Just realized I spent under $400 for a full week in Lisbon

I kept a super detailed budget sheet for my trip to Portugal last fall, and when I added everything up at the end, the total for flights, a hostel, food, and transport came to $387. I was shocked. I flew a budget airline with just a personal item, stayed in a 6-bed dorm in the Alfama district, and ate almost exclusively from local bakeries and grocery stores. I walked everywhere or used the cheap tram system. The big win was finding a free walking tour that was actually great, and I spent my days just exploring the city's hills and views. I honestly thought I'd blown my budget on pasteis de nata alone, but nope. Has anyone else managed to hit a crazy low number for a week in a major European city? I'm trying to plan my next trip and want to see if Lisbon was a fluke or if I can do it again.

3 comments

3 Comments

zara_hill467d agoTop Commenter

How did you even find a flight that cheap? My best was a week in Krakow for about the same amount, maybe a little less. I did the same thing with a bunk in a hostel and lived on zapiekanka from street stalls. Public transit there costs nothing, and most of the museums have a free day. It's totally doable if you skip the fancy restaurants and just walk until your feet hurt.

abby1897d ago

Exactly, you can eat like a king on street food alone.

nina_harris395d ago

Actually Krakow's public transit isn't free, you gotta buy tickets. It is super cheap though, like a few złoty. The buses and trams are easy to use and they'll get you everywhere. Just didn't want anyone to get a fine because they thought it was free.