Daily costs
| Typical daily cost | €60-100 |
|---|---|
| Budget level | $$ |
| Trip length | 5 - 7 days recommended |
| Region | Southwest Europe |
What things cost
Illustrative planning allowances for Lisbon. These are not verified current prices. Replace these allowances with dated quotes before booking. Check whether each price is per person, room or vehicle.
| Guesthouse or budget hotel (per night) | €55–90 |
| Mid-range central hotel (per night) | €110–180 |
| Bifana, pastel de nata, bakery lunch | €3–8 |
| Tasca dinner with vinho da casa | €18–30 per person |
| Tram, metro or funicular ride | €1.80 (Viva Viagem zapping) |
| Sintra day trip (train + Pena entry) | €25–30 |
Daily budget by travel style
| Shoestring — €45/day per person | Hostels and guesthouses, bakery meals, walking and tram 28, one paid viewpoint. |
| Comfortable — €85/day per person | Central hotel, tasca dinners, fado night, Sintra day trip, taxis occasionally. |
| Upside — €160+/day per person | Rooftop hotels in Chiado, chef-driven dining, private Sintra tours, river sailing. |
The page-wide figure of €60-100 per day (at the $$ level) matches the 5 - 7 days recommended. Flights are separate.
How to save money in Lisbon
- Get the Viva Viagem card and zap — every metro, tram and funicular ride drops to €1.80 and the card pays for itself in a day.
- Eat the menu do dia: €10–14 fixed lunches are the best food-value in Western Europe.
- Stay in Graça or Alvalade instead of Baixa: 15–25% cheaper, better local cafés, and the 28 tram still passes the door.
- Visit Sintra on a weekday and buy Pena Palace timed tickets online — the weekend queue is two hours the ticket skips.
Related guides
Ready-made itinerary · Best time to visit · General budget tips · Full Lisbon guide
FAQ
Is Lisbon expensive now?
It has risen with fame but remains Western Europe's value corner: €60–100 per day covers a mid-range trip, and bakery meals keep the floor near €45. Summer hotel prices are the spike to plan around.
How much does a Sintra day trip cost?
Train from Rossio (about €2.40 each way) plus Pena Palace entry around €20 with the timed ticket; €25–30 all-in before lunch. The 434 bus loops the hill sites.
Do I need the Lisboa Card?
Only if you are museum-heavy: it bundles transport and entries, but the classic Lisbon itinerary is mostly free viewpoints, churches and streets. Zap rides plus individual tickets usually win.
What does a 5-7 day trip to Lisbon really cost?
Multiply the daily figure by your days: at the mid-range (€60 per day per person), on-ground costs for 5-7 days land around €300–€700, before international flights. The style table above shows which choices move you between the columns.
How to use these budget figures
These amounts are editorial allowances rather than a survey of current prices. Confirm the currency and whether the charge is per person, room, vehicle or group. Replace accommodation and activity figures with quotes for your dates. Flights, insurance and entry costs must be budgeted separately unless explicitly included.