Portugal on a budget

Cheapest months to go

Peak is April, May, June, September, October. The weeks either side of that window usually carry most of the weather with much less of the price.

Getting around for less

Realistic options in Portugal:

• CP runs the mainland rail network; Alfa Pendular is the fastest intercity service on the Lisbon–Porto and Lisbon–Algarve corridors, with major stops including Coimbra and Aveiro
• Intercidades trains cover additional long-distance routes at lower fares
• Regular coach services connect the major cities and smaller towns
• A car is optional for Lisbon and Porto city trips, but useful for the Alentejo, rural Algarve and parts of Madeira
• Domestic flights matter for Madeira and the Azores; ferries and boats link islands within the Azorean groups

Where to base yourself

Fewer bases means fewer paid transfers. Lisbon, Porto, Algarve cover a lot between them.