Currency: Euro
Meals

Budget: €2-6
Mid-range: €6-12
High: €12-50
Deluxe: €50+

Lodging

Budget: €10-12
Mid-range: €20-40
High: €40-150
Deluxe: €150+

Although costs are beginning to rise as Portugal falls into fiscal step with the EU, this is still one of the least expensive places to travel in Europe. On a rock-bottom budget - using hostels or camping grounds and mostly self-catering - you could squeeze by on about EUR25-30 per person in the high season. With bottom-end accommodation and the occasional inexpensive restaurant meal, daily costs would hover around EUR30-45. Travelling with a companion and timing your trip to take advantage of off-season discounts, you could eat and sleep in relative style for about EUR50-70 for two. Outside major tourist areas, prices dip appreciably.

If you’re not unhappy with the service, a reasonable restaurant tip is about 5% to 10%. For a snack, a bit of loose change is enough. Taxi drivers appreciate about 10% of the fare. Good-humoured bargaining is acceptable in markets but you’ll find the Portuguese tough opponents. Off season, you can sometimes bargain down the price of accommodation.