Travel Resources I love
Portugal is a favourite travel destination, but with so much to discover, planning your trip can feel a bit daunting. Thankfully, there are plenty of resources to make the process easier! On this page, you’ll find my go-to travel tools and tips. They’re perfect for planning a trip to Portugal but also incredibly useful for exploring other destinations around the globe.
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Flights to Portugal
Fly with TAP Air Portugal
Whenever possible, I fly TAP Air Portugal. After flying for years as a flight attendant, I know the importance of safety and onboard service. TAP Air Portugal has proven to offer precisely this in the years travelling with them. I also flew TAP when moving to Lisbon with my cat, and we had an amazing experience.
Expedia: Your all-in-one travel planner
Expedia is a great all-in-one travel platform where you can find flights, accommodations, car rentals, and vacation packages. What I love about it is how easy it makes the booking process and the frequent deals they offer. It truly makes planning my trips so much less stressful!
Find the best flights with Skyscanner
Skyscanner is our go-to search engine for finding the most affordable flights to Portugal. The platform scans hundreds of airlines and booking sites to show you the best deals in one place. With handy filters and the “cheapest month” feature, you can easily see when it’s most budget-friendly to fly to Lisbon, Porto, or Faro. It’s an essential tool for planning your travel budget.
Hotels and accommodation
Hotels and apartments with Booking.com
Booking.com is our go-to platform for finding accommodations in Europe. You can also book flights, car rentals, and more. There are millions of options, and the flexible booking policies are perfect if you change your mind. And the more you book, the better discounts you receive as a Genius member.
Style and comfort at NH Hoteles (now Minor Hotels)
While studying tourism, I worked at NH Hoteles to gain work experience. NH Hoteles is a global hotel chain with many hotels in Portugal and Spain. It’s a trusted choice for comfort and reliability, and we love staying in their stylish hotels.
Booking experiences and tours
Book excursions with Viator
One of the best ways to discover Portugal is by booking tours and excursions. Viator has been a trusted partner over the years, and they offer some fantastic options. Their support is excellent, and there is a lot of flexibility in booking.
GetYourGuide for tickets and tours
GetYourGuide connects travellers with unforgettable experiences, from guided tours to unique activities and skip-the-line tickets. With verified reviews and easy online booking, it’s a trusted resource for planning memorable trips. We use GetYourGuide all the time! There are many diverse options, and the hassle-free booking process is perfect.
Skip the line with Tiqets
Tiqets makes it easy to discover and book tickets for museums, attractions, and cultural experiences worldwide. If we visit a musuem or want to get skip the line tickets, Tiqets is the way to go! With instant booking and mobile tickets, it eliminates all the stress of planning.
Relieve stress with Lisbon Massage Studio
For a truly restorative experience in Lisbon, we recommend the personalized treatments by Ulisses at Lisbon Massage Studio. This dedicated space offers various massage styles tailored to your specific needs. If you prefer, Ulisses is also available for in-home or hotel room visits, providing ultimate relaxation without needing to leave your space.
AllTrails for hikers
We love hiking, but preferable without getting lost! AllTrails is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. The app offers detailed maps and reviews for thousands of hiking, biking, and running trails worldwide. And with the handy GPS tracking you always know where you are. The filters for difficulty and length helps you find the perfect trail for any adventure.
Travel safety
Heymondo travel insurance
Luckily, most trips go as planned. But there are times you wish you had travel insurance. You can create tailor-made travel insurance, including 24-hour medical assistance, trip cancellation, long-stay travel insurance, baggage, electronics and much more! As a Discover Portugal reader, you even get a 5% discount on your policy!
Tripaneer for a unique experience
Do you love hiking, surfing, yoga, and wellness? Tripaneer specializes in curated travel experiences, from retreats to surf camps and wellness escapes. Enjoy multi-day trips tailored to your passions in some of the best locations in Portugal.
Transportation
Best rental car deals in Portugal with DiscoverCars
Renting a car can be super stressful! How often do you feel cheated or scammed for a scratch that was already there? Since I moved to DiscoverCars, we have never had issues. You can easily select which car rental company you want to book, and there are no hidden fees. You can also take full coverage when you pick up the car for extra security.
Book buses with BusBud
Busbud is our go-to platform for finding and booking bus trips throughout Portugal and beyond. It compares different bus companies in one place, so you can easily find the fastest route or the cheapest ticket. With its user-friendly interface and digital tickets, it makes travelling between cities like Lisbon, Lagos, or Faro completely stress-free. It’s the perfect budget-friendly alternative to the train!
Compare trains, buses, and flights with Omio
Omio is an easy one-stop platform for booking trains, buses, and flights, and we usually use the app to book train tickets. It can be used in Portugal and many other countries worldwide. All the tickets are in one place, and you can easily compare prices and book tickets online.
Hassle-free airport transfers with Kiwitaxi
Kiwitaxi is perfect for airport transfers! Book ahead with your arrival times and location, and a driver will be waiting for you at the airport. There is no need to wait at the taxi rank, and you’ll know the fees upfront.
Private transfers in Portugal with GetTransfer.com
GetTransfer.com is perfect for longer transfers. Say you arrive in Lisbon but start your holiday in Porto or the Algarve. Then, you can book a long-distance transfer ahead of time so you don’t struggle to find a taxi to take you on a far trip, and the transfer cost is not an unwelcoming surprise.
Sightseeing transfers with daytrip
Do you want to add stops between Lisbon and Porto or the Algarve and Lisbon? daytrip is the perfect solution! The professional daytrip drivers will take you and your luggage from A to B, but you can customise the journey by visiting other cities and sights.
Other handy travel resources in Portugal
Manage your money with Wise
Wise is our top recommendation for handling multiple currencies while traveling through Portugal. Their platform allows you to spend abroad with the real exchange rate and no hidden fees. New users who sign up through our link can choose between a free Wise card or a fee-free transfer of up to €500, making it a perfect tool for stress-free travel.
Stay connected with Airalo
Whenever we travel to a destination where roaming fees apply, we buy an eSIM upfront with Airalo. Airalo offers you affordable mobile data worldwide, eliminating the hassle of traditional SIM cards. With easy setup and coverage in over 190 countries, it keeps you connected wherever you go.
Get compensation for flight delays with AirHelp
As a former flight attendant, I know how annoying delays are. But even more irritating is when the airlines aren’t helpful! AirHelp is the company that can help with delays and potential refunds. The process is much faster than with the airline, and AirHelp will help you with your passenger’s rights. Read more about their services.
Explore hands-free with Radical Storage
Leaving your luggage in a secure spot is a great idea if you arrive before check-in or have time before your flight. This way, you can see even more places during your holiday hands-free! Radical Storage offers luggage storage at many stations and other locations in Portugal.
Learn Portuguese with Mia Esmeriz
Although many Portuguese people speak English, learning a few words before your holiday never hurts. Mia Esmeriz offers online Portuguese language courses so you can practice before your trip!
Discover unique events with Fever
Looking for something special to do? Fever is the ultimate platform for discovering unique local experiences, from the famous Candlelight concerts in historic buildings to immersive art exhibitions and famous festivals. It’s our favourite way to find out what’s happening in the city right now and book tickets for events that you won’t find anywhere else.
Black Friday Savings
Each year I will keep an eye out for Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday Savings.
Discover the best travel deals this year !