Spain & Portugal travel guide
Trip cost in Spain and Portugal depends on the city, the season and your hotel area. Spain is generally cheaper than northern Europe, and Portugal is moderate to expensive by southern European standards. Lisbon, Porto, the coast and peak summer cost more. Our packages are land-only, so flights are extra.
Facts checked 3 Nov 2026
Spain and Portugal are not uniformly expensive or cheap. The price of a trip depends on where you stay, when you travel and how you spend each day. This guide explains the main cost drivers, what our land-only packages include, and how to compare quotes. Our research does not give exact prices, so ask a planner for a written quote for your dates.
Four things move the cost of a trip most. The first is the city, because Lisbon, Porto and the coasts cost more than many inland places. The second is the season, since peak summer is busy and pricier. The third is accommodation, which usually makes up most of the budget. The fourth is transport between cities, which varies by route and by the train or road you choose.
Spain is generally cheaper than northern Europe, and prices vary by city and season. Major cities and peak summer periods cost more, while January and February and the shoulder seasons often offer better value. Portugal is usually moderate to expensive by southern European standards. Budget stays and public transport can be manageable, but Lisbon, Porto and coastal resorts cost more in peak season.
Your hotel choice affects the total more than anything else. A hotel in the centre of a major city costs more than one further out, but it can save transport time. Trains are useful for the main routes, including Lisbon to Porto and the high-speed services between Spanish cities. A car helps for beaches and hill towns, but parking and narrow streets add cost and effort in older areas.
Shoulder seasons usually give better value than summer. Spring and early autumn combine mild weather with fewer crowds. January and February are cheaper in many places, and our research notes that winter stays quieter and comparatively cheaper in several destinations. Book early for spring and early autumn, when demand is strong.
Daily spending depends on your style of travel. Meals, museum entries, tram or metro rides and evening shows all add up. Budget for lunches and dinners separately, because our packages include breakfast only. Keep a small daily allowance for tips and personal expenses, and check the current euro rate before you travel.
Our Spain and Portugal packages are land-only. They include nights in comfort-category hotels on twin sharing, daily breakfast, airport transfers by private vehicle, sightseeing by private vehicle as per the itinerary, and visa assistance. They exclude flights, meals not listed in the itinerary, entry fees and activities not listed, visa fees, travel insurance, personal expenses and GST. See the Spain Highlights 7N and Spain Portugal 10N packages for the details of each route.
Ask for a written quote with every inclusion listed. Check the city of each hotel, the number of nights in each base, and whether transfers and sightseeing are included. Compare the same dates and the same number of nights, because a season change can alter the total.
This guide is compiled from published tourism, weather and transport information. It was last checked on 2 November 2026. Prices, fares and exchange rates change, so confirm them with your planner before you pay.
Ready-made trips
Barcelona 4N · Madrid 3N
Lisbon 5N · Seville 5N
*Approximate price per person, excl. GST. Contact us for exact pricing.
Packages cover stays, transfers, sightseeing and meals as listed. Flights are not included. Prices are per person, excl. GST.
FAQs
Short answers to what travellers ask about Spain & Portugal.
It depends on the season and the city. Spain is generally cheaper than northern Europe. Portugal is moderate to expensive by southern European standards, and Lisbon, Porto and the coast cost more in peak season.
Our packages are land-only. They include nights in comfort-category hotels on twin sharing, daily breakfast, airport transfers by private vehicle, sightseeing as per the itinerary and visa assistance. Flights, visa fees and travel insurance are extra.
No. Our packages are land-only, so flights are booked separately. Our planners can suggest arrival and departure timings from your city. Ask for a quote that shows the land price separately from your flight costs.
January and February, and the shoulder months of spring and early autumn, usually offer better value than peak summer. Prices vary by city and hotel, so compare quotes for the dates you choose.
Hotel area changes the price, so ask your planner which areas suit your budget. A hotel further from the sights can add transport time each day, so weigh any saving against the time you spend travelling.
Budget for lunches and dinners separately, because our packages include breakfast only. Meals vary by restaurant and city, so keep a daily allowance and check your planner's quote for what is included.
Entry fees and activities not listed in the itinerary are extra. Ask your planner which attractions are included, and budget for the rest, such as museum visits and evening shows.
Compare the same dates, the same number of nights and the same cities. Check which transfers, breakfasts and sightseeing are included. Ask for each quote in writing before you decide.
Tell us when you want to travel and who is coming. A trip expert builds a day-by-day plan with prices that you can change.
Prefer to answer a few questions step by step? Use the trip planner.
