Our favorite resources to travel in Portugal

We are Portuguese and have lived our lives primarily in Portugal (you can check more about us here). Naturally, we’ve spent countless hours and days exploring Portugal — from the cities and beaches to the mountains and hidden villages. Along the way, we’ve tested loads of travel tools.

This list includes the ones we actually use (and like) to travel around Portugal. No random stuff — only tools that make our trips smoother, cheaper, or just less stressful.

⚠️ Some of these links are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book through them (at no extra cost to you). It’s a great way to support Portugal Things and help us keep creating helpful content!

Here’s our handpicked list of travel resources we recommend for traveling in Portugal:

???? Accommodation

• Booking.com
  • Still our go-to platform for finding places to stay. Tons of options, from cute guesthouses in the countryside to modern apartments in Lisbon.
  • ???? Book your stay here

• Hotels.com
  • Great backup to Booking, especially useful for finding deals on chain hotels. The rewards program is also pretty good, offering a free night after 10 bookings.
  • ???? Check hotels here

• VRBO
  • If you’re looking for vacation homes or full apartments — especially for more extended stays or family trips — Vrbo is an excellent alternative to Airbnb. We started using it more after Airbnb suddenly shut down its affiliate program, which was disappointing for many content creators.
  • ???? Browse rentals on Vrbo

⚠️ Why we no longer promote Airbnb
Airbnb used to be a regular recommendation here, but in 2023, they abruptly ended their affiliate program without warning or communication. This left many bloggers and creators without a source of income overnight. We now choose to support platforms like VRBO and Hotels.com that offer more transparent and fair partnerships.

✈️ Flights

• Google Flights
  • Still one of the best ways to compare flight prices quickly. It doesn’t sell flights, but it’s great for planning.
  • ???? Search on Google Flights

• Kiwi.com
  • We love Kiwi for finding complex flight combinations, especially when low-cost airlines are involved. It’s super helpful when flying to or from secondary airports like Porto or Faro.
  • ???? Find flights on Kiwi

• AirHelp
  • We haven’t needed to use it yet, but many travelers recommend AirHelp for claiming compensation on delayed or canceled flights within the EU.
  • ???? Check your flight compensation options

???? Buses

• Rede Expressos
  • Portugal’s leading intercity bus network. Reliable, affordable, and connects pretty much the entire country.
  • ???? Book at Rede Expressos

• Flixbus
  • A good option for traveling between cities or even into Spain. Not as local as Rede Expressos, but often cheaper.
  • ???? Book with Flixbus

???? Trains

• CP – Comboios de Portugal
  • The national train company. It’s not fancy, but it works. Trains are perfect for traveling between Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, and some other major cities.
  • ???? Check the CP site and download their app.

• Omio
  • Use Omio to compare and book buses and trains in one place. Makes it easier if you’re new to Portuguese transport. We use it more often when traveling abroad, but it works well in Portugal, too.
  • ???? Book with Omio

???? Ride-hailing

• Uber
  • Available in major cities like Lisbon, Porto, and Faro. It’s usually cheaper than taxis and way more convenient.
  • ???? Download Uber

• Bolt
  • A solid alternative to Uber, often a bit cheaper. Works in the same cities and is just as reliable.
  • ???? Try Bolt

???? Car Rentals

• DiscoverCars
  • We don’t usually rent cars in Portugal, but we have used DiscoverCars many times when traveling abroad, and in the Azores and Madeira. It offers excellent prices and compares deals from multiple providers. And, we have never had a problem with them.
  • ???? Find rental cars with DiscoverCars

???? Travel Money

• Revolut
  • Our go-to card for traveling and paying in different currencies. Works flawlessly in Portugal, with great exchange rates and handy budgeting tools.
  • ???? Get your Revolut card

???? Tours & Activities

• GetYourGuide
  • Perfect for booking day trips, guided tours, and skip-the-line tickets to popular attractions in cities like Lisbon and Porto.
  • ???? Book tours on GetYourGuide

• Viator
  • A great alternative to GetYourGuide for booking tours, activities, and experiences in Portugal. Often has unique local options and regular deals.
  • ???? Explore tours on Viator

???? eSIM

• AloSIM
  • Super convenient if you need mobile data as soon as you land. No need to queue for a local SIM card — activate your eSIM before arriving. It’s also incredibly affordable, and you can buy for regions, not only countries, if your trip includes more than just Portugal.
  • ???? Check AloSIM

????️ Travel Insurance

• Revolut
  • We typically use Revolut’s travel coverage for most of our trips. We use the metal plan, which includes 30 days of coverage, but please check directly with them, as these things change fast.
  • ???? Visit Revolut

• VisitorsCoverage
  • Ideal travel insurance for visitors to Portugal — affordable, flexible plans with good coverage for short and medium stays. Perfect if you want peace of mind without fuss.
  • ???? Check VisitorsCoverage plans

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