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 25-30 per person in the high season. With bottom-end accommodation and the occasional inexpensive restaurant meal, daily costs would hover around 30-45. 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 50-70 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.
