Currency, means of payment

It is said that it is the sinews of war, but also of holidays! We tell you everything about the financial considerations to make your trip to Porto a budget-friendly getaway. Treat yourself!

What currency in Porto?

In Porto, the current currency is the Euro (€). When you arrive at the airport, you will find a currency exchange counter, but be careful, its opening depends on your arrival times! If you need to change currency in town, you will find exchange offices, especially at Sao Bento Central Station.

Go with a credit card (preferably a Visa or CB and not a Mastercard), you will find automatic teller machines (ATM) everywhere in town! Ask your bank about the fees for withdrawing money abroad before you leave (often there are none, if it's the same currency). You can pay almost anywhere with your credit card. In stores, hotels, restaurants (be careful, small restaurants and street food tend to be paid in cash). Be sure to check with your bank about foreign payment fees and let them know about your trip to avoid any issues with your card.

Tipping and fees in restaurants (cutlery, olives, appetizers, water)

In Portugal and Porto, in general everything brought to the table is charged for. Bread, “cutlery”, water (yes even from the tap), everything has a (small) cost. This will be specified on the restaurant menu. It happens that appetizers (which are sometimes considered “cutlery”) are placed on your table, especially in very touristy areas. You can politely refuse, but if you consume, it will be part of the bill. These are ridiculous costs and in general restaurants are 15 to 40% cheaper than in France for a starter/main course/dessert/drink. Regarding tipping, it is not obligatory, but always appreciated. If you ate well, were considered and served with respect (which will almost always be the case), make a small gesture because in the restaurant industry, employees are paid a minimum.

Porto's finger food (bites, snacks) is truly delicious, there are bakeries selling sweet and savory items at any time and on every street corner! Fish lovers will be delighted in Porto, there are delicacies in all seasons.

The cost of living in Porto

The cost of living in Porto is affordable, making it an attractive destination for a weekend or short break.

The price of accommodation varies like everywhere, depending on the services and the category. Hotels, youth hostels, apartment rentals or rooms in private homes... Outside of tourist periods and if you go a little further away, while remaining a good distance from the numerous metro stations, you will find very decent accommodation for 40 at 100 euros. If you are looking for a higher standard, the city center offers very nice apartments and high-end hotels, well located and close to the main tourist attractions.

The price of meals in Porto follows the same principle. We eat very well in Porto and for all prices. Street food (found in markets or small bakeries) is qualitative and affordable (a few euros). You can have a real feast for less than 15 euros all inclusive. If you are looking for very good restaurants, you will find what you are looking for in the city center. Do not hesitate to consult the online reviews, which are numerous in Porto and will help you choose according to your desires.

Transportation is plentiful, affordable and easy to use. Bus, tram, metro, electric scooter, electric bike, and even boat, cable car and funicular! If you decide to stay in the city center for a short stay, we recommend that you encourage walking. If you know the center and are going to wander around more, the Andante card (Porto Card) may be interesting, but you really need to use the metro and buses several times a day! There are very economical taxis and Ubers in Porto.

Tourist activities and entry to most heritage monuments require a fee. The cost of sightseeing in Porto is roughly similar to France, from 5 to 20 euros per activity. This is also the variant that will change the cost of your stay. If you make a lot of visits, you will quickly increase your budget. The Porto Card allows you to save money, but the reductions are ultimately quite low and valid for certain monuments and attractions. In the end we all do the same thing and there are people (you can sometimes queue for a long time in peak season).

In summary: Allow from 70 to 150 euros per day and per person for a stay in Porto, all inclusive!