Lisbon Travel Cost: Flights, Accommodation, Food, Things to Do

Are you planning a trip to Portugal, one of the friendliest cities in Western Europe?

Then, you might be wondering what your Lisbon travel costs will be for flights, accommodation, food, public transport, and more.

Lisbon is one of the least expensive cities, but that does not mean it is as cheap as it used to be. Still, when visiting Lisbon on a budget, you can get value for money in this sunny city.

But what can you expect to pay? Let us find out.

Cost of Flights to Lisbon

Are you planning a visit to the stunning city of Lisbon? Booking your flight is a crucial part of your trip. Flight prices can fluctuate based on various factors, such as the time and location of booking. To help you plan, I’ve gathered some approximate costs to give you an estimated overview.

Lisbon Flight Costs	Round-Trip Ticket
New York City, USA	$249 – $729
London, UK	£50 – £200
Sydney, Australia	AUD 1,000 –  AUD 1,500
Tokyo, Japan	¥60,000 –  ¥120,000
Johannesburg, South Africa	ZAR 7,000 –  ZAR 12,000

Lisbon Costs: Accommodation

Now that you have booked the most important thing, flights, your next step is to find accommodation. The best part is that you can find budget-friendly options from backpackers to luxury. Here, you see the approximate costs for all budget types.

Lisbon Hotels	Cost of Accommodation/Daily Cost
Budget Accommodations	€18-€30
Mid-Range Accommodation	€75 to €150
Luxury Accommodations	€350 to €900

For a budget backpacker, you can find several hostels and budget hotels with shared amenities that offer great value.

Alternatively, you can find accommodation, including private bathrooms, comfortable beds, and complimentary breakfast.

While your luxury options provide the best amenities, there are accommodation costs to suit the budget of luxury seekers. 

Hot Tip🔥: The best option is to book a place that does not require a deposit, which helps when plans change.

Tips to Find Budget-Friendly Options

• Book in Advance: It’s advisable to book your accommodation well ahead of your travel dates to avoid price increases, especially during peak tourist season.
• Consider off-peak travel: Plan your visit to Lisbon in the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) when there are fewer tourists and prices are generally lower.
• Location: Stay in a neighborhood just outside the city center for more affordable prices while within a reasonable distance of the main attractions. Consider the cost of transport as well.
• Use comparison sites: Utilize comparison websites to check prices across various accommodations to find the best deals and value for your budget.

Affordable Options: Food and Drinks

Lisbon has a diverse food scene, and finding affordable options in this dynamic city is not impossible. You can choose from international and Portuguese foods. Prices for meals and bottled water are also available.

The Cost of a Meal in Lisbon

Traditional Restaurants	Price for a Meal
Continental Breakfast/Coffee	€5-7
Lunch Portuguese Dishes	€8-12
Dinner/ Three-Course Meal	€15-20
Michelin-Starred Restaurants	€60-100

Worthy Note: The cost of food varies from one visitor to another, as the above are typical estimates. Alternatively, you can check out some budget restaurants or visit the street food scene to enjoy a meal for €2-5.

Cost of Beverages

Lisbon is known to have some of the best beer and wine 🍷 scenes and is worth checking out. Still, you can easily forget to check these prices on a tight budget. So, what can you expect to pay? Let’s find out:

Beverage Costs	Bottle/Glass
Wine/Local Supermarket	€5-7
Beer/Pint Local Bar/Supermarket	€3-4/€1-2
Cocktails	€7-10
Happy Hour/5 pm to 8 pm	Varies in Price
Coffee/Local Cafe/Fancier Coffee	€1.50-2.50/€3-5

Common Costs For Transport

Here is a breakdown of the public transportation costs you can expect while visiting:

• Lisbon Airport transfer to accommodation in the city center, for example, Baixa, includes a luggage surcharge of €12 to €15
• Lisbon Airport to the Baixa district via Metro a single ticket costs €1.80
• Taking a tram from Baixa to Belem district, a single ticket costs €3
• A journey from Baixa to Belem by bus for a single ticket costs €2
• You can take a Bolt/Uber ride from Baixa to Belem for €5.20 for four people
• The 24-hour unlimited public transport ticket, which offers exceptional value for money, costs €6.80 and includes the Metro, buses, Elevador de Santa Justa, and trams.
• Taking the train to Sintra for the best day trip can cost €2.30/€4.60 for a single/return ticket.

Hot Tip🔥: Ride-hailing apps like Bolt and Uber are affordable in Lisbon for most journeys. They are an easy way to travel between different districts.

The Bolt fares are a bit cheaper, around 15%, but Uber’s standards are better. I recommend installing the Bolt/Uber app before your trip to Lisbon.

Tips to Keep Lisbon Transportation Costs Down

1. Consider purchasing the Lisboa Card, which provides unlimited travel on Lisbon’s public transport system and discounts on various attractions. The card is available for different durations; a 24-hour ticket costs €20, and a 72-hour ticket costs €42.
2. For longer stays in Lisbon, consider the Navegante Card. This reusable card costs €0.50 and can be loaded with single tickets, a daily pass, or zapping credit. It can be used on metros, buses, and trams at a discounted rate compared to the pay-as-you-go price.
3. You can also travel the city on foot, a cost-effective way to explore. Lisbon is compact, with many major attractions located within proximity. Walking saves money and provides an immersive experience of the city’s vibrant streets and charming neighborhoods.

Things to Do in Lisbon: Entrance Fees

Over the years, the fees at famous tourist attractions have increased, and you will spend a fortune if you want to visit them all on a tight budget. Here are the famous places:

• Lisbon Castle: Average price for adults and youth aged 13-25 – €25/€7.50
• Jeronimos Monastery: Average price €10
• Lisbon Oceanarium: Adult/child aged between 3-12 costs €22/€15
• Palacio da Pena in Sintra: Adult/youth aged 6-17 costs €14/€12
• Torre de Belem: €6
• Museu Nacional do Azulejo: €5
• Joining a 3-hour walking tour costs a tip of €10
• Take a 60-minute Tuk-Tuk ride around Lisbon for three people plus a tip €60 to €70
• Getting on the hop-on-hop-off bus or tram with a 48-hour ticket costs for adults/youth aged 11-16 around €36/€27
• A full-day trip to Cascais and Sintra can cost you €65

Another thing worth noting is that medicine in Lisbon is costly, and bringing your own on the trip is best. Furthermore, ensure you have travel insurance to cover medical costs.

Still, while these attractions can cost a lot, there are free things you can do in Lisbon if you spend a lot on accommodation and flights.

Recommended Daily Budget in Lisbon

On average, as a solo traveler, depending on where you stay, you can expect to pay €194, as seen here:

Average Daily Budget in Lisbon	Cost
Accommodation Costs  (Solo Travel)	€70
Local Transportation	€24
Food	€42
Entertainment	€24
Tips and Handouts	€2 – 7
Alcohol	€9 – 27

Tips and Hints to Save Lisbon Travel Costs

When planning your trip, the above are the average costs you can expect to pay when using public transportation, food, tourist attractions, and accommodation. Here are some tips to help you save on travel expenses.

• Book your flights in advance to save on costs, especially for low-cost airlines. Their prices increase closer to the departure date, and booking early enough gives you access to the cheapest flight.
• Book your accommodation in advance, as the best budget hotels sell out fast, and last-minute deals are rare. Many accommodation options are available, but they become expensive during peak season.
• You can expect to pay for expensive meals in the famous tourist districts compared to finding a street food vendor or visiting a restaurant in the hidden streets. Ensure to check the menu before you sit down.
• I recommend you enjoy your main meal at lunchtime to avoid expensive meals as you can find fixed-priced menus called Prato do Dia, the menu of the day.
• Lastly, you can save on expensive meals by visiting shopping centers and food courts, which are ideal for a quick lunch or brunch.
• Furthermore, instead of spending a fortune at museums, explore the wide range of street art available throughout the city.
• Also, invest in a Lisboa Card or Navegante to save on public transportation and entrance fees to the main attractions.

Typical 3-Day Trip Costs For Budget Travelers

Here is a cost-effective trip planner for a 3-day itinerary with a stay in Lisbon costing around €377 per person.

Next, you will see a cost breakdown for a trip reflecting a mid-price tourist. Yet, costs can increase if you want to visit every attraction, eat at the best Lisbon restaurants, and party all night.

• 3 x Breakfast that equals 3 x €7 coming to a total cost of €21
• 2 x Lunch that equals 3 x €10 coming to a total of €30
• 3 x Dinner that equals 3 x €37 coming to a total of €111
• Cape and pastries 3 x €1.50 equals €9
• 6 x coffees at €1.20 equals €7.20
• 6L of water that is 18 bottles x €0.50 equals €9 or save costs by refilling your bottle at the water fountains available for free as the water is drinkable
• Uber/Bolt fares in the city 4 x €5 equals €20
• Taxi fares to Lisbon city center and back to the airport 2 x €15 equals €30, or check out these budget options instead.
• Two days of public transport tickets at €6.80 equals €13.20
• Enjoying a big night out enjoy 7 x beer/wine €4 equals €28
• Add evening drinks for the other two nights at a total of 8 x €4 equals €32
• Join a free walking tour with a tip of €10
• Entrance fees to the Castle €26, Jeronimos Monastery €10, Belem Tower €6 and a Fado performance €15

Wrap-Up: Lisbon Travel Cost

While some attractions can be expensive, there are free things you can do in Lisbon to keep your budget in check.

For instance, you can stroll through the charming neighborhoods of Alfama, Graça, and Bairro Alto or visit the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte for a scenic view of the city.

Additionally, you can explore the city’s street art scene or visit the iconic Praça do Comércio, Lisbon’s largest square.

With some planning, you can easily enjoy a budget-friendly trip to Lisbon while still experiencing all this vibrant city has to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions