the gorgeous lobby is late 1960s Portuguese modernism, with sharp lines and a well-lighted bar at night. It looks like the set of a period spy caper.

Rooms are very simple no-frills affairs and rates start at €54 per night for a double room. The best perk of staying at Hotel do Carmo? There is a rooftop swimming pool, too! Find out more about Hotel do Carmo.

More hotel options: Search over 500 hotels in Funchal and over 1,200 properties across the Madeira islands.

Your Funchal tips

Do you have suggestions for ways to save when visiting Funchal or Madeira, in general? Share your tips in the comments section below.

The post Funchal, Madeira: 5 Budget tips for an island getaway in Portugal appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But what do you need to know about driving in Portugal before you hop in your rental and hit the road? To stay safe and on the right side of the law during your time in Portugal, consider the tips below.

Related
• How to save on your rental car in Portugal
• 10-day budget itinerary to Portugal
• 10 ways to save on your trip to Portugal

Portugal driving tips

1. Get an International driver’s license before your trip

Consider getting an international driver’s license before you arrive. While most rental companies don’t require one for U.S. drivers license holders, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

2. Be smart about parking

Be careful about where and how you park your car in Portugal. Locals aren’t an example to follow — leaving your car running with emergency lights in a no-parking zone won’t save you from a ticket. Also, when parking roadside, always be sure to park in the same direction as traffic.

3. Protect your car and valuables

Lock the car when you park and secure your valuables in the trunk. Even if you’re just stopping off for a moment to get a picture of an amazing view along the way. Portugal isn’t dangerous but petty theft is unfortunately quite common. Don’t make yourself an easy target.

4. Lost? Don’t panic.

Be prepared to get a little lost when driving around Portugal. The trick is staying calm and being prepared. Be sure to bring a paper map, and either rent a GPS with your vehicle or use Google Maps on your smartphone or tablet — learn how to switch out your US sim card with a local sim card.

5. Keep an eye out for gas stations

Fill up whenever you see a station — running out of gas in a foreign country is even less fun than it is at home (even if it has the makings of a great story to tell at dinner parties). And be sure to fill up with the right fuel. Learn the name of the type of fuel your car uses in Portuguese.

Note: Diesel is “gasóleo” (or “diesel”) and unleaded gasoline is “gasolina.”

6. Don’t speed

Follow the speed limit, even if the rest of traffic is speeding along over the limit. In Portugal, there are flashing orange speed traffic lights that operate using a sensor, and if you’re over the limit (or the person in front of you is), they’ll turn red and you’ll have to stop.

7. Put that smartphone down

Don’t use a cell phone while driving unless it’s hands-free. It’s illegal, unsafe and could get you a big fine.

8. Use turn signals (even if others don’t)

Turn signals might seem to you to be optional in Portugal — which doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use them, just that you can’t expect other drivers to do so. So give yourself a little extra distance between you and the car ahead of you, and pay close attention so you can brake hard when the person in front of makes an unexpected turn or maneuver.

9. Watch it on the sharp turns and ramps

On and off ramps are usually very short — you’ll want to slow down a little before you exit the main road or highway you’re on.

Your Portugal driving tips

Have some driving tips to add to our list? Leave them in the comments section below!

The post Portugal Driving Tips: How to stay safe and legal when driving in Portugal appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But what’s the best way to see it all? We love the bus and train, but renting a car in Portugal is an easy and cost-effective way to get around the country. If you’re traveling in a group of two or more, or would just like more flexibility when it comes to where, how, and when you travel inside Portugal, renting a car is probably your best option. And before you hit the road, check our tips for staying safe on the road in Portugal.

So here are some of our best tips on how to get the best value on your car rental.

Related:

• Search rental cars in Europe
• How to calculate the “real cost” of your rental car
• 10 Ways to save on a trip to Portugal
• 10 Days in Portugal: A budget trip to Lisbon, Porto & Braga

How to save on your rental car in Portugal

To get the best possible deal on a vehicle rental in Portugal, here are a few things you should always keep in mind:

1. Always book ahead with a reputable agency.

Booking directly after you’ve arrived in Porto or Lisbon will almost always cost you substantially more than if you make a reservation ahead of time online. Waiting until the last minute usually means less competition, as agencies run out of cars and prices go up.

2. Compare prices carefully

Compare rates closely between different rental car agencies. When you search for car rentals on EuroCheapo, be sure to look at the details, not just the prices. Do they have free cancellation? Mileage limits? Other small print items?

3. Be careful of super cheap deals

Related to the last point, don’t book a deal that seems too good to be true — it probably is and has all sorts of additional fees. To figure out which deal is the best deal when every offer includes different things use our Car Rental Cost Calculator.

Inspect that car before you drive away from the lot. Photo: patrick janicek

4. Double check the car before you hit the road

At the rental agency, carefully examine the car and have an employee at the rental agency sign off on any existing damage (scratches, dents) before you drive off into the sunset. Same goes for returning the car — make sure an employee signs off that you’ve returned the car in good condition before you leave the car at the end of your trip.

5. Get a toll reader

Speed up your trip by springing for a “Via Verde” toll reader. The rental agency has to offer them and it’s worth avoiding the fuss of paying tolls manually and will save you time on the road — you’ll be able to breeze through the Via Verde line instead of hoarding exact change to pay tolls.

6. Check your insurance

Make sure you book a good travel insurance policy, but don’t pay for coverage that you already have. A good policy should cover any excess in case of an accident not covered by the regular rental insurance (which can be as much as $1,000 or more). That way you won’t have to spring for the extra insurance to cover excess for collisions — it’s very expensive and can double your rental bill.

7. Use a credit card with plenty of available credit

Use a credit card (not a debit or bank card) with enough credit available to cover the excess temporary charges — some rental companies will place a hold on your card until you return the car in good condition.

8. Save gas by renting a smaller car

Go with a mini or economy car — they’re cheaper to rent and will save you money on fuel.

9. Upgrade with caution.

Americans take note: Rental car agencies in Portugal and around Europe have a funny tendency to offer American clients free upgrades to larger cars. This is often because they can’t get rid of them! Take the upgrade with caution: Really large cars will not only cost more for gas, but will be trickier to navigate through tiny European streets and alleyways. Upgrade with caution.

10. Plan to return your car on a weekday

Don’t expect to return or pick up a car on Saturday afternoons or Sundays in smaller towns. Apart from those located in major airports, most rental offices are closed Saturdays after 1 pm and Sundays all day.

A final note on booking

Whichever rental agency you book your car through in Portugal, expect to pay more for an automatic transmission. You’ll also have to shell out more if the driver is 25 years old or younger.

Ready to ride? Search cars throughout Europe now.

The post Portugal Rental Cars: How to save on your rental car appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Related: Search for hotel rooms across Portugal

Add to that a mild, sunny climate and events to interest any type of traveler year-round (everything from traditional medieval fairs to massive music festivals), and you’ve got a can’t-miss destination in Europe that won’t break the bank.

Need a little more convincing before you book your flights? Read on!

Our top 10 reasons to visit Portugal in 2017

1. Strong dollar to euro exchange

Portugal’s been a dream destination for budget travelers forever. Even when the euro traded higher, prices were cheaper here than almost any other destinations in Western Europe.

Now, in 2017, it costs $1.06 to buy €1 (at the time of writing), which means you can easily estimate Portugal’s already very reasonable prices for hotel rooms, food, and activities at almost a 1 to 1 ratio.

Related: 10-day budget-friendly itinerary starting in Lisbon and ending in Porto

2. Cheap flights from the US

At the time of writing, there are round-trip flights from JFK to Porto on offer for $600 or less (sometimes less than $400) from late January through September. Check TAP Portgual, Iberia Airlines and Royal Air Maroc. Flying into Lisbon is a little pricier, but if you choose your dates wisely, it’s still easy to get there and home again for under $700.

Fly TAP Portugal from the US for low fares, especially in the offseason. Photo: Oliver H.

Cheap flights between Porto and Lisbon: Whichever city you fly into, budget carrier Ryanair has made it cheaper to travel between the country’s two largest airports with flights starting at an astonishing €20.

It should also be noted that if you want to add Portugal to your trip, round-trip flights on European budget airlines like easyJet and Vueling from cities such as London, Paris, Amsterdam and Munich can be had for €100 or less when booked far enough in advance.

For the best possible deal on airfare, be flexible with times and dates, willing to make at least one connection in Europe and book as soon as you can. Use our Cheapo Flight Search to find the latest prices.

3. World-renowned musicians and music festivals

Beyond Fado, the traditional music Portugal is known for worldwide, destinations throughout the country will feature big names in music at concert halls and major festivals in 2017.

Lisbon will host Bruno Mars on April 4, Simple Minds on May 3, and Aerosmith on June 26. The Red Hot Chili Peppers will headline the Super Bock Super Rock Festival in Parque das Nações. The Foo Fighters and Depeche Mode will play at the Nos Alive Festival (July 6-8) in the community of Algés. If urban and electronic music is your tune, there is also the Sumol Summer Fest.

4. Carnival in Madeira

The city of Funchal in Portugal’s Madeira region has one of the liveliest carnival celebrations in Europe — Carnaval da Madeira. There are two main parades visitors should try to catch: The more formal parade on the Saturday of Carnival Weekend (February 25) featuring samba musicians and dancers in costumes like those in Rio de Janeiro and the free-for-all Fat Tuesday Parade (February 28) wherein locals and visitors alike can dance and parade through the city center in wild and daring costumes.

Search for hotels in Funchal

A souk vendor at the Islamic Festival in Mértola. Photo: Jose C.

5. The Islamic Festival in Mértola

Mértola, Portugal (near Faro) was the capital of Taifa, as an independent Muslim-ruled principality, and an important port between the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa between the 8th and 13th centuries.

In 2017 (and odd-numbered years), the destination celebrates its heritage during the Islamic Festival of Mértola. Featuring traditional dancers and musicians, a souk full of artisans, and chefs preparing traditional North African dishes such as couscous and mint tea, the festival takes place from May 21 to 24.

Search for hotels in Mértola

6. Marathons and races

If fitness is part of your New Year’s resolution, why not organize your trip to Europe around a marathon? Runners can choose between panoramic views of the country’s capital in Lisbon’s Half Marathon (March 19) or a scenic run through the country’s best-known wine region in the Douro Valley Half Marathon.

To keep the cost of running in the races in check, register as soon as possible, as the Lisbon Half-Marathon is €38 plus tax through January 31, and the Douro Valley Half Marathon is €16 through March 31 (after the cut-off, prices go up).

If you love races, but you’d rather watch (it is a vacation, after all), Portugal’s hosting the Algarve Grandfondo (February 15-19) cycling competition, as well as the Ironman 70.3 competition in the beautiful coastal community of Cascais (September 3).

Visitors arriving at the Shrine of Fatima. Photo: Noel P

7.  100th anniversary pilgrimage to Fatima

2017 marks one hundred years since the Virgin Mary revealed herself to three children in Fatima during a dark time in European and Portuguese history (World War I), converting the tiny town into a pilgrimage site for Catholics. Today, it is one of the largest shrines dedicated to Mary in the world.

It’s a great year to visit, particularly between May 12 and October 13 when special cultural events including concerts and exhibitions will take place in honor of the 100th-anniversary celebration. From April on, visitors can also take part in a nightly candlelight procession at 10 pm. Book your hotel in Fatima early to experience this special celebration.

8. Medieval fairs

There’s nothing quite like a medieval fair in a destination that actually survived the highs and lows of the medieval era. In such towns in Portugal, saints’ days and holidays throughout the year are excuse enough for many locals to dress up in traditional costumes and have a go at working and partying the “old-fashioned” way.

The walled city of Viana do Castelo makes a great setting for locals dressed for the part selling artisan wares and performing medieval music in mid-June.

From August 2 to 13, Santa Maria da Feira returns to its medieval roots as the historic city center transforms into a big medieval fair with knights jousting in tournaments, artisans, blacksmiths, bakers, mule-drivers, tavern keepers, acrobats, jugglers, and fire-eaters.

In Vila Baleira, a medieval festival in September (14-16) is dedicated to medieval maritime culture and Columbus’ time on the island.

Other towns with notable medieval fairs include Castro Marim and Silva.

9. Film festivals

Whether you’re into sci-fi or indie documentaries, if cinema’s your thing, Portugal has plenty on offer in 2017.

February 22 to March 6, 2017, there’s Fantasporto, Oporto’s International Film Festival dedicated to fantasy and science fiction cinema, considered one of the best in the world.

In April (17-23), indie fans can head to Madeira Film Festival for a healthy dose of independent shorts, features, and documentaries, with a focus on nature-oriented films.

Lisbon’s Indie Film Festival from May 3 to 14 makes the perfect excuse for a late spring trip to the Portuguese capital.

The Óbidos International Chocolate Festival. Photo: Ivo A.

10. Óbidos International Chocolate Festival

Indulge your sweet tooth with a visit to Portugal’s best-known chocolate festival from March 10 to April 2, 2017. Wander the narrow streets of Óbidos, a medieval town in Central Portugal, and taste an array of chocolate and chocolate-themed sweets and cakes. Book your accommodations in Óbidos as early as possible if you want to attend.

There are also chocolate and baked good competitions, cooking classes, chocolate sculptures and even a kid’s chocolate house for young visitors. Check out the official website or Facebook page for more information.

The post 10 Reasons to visit Portugal in 2017 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.