Want to know how to plan a trip to Porto on a budget? Then check out this article for all our tips on how to get to know this wonderful city in Portugal while spending as little as possible.
1. Save on tickets for paid attractions in Porto
Porto is an incredible city with countless attractions to visit. We’ve traveled all over the world and found a great company that does all the guided tours there at very good prices.
So, you should know that on our last trips we used this very Porto Tickets website. As well as being one of the biggest ticket sellers in the world, it’s also very secure. Plus, on this site, you can buy all your tickets in one place.
It’s also worth mentioning that it’s always cheaper to buy all your tickets in advance and online. That way, you’ll avoid the queues and won’t waste any of your travel time.
Most popular tickets in Porto:
2. Save money with travel insurance for Porto and Portugal
As well as being essential for your vacation, travel insurance is a must if you want to go to Porto. This is because, in order to enter any place in Europe, you need to have Travel Insurance with a minimum cover of 30,000 euros in medical assistance.
We have already tested several companies and this one has been the best. It’s reliable and at a good price.
3. Save money by renting a car in Porto
Another good recommendation on how to plan a trip to Porto on a budget is to save money on car rental. Many tourists who go there choose this option to have the freedom to get around, to be able to visit various places in the city, to go to the outlets and shopping malls with a trunk and to get to know the neighboring cities. So take a look at the tips below and make the most of it.
Book your car in advance
Make your reservation online as soon as possible, because another tip on how to plan a trip to Porto on a budget, and get a cheap car, is to book as far in advance as possible and online. The earlier you book, the cheaper you’ll pay. It’s well worth it and you’ll save a lot with promotions, paying much less than renting a car on the spot.
Don’t rent a GPS in Porto
Another good tip is not to rent a car with a GPS, as it costs a lot per day. Instead, you can buy a good chip, like the one we listed above, unblocked for international calls and with unlimited Internet. That way, you’ll be able to use the map and location apps with your own cell phone.
Use this incredible price comparator
There are some car rental price comparators in Porto (and throughout Portugal) that are sensational and search all the main car rental companies there, finding the best prices and excellent deals.
We recommend one that you can use by going to the website and entering the date of your trip. It then searches for all the best car rental companies in Porto.
If you want to do the search, click here on Car Rental Comparator. In just a few seconds, you’ll have all the options for renting a car in Porto from the best companies on your screen, and you can choose the cheapest one. You really will save a lot.
More tips: prefer larger and reliable rental companies, such as Europcar, Budget and Avis. Take out basic insurance when booking, which is super important and is usually included in the price. But don’t fall for the companies who, when you pick up the car, try to push extra insurance that isn’t worth it.
4. Save money with a transfer service in Porto
One tip we think is important for those who don’t want to rent a car or spend a lot on cabs is that the best way to get from the airport to the hotel, and vice versa, is by transfer. These days, they are cheaper than cabs and much safer, plus you don’t have to wait in queues and risk wasting time looking for one.
Unfortunately, as in every tourist city, we always hear reports of tourists being scammed by taxi drivers. They often charge a lot more than normal, or take much longer routes – which is very unpleasant, of course.
There is a very good website, Transfer Search, which is the largest in the world. It offers 3 transfer options: one way from the airport to the hotel, one way from the hotel to the airport or both (round trip). Just enter the airport you’re arriving at, the destination and choose the best option and type of car.
They give you the price, the journey time and all the information. We found it much cheaper than taking a cab from the airport and everything was always very quick and easy. It’s very worthwhile if you’re not going to rent a car. It’s also an excellent place to buy Porto’s tickets and tours.
5. Save on train travel in Porto and Portugal
Train travel in Europe is very common, as well as being quick and comfortable. Using the train to visit neighboring cities in Porto can save you a lot of money, as airline tickets are generally more expensive.
To find the best tickets at the lowest prices, we recommend using this Europe Train Finder, which is the largest train ticket website in the world. It searches all the best train companies and shows you the best options.
6. Save on accommodation in Porto
Accommodation is also an important point in your travel planning. In Porto, prices are very relative, depending on the area of the city. That’s why our tip for finding great hotels at very good prices is to use this Porto Hotel Finder.
We always use it on our trips and we really like this site, which is the largest hotel booking platform in the world. And with it, you can confidently and safely book great accommodation at incredible prices. We always save a lot with this tool and recommend it to anyone who wants to travel to Portugal.
7. Save on cell phone SIM cards in Porto
Another tip on how to plan a trip to Porto on a budget is to save money when using your cell phone. In short, using your international roaming abroad is usually the worst option and ends up being much more expensive. And sometimes, in order to use the Wi-Fi, most hotels charge a very expensive daily fee and you can only use your cell phone inside the hotel.
For this reason, and many others, what most people do to travel cheaply to Europe, and which is very worthwhile, is to buy an prepaid SIM card. We always use this Mobile Chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s internet anywhere in the world.
8. Save money on purchases using the Tax Free system in Porto
Tax Free is found in almost every country in Europe. This system allows all tourists to get back a good part of the taxes paid on purchases. One tip is to always check if there is a sign saying that the store has Tax Free, or ask. In addition, there is a minimum amount within an establishment for you to be entitled to Tax Free on your purchases. In Portugal, this amount is 61.50 euros.
So, when you make a purchase with the excess amount, the clerk will ask you if you want the Tax Free. They will then ask you for your passport, fill in a form and give you an envelope with the invoice and the form.
Then all you have to do is collect all the envelopes during your trip and, at the airport, go to the counter and get the whole amount back in cash.
